ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Adelaide United celebrate after they defeated the Wanderers during the 2015/16 A-League Grand Final match between Adelaide United and the Western Sydney Wanderers at Adelaide Oval on May 1, 2016 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Just a few days prior to the start of the second official test of the season at Phillip Island in Australia, Andrea Iannone and Alex Rins flew to the Melbourne track to try out the brand new GSX-R1000R.

This followed the international press launch that Suzuki staged for the media and was also a chance to meet all the Australian Suzuki dealers in a celebration dinner that concluded the launch week.

Despite poor weather, the two Suzuki Ecstar factory riders were eager to try the new GSX-R1000R on the fast and exciting Australian circuit.

They were able to appreciate the effectiveness and the natural ease of the new machine and their racing DNA also brought a direct comparison to the GSX-RR MotoGP machine they are going to ride tomorrow at the test.

“For being a factory bike this GSX-R1000R really impressed me,” Andrea Iannone said. “The engine is very powerful but the power delivery is easy to manage and safe enough for inexperienced riders, but at the same time aggressive enough for the more skilled ones. The handling is excellent."

"Once again Suzuki has proven to be very skilled in making bikes that are easy to ride, with smooth reactions and good agility. The most impressive thing was the cornering speed on the circuit; it reminded me of what I've found in the GSX-RR MotoGP machine. I also liked the gears; the quick shifter is very smooth and allows for a very comfortable ride.”

The two machines are very similar in many respects since the technology developed for MotoGP races is the very same that inspired the product designers and engineers in the development of its sister product.