Suzuki GSF600 Last Samurai is fantastic in many ways, the performance matches the great looks
Photo: Tossa R via Pipeburn
Asen Zahariev of Tossa R is one of those builders who goes all out on every project, and we’ve seen what he can do many times. From his base in Sofia, Bulgaria, the man has made a name for himself with incredible builds like this snazzy Suzuki Bandit. Dubbed the “Last Samurai,” it’s built to perform as well as it looks.
After taking the Suzuki GSF600 apart, Tossa R cleaned the main skeleton and removed the stock subframe. The rear frame was replaced with a custom alternative and various electronic parts were tucked between the tubes. They are hidden by hand-made panels that wrap the bottom and flanks of the subframe. Up top we notice a cool black leather seat with gold stitching.
A full LED lighting system lights up the rear, while the number plate sits nice and low on a swingarm mount. Speaking of the swingarm, it’s a replacement part that’s 130 mm (5.1 in) longer than the original part and is connected to the rear three-spoke ring of a Suzuki GSX-R. The rear suspension has been thoroughly reworked to match the updated geometry.
Up front we still find the conventional forks that came from the factory, but they have been reworked and lowered to give the bike just the right stance. A cool LED headlight from Doxmall is fitted to the upper forks, and further down there is a reduced front fender. In the cockpit area you come across a bespoke CNC machined upper clamp flanked by clip-on handlebars.
The clip-on handlebars feature snazzy grips and under-bar mirrors, but the cockpit overall is beautifully minimalist. Asen also gave the Bandit’s brakes a major overhaul, installing new rotors all round. He turned his attention to the drivetrain, giving the engine a thorough check before fitting some new wiring.
We still find the stock headers from the GSF600, but they have been heat wrapped and connected to an SC Project silencer via a custom mid-pipe. The OEM carburettors are still in use and have benefited from a revitalizing rebuild to keep everything running at its best. The custom treatment of the Tossa R also saw a rework of the oil cooler to prevent the inside of the engine from ever getting too hot during spirited riding.
To bring the conversion across the finish line, Asen came up with a stunning color scheme that we can’t get enough of. On the one hand, the frame has been painted in a stylish burgundy shade, which is also found on the rims, but everywhere else black is the predominant color. Gold can be found on the brake callipers and in the form of Suzuki tank graphics.
