Suzuki GSX-S1000GT has eyes on sports touring prize

THE sports touring segment is about to get a new, extremely well-equipped machine in its ranks, as the new Suzuki GSX-S1000GT is unveiled.

The sharp-suited new sports tourer will be replacing the GSX-S1000F and sitting just above the newly updated GSX-S1000. With optional panniers, a comfy riding position, and tons of tech to boot, the GSX-S1000GT is a bike for those that don't want to give up the sporting lifestyle just yet but have an eye on some mile-munching. We've trawled the spec sheet for the new bike to tell you how we think it'll shape up when it lands.

All you need to know about the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT price vs the rivals

Shooting its futuristic fairing into the eternally popular 1,000cc sports touring segment, the new Suzuki GSX-S1000GT has a packed roster of established names to do battle against. It'll be going up against probably the king of the segment, the £11,399 Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX. Updated last year, the Ninja is the granddaddy of the field and will surely be one of the machines the Hamamatsu factory will be looking to steal sales from. At the more premium-priced end of the spectrum, we have the £13,465 BMW R1250RS and the slightly lower-powered Ducati Supersport 950S - £14,000. Coming in at £11,599, the new GT is one of the lowest-priced machines in the peer group, and as you’re about to find out, rocking up to this party a little late means you can bring all the latest toys with you.

What’s new with the Suzuki GSX-S1000SGT

As you’d expect from a bike wearing the GSX moniker, the new GSX-S1000GT is based heavily on the recently revised GSX-S1000 we rode earlier this year. That means the heart of the bike is still the GSX-R1000-derived inline four-cylinder Euro5 engine we’ve all grown to love. Within the slightly aged casing are revised cams, a new air-box, new exhaust, assisted slipper clutch, and around 152bhp to play with. Controlling the corral of ponies is a new-for-2021 electronically actuated throttle that, if it's as good as the naked bike it’s lifted from, is a joy to use.

Chassis-wise the hardware used on the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT looks to be much the same as the naked, although a newly designed subframe is mentioned. The sturdier item is to enable the GT to carry the extra load of a pillion plus luggage. The GSX-R1000-derived swingarm is joined by a fairly simple yet effective twin-spar aluminium frame. When it came to the chassis of the current generation GSX-S1000 (and the GSX-S1000F that this bike replaces) the chassis dynamics were never really a problem. Both bikes feature a lovely balance and poise, and while not being the fastest turning machines on the block, they did have a sort of charm that allowed you to get the most from whatever type of road you were on.

The biggest talking point with the new bike is likely to centre around the new, futuristic styling of the machine. Like the GSX-S1000 it bears no resemblance to a current model in the range. Instead, it's ploughing its own furrow, while still using a distinctly new design language that is likely to trickle down to all the other Suzuki models in the months to come.

The fairing is dominated by that pointed nose and substantial non-adjustable windscreen. LED headlights and slimline DRLs bring illumination to the front end, while large radiator shrouds add a little width to the otherwise slim front end.

Nestled behind the new fairing is an all-new 6.5” full-colour TFT screen. The addition of the system brings with it a host of features like full-screen navigation, cancelling and accepting calls, music selection and more. Driving the system is the Suzuki mySPIN app that is iOS and Android compatible and developed specifically for Suzuki motorcycle models.

The new GT also boasts the updated Suzuki Intelligent Ride System that brings together the engine modes, traction control, and cruise control systems.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT model highlights

• Vast weather protection  
• All LED lighting
• 6.5” full-colour TFT
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Full-screen mapping – calls – music and more
• Rubber damped bars and pegs
• New subframe for increase load carrying
• Colour-matched side cases
• 19-litre fuel tank capacity
• 226kg

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT spec

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