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Suzuki GSX-S 1000 GT review (Baujahr 2022)

Suzuki's new tourer with in-line fours and sporty genes

07.05.2022

Photos: motorradtest.de

The new Suzuki GSX-S 1000 GT is the tourer version of the recently relaunched GSX-S 1000. How the 14,400 Euro expensive GT compares to other tourers of this collar width, you will learn in this test. Volker and Dietmar have shooed the GT-Suzi on country roads and motorways and describe their driving impressions here.

Travel or speed?

A Suzuki that starts with "GSX" and stands in front of you in this beautiful racer blue naturally immediately awakens gixxer feelings, although the GT does not want to be a super sports bike, but only a sporty touring motorcycle. You could therefore also call it a sports tourer. And yet: I expect a lot of sport from the GT because of its relationship to the GSX-S 1000 , whether it wants it or not.

The differences to the naked sister emphasize - not surprisingly - the touring capabilities of the machine. There is a fairing with windscreen (unfortunately not adjustable), an even more relaxed seat ergonomics thanks to the changed steering position with more space for driver and front passenger, cruise control and of course a lot of travel accessories such as suitcases and bags. As a "travel edition" including the suitcase, the GT costs 15,250 euros. Suzuki has also upped the ante in the cockpit compared to its sister, where a 6.5-inch TFT color display including mobile phone connectivity is now used. Otherwise, there are many parallels to the GSX-S 1000: engine, suspension, brakes and performance are practically identical.

The seat test is extremely pleasant. In fact, pilot and passenger/pillion passenger sit very comfortably. There are grab handles at the rear and the modified rear also has a positive effect. The seat height of 810 mm is also perfect for smaller people, whereby even taller people like Dietmar (1.84m) have enough space and do not have to complain about a too sharp knee angle. The machine is also easy to manoeuvre. With a ready-to-drive weight of 226 kg, the GT tends to be lighter than its competitors for a sports tourer.

That's how relaxed you sit on the Suzuki GSX-S 1000 GT. The long motorway stage can come.

Virtual 360 degree tour around the GSX-S 1000 GT

What she should be able to do

The Suzuki is already very well equipped in series. There is a QuickShifter incl. Blipper, a 5-fold traction control (deactivatable), cruise control, full LED, connectivity incl. navigation solutions, 3 driving modes, Suzuki's Easy-Start system and a low-RPM assistant as well as as already described a modern, large and very easy to read TFT display.

The operation is fine. You need a short acclimatization period to master the many functions, but that's normal. The riding modes and the Ride by Wire regulate the throttle response from very direct to very soft. The GT also does not offer lean angle sensors, so there is no cornering ABS - the Suzuki accountants have apparently prevailed.

No matter, we prefer to be happy about the adjustable suspension. At the front there is a USD fork from KYB with 120mm travel and at the rear a central strut with 130mm travel adjustable in rebound and spring base and hinged via lever system. Unfortunately, the spring preload still has to be set classically via a tool.

This is how it drives itself

We also like the banana-shaped curved two-arm swingarm made of aluminum, which is painted matt black just like the aluminum bridge frame. Add to that the blue cast aluminum wheels in 6-spoke design and the bright copper look of the fork as well as a short rear wheel cover - finished is a very successful look! As tires Suzuki has the very well fitting Dunlop Sportmax Radsport 2 mounted. One of the strengths of the GT is the coherence of all components, which only becomes apparent at second glance, because the machine appears rather unagitated at first glance.

The brake system of the GT consists of a 310mm double disc with a radially mounted 4-piston caliper incl. brake pump from Nissin. At the rear is a 1-piston floating caliper, also from Nissin. The braking performance of the GT is okay, but inconspicuous. The athlete faction would perhaps wish for a snappier anchoring, but the dosage is still good.

The sound of the row foursome is also good. You hear the old K5 bonds right away. With 96 db stationary noise, the Suzuki is not a quiet motorcycle, especially when gassing, the engine speaks clearly with its driver. Anyway, the engine! If you like 4-cylinder, you will find a perfect partner here. The machine with its 152 hp always has plenty of power reserves, without getting on the driver's nerves with blows in the back. It is typically very elastic for an in-line four and pulls velvety and silky without torque holes from bottom to top. This machine does not have constant jerking or load change reactions. You can also take a gondola in 5th gear through the village without the chain hitting or the engine feeling strained.

This is matched by the almost perfectly functioning QuickShifter, which can also be used beautifully soft and almost jerk-free. Nevertheless, the Suzuki GSX-S 1000 GT has to take a little criticism from us. The range is not particularly famous for a sports tourer with just over 300 km. Here Suzuki would have liked to give the GT a larger tank. The fact that the windscreen is not adjustable, we also find not so great. After all, there is a 7cm higher disc in the accessories, which should be recommended for frequent drivers. The windshield is also okay with the standard windscreen. Volker was on the highway with over 200 things on the road (see video) and had nothing to complain about.

Conclusion - what sticks

The Suzuki GSX-S 1000 GT is certainly not a poser bike - fortunately. Rather, it combines all the positive virtues for which Suzuki is known: there are no nonsensical bells and whistles, everything works as it should and, above all, the bike reacts predictably. The engine is a poem and indeed the machine can do both - travel and speed. As almost always with Suzuki, the GT is an honest bike and a reliable friend with whom you will have a lot of fun and little heartache.

The points of criticism are manageable and thus the bike turns out to be a serious competitor to the Kawasaki Ninja 1000 SX or Honda NT 1100. We can recommend a test drive to all interested parties - preferably at Bergmann & Söhne in Tornesch or Bremervörde. They provided us with the test bike. Thank you very much, we had a lot of fun with the GSX-S 1000 GT.

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