Longtermers: 23 weeks on a Suzuki GSX-S 1000

After 23 weeks, a crash and a commerce in, it’s time for Andy to return the termer Suzuki. What had been his concluding ideas?

Andy Bell

TIME ON TEST: 23 weeks
ODOMETER MILES: 01120
BHP: 150
GAIN: 0
NEXT AIM: Return to Suzuki
PRICE FROM NEW: £11,199
MODIFICATIONS: Michelin Energy 5 tyres – £300
RUNNING TOTAL: £300

Learn Andy’s updates at week 4, week 8, week 16 and week 20.

Inevitably, the time has come to return my termer to Suzuki. It appears some time in the past now since I first collected the gray model that I need to admit I discovered onerous to actually love, purely as a result of my color desire. Even nonetheless, I had so many plans to benefit from my time with the bike over the previous 12 months – sadly, getting worn out by a automobile only a few weeks into our relationship meant that I used to be with out the GSX-S for a few months. Actually, it meant I by no means acquired to see that bike once more, being gifted a blue model to tackle the second half of the season, ticking of some trackdays and a great deal of miles on the street.

If it was all the way down to me to decide on a motorbike for a termer, then a unadorned wouldn’t have been excessive on my checklist firstly of the 12 months. Because it occurs, I’m happy I acquired the possibility to dwell with one for some time to understand what they’ve to supply. The broader bars, mixed with a extra upright driving place, did imply that I needed to adapt my fashion a little bit, however inside just a few miles that wasn’t a problem. Whereas prime pace just isn’t essentially what these bikes are about, the get-on-and-go feeling was fairly refreshing, with much less of the drama of being hunched over a sportsbike.

Driving round in a smart method might be carried out simply when wanted on the GSX-S, made all of the easier with its light-weight clutch and comfy ergonomics, however I’d be mendacity if I stated that was the everyday method of my driving fashion every time I acquired on this bike. In distinction, I appeared to the GSX-S for enjoyable first – and it by no means didn’t ship.

Whereas the GSX-S doesn’t include all of the digital rider aids that another bikes have these days, contemplating its asking value, it could possibly be argued that it carries with it what is required to maintain updated. I do know that bikes solely go as quick because the rider asks of them, however the three rider modes it presents had noticeable variations, which assist present confidence when switching down if caught out in moist circumstances. I did spend more often than not within the center choice, which is greatest for the street, solely actually notching it up for the trackdays as this did make the facility supply really feel extra of an on/off change, which was nice for circuits. The traction management was additionally successful with its collection of 5 mode settings, which means I might cut back enter as I wanted. When set to its highest degree and scrubbing new tyres in, the sprint lit up on each nook exit, however there wasn’t any harsh chop of the throttle from the system, only a clean roll-off.

I’ve talked about the slipper clutch and quickshifter earlier than; they deserve one other pat on the again now my time with the bike is up. Regardless of all of the enthusiastic acceleration and harsh downshifts from excessive rpm all year long, each felt like they had been working nicely, and I by no means missed a gear change. When Suzuki sells this bike on, hopefully the brand new proprietor finds it the identical.

The GSX-S wasn’t a part of the Quick Bikes supernaked take a look at because it doesn’t fairly match the figures of the opposite bikes used and so wouldn’t win in a recreation of prime trumps. This doesn’t imply that that is to be ignored; 150bhp with 106nm of torque in a unadorned avenue bike is loads to play with, and with none wind safety, you’re feeling extra of the pace earlier than hitting the massive numbers on the speedo.

No person can stand and have a look at this bike with out having to debate the styling… no one. The aggressive pointy entrance finish just isn’t for everybody, and I can perceive that. I’m on the fence: I’m neither enthusiastic about it nor offended by it. I doubt very a lot that the wings serve any function other than simply being there, however adore it or hate it, the bike has a mode that begins a dialog.

Total, I did get pleasure from my time with this bike. The engine, constructed across the 999cc inline 4, initially from the GSX-R1000 K5 (2005-2008), felt robust, delivering lots of low and midrange energy that fits bare bikes. Stability was one other good level, as long as you don’t put an excessive amount of enter into the huge bars when pushing on. This isn’t an unique bike on paper or arguably within the showroom, however taking the £11k price ticket into consideration, you get lots in your cash in comparison with its increased priced friends.