MCN : SUZUKI GSX-S1000GT (2022 - on) Review

Anything you like about motorbikes
User avatar
weeksy
Site Admin
Posts: 23443
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:08 pm
Has thanked: 5456 times
Been thanked: 13103 times

MCN : SUZUKI GSX-S1000GT (2022 - on) Review

Post by weeksy »

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-rev ... 00gt/2022/

Image

You could say the new Suzuki GSX-S1000GT is simply a collection of parts pinched from other models. That’s partly true, but they’ve taken simple idea and executed it so brilliantly, it has the makings of an instant classic.

Related: Best sports touring tyres
It’s an honest-to-goodness road bike-shaped sports tourer, with styling that finally moves the game on for them, even if its looks are greatest hits of well… you decide.

Unlike the adventure bikes and tall roaders that have taken the place of sports tourers in recent years, the GSX-S1000GT doesn’t have dual-purpose tyres, dirt bike wheels or long travel suspension.

The Suzuki is for smiley Sunday morning tarmac and big road trips, just like the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX it’s gunning for. We could just be seeing the return of the sports tourer here and that’ll be music to the ears of many

Image

Suzuki’s GSX-S1000GT is a bike you just hope will be as good as it seems and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s effortlessly quick, comfortable, practical, reassuring and thanks to its K5-derived engine, exciting, too - exactly what a sports tourer should be.

Its crisp colour dash, quickshifter, cruise control, smooth grunt and peachy throttle will make journeys, near and far a breeze and even better is the price. It isn’t exactly loose change, but is superb value for the all the metal, tech and performance you get for your money.

Brakes are slightly wooden, but work well and its tyres could be better, but they’re minor and easily fixable blemishes on Suzuki’s best bike in a very long time.

The GSX-S1000GT uses the same basic chassis layout as the current GSX-S1000 (and the version before, including the ‘F’): a twin spar ali frame (with a new subframe and pannier mounts) and swingarm, fully adjustable KYB forks, Brembos and a basic rear shock with preload and rebound damping adjustment.

Suzuki sportsbikes always handle sweetly and the GT is no exception. It’s stable, unflappable at full lean and lives for fast A-road and motorway curves.

It hunkers closer to the tarmac, compared to other all-rounders, so a sports tourer like the GT is more stable and precise at speed and has a lower seat, making it easy to get your feet down.

Its smoother bodywork creates far less of an ear-blasting wind roar, too. The screen is non-adjustable but does a great job of keeping off the elements and there’s also a 70mm taller touring screen available (£193). Heated grips are also a £395 extra.

It’s also supremely comfortable with a natural stretch to its high and wide bars. Legroom is generous, rider and pillion seats are plush and you’re nicely isolated from vibes, thanks to rubber-mount bars and rubber-topped footpegs.

During the GT’s launch riding some of the best roads in Scotland, wet and dry, the GT is a joy. We saw an indicated 43mpg on the dash (Suzuki claimed 46mpg), which should give a full to dry tank range of 180-miles.

There’s very little not to like about the GSX-S1000GT – it’s properly sorted and well thought out, but there are two minor niggles.

Firstly, the ABS robs feel from the Brembos, although they still work well. Secondly, its new cast ali six-spoke wheels are shod with Dunlop Roadsport 2 rubber and although wet and dry grip is acceptable, fitting a set of the latest-generation sports touring rubber (Dunlop’s RoadSmart 3 included) would greatly enhance ride quality and help the Suzuki roll into corners more sweetly.

There’d be even more grip and confidence for the rider, too.

Image

Image
User avatar
KungFooBob
Posts: 14228
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 1:04 pm
Location: The content of this post is not AI generated.
Has thanked: 539 times
Been thanked: 7545 times

Re: MCN : SUZUKI GSX-S1000GT (2022 - on) Review

Post by KungFooBob »

But damn it's ugly!
User avatar
Yorick
Posts: 16756
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 8:20 pm
Location: Paradise
Has thanked: 10282 times
Been thanked: 6894 times

Re: MCN : SUZUKI GSX-S1000GT (2022 - on) Review

Post by Yorick »

Lose the panniers and I quite like it.
Le_Fromage_Grande
Posts: 11236
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 6:40 pm
Location: The road of many manky motorcycles
Has thanked: 607 times
Been thanked: 4125 times

Re: MCN : SUZUKI GSX-S1000GT (2022 - on) Review

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

KungFooBob wrote: Fri Oct 15, 2021 10:48 am But damn it's ugly!
Just what I thought
Honda Owner
Supermofo
Posts: 5006
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:39 pm
Has thanked: 4367 times
Been thanked: 2856 times

Re: MCN : SUZUKI GSX-S1000GT (2022 - on) Review

Post by Supermofo »

It looks very like the Kwak 1000SX but that's been a big seller so can see why Suzi followed them.

I'm still drawn to the naked GSXS's. As a bargain do it all roadbike they seems a steal. Never get decent reviews in Mags in comparisons but owners seem to rave about them and they are a chunk cheaper than the competition.
User avatar
Skub
Posts: 12189
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:32 pm
Location: Norn Iron
Has thanked: 9848 times
Been thanked: 10163 times

Re: MCN : SUZUKI GSX-S1000GT (2022 - on) Review

Post by Skub »

It's a lovely looking bike,hints of ZX10R around the headlights. I'm a fan of all that transformer,sugomi look.

If I wanted something like that,it'd be on the list for sure. The 226 kilos could be trimmed back a little. Around 200 would be ok.
"Be kind to past versions of yourself that didn't know what you know now."
Walt Whitman
https://soundcloud.com/skub1955
User avatar
Cousin Jack
Posts: 4476
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:36 pm
Location: Down in the Duchy
Has thanked: 2561 times
Been thanked: 2293 times

Re: MCN : SUZUKI GSX-S1000GT (2022 - on) Review

Post by Cousin Jack »

I like the blue one, in black it looks drab.
Cornish Tart #1

Remember An Gof!
User avatar
Count Steer
Posts: 11847
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2021 4:59 pm
Has thanked: 6383 times
Been thanked: 4773 times

Re: MCN : SUZUKI GSX-S1000GT (2022 - on) Review

Post by Count Steer »

LOL. Leave the panniers on and I'll take the black one. :D
Doubt is not a pleasant condition.
But certainty is an absurd one
.
Voltaire