All Tests – GSX-S1000 Test: Suzuki finally hits the nail on the head! – Better late than never

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GSX-S1000 test: Suzuki finally hits the nail on the head !

All Tests - GSX-S1000 Test: Suzuki finally hits the nail on the head! - Better late than never

It is obvious: Suzuki took too long to draw its first maxi roadster, leaving the field open to its competitors for more than ten years … But thanks to its fiery 4-cylinder, the GSX-S1000 is largely forgive this waiting. Test.

Better late than never

It is an understatement to say that this new GSX-S1000 was desired, both by Suzuki fans and by its dealers! For some, the wait dates back to 2002 (!), When Honda unsheathed the 900 Hornet to counter the threat which has become worrying for European brands in the sporty roadster segment (Ducati Monster 900 and Triumph Speed ​​Triple in the lead)..

The following year, Kawasaki sticks to the rim of the winged crest with the Z1000, followed in 2006 by Yamaha and its. Even more radical with its aluminum frame and its 4-cylinder 150 hp taken almost as is from the R1, it marks a milestone: now, maxi-roadsters are becoming Streetfighters, or Hypersports with large handlebars !

Two years later, in 2008 therefore, the took over from the Honda Hornet (also read our), while new European bombs such as the, the and will then come to blast the segment, with a power record (180 hp ) for the Austrian "Beast" (also read our).

Suzuki GSX-S1000 test video
In addition to this first full test of the Suzuki GSX-S1000, also discover our !

And during this time in Hamamatsu (Japan), it is radio silence: while he nevertheless has an excellent basis for retorting, Suzuki hesitates, dodges, postpones, in short abstains … and keeps the status of unique Japanese manufacturer absent in this niche … until today !

Because yes, finally, the GSR 1000 arrives in 2015! Or rather the "GSX-S1000", as Suzuki preferred to name it in order to underline its "mechanical DNA" common with the GSX-R1000 (read our). An understandable choice from a marketing standpoint, but less from a "logical range" point of view where novelty was expected as the leader of the GSR line (, then)…

To justify its late arrival, Suzuki explains that it did not follow the trend from the beginning of the 2000s because its range of roadsters was then very wide with the SV1000 N and S, the and especially the, motorcycle whose sales volumes were at the very satisfying time. Until much lighter, more efficient and sexy rivals arrive…

"Except that when this category gained momentum in 2007/2008, it was installed and we had blocked R&D investments: the project was therefore postponed.", admits us frankly Dominique Li-Pat-Yuen, marketing and communication manager of Suzuki France..

Static: originality … Japanese style !

Sharp lines, squat front part, outgrowths with tortured shapes on the headlight, scoops stretched downwards: the GSX-S1000 is undoubtedly part of the angular Japanese trend! But if its design impresses in certain aspects, the set does not revolutionize the genre. Especially at the level of the rear shell, hardly original despite the LED light and moreover devoid of notches allowing the passenger’s hands to slide there..

Fortunately, the novelty has other arguments to make, in particular a quality hardware, flattering for the retina … and for the ego! These include the superb swingarm snatched from the GSX-R1000 2005/2008, the Brembo radial brake calipers identical to those of the current "Gex", the fully adjustable inverted fork with golden sheaths and the very elegant flat Renthal handlebars..

The short silencer in the low position is also well integrated and is partly topped with a high quality polished metal protection. In general, the GSX-S1000 offers a satisfactory finish: Suzuki has taken care of the presentation, no doubt scalded by the criticisms wiped at this level by the …

In detail, only the slightly "muddy" welds of the aluminum frame – specific to the GSX-S1000 (read our) and the passable integration of the connection in front of the left stalk (exposed terminals and wires) lend themselves to criticism.

The most picky of our readers will also point out the quality of the screws (in particular at the level of the nuts on the triple trees bushings) or the "grainy" surface treatment of the engine. This 999 cc in-line 4-cylinder, precisely, comes from the 2005/2008 generation of the GSX-R1000.

Half-curious, half-teasing, MNC asked Suzuki if the use of that ten-year-old "old" engine meant that the foundation for the GSX-S1000 had been laid around the same time, before the project was put to rest. side for various reasons, including economic…

"Not at all", assures us Keisuke Namekawa, engine manager of the GSX-S1000."I cannot give you the exact year of the launch of the project, but it began after the major mechanical overhaul made to the GSX-R1000 in 2009. We therefore chose the engine of the "K5" after having compared the engines at length. two versions, the old and the new".

"At the end of these tests, we concluded that the 2005/2008 engine, besides being very popular thanks to its many victories in endurance, in WSBK (title in 2005) or even in the Tourist Trophy, corresponded better to the needs of a roadster, especially in terms of character thanks to its fairly long stroke", develops the Japanese manager (read our).

Handlebars in hand, the rest of our test on the next page will show you that the choice of Suzuki is based on solid arguments. Namekawa-San has not piped us up: the GSX-S1000 is above all a motor of madness !

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