Suzuki GSX-S1000GT – 2022

To quote Suzuki themselves: ‘The Suzuki GSX-S1000GT is not only the most powerful and lightweight sport-touring machine in its class, but also remarkably comfortable, manageable, and connected. Add to that the stunning design and impressive performance of a superior four-cylinder engine, and you have a full-blooded, high-performance Grand Tourer.” That’s quite a statement Suzuki is making. So, I decided to venture away from the city to explore the southern islands and turn it into a real tour.

After a warm-up, I hit the highway to unleash the four-cylinder engine. While impressive figures about top speed are nice, even on a regular weekday around lunchtime, the road is too crowded to come close to reaching top speed. Most of the time, you’ll find yourself in fourth and/or fifth gear. So, I engaged the Cruise Control and continued at a leisurely pace.
The Cruise Control on this model has been adjusted and can be activated from as low as 30 km/h. This makes the usage even more enjoyable and versatile. The bi-directional quickshifter also enhances the daily usage experience. The engine feels smooth and familiar, which is not surprising as Suzuki has reused the engine from the GSX-S1000.

However, there are many differences between the naked and the GT, both in appearance and construction. Of course, the GT can be equipped with two color-matched side cases for an additional cost. The GT also comes with a thicker seat, which is logical for long touring distances. After more than 5 hours of riding, I didn’t even notice the seat, which is a positive sign because there were no drawbacks. Suzuki has also worked hard to eliminate the vibrations from the Naked on the GT. They made some adjustments, both small and significant. The rear frame sits lower on the GT, which helps with the riding position. Just like the footpegs, which are also placed lower. The footpegs are also equipped with a rubber top layer to reduce vibrations. Additionally, the handlebar is rubber-mounted to further reduce vibrations. In all honesty, after 4 hours of riding on the GSX-S950, I barely experienced any vibrations or wrist discomfort, so the difference was difficult to notice. However, during more active riding, I noticed that due to the changed seating position, you have to work more actively and sportier in the corners. This caused slight wrist fatigue, but that’s probably just a matter of getting used to it.

Another significant improvement between the Naked and the GT is the 6.5″ TFT screen. Here, Suzuki hits the nail on the head. The screen is covered with two layers of coating, which not only protects the screen but also helps against reflections. This TFT screen contains all the expected information but offers so much more. In combination with your phone, you can display navigation here. It also offers options for contacts, telephony, your music, and much more. To ensure that your phone doesn’t run out of battery quickly, the GSX-S1000GT is equipped with a USB charger. The operation of your TFT screen is located on the left handlebar and is relatively easy to operate. Comfort is thus a guiding principle in the design of the GSX-S1000GT. Both the front and rear suspension are set relatively soft as standard. Some adjustments were made to the suspension settings on this demo bike, allowing me to enjoy the sporty side of the GT without experiencing too soft suspension. However, you do notice with some bumps in the road or when exiting corners that Suzuki prioritized comfort over sportiness during the development of the GT. But that means this Grand Tourer can tick almost all the sport-touring boxes without any problems. After a week of commuting through traffic jams, filling the cases with vacation clothes, and a week of touring abroad, you can quickly burn through your rubber with a couple of laps around the Nürburgring on the way back home, and then simply engage the cruise control until you’re home again.