Streamlined and stunning in shape and form, Suzuki has launched its new GSX-S1000 naked street bike. Jeremy Webb has been one of the first journalists to get a ride on one. When he returned from their HQ, the smile on his face said it all.
There is nothing better than jumping on a brand-new bike model with a full tank of fuel. The road is yours to go anywhere you want. This was the case when the key to Suzuki’s new GSX-S1000 was handed to me at their U.K. Head Office. The mechanic’s words were “have fun.”
And so I did. As soon as I started the bike, the engine roared with that throbbing sound that you know means things are going to get fast. When I pulled away, I immediately felt the power waiting to be unleashed. In every gear, there is torque, and when in the sixth, you can warp speed from a tootling 30 mph to national speed limit like the Millenium Falcon in the Kessel Run. The GSX-S1000 keeps going and you feel the machine may need a seventh gear to ease the pent-up power.
The adaptable suspension in the new Suzuki GSK-S1000 can be tuned to cope with the poor roads of England.
The bike handles superbly as you would expect from a machine with such track-proven DNA. The suspension set-up that allows excellent handling can be tuned to cope with the poor roads of England (thank you, Suzuki). When set for track use, I felt every bump and rumble as the wide tyres rolled over various surfaces, so I adjusted the front and rear settings, an easy task using a flat-head screwdriver and dialling the suspension units down a couple of clicks. The journeys became smooth as the tyres connected with the surface even on the harshest of potholes.
Suzuki has added simple and easy-to-use multifunctional clocks in the display panel of the new GSX-S1000.
The digital display panel clearly shows all the information you need. Suzuki has kept things blissfully simple here. The only inputs you can make to the bike are changing the amount of traction control you want, ideal for switching between regular road use and venturing onto a circuit (time to disable TC), which I guess many GSX-S 1000 owners will want to do.
Three modes: Active, Basic and Comfort allow the rider to change the engine character, power curves and get full power. A, or Active, has a quick power delivery only useful on the track. Basic is a smoother, softer power delivery ideal on the road and track. Comfort has an actual change on power delivery, perfect for inexperienced riders or when weather conditions turn a bit challenging.
The GSX-S 1000 has a more significant 19-litre fuel tank to enable longer rides without stopping at the service station. It now means nearly 200 miles on a full tank if you get the stated 46 mpg Suzuki claim. The range is also plenty for a machine that doesn’t have a fairing, so you are exposed to the full force of wind resistance. Although the riding position is good, with the barrage of wind at higher speed, my bet is that you’d want to have a break after about two hours of riding.
Going back to its admirable handling, this comes from the lightweight aluminium chassis. A tight package with the swingarm produces sharp, agile turning with plenty of grip front and rear.
Competition comes from the Ducati Monster (£10,385), Honda CB1000R (£11,999) and BMW’s 2021 S1000R (£12,035), Kawasaki’s Z1000 (£10,649) and Yamaha’s MT-10(£12,502). I have not ridden these bikes yet, but they will have to be at the top of their game to challenge the Suzuki GSX-S 1000.
Summing up, the GSX-S1000 is exhilarating to ride and beautiful looking. Any biker will love riding it and admiring the sharp lines with its radical headlight design. Suzuki has always made great 1 litre machines and this is no exception. The price is attractive too, OTR from £10,999.
Available in Metallic Triton Blue, Glass Matt Mechanical Grey or Glass Sparkle Black. In the GSX range is a 750 cc and a learner-friendly 125 cc.
To find out more about the Suzuki GSX-S1000, visit: https://deardenmotorcycles.co.uk
Words: Jeremy Webb
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