Sylvain Guintoli is a 36-year-old rider who is very useful to Suzuki. At a time when manufacturers are looking for test riders, the Hamamatsu firm can count on the Frenchman for the 123 Grands Prix and for the title of Superbike World Champion. On occasion, he also plays guests in Grand Prix. And he rides in Endurance. He can therefore compare the two Japanese sports cars…
The GSX-RR in MotoGP and the GSX-R in Endurance. These are the work plans of Sylvain Guintoli who launched into a comparison between the two beasts. No value judgment in the approach, but the reporting of two different worlds with its own requirements...
First of all, the Frenchman specifies that he spent almost a month in Japan with his family, not for a vacation, but to work hard on Suzukis: “ there was a lot to do to prepare for the Suzuka 08:00 while testing for the MotoGP program. The two bikes are very different. And already because one uses Michelins and the other Bridgestones ».
« The GSX-RR is faster with a smoother transmission. It is also much more stable. It is thinner and less nervous than a Superbike machine. It is also more lively and offers less space, which is really noticeable for a driver of my size ».
« The other difference also lies in the brakes. On one side carbon discs, on the other steel. The GSX-RR puts a lot more work on the front tire.” He finishes : “a Grand Prix is between 45 and 50 minutes, but in Endurance it is at least an hour on the bike. That's a big difference. If you train properly, a MotoGP race will not exhaust you. But an 08 a.m. competition will push you to your limits, especially with the heat, humidity and weather in general. It's harder ».
