Suzuki GSX-S1000 review, test ride

The GSX-S1000 shares its engine platform with their litre-class superbike, the GSX-R1000, in a fresh state of tune. The powerful 999cc, four-stroke and four-cylinder engine makes serious horsepower — 143.5bhp at 10,000rpm. That’s a bit more than Kawasaki’s new Z1000 and quite a lot more than Honda’s CB1000R. The Suzuki’s likewise impressive torque figure is 10.8kgm at 9,500rpm. A three-step traction control system helps transfer all that power to the road, which works brilliantly, to ensure the rear wheel holds good at all points of time. We rode on damp, early-monsoon roads on undulating surface with varying camber, and found the electronics allowed pushing the powerful bike with harder throttle inputs than one could even imagine on a bike without traction control. Fuelling has been well-sorted out on the S1000, with progressive, even relaxed throttle response offered for this powerful bike, making it not-so-intimidating to ride as earlier generation litre-class nakeds, like the Honda CB1000R. A strong surge of power is delivered from about 5,000rpm to 7,500rpm, after which a really solid rush kicks in and catapults you all the way up to the rev limiter at close to 10,000 revs. It’s effortless to achieve an indicated 108kph on the GSX-S1000, in first gear! The Suzuki’s exhaust note is a loud, addictive and sporty note, that’s music to the ears when heard echoing in the hills. The new Suzuki comes with ample performance to get you to and beyond 200kph in a jiffy, or then cruise all-day long at 150kph, should that be what you were looking for. Holding speeds of over 160kph is a chore on the S1000, as it will be on any similar un-faired motorcycle. The gearbox shifts with a flawless, well-weighted feel, supported by a light action clutch, that isn’t too much of a chore to use in crowded Indian riding conditions.

Get astride Suzuki’s GSX-S1000 and you immediately notice the plush saddle thoughtfully provided by Suzuki. The seating position is comfortable, mostly upright but with a slight lean-in to the bike handlebar. The footrests are slightly rear-set. The S1000 comes with a lighter frame than even the current-generation GSX-R1000, which certainly is good news. The Suzuki feels like a slim machine for a litre-class bike, more so around the crucial thigh and knee-grip regions, making for ergonomics that are that much easier to live with.