Kawasaki Z 1000 SX and Suzuki GSX-S 1000 F in the test

Posted on by admin

Kawasaki Z 1000 SX and Suzuki GSX-S 1000 F in the test

In the same league?

Kawasaki’s Z 1000 SX and the new Suzuki GSX-S 1000 F seem brothers in spirit. Based on strong, sporty naked bikes. Equipped with fairings for sporty activity as well as to defy the wind on brisk stages.

It was a clever move by Kawasaki. Simply give the popular Z 1000 a neat, not too voluminous panel. And you already have a veritable burner for everyone who prefers to maintain a quick line, also with a pillion passenger and luggage. But like to be comfortably housed and also attach importance to weather protection. And there are obviously a few. Because the fans of the brand did it Z 1000 SX last year became the fourth best-selling Kawasaki. Behind the Z 1000.

Kawasaki Z 1000 SX and Suzuki GSX-S 1000 F in the test

In the same league?

The GSX-S 1000 F is not a sports tourer like the Kawasaki Z 1000 SX, it is much sportier, a real country road athlete. ”You won’t find an opulent pillion seat or an optional pannier system.

Comparison test on the Swabian Alb

Obviously, when two people do the same thing, it doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing. But they are at least visually close together. Are the two really that different? Let’s find out, in the Swabian Alb. With their dreamy corners and lonely country lanes that meander through small forests and hilly fields. The ideal terrain to get to grips with both of them.

Tea Suzuki recorded the first advantages during the starting procedure. Subito reports the four-cylinder on the spot, while the Kawa wants to be asked a blink of an eye longer and then wakes up with a slightly increased resting heart rate of almost 2000 / min.

Although the Suzuki GSX-S 1000 F wants to be the sportier one, the rider sits a little more relaxed. In relation to the seat, the notches are a little deeper, the handlebars a little higher than on the Kawasaki Z 1000 SX. In return, its wider tank spreads its legs much more than that of the Kawa. In the hustle and bustle of the big city, both four-cylinder units act as real big bike drives in the best sense of the word. Shake the punch out of your sleeve from the starting speed and push forward vigorously from standing. Promise power in abundance. Calm, confident. In no time the two escaped the hectic narrowness of the city and reached the country road area. Here you can flex your muscles and let off steam.

Aggressive sound, irritated growling

Even if the Kawasaki Z 1000 SX with 135 PS does not quite reach its rated output of 142 PS, it pushes forward vigorously from the lower speed range. Offers full punch in the medium speed range and therefore where it matters in everyday life. This is a great way to power it out of corners. Actually. However, when opening the throttle valve for the first time in the apex of the curve, concentration is required for rolling phases. Because the four-cylinder reacts a bit sluggishly, with a slight delay when the throttle valve is first activated. Which is why the performance is sometimes a tad later than planned. But then the four-cylinder pushes forward, supported by a powerful center. It blows with a smoky timbre to attack, and the noticeable vibrations from 6000 rpm underline its robust character.

The four of the Suzuki GSX-S 1000 F does not run completely cuddly in the upper half of the speed. However, its vibrations there are more high-frequency and more sensitive. That’s why he’s there like a penny when you put on gas. Coins gas commands subito into propulsion. Looks livelier and more thirsty for action than the Kawa four. Lively, turns fiery upwards, as if he wanted to underpin the sporty attitude that the marketing strategists have given him.

Its torque around 5000 / min allows a short break. But because the higher-revving Suzuki GSX-S 1000 F has a shorter gear ratio, that is not particularly significant. We the contrary, when it comes to pulling power, the Kawasaki Z 1000 SX can absolutely stand up to it and at the same time is not afraid of high speeds. From around 7000 rpm, it really turns up and dashes fiery towards the red area. Always accompanied by an aggressive sound that ranges from irritated growling at low speeds to hoarse roars at high speeds. With fiery 156 hp, ten more horses are at the start than in the papers. Only the somewhat hard throttle response tarnishes this lively performance a little. Which in tight turns can cut a point into the round line.

All reviews and articles about the Suzuki GSX-S 1000 F

Kawasaki Z 1000 SX weighs 19 kilos more

Nevertheless, the Suzuki GSX-S 1000 F is in its element on the winding streets of the Alb. Concentrated on bends, sweeps steadily, although not completely neutral, through long arcs. When it comes to precision and feedback, the Dunlop D 214 "M" are not in the top league, as they would have deserved a bit more upbeat soles in line with their sporting demands. Nonetheless, changing curves are easy for her. She willingly dives from one lean angle to the next. The suspension comfort is okay despite the moderate response of the tight suspension elements. No question about it: the Suzuki is clearly the boss when it comes to sporty cornering. 

The Kawasaki Z 1000 SX looks heavier, which is only partly because it carries 19 kilos more hip gold with it. She puts up a lot of resistance to quick changes of direction and wants to be forcefully moved on the handlebars to turn. In order to then find your way through the curves with fair precision. Fast cornering is not the thing of the Kawa, who are soled with Bridgestone S 20 in special code "N". In addition, it braces itself vigorously against the lean angle when pulling the brake. Rubber trimmed less for straight-line stability could provide noticeable relief. As it is, a smooth driving style is required on the Kawa, be ready with the brakes before the bend, then turn in and circle the hairpin bends in an even arc. When it comes to braking, the Kawa can move back into the foreground. Your ABS does not regulate as finely as that of the Suzuki, but its stoppers grip more spontaneously and more powerfully and can be dosed more finely. The Suzuki brakes also decelerate splendidly overall, but sporty natures in particular want more responsive gripping and a clearer pressure point.

Suzuki GSX-S 1000 F is sportier

So the roles seem to be clearly assigned. If the Suzuki GSX-S 1000 F is livelier, more curvaceous and therefore more sporty overall, the Kawasaki is more concerned with touring. Whereby their spring elements like those of the Suzuki are more committed to sporty firmness than fluffy comfort. They pass hard edges through to the driver a little more concisely, but respond a little more sensitively to smaller bumps.

In terms of equipment, the Kawa offers narrow fare. The cockpit shows neither the air temperature nor the aisle. After all, in contrast to the Suzuki, the windshield can be adjusted in height. Although this is only possible with both hands. One-handed adjustment would certainly not be an exaggerated luxury. After all, the Kawa washer relieves the upper body and head noticeably better from the wind than the Suzi washer. A pillion passenger will also find the more secluded spot on the kawa. Wider, with a more relaxed knee angle, also suitable for longer tours. Due to the hard spring of the shock absorber, the Suzuki can take a passenger without complaint. But the narrow, tight and little supportive sandwich is more inviting for short distances. With the amazingly low consumption of 4.3 liters (Kawasaki 5.0 liters) and a proud 395 kilometers range (Kawasaki 375 kilometers), the Suzuki definitely inspires longer stages.

In the end, the roles are more clearly distributed than the visual proximity of the two suggests. When two people do the same thing, the end result is sometimes something completely different.

Test result

In the end, it turns out that the roles are more clearly distributed than the visual proximity of the two suggests. (We’re talking about motorcycles!)

1. Suzuki GSX-S 1000 F

Suzuki GSX-S 1000 F.

She plays the sporting role excellently. Manoeuvrable chassis and lively engine ensure fun on the country road. If we had one wish, then maybe a little fine-tuning of the throttle response and chassis tuning.

2. Kawasaki Z 1000 SX

Kawasaki Z 1000 SX

Powerful engine, powerful brakes and a good dose of travel-friendly comfort, even for two, are the strengths of the Kawasaki. Above all, the capricious steering behavior is a heavy burden.

Technical specifications

20th Pictures

Pictures: Kawasaki Z 1000 SX and Suzuki GSX-S 1000 F in the test

To home page

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

fact

Related articles

Related articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *