Without ride-by-wire: How the Suzuki GSX-R750 becomes Supersport-compliant

Motozoo’s announcement that it would be competing in the 2027 Supersport World Championship with Suzuki came as a bombshell. Although the Japanese manufacturer has returned to the paddock of the production-based World Championship this year in the new Sportbike World Championship, it is not competing in the overseas races or the entry-level series. By competing in the middle category, the Suzuki colours will also be on display in Australia and at the Chinese debut.

The GSX-R750, which is already homologated for the Next Generation regulations, will be used. However, ride-by-wire is mandatory in the Supersport World Championship – yet Suzuki still does not have such a system!

Retrofitting is, however, permitted, and Motozoo is drawing on the expertise of the US-based Hammer team for this. The long-established racing team (which has been competing in various racing series for 46 years) is not only providing the ride-by-wire system it developed itself, but will also offer technical support and incorporate components developed in MotoAmerica.

“I initiated the design and development of the ride-by-wire system and convinced Suzuki to homologate the motorbike in 2022,” said Chris Ulrich, Vice-President of Team Hammer. “The GSX-R750 has been very successful in MotoAmerica, the British series, on the Isle of Man and in the Dutch championship. I am very proud to finally see a Suzuki GSX-R750 ‘Powered by Team Hammer’ on the starting grid of the Supersport World Championship!”

Suzuki was last represented in the middleweight class by guest rider Rhys Irwin at Donington Park in 2023. The Japanese manufacturer from Hamamatsu competed for a full season in 2013 with the Suriano team, but has since only taken part in parts of the championship.