Strange as it might sound, I appreciate Suzuki's commitment to bottom barrel cheapness/thriftiness. There are other brands that specialize in high end machines. Suzuki specializes in making all the right compromises, and I'm here for it.
Absolutely agree. I picked up a 0 mileage previous model GSXS1000 earlier this year, and I feel like it was an absolute steal. Maybe I'm just a tightass, but it's hard to get past the bang for buck when you compare it to other new bikes at the same price. The latest model isn't quite as compelling though - quite a big price bump for the little tweaks.
I have a 2013 DL650 and the only perk it has is ABS. My Brother in Law has left his 2018 BMW r1200GS in my garage for the past 3 years, and I can ride it whenever I like. The GS is bigger, has a bunch of different ride modes, and is objectively a better bike. Regardless, I prefer to ride my DL650, which I bought used for 20 grand less than my BIL got his bike new.
I work in a Suzuki dealership. I uncrate these, assemble them, inspect them, prep them, and test ride them. They are rarely on the showroom floor for more than a few days. They find new homes quickly. What a fun ride. I think it's a great alternative to the 1300/1400 class Sport Touring bikes that are gargantuan and very unwieldy to move around. I'd love to ride one of these cross-country here in the USA.
Let me guess: It eats highways all day long, ain’t too shabby in the twisties, and has the Suzuki reliability and build quality. All for a quite decent price.
I ordered the 2024 gsx s1000gt+ in black. Finally arrived and have had it for just under a month now. I took it on its first group ride with other fast 1000cc leader bikes, R1M, CBR1000RR, GSX R1000R, ZX10r, etc. I had no problem keeping up and even over taking some of the bikes. The other riders had been “playfully” making fun when I arrived with hard cases and all. But the fun making, turned to fear when they saw me and my GT+ ripping up the twisties like a full blown sports bike and even passing them. lol This GSX S1000GT+ is no joke.
That really isn't saying much. The street is much different than a track, twisties or not. I had no problem keeping up with three Ducati 998s on my old Super Tenere 😂 On a track they would have ripped me a knew one.
I love Suzuki's way of business! Many criticize it for not putting the latest and greatest technology on their bikes, but Suzuki don't base their sells on numbers and spec sheets, they just sell really good bikes for fair prices
I have a GSXS750; these S model bikes are interesting because of how Suzuki tunes the engines. I would agree about the throttle; the fueling is absolutely perfect on these bikes and nobody can touch Suzuki on that. It's so 1:1 in the throttle twist with how much fuel you expect to drop. With the S models, they're made to be comfortable and easy to ride, but they LOVE to be wrung out at the top end; they're not extremely exciting or scary, but if you love smooth power and accelerating out of a flowy corner in a "spirted" ride, these bikes are awesome for doing that. They don't power wheelie like other bikes do, but they're really stable because of the long wheelbase. I ride in FL, and can easily, EASILY do 90 mph on the interstate in the rain because of the weight and geometry (Michelin GP tires). If you wanted to break a riding style down for the S models, think of a 30-40 year old guy who has grown out of the GSXR, "wheelie and triple digit back roads riding" phase, and into an "I have a job and am not getting arrested, but I know how to ride the hell out of a bike" phase. That's kind of how this bike runs. I've taken mine to the track 3 times; you could easily run intermediate class with it, but it really shines from 0-100 mph. It's a jack-of-all-trades sport cruiser for those who want to have the power and comfort but also would love to do a WOT, 150 mph run on a back road if they knew no cops were out there. It's not scary, but when you're banging through the gears you have a nice grin on your face and might give a quick yell after you ease off the gas. That's how I ride mine anyway; I wouldn't trade it for something faster/crazier because I don't do that kind of riding on the street anymore. And I wouldn't want something more docile because I like a bit of pepper with my eggs in the morning. Lastly, they're cheap to maintain, reliable, and cheap to buy. My 2015 model has no ABS, no TC, no fuel maps, nothing. It has a throttle, brakes, and clutch. All cable-operated. Again, it's for that guy who just wants something consistent, stable, reliable, but is ready to rip if you want.
I have the 2021 version - fantastic bike. The thing about them is that everything works like a swiss watch - gears, brakes etc.., so you can really get the most out of the engine.
I kind of frown at Suzuki for being slow when it comes to updating their bikes, but one thing I have to give to them -- they've got the sound of their inline fours figured out. I liked it from the moment Zach fired the thing up.
The k5 gsxr is said to be the best engine Suzuki has ever made. They probably can't make something better so they keep using it and make some tweaks to it. Brand new bikes are overrated.
@@davidbasile281 last time I check todays bikers don’t have money issues. And under 60,000kms which most bikers get rid of their bikes they do fine. Now for the used market are the lucky guys.
electric will bring back the sport tourer style in fashion again like in car industry electric sedans are bringing back sedans coz everything is a crossover SUV
@@lovelessissimo I don’t think they’re saying it makes sense, I think they’re thinking that sport tourers will come back into fashion, but ridden in the suburbs the same way people drive sport utility vehicles to pick the kids up from school.
I love what Suzuki are doing, the produce motorbikes for motorbikers: affordable, capable modes of transport not stupidly expensive weekend toys. A GSXS1000GT or V-Strom 1050 is half the price of a GS or Multistrada once you pay for all the add-ons and 99% as good in real world riding.
Sorry but they perform and do it for thousands of riders, this bike just doesnt perform, Zack is correct in his observations. Here is a really good example, the DRZ400, where is the design team that has done nothing to that engine in over 20 years? No 6th gear yet, no big gas tank version? No better seat for long trips. No increase in HP since forever! Nothing, absolutely nothing.
Anything with 150HP will be exciting enough for most people. Having experienced the issues of being an early adopter (aka a manufacturer's R&D guinea pig) on newer technology, these days I definitely look for something that is tried and trusted (reliable) and I don't care if it isn't the newest or fastest thing out there. Suzuki built a very solid reliable motorcycle for a good price.
Put some EBC sintered pads in my GSXS1000GT and it made a hell of a difference to the braking performance. Thanks to Daily rider for the suggestion 😀💨💨
Love the daily rider series; the only suggestion for improvement would be to throw a 60 second segment in about maintenance. (Where and how difficult is it to access the filters and fluid ports, etc). I’m not the first to suggest this, just add me to to that list.
i think it's actually good to have longer wheelbase for sport-touring bike, so it doesn't wheelie all day long. after all it's not hyper-naked or su-mo bike and people choosing it for a bit different purpose.
Seems a lot like my 2010 Honda VFR 1200F, long wheel base puts the big power down and comfortable enough for a long ride without being a monstrous touring bike.
Difference is that the VFR 1200F is a very unique and beautiful motorcycle, this Suzuki doesn't look bad, but it is just kinda generic, not an inspired machine like your Honda.
The GSXS is basically a GSXR with better ergos and is probably the sportiest bike amongst all the Japanese nakeds. It doesn't matter what Suzuki calls it or how many bags they attach it would never make for a good touring bike. Honestly, the GT version doesn't even make sense and Suzuki knows it all too well. The only reason they came up with the GT trim (factory saddlebags?) after all these years is not because they think it will be a good tourer but to get $$$ from folks overlooking it for bikes like the Ninja 1000SX. The GSXS is an awesome bike that is best suited for spirited riding (twisties, 0-60 pulls, high speed runs etc.) and not for cruising steadily at 80 mph on the interstate. I think Zacks review and complaints (e.g., short gearing) are on point as the original intended purpose of the bike was and still is different.
Great review as usual. At a time when bike prices seem to be spiraling into the stratosphere this is a lot of bike for $13k. It's not really a touring bike, as judged by modern standards, but it seems like a hell of a lot of fun in addition to being great value. I would want a larger fuel tank, but I almost always want a larger fuel tank. One man's opinion.
But it is meant as a sports-tourer but fails a lot of boxes. No rear box option, no center stand, chain where some would prefer shaft, very limited pillion seat to name some. Solo tourer perbaps for a fair price with some compromises but still...
@@Valks-22 Most of your criticisms fall under the sport part of the label. All things that add weight to allow more practicality, bikes with a sports bias rarely offer realistic pillion accommodation, let alone the seriously long term practicality of a shaft. C/S disappearance seems to be a modern affliction. Sports tourer with a sports bias would be a fair description to my mind. I don't disagree with you, but it is what it claims to be.
@@Jaslath Room for enough luggage to actually do a tour, and room for a passenger. You can see their intentions when they failed to fit a center stand. They put some upright bars and hard luggage onto a sportbike, and I'm fine with that. Especially when you consider the true touring bikes are a lot more money. It may be that you don't need more luggage space and a passenger seat. It should have a center stand though. : )
@user-bp5nh9ms5d I think it is very reliable .It,s powered with a well proved engine and it,s not a complicated motorcykel. If you look at the price in my opinion it is lot of usefull motorcykel easy to handle and with enough power for the money.
After many years of riding European bikes, this Suzuki caught my attention so hard that I bought one. My first Japanese bike in almost 20 years, so it says a lot about my enthusiasm for sensible, affordable yet fast sport touring motorcycles. I totally agree that the GT is a sportbike with some touring capabilities as opposed to all the people complaining about the lack of tour-bike amenities. If I were more inclined towards the touring side, I would have considered a BMW RT or a Yamaha FJR. I think this model will appeal to Suzuki riders (and sport riders as well) who will eventually modify the hell out of it.
@@tHaH4x0r I think the supposed GSXR1000 engine is more alluring than the equivalent 1000cc Kawasaki. There was also a GSX1000F which filled basically the same niche but this bike seems to have more hype behind it.
@@Geshmaal Suzuki didn't really mean the F to do the same thing as the GT, it just seems like people are more interested in what the GT that the F doesn't. In their own marketing words, the F was a comfortable sportbike; the GT is sport-focused tourer. There are those of us that argue that the GT is what the F should have been (or what people expected it to be).
If I had the money to add another bike to my stable it would be this Suzuki! I ride 300 miles regularly from where I live to where I grew up to visit old friends and this Suzuki would make that trip so much quicker, more comfortable and more fun! Not to mention this bike is drop dead gorgeous!🤘🏼Oh and as for the windshield whiners Suzuki does offer a larger touring windshield. Doh!
I love the styling and I also love that there are some more proper sports tourers coming out instead of yet another adventure-tourer, which is to motorcycles what the SUV is to cars
I bought a Hayabusa for touring two weeks ago since deliberating since 2020. I had a GS 1200 & a Ducati Diavel. The is perfect for ME. Smooth, well insulated, QS smooth, maintenance cheap , reliable. East for traffic. High speed- less fatigue than a GS, cos my arms aren’t spread out like doing a bench press at 200kmh
I’ve been hoping you would test this out. Hoping to pick on up in the next few months. Seems to be the best bang for its buck in the sport touring market
The GSX-S 1k really wasn’t on my radar until I watched this video (a few times). After visiting a local dealer and sitting on a Ninja 1000SX, Tracer 9, Multistrada and Versys 1000, I liked the feel of GSX-S GT the best. took it for a short test ride and then bought the Ocelot! Ironically my current bike is a replica of the guest on the first episode of Daily Rider, the venerable Versys 650.
I’d love the ride one of these. I’ve wanted the GSX-S1000 since 2016, despite its flaws, but never pulled the trigger. I’d happily buy a 2018-2020 model with the small improvements, but I sat on the 2022 naked version. It was so comfortable and felt well made, definitely an big improvement over the previous version. I echo the sentiments already on here that Suzuzki is excellent at offering value for money and keeping things simple without sacrificing quality. Everything just works. Yeah the engine is an updated older design, but they’re not the only brand doing that, and it was always an excellent engine. Here’s to possibly buying one next year! Btw, I saw one of these in person and I absolutely love the pale blue metallic paint. It wasn’t at all what I expected based on photos and videos from Europe. I really hope the naked gets this color within a year or two!
Oh what a rainy Saturday treat! I’ve been looking forward to this one! Thanks Zack! Btw not sure if this is the place to ask but have you ever considered releasing just the audio of these first rides as just a podcast type thing? I and a few people I know are always hunting for more bike content to listen to while stuck driving cars.
I've been super happy with my 2016; this would be the natural evolution should I decide to upgrade. Good to see that Suzuki figured out the fueling on this motorcycle; as it was snappy as hell on my model year.
Great review Mr. Quartz!!!🙂 I think Suzuki nailed it on this one, from a value proposition perspective. It has a couple of issues, but as a whole, it's alot of bike for the money. There are alot of riders that have been holding on to their aging SPORT-touring bikes because there are so few choices out there for a traditional looking Sport-touring bike (ie not a Sport-tourer dressed up as an ADV wannabe). I am one of these riders. A motorcycle closer to 500lbs than 600lbs, 150hp, hard luggage, sporty chassis, and not a ton of e-gizmos, checks off many boxes. I will be looking hard at buying one of these.... unless an Aprilia Futura V4 happens...
I'll watch this happily, just to hear Zac giggle as he accelerates hard but oddly enough I've been looking forward to the promised Rebel and the BMW airhead daily riders promised?
Awesome vid Zach, I would really appreciate a quick rundown on headlight performance. For myself and many others, half our commute is in the dark so that would be a great addition to this awesome series!
That's the big elephant in the room...he did not touch on the headlight because it is controversial. It is one headlight cock-eyed look. These are the exact same brand and model headlights as the Tracer 9 GT and also the Yamaha R1. The one headlight look killed it for me the very same day that it was born 😵💫😵
I'd say above the Dirt Glide as the HD knobby tires wear out on road after about 2000-2500 miles, and to switch the HD to full on road touring tires requires you to take it to the dealer for reprogramming.
I just rode one of these today on a demo ride. Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed riding it, but I thought it would be more torque-y than what it was. The quick shifter also took a little bit of excitement out if it. Just my 2 cents. Breaks were amazing and was super flickable and very comfortable too.
I test rode one today and I can endorse everything said above. Beautifully docile bike with enormous low-down torque comparable with any twin I’ve ridden. My only niggle is that the indicator button is too close to the button on its right and I had difficulty picking it out. A lovely machine and I will probably be ordering one. Thanks for the video!
Hey Zack, great review as always! Do you ever plan to review the Multistrada V2? Given how pricey the V4S is, it really isn't a realistic option for most people. The V2 IMO is the realistically approachable Multi for the everyday motorcyclist and I'm really interested to see how it stacks up to the rest on the leaderboard.
How about regular maintenance? As a "daily rider", you don't want to have to bring your bike into the shop for the simple things, yet many motorcycles today require you to spend hours doing what should take minutes. I'd love for you to add a few words about ease of maintenance. I've had this burr up my ass since I bought a 1999 Ducati ST4. Jump starting the bike is simply impossible since you have to remove all but two of the body fairings to get to the battery. It takes about 3 hours to replace the battery on that bike! Rule #1: Batteries should be accessible by removing the rider's seat, PERIOD! How many cars have you owned that hid the battery from you? If all the cars made can manage to put the battery in an easy-to-access location, then shouldn't we expect the same from motorcycle manufacturers? Rule #2: An oil change should not take any longer than half an hour, and the majority of that time should be draining the oil. Most bikes are still pretty good about this, well, except for KTM. Rule #3: An air filter should be replaced in under 5 minutes. That's all the time it takes to do it for most automobiles, we should expect the same from motorcycles. Many now require you to remove at least one plastic bit, if not more, and it can take over an hour to do this simplest of tasks. Unfortunately, it is the people who review motorcycles that totally overlook this ease of maintenance issue. They have let the motorcycle manufacturers off the hook for decades for some of the stupidest maintenance requirements and now the manufacturers don't even give this subject a thought. If reviewers would start pointing these things out, perhaps manufacturers would listen.
To answer your Rule #1: Chrysler 200 and a few other of their products sharing the same platform. Battery ONLY accessible thru the driver side fender well. Thankfully this car is not produced anymore. BMW, Benz, Porsche, Ford, Freightliner and a few other put the battery under the floor behind/under the passenger's seat, under the driver's seat or buried in the trunk under lots of plastic and mats. But I'm 100% with you on shit SHOULD be easier to get to AT LEAST for the basic maintenance and to jump the battery in an emergency situation.
@Paul Ridgeway indeed, on the jump/charging points. Very handy. 👌🙂 My previous post was a little biased because I've had to remove the damn things off several of the aforementioned vehicles. Had a 1982 Suzuki GS1100 with a bench seat that was a pleasure getting to the battery. Unlock seat with your ignition key, lift whole seat, battery terminals and hold down kit exposed. 👌🙂
@Paul Ridgeway oh, Man, the the GS I mentioned before was the same odyssey. I can't remember how many times I fucked with those carbs just because the tank was an endless source of sediment and rust. But it was my first bike so I put up with for a while. Back then I still had the will and the energy to deal with her constant B.S.
@Paul Ridgeway The C50 it's bomb proof. The limited edition with the cast wheels and tubeless tires was my choice back then. Had they given it hydraulic valve lash adjusters like a Vulcan 750/1600/1700, it would have been one of the most maintenance free motorcycles in existence to own. Love too the way the Touring version looks.
If I had the choice between this and tha Ninja1000SX right now I would buy the Suzuki. But it is not compelling enough to sell my Ninja and buy this bike. Maybe if it was WAY FASTER, but it is only slightly faster. We need a bike like this but with at least 180 hp to be somewhat competitive with the sport bike market.
Kawasaki has the supercharged Ninja H2 SX SE which fits the bill. More comfortable and better handling than the Hayabusa or ZX14R. I have ridden all three and the Ninja 1000SX.
Excellent review. I have had a down payment on this bike for 6+ months in my region. This was very helpful for me to keep perspective. It may NOT be the bike I am looking/hoping for. I LOVE the TFT.... best one I have seen and the ability to link G-map and REVER is a huge advantage. I'll give it a good test and make sure it's going to match my riding plans (serious mile-munching but I'm not a tourer/cruiser guy). Love the twisties and don't plan any significant off-road action. Well done!!
I agree with your comments on the gearing. I had a 2016 ZX1000sx that was geared too low. I bought a 2020 Katana that was lower in 6th gear than the Kaw in 5th. Seems like most motorcycles are geared low for that quarter mile time. I try to gear up for about 4k rpm at 65 mph, seems like the sweet spot for most larger engines.
I'm the original owner of K5 GSXR that I still enjoy quite a lot, so I have been interested to see what Suzuki might be doing with the engine in all of these "parts bin specials" bikes they have been coming up with. Let me preface my comments by saying that I am mostly a sportbike rider who uses my bikes for sporty riding with the much less frequent ride to work or to a friend's and that they are weekend toys for me for the most part. My garage has 8 bikes in it between my wife and I, mostly high end sportbikes. I'm at a point where I don't much care about new sportbikes because I can ride as fast as I dare (no, really brah) on the bike I have. I'm really only interested in more comfortable bikes I can ride fast, in a lazier way.... The GSXR k5 engine did and still does that for me. It's just a little cramped now that I'm approaching 50. I've ridden a first gen GSX-S and was underwhelmed by the engine. It didn't feel like a K5 in the midrange and definitely not on top, and the throttle response from closed was abrupt. I'm glad to hear that Suzuki got the throttle mapping right this time, but I would not be a buyer if the power delivery felt like that first gen GSX-S. Motorcycles are supposed to thrill, and a weak midrange followed by not much top end just doesn't get it. A Literbike motorcycle should be fast enough to make a pit in your stomach every once in a while-the GSX-S did that, but it just felt like it was unneccessarily being held back. I guess I don't understand they they don't just put the original K5 engine in these bikes if that's what people want. The new GSX-S with my old engine would be a hoot, and it's not like Suzuki has to worry about stratifying their product lines to avoid cannibalizing sales from other models-nobody considering a GSXR1000 at a dealership would look at one of these bikes.. The most valuable thing I got from the review was the info about the leg room, I'm tired of sore knees and hips. I'm suzuki's target customer group-middle class and blue collar-that means abusing my body in a manufacturing plant and having the aches and pains to prove it. I think this is probably a great motorcycle and a good value for money but I wouldn't take a chance on one without a decent test ride-$13,000 is a great price for this much bike, but $13k also buys a shitload of great used bikes these days..
I'm late to this game but this helped make my decision... Unfortunately I can't take delivery until April I'm told here in Iowa. No biggie, I will impatiently wait. Quality review, informative and entertaining.
Great detailed review. The center stand and the third case would make this bike on the top. Sat on this bike and it feels OK, but I thought it was even better. Anyways, keep up. You got my like.
Easy fixes: optional touring screen, new pads, drop a tooth for better mpg (with all that torque I don't think any real-world performance will be lost), get drop pegs. Done! Not much can touch it for a super reliable, fast, good handling, comfy enough, practical all-rounder. A new SX is coming, but it's rumored to be even more sporty. Just have to add: Enough with the cynical comments *because* it's a Suzuki. If that specific engine was introduced today, there would be no complaints. And thank goodness *someone* decided to plug a hole in the market (that the SX currently fills) with a very decent, very useful, very reliable bike for not a lot of money.
The problem with dropping a tooth is you have to drop a lot of teeth. And it still doesn't resolve it effectively being a 4 speed transmission because there's never any reason to be in 3rd or 5th.
Re: cruise control quirks, I've found my FR-S cruise very analog and old fashioned-feeling as the accel/decelerate lever works for as long as it's pulled--it's quite literally a throttle switch, and it then resets the cruise to the speed you're going when you stop pulling the lever. There is no cruise set speed displayed and no incremental changes by tapping the lever. Just adds to the '80s Celica-style charm of the car in my opinion. By contrast, my wife's more civilized and modern feeling Mercedes adds 1 mph for a half-tap or rounds up to the next -0 or -5 mph with a full tap of the lever, and does display the set speed.
The original 1970s GS1000 was a carbureted engine which was quick to rev from low speeds. When you were moving above 10 to 15 MPH, the bike was very ridable, but when you were slowly maneuvering around in a tight parking lot, you were "clutching" quite a bit to keep from "surging" at part throttle. The GS1000 I rode, almost fifty years ago, exhibited the same characteristics as you experienced on this bike. Bang on the throttle, and the bike quickly gets in a hurry. Then as the engine revved, the front wheel would simply lift of the ground in the first three gears, then through forth and fifth gear, pull the front end to the stops, while leaving the front wheel on the ground. I wasn't able to check 6th gear, on my test ride, as I was quickly overtaking a school bus and had to shut down. Looks like Suzuki hasn't forgotten what made the first GS1000 so great.
My 1250 bandit makes a bit more power and plenty more torque than the GT, but I may have to start looking at this bike. A lot lighter, better brakes for sure as you can't get much worse even with the mods I have on it, suspension miles better... something to think about I guess. Thanks for the review Zack
I had a 2018 GSX-S1000F. I regret selling it. Best bike I've ever owned. Biggest gripe I had with it was foot-pegs were too high. I'm getting too old for anything close to a supersport riding position. I'd like to see Suzuki come out with a 'sport adventure' bike, to compete against the BMW S1000XR, Kawasaki Versys 1000 and Yamaha Tracer 900. Use the current GSX-S1000 platform as a base and have a fully upright riding position with good distance from the seat to footpegs. I'm leaning towards a Tracer 900 for my next ride. You guys better be right about it on the leaderboard. I'm following your advice. BTW...The Versys 650, that Ari and Zack highly recommend, it's weak. Bike is good...engine is a disappointment.
You won't like the Tracer after the GSXS. Best to look at the MT-10 as it offers a slightly better riding position than the Suzuki or the Versys 1000 for something even more comfortable. Another very good bike is the R1250R which IMHO is the thinking man's naked and best for folks who have already enjoyed supersport and powerful inline fours.
@@rusipathan I rode a Versys 1000. Super comfortable and nice power but it's a big bike. IMO it needs to shed weight and get smaller in size, it's second on my list, after the Tracer-900. The R1250 is a two cyl and again a big bike. Not interested. I'm old...but not that old. The MT-10 would be a contender but it has no wind protection.
@@angelocardoc The R1250R is not big. Actually it wasn't on my radar either but I got sold after test riding it during the Motorrad demo tour. An honest bike that offers an great "motorcycling" experience without any gimmicks unlike the XR or the R1250GS. I will still be keeping my S1000F as the BMW is out of my budget.
I could get on board with the GSXR powered S1000 XR competitor idea, but it can’t be as bloated as the latest XR is. A club member got one yesterday and it’s huge on top, not the lithe, sporty street/adventure concept it started out as.
K5 engine never disappoints. I agree its Vanilla, but hey! I have surprised a bunch of liter sports bikes with my K5 2021 Katana- off the line and in the twisties. Given the throttle response is better on this bike, I will go and try is at my neighborhood Suzuki dealer at Suzuki of Van Nuys. If I could only have one inline 4 engine, I will take the K5 and go eat my vanilla ice cream.
If Suzuki isn't a motorcycle company, then neither are a lot of companies. Kawasaki heavy industries is far larger, BMW, and Yamaha have the same thing. Motorcycles, not scooters, just don't sell that much compared to generators and SUVs.
Yup - I'm thinking that the only makers where the US is a major market are the Euros who sell 1/10 the amount of bikes as Suzuki - and Suzuki is small on the Asian scale. The places where Suzuki, Honda et al. make their bones is in small capacity bikes/scooters in the parts of the world where about 80% of the human population lives.
It's superb for me, the cruise control needs a bit of getting used to, same with the initial brake bite…which is a bit strange. But all of these small things for me were only noticeable the first times I rode the bike. You get used to that really fast, and now it feels perfect.
Zack- Your review on this bike is consistent w/other reviews posted on youtube. Same kind of findings and opinions. Never having owned a Suzuki, I really want to like this bike but if given my choice between it and another Ninja 1000, I'd likely go N1K again. The N1K seems to be put together better, having had a decade to evolve into its current form. That being said, let me add this: all the money you CA folks pay in taxes and your roads look like they suck as bad as roads in the NE corner of the US.
I was weighing the gsx s 1000 vs. the Ducati supersport. I ended up buying a new Ducati. I don’t regret it at all but the gsx s is fast and comfortable.
The gearing is indeed GSXR like because it is really a GSXR with upright bars and better ergos (just doesnt rev as high). But honestly, that's exactly what's appealing about this bike, i.e., sportiest amongst the nakeds and always hoot to ride. No one in their right mind will buy it for touring, irrespective of what Suzuki claims or how many bags they attach. It would be tad boring and sad.
@@summerforever6736 that would be the easiest route to take. What really needs done to most motorcycles is 6th gear to be taller to use as a strictly highway cruising gear.
Manufacturers sure have learned to make stock exhausts sounds right. I remember the time when all tin cans sounded awful, were heavy and looked bad. Now most of the time they are just pig heavy and look bad. Hey, improvement is improvement!
Glad my local dealer screwed up my preorder and sold it to another person on "accident" I like this bike, but like you said 2023/2024 hopefully it has an adjustable windscreen, remote preload, and a revised passenger seat. Then I'll revisit it.
Don’t apologize for your opinions. They are valid. I think this is now targeting the same group of people that rode the original K5. Now that group is older and wants the same engine with some creature comforts. If you can swap out the high end gears this sounds like a great exciting bike for sport touring. I wonder what the best sport touring bike is for riding two up. It seems like adventure bikes are so much better in this aspect. Sport touring bikes seem good for the pack of friends each riding their own bike heading out to the next state for some twisties.
Now that them kids have done grown up, they realize that they don't need a crotch rocket to dust 98% of the idiots that sit on their nuts to ride supersports slowly. LoL
When my 01 K1 Gsxr became too focused for my aging frame I installed an LSL super bike handlebar kit and Ventura luggage instant sport touring and wicked back road blaster, christened the ‘GixOno’
Love the Mitch Hedburg reference! Surprised you didn't touch on the MySpin phone/gps feature, I was curious to see if they followed through from the release video claim.
@@RikkyTang it's the suzuki myspin app that works with your phone like android auto would for your car. You can have your maps right in the tft display
No center stand, no adjustable windscreen, poor highway hearing, and no preload adjusters are huge misses for a sport tourer. Those are like the foundations of a good sport touring bike! I believe the Ninja 1000 SX has all that. Now if Yamaha could make a crossplane sport tourer with the MT10 / R1 engine, that would be awesome.
@@FadilKarim Want to hear something even worse? The H2 SX does have a centerstand. That means if Kawasaki had wanted to they could have added one to the 1000sx when they refreshed it in 2020.
