Suzuki GSX-R1000 S-10 Is a Custom Cafe Racer Faster and More Imposing Than Most

The epic Japanese liter-bike is leaving one hell of a legacy behind, and it’ll live on in many riders’ hearts for a long time to come. Oh, and then there is the custom bike scene, where the Gixxer model is sure to remain very much alive even when production ceases altogether. On that note, let’s dive in for a closer look at the spectacular GSX-R1000 cafe racer pictured above.

Based on a 2004 model from Suzuki’s lineup, this bad boy was pieced together by the talented Francis Von Tuto over in Florence, Italy. The man first made a name for himself down in Australia, but he continued to indulge in the art of customization after moving back to his home country. Despite all the positive attention he’d received over the years, Francis never rested on his laurels.

He tackled this Gixxer build in 2023, after sourcing a donor with some minor damage and a mere 20,000 kilometers (about 12,400 miles) on the clock. Its fairings and engine covers had some scratches from a prior low-speed slide, but the motorcycle’s condition was quite decent otherwise. With the GSX-R in his shop and plenty of ideas floating around in his head, the Italian mastermind dug straight in.

First things first, the transformation process started with a complete teardown and some structural work at the back. Francis did away with the stock subframe and all the hardware it had once supported, so as to make way for his own custom replacements. Among them, there is a tubular subframe shaped around a handmade aluminum electronics box, complete with a minimalistic tail tidy at the back.

LED turn signals are also located in that area, and the rear framework carries a fiberglass tail section built with an aftermarket item as the base. In turn, this new tail is topped with a bespoke black leather seat upholstered by BF Tappezzerie. The whole rear-end setup is a sight to behold, built to complement the looks of the stock fuel tank while adding a nice dose of retro flair to the mix.

Gone is the Suzuki’s battle-scarred full fairing, replaced by an assortment of custom bits placed on tailor-made mounting hardware. Up north, we now see a classy front fairing styled after a vintage race bike’s module, encircling an LED headlamp and fitted in close proximity to the stock dials. The headlight is accompanied by a CNC-machined housing for a perfect fit.

Lower down on the flanks, one may see a pair of bespoke side covers cleverly concealing various unsightly bits like the coolant hoses and engine sensors. As for that front fender, it is a reshaped version of a newer Gixxer’s item, which retains functionality while looking a lot better. Now, the beastly 988cc inline-four didn’t exactly need to be upgraded in any way.

Francis Von Tuto simply had it cleaned up all throughout, removing any blemishes sustained under previous ownership. He kept the titanium exhaust headers that came from the factory, but what wouldn’t make the cut was the cheap silencer installed at some point in the past. It was promptly ditched in favor of a premium Arrow unit, which was thoroughly reworked before it could fit its new host.

Just like the motorcycle’s four-banger, its suspension and brakes were absolutely fantastic straight out of the box. Our protagonist was therefore happy to leave these goodies mostly untouched, but he did refurbish the forks just for good measure. The brakes have also been serviced and fitted with braided lines at both ends, then it came time for Francis to address the finishing touches.

In and around the cockpit area, he installed a low clear windshield and aftermarket bar-end mirrors. Cosimo Giannotto of Segnika Design lent a helping hand when it came to the livery, with the bike’s monochromatic color scheme being his idea for the most part. When all was said and done, this neo-retro Gixxer was dubbed the S-10 by the man who made it come together.

GSX-Rs turned into custom cafe racer are by no means uncommon, but few manage to look as good as this particular specimen from Italy. Its aggressive lines do full justice to the original bike’s thrill-seeking nature, and functionality hasn’t been compromised here whatsoever. The S-10 was sold for a mere €12,000 (about $12,850) not long after completion, so whoever got their hands on it is a very lucky individual, for sure.