Suzuki 1400 GSX motorcycle test

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Rumors had been approaching for several months, announcing big roadsters at
all manufacturers. Suzuki opens fire with an entirely new roadster and
in a 1400 cc version, completely breaking away from the Bandit tradition.

The GSX 1400 is first and foremost a roadster that impresses.
Put it in a street and onlookers will soon gather around to admire
the bestiau: monstrous tank (22 liters), double line of exhausts, a weight
just as little negligible (228 kilos dry), a spacious saddle, a wide handlebars, a
impressive wheelbase, a central and side stand … The size imposes the
brands. In short, the bike makes you want to be tested.

Contact ! Don’t look for the starter, there isn’t one. Suzuki
introduced here the injection on roadster. With the ignition key turned, a
characteristic hissing sound and traditional / digital counters reset:
double trip odometer on the left, electronic fuel gauge on the right and
clock. Convenient ! You can see the gauge, the totalizer and the watch at the same time.
The exhausts emit a serious and majestic roar: the quiet force.
Last detail compared to a traditional painting: a new witness
"FI", indicating a problem with the injection.

The driving position is straight, slightly
more forward than on a Bandit 1200S. You might think it is difficult
to enclose the imposing reservoir. In fact, the latter is very indented and allows
tighten the bike even more effectively than on a 600. The weight, meanwhile, is
makes you forget from the first turns of the wheels. In fact, we almost forget that we are on
a 1400 cm3. One could imagine an exclusive wicked roadster … It is not. The
GSX 1400 takes itself in hand and takes you on the torque without brutality. The
speeds go smoothly (apart from this second which always has this tendency to
slam at Suzuki) and we wind "quietly"… In fact, it is better to watch the meter, because we quickly
being at more than 100 km / h in town, in second and without realizing it. We don’t care
also makes it all the less aware that the exhausts are completely forgotten.
Fans of unapproved pots, go your way. These hardly make more noise
than a car and you will appreciate all the advantages after several hours of driving:
no need to use earplugs anymore !

After a few kilometers, you understand one thing: the GSX 1400 is
comfortable, very comfortable. The saddle is soft, both for the rider and
especially for the passenger. In short, it is without a doubt the best original saddle ever.
carried out (excluding Goldwin). The motorcycle has so much torque that in normal use, we
stay between the 2nd and the 3rd … and you already risk losing your license on the motorway. the
comfort is also there: less shifting and high torque; the speeds
happen all by themselves and smoothly. And if you ever happen to find yourself (and
by mistake) at 1500 rpm in 6th gear on a departmental (and already over speeding),
you can open wide: the 4 cylinder resumes without flinching and your helmet will
gets in the face at acceleration! In short, you will have to hang on.

You enter the highway on hats
wheels and the roadster never seems to want to stop. In fact, without the nose screen,
it’s your necks crying for mercy as the monster still seems to be in slow motion.
The big, fast curves are linked together with ease, and the bike seems to be driving
alone: ​​a treat. And if the road deteriorates, the shock absorbers associated with the saddle
absorb everything without flinching and without surprising. And if the original settings do not
are not enough, you will have complete freedom to re-adjust them as you wish: adjustment
in spring preload, compression and relaxation. Suzuki has just invented the roadster
Pullman.

Back on national and especially departmental, the roadster goes on the corner without
effort. In fact, neither oversteer nor oversteer like a Bandit 1200S, the GSX 1400 seems
help you as soon as the angle is taken. In short, all it takes is a sign, a light pressure from the wrist
and the motorbike can be placed on its own, whatever the speed and without ever being surprised
by a bad coating. Suddenly, we can maintain a sustained rhythm on small
departmental roads at a reasonable speed on the motorway without any fatigue or risk
inconsiderate. And in passing through small villages, we stay on the same speed to
simply reopen widely at the exit. The engine never balks.

Braking is up to the monster. Inherited
braking of the GSX-R 1000 – the brand’s hypersport model – six calipers
pistons are efficient, without ever surprising. It brakes hard, but in relation to the
how you shake your right hand. There is no need to dose: it brakes without
never risk blocking. In short, it’s efficient and safe and we don’t hesitate to
take the lever, squeeze hard to test. Nothing to do, there is no risk of being
surprised in an emergency !

The impressions accumulated during the first hundred kilometers will not
that is confirmed as hundreds of kilometers swallowed. The GSX 1400 is
a delight. It is not the passenger who will contradict you and you notice with
pleasure that the steps can be important, very important even. Injection does not
not too calm the consumption enthusiasm of the beautiful, but the 22-liter tank
compensates and you can continue 300 km without any problem without realizing it .. except
the fuel pump symbol flashing on the digital meter for more than
70 kilometers. Warning ! the switch to reserve has disappeared since the
Bandit 1200.

After admiring the monster, and enjoying its conduct, you will take your time
to admire the details: the overall finish, the embossed decoration, the lock of the
discreet and angled saddle, the large space under the saddle to accommodate two
rain suits, two locks, a book and a drink (Coke) for the road…

If we had to make a comparison, the GSX 1400 is between a Bandit 1200N and a
Bandit 1200S. Less playful than the Bandit 1200N, but easier and more comfortable than the
Bandit 1200S (except protection), it is a motorcycle that is adopted with such ease
that it is really difficult to return the keys. In fact, to try it is to adopt it.
Getting back on his personal motorbike is then a torture and nothing will be completely
done after as before.

In view of all these finery, this bike should be a real hit at the
level of sales. Only the price of 61,900 francs makes you think again, without forgetting the
fact that this is an introductory price which should rise to 63,990 francs
shortly. We are at the same level as the XJR 1300 (although the latter has
was sold off by Yamaha at 58,900 francs recently). Suzuki thus confirms its
desire to be at the same level as its Japanese competitors, both in terms of
quality of its production as advertised prices. And in view of the first results of these
first months, it seems that the market is following…

The GSX 1400 is available in blue or gray livery in its normal version and in
blue and white livery (tank and rims).

Consumption during the test: min: 7L / 100km – max: 8.5L / 100km

The technical sheet | Even more pictures

Competitors: Aprilia Tuono, BMW R1200R, Ducati 1100 Monster, Honda CB 1000 R, Honda CB 1300, Kawasaki Z 1000, Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport V8, Suzuki
Bandit 1200, Yamaha Fazer 1000, Yamaha XJR 1300

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