Suzuki GSX-R1000 K1-K4 (2001-2004) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Suzuki GSX-R1000 K1-K4 (2001-2004).

The Suzuki GSX-R1000 is a sport bike from Suzuki’s GSX-R series of motorcycles. It was introduced in 2001 to replace the GSX-R1100 and is powered by a liquid-cooled 988 cc inline four-cylinder, fuel-injected engine.

The GSX-R1000 is not just a bigger version of the GSX-R750, although it shares many features with its little brother. The main frame is the same in both models, but the material used on the GSX-R1000 brother is 0.5 mm (0.020 in) thicker. Suzuki claimed the torsional rigidity of the frame in the GSX-R1000 is 10% higher than that in the GSX-R750.

Suzuki made some minor improvements for the K3 model, which was released in September 2002. Suzuki improved the fuelling with a 32-bit ECU and reduced of the weight of the front calipers, fitting radial-mounted four-pot calipers on 300 mm discs, replacing the six-pot calipers on 320mm discs of the outgoing K2 model.

Apart from some different brake pads, the maintenance schedule is identical.

Suzuki released the K5 Suzuki GSX-R1000 in late 2004. That engine is now iconic, and the bike a legend.

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What you need to service the K1-K4 Suzuki GSX-R1000

So you’re maintaining your original classic Suzuki superbike eh? Awesome!

Here are the parts you’ll need — these are the specific part codes for the K1-K4 models.

Part	Suzuki GSX-R1000 K1-K4 spec
Oil	Suzuki requires engine oil with JASO MA spec, or at least API SF/SG or SH/SJ spec. Many oils fit this. Suzuki recommends SAE 10W-40 weight “Suzuki motor oil”, but I wouldn’t over-think this and use another popular high-grade oil like Motul 300V or Motul 7100.
Oil filter	Use a Hiflofiltro HF138, which is a drop-in high-quality replacement. This is used on all GSX-R1000 models (yes, even up to 2021).
Air filter	Use a K&N air filter as a drop-in replacement, part number SU-7500 for K1-K4 models.
Spark plugs	The standard spark plug is NGK CR9E. Some replace them with iridium CR9EIX plugs.
Brake fluid	Suzuki (like most motorcycles) requires DOT 4 brake fluid (the K1-K4 GSX-R1000 had a cable-actuated clutch)
Brake pads	Most people upgrade their brake pads to EBC ones for better performance (and they’re very affordable). Use EBC part codes * 01-02 front (6 pot): FA188HH for the front, * 03-04 front (Tokico, 4 pot): FA379HH for the front * All years 01-04 rear: FA254HH
Coolant	Suzuki only requires a coolant that’s “compatible with an aluminium radiator”. Most motorcycle coolants are, and so a Valvoline Zerex Asian Vehicle Coolant is a fine option.
Chain maintenance	Use either Motul chain paste or a complete Motul chain care kit for frequent chain servicing.
Grease	Always handy to have some lithium soap-based grease for external pivot points, like the kickstand.

Suzuki GSX-R1000 K1-K4 (2001-2004) Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Suzuki GSX-R1000 K1-K4 (2001-2004).

Maintaining the original GSX-R1000 is much like maintaining any other sport bike. Service the chain and change the oil regularly, Change the fluids (brake, clutch, cooling) every 4 years, and remember to re-torque and lubricate external pivot points with grease.

NOTE:

• I= Inspect and clean, adjust, replace or lubricate as necessary.
• R= Replace
• T= Tighten
• More frequent servicing may be required on motorcycles that are used under severe conditions
• The break-in service is omitted.

miles x 1000	4	7.5	11	14.5
km x 1000	6	12	18	24
months	6	12	18	24	Every
Air cleaner element	I	I	R	I
Spark plugs (CR9EIX)	I	R	I	R
Valve clearance	–	–	–	I
Exhaust valve	–	I	–	I
Engine oil (Motul 7100)			R	R
Engine oil filter (HF138)	–	–	R	–
Fuel line	I	I	I	I	4 years: R
Idle speed	I	I	I	I
Throttle valve synchronization	–	I	–	I
Evaporative emission control system (if fitted)	–	I	–	I
PAIR (air supply) system					4 years: R
Throttle cable play	–	I	–	I
Clutch cable play	I	I	I	I
Radiator hoses	I	I	I	I	4 years: R
Engine coolant (Zerex Asian Vehicle Coolant)					2 years: R
Drive Chain (Motul chain paste)	I	I	I	I	600 mi / 1000 km: C/L
Brakes	I	I	I	I
Brake hoses	I	I	I	I	4 years: R
Brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4)	I	I	I	I
Tires	I	I	I	I	2 years: R
Steering	–	I	–	I
Front forks	–	I	–	I
Rear suspension	–	I	–	I
Exhaust pipe bolts and muffler bolt and nut	–	T	–	T
Chassis bolts and nuts	T	T	T	T

Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Suzuki GSX-R1000 K1-K4 (2001-2004)

The manual for the K1-K4 Suzuki GSX-R1000 recommends the following tyre sizes and pressures. Of course, people choose their own tyres these days.

Tyre	Size	Tyre pressure (cold)	Brand(s) shipped with
Front	120/70 ZR17 M/C 58W	250 kPa (2.50 kgf/cm2)/ 36 psi	BRIDGESTONE: BT011F F
Rear	190/50 ZR 17 M/C 73 W	290 kPa (2.90 kgf/cm2)/ 42 psi	BRIDGESTONE: BT012R F

About the Suzuki GSX-R1000 K1-K4 (2001-2004)

The original GSX-R1000 was a huge improvement on the outgoing GSX-R1100 and an improvement on the GSX-R750 of the time. Even though it had a lot more power, the original K1 GSX-R1000 was only 4 kg (9 lb) heavier than its smaller 750 brother.

The original GSX-R1000 started life with dual throttle valves, titanium nitride-coated fork stanchions (which might be getting a bit faded these days), and really strong six-pot brakes.

It was sharply styled, too. The 2001 GSX-R1000 had houses multi-reflector, vertically mounted headlights for a narrow profile, improved aerodynamics over its 1100 predecessor and a highly effective ram air system. The whole bike was narrow, with a slim tank and sleek tail section.

The original K1-K4 GSX-R has white gauges, with a white-faced analog tach, digital LCD speedometer, odometer/tripmeter, clock and water temperature readouts. It used LEDs are also used for the turn signal, high beam, neutral and fuel level indicators. Additionally, the GSX-R1000 came with a programmable engine-rpm indicator that can be used as a shift light.

In 2003, Suzuki’s engineers managed to lower the original K1-K2’s weight, increase its power, and make it handle better. They did this by lowering weight (particularly unsprung mass by reducing the weight of the front brakes) and tuning the engine, bringing power at the crank up to 121 kW (162 hp) from 120 kW (160 hp).

Suzuki also added four ventilation holes between the cylinders to equalize crankcase pressure beneath the pistons. This helped moving the air intake nearer to the centerline. They also upgraded the engine management system from a 16-bit to a 32-bit ECU, tuning it for additional horsepower and torque.

In late 2004, Suzuki released the K5 GSX-R1000, an engine so incredible it’s still used today in some of Suzuki’s motorcycles.

Manual for the Suzuki GSX-R1000 K1-K4 (2001-2004)

The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Suzuki GSX-R1000 K1-K4 (2001-2004) from a 2003 manual.

You can download Suzuki manuals from here.