How a trio of collaborators built a more sustainable vision for motorbike racing, proving natural fibre composites in extreme track conditions three years in a row. With exceptional vibration damping to help reduce rider fatigue and demonstrated crash safety benefits versus carbon fibre, Bcomp’s technologies are the future of motorbike bodywork.
“Carbon neutrality represents one of the most significant and difficult challenges of our age. To make a meaningful impact requires ingenuity, persistence, and perspective. We created Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE to spearhead these efforts, innovating at the forefront of sustainable technology, as a demonstration of what is possible today, and where we are headed in the future.” Shinichi Sahara, Project Leader of Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE at Suzuki Motor Corporation.
In July, the world-famous Suzuka Circuit hosted the 47th ‘Coca-Cola’ Suzuka 8 Hours. A mainstay of the four-round FIM Endurance World Championship calendar, it is an intense contest for riders and machines, attracting teams from across Japan and around the world. Eight hours of high-speed action in the heat, traffic, and vibration, all while running into the night. It will find weaknesses in even the strongest teams. This year, one bike stood out from the rest of the grid.
Amongst the field of conventional race bikes, the 2026 Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE GSX-R1000R was different. Its fairings, wings, and other aerodynamic elements were made from Bcomp’s race-proven innovative natural fibre composites, which remained unpainted to showcase the natural colour of the flax within.
It was the third year that Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE had entered the race, via the Experimental Class and adopted a progressive approach to carbon neutrality. According to Koji Tamura, Team Manager of Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE, the team’s ambition is “to accelerate the development of environmental performance technologies under the demanding conditions of endurance racing and to provide technical feedback for future products.”
This year, Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE achieved its best result ever, finishing 7th overall in a highly competitive field.
Three years, three races: Building the CN Challenge machine
The 2026 Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE GSX-R1000R uses Bcomp’s natural fibre composite technologies, ampliTex™ and powerRibs™, for the front and rear fenders, side fairings, seat fairing, and winglets. It is the result of a collaboration that began in 2024 between Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE, Tras (a Japanese composites expert), and Bcomp.
Natsumi Nitta, General Manager at Tras, explained: “Each year we have expanded the use of Bcomp’s technologies on the bike, making best use of its excellent stiffness, light weight, and vibration-damping properties. Most importantly, it cuts CO₂ emissions by up to 85% versus carbon fibre with expanded ‘end-of-life’ options, which aligns with the mission of Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE. The race bike highlights the experience and expertise we have developed in producing parts with Bcomp’s technologies, enabling Suzuki to thoroughly test them in the harsh conditions of motorsport.”
The race bike highlights the experience and expertise we have developed in producing parts with Bcomp’s technologies, enabling Suzuki to thoroughly test them in the harsh conditions of motorsport.”
Evolution of sustainable performance
Rather than simply replacing the carbon parts one-for-one, Tras worked with Bcomp to refine the designs in detail. This included developing an improved prepreg system that was better suited to the hot and humid conditions of Southeast Asia. Over the years, the number of Bcomp parts on the team’s GSX-R1000R has expanded from fenders, to fairings, winglets and now the centre cowl.
Alongside sustainable composites, Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE has also adopted sustainable fuel, tyres with recycled material, bio-sourced engine oil, eco-friendly titanium exhaust, and team kit made from recycled fabric.
Safety first: What the 2025 crash demonstrated
Last year, the Team SUZUKI CN CHALLENGE GSX-R1000R had a crash during the race. As a result, the centre cowl sustained significant damage. Unlike carbon fibre, which shatters into pieces and sharp splinters, Bcomp’s technologies have ductile failure behaviour. In a motorsport environment, particularly motorbike racing, this is important for rider safety. During the 2025 incident, the cowl did not break apart or fall off; it cracked but continued to hold its shape thanks to the powerRibs™.
Testing new applications
Now, Suzuki and Tras have begun testing Bcomp winglets in the All Japan Road Race Championship (JSB1000 class). If this new application proves successful, it could lead to them being offered as a limited-quantity option for production motorbikes.
More information
Learn more about the Team SUZUKI CN Challenge at Suzuka 8 Hours: Japanese | English
Watch the Team CN Challenge 2026 Suzuka 8 Hours Documentary: Click here
Learn more about Tras: Click here
Images © Suzuki Motor Corporation
