All Comparisons – Comparison test Japanese roadsters: CB1000R, Z1000 or GSX-S1000? – Suzuki in the 1000 with Kawasaki and Honda

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Japanese roadster comparative test: CB1000R, Z1000 or GSX-S1000 ?

All Comparisons - Comparison test Japanese roadsters: CB1000R, Z1000 or GSX-S1000? - Suzuki in the 1000 with Kawasaki and Honda

Invested last year by several novelties, the maxiroadster segment remains dominated by the Kawasaki Z1000. In 2015, Suzuki finally responded with its GSX-S1000. MNC therefore brought out the Honda CB1000R to oppose all the Japanese 4-cylinders on the market. Comparo.

Suzuki in the 1000 with Kawasaki and Honda

Oh, the ball. When discovering our three motorcycles, our rider only has eyes for the Z1000: "it is clear that the look of the new Kawasaki really gives a blow of old to the two others". Touched! The" Zed ", which has just blown out its first candle, completely eclipses the 2015 novelty of this new Site comparative test, the Suzuki…

Trying in vain to catch up, Jo ‘sinks: "Ah but the GSR1000 is not bad either…"Touched, sunk. Here again, our (now former …) colleague makes a mistake, since the new Suz ‘is called GSX-S1000! It is certainly less easy to pronounce, but it makes sense.

With this denomination, the Hamamatsu firm would indeed like to mean to its future customers that its new motorcycle is not just a big GSR750, but a bare and reworked GSX-R1000 (from 2005). Good news, no ?!

Thus, the 1000 cc maxiroadster long awaited by Suzuki fans – customers and dealers alike! – does not take on the image of an entry-level vehicle that sticks to the "seven-fifty", in particular because of its high-performance chassis, of course, but of very rudimentary appearance.

The unprecedented and expected GSX-S1000

On the "mille", we find a solid aluminum frame (specific), the bulky swingarm of the original Gex and the Brembo radial callipers of the Gex … 2014! At the front, there is still an inverted Kayaba fork of the same size as that of the Honda (43 mm), but its golden color enhances it more (gray for the CB).

Likewise, the mounting brackets of the two sheaths of the GSX-S1000 are stronger than those of the CB1000R, and its handlebars proudly display its origins: "Made in England" – and not Thaïland or China -, it is a Renthal (small firm which claims some 170 world titles and 176 American and invoices its "fatbar" 90 US $ to individuals).

Rest assured, Site does not intend to detail the entire motorcycle as thoroughly (read our!). But this unique zoom illustrates Suzuki’s desire to deliver a maxiroadster with an almost flawless finish..

The Site testers may inspect everything, the faults of the GSX-S1000 are minimal: imperfection of a few welds on the perimeter frame, large gray indicators that lead to the rear axle, decorations made in simple stickers … The owner will get over it. !

The "dejà vu" side of the bike, on the other hand, may hold back some buyers. Despite its optics surmounted by a curious single-eyebrow and decked out with small canines (LED night lights), the Suzuki’s face remains too close to those of the Japanese roadsters released in recent years..

From a more general point of view, the muscular front of the GSX-S, its radiator scoops which almost scratch the tarmac and join the engine spoiler – delivered as standard, like that of the Kawa -, as well as its rear part short and pointed do not allow it to stand out more from the Japanese competition.

The all-new Z1000 (from 2014)

Instigator of this "Manga" fashion, Kawasaki decided last year to accentuate the line, just history, to stand out! The remark of our good Jose at the start of the test and the dazed looks of many passers-by during the taxiing confirm it to us: the big bad look of the "Zed" is still as striking. !

A year after its release (reread our), the Kawasaki with its killer look – thanks to its hidden and very low LED headlights – still causes surprise, inspires respect or arouses disgust … It all depends on taste, precisely.

At Site, we must admit, the bestial look of the Z1000 at its release was not unanimous within the editorial staff, but it ended up seducing us over the tests and reviews. In addition, if the Z does not have the smoothest fork (41 mm), the most prestigious brakes (Nissin all the same), or the most advanced equipment (ABS option at 600 €, point bar), she imposes the most physically.

She even won the competition for the most stylish and impressive Japanese maxiroadster! But in this category, winning this fight is a big advantage over its opponents. A bit like setting the best lap time for a sports car, or posting the lowest price for a basic !

Like the many Z1000 (!) Customers, MNC also appreciates the meticulousness with which the Greens have refined their maxiroadster: pilot saddle dotted with "Z", passenger saddle which overhangs a carefully chiseled rear shell, four angular pot exits, branches of retro split … the list goes on !

Last remarkable finishing point: the Kawasaki is the only motorcycle in this comparison – or even on the market ?! – to offer an adjustment of the chain tension via superb eccentrics, as on the old ZZR1100 of papa. Okay, it’s missing a center stand (ditto for the Honda and the Suz), but it’s still classy, ​​no ?!

The good but old CB1000R

Faced with the two novelties (2015 and 2014), the Honda tries to stay in the game by using and abusing artifices more or less happy. Decorative stickers in particular make a good impression on the – under the varnish! – tank, but less good at the rear hull and sides (in "Z"!) on which the stickers are simply placed.

Likewise, the white or red hue of the frame and the single-sided arm (mamma mia!) Will be more or less attractive. What MNC hopes above all is that the paint will age well … The transparent plastic film applied in a hurry on our test model tends to make people fear the opposite but the rear rim is still just as good. beautiful in black.

Dynamically, the whole is so homogeneous that the Tokyo Reds have changed absolutely nothing in the mechanics of their maxiroadster launched seven years ago (read our). Like the Kawa – and the Fireblade! -, the Honda is therefore always devoid of traction control.

In the ABS version (option offered at 600 € on the CB and Z, 500 € on the GSX-S), the CB1000R is however the only one to benefit from coupled braking, from rear to front. The top in terms of safety, which however includes two aesthetic drawbacks: the abandonment of radial callipers and the "gas factory" look of the fork legs…

The Honda still stands out from its two compatriots with its monobackbone-type frame – aluminum, please – which allows it to be thinner. The designers have also played with it, incorporating a tapered front light and completed by an original round LED night light..

Less bulky and therefore less intimidating than its two opponents of the day, the CB1000R is also less expensive. Officially established 700 euros below the common price of Z and GSX-S (€ 12,000), the price of the CB is even lower at the moment: € 10,100.

Also on sale, the FZ1 is displayed on the official Yamaha website at an unbeatable price: € 8,490 (ABS + € 600). However, Iwata’s big 4-cylinder was not invited to this 1000% Japanese comparison (like 1000 cc!) Because the FZ1 is no longer imported and only a few examples dating from 2012 remain available in the network..

Site therefore focused on the three brand new models to oppose the Japanese 4-cylinders on the market: take control of the Honda CB1000R, Kawasaki Z1000 and Suzuki GSX-S1000 on the following pages !

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