Suzuki has recently launched a pair of big bikes for the Indian market — the GSX-S1000 and its faired sibling with the same name, adding the suffix ‘F’, both here via the CBU route. In the flesh, the GSX-S1000 looks rightfully a bigger brother of the Indian-made streetbike, the Gixxer.
The designers at Suzuki have not gone overboard, having kept styling on the compact-looking S1000 simple, purposeful and sleek, with smooth flowing lines seen on the bike. The naked new Suzuki’s headlamp is equipped with two LED lights that protrude below, aggressive and canine-like. Even its tank sports flowing lines that taper off. At the rear, there’s a minimalist panel that gives the bike a subtle, yet strong presence. Suzuki hopes to charm a more mature audience with the GSX-S1000. Snugly fit, the details on the all-digital instrument cluster are clear to read on the go. Everything is packed in, from fuel gauge to tachometer; making this an informative bay. The S1000’s USD front forks are gold-finished, lending the streetbike a premium touch.
Palm grips on the S1000 feel soft and good to touch, as do the curvy, stylish aluminium levers. Bear in mind though, only the brake lever is reach-adjustable. The mirrors droop downwards, and are really stable on their stalks as required on a fast bike like this. The 17-litre tank offers decent thigh grip and its shoulders tower forward enveloping the bike engine and radiator. Underneath, a single, neatly designed side-mount exhaust does duty. The GSX-S1000 shares its engine platform with their litre-class superbike, the GSX-R1000, in a fresh state of tune. The powerful 999cc, four-stroke and four-cylinder engine makes serious horsepower — 143.5bhp at 10,000rpm. That’s a bit more than Kawasaki’s new Z1000 and quite a lot more than Honda’s CB1000R. The Suzuki’s likewise impressive torque figure is 10.8kgm at 9,500rpm. A three-step traction control system helps transfer all that power to the road, which works brilliantly, to ensure the rear wheel holds good at all points of time. We rode on damp, early-monsoon roads on undulating surfaces with varying camber, and found the electronics allowed pushing the powerful bike with harder throttle inputs than one could even imagine on a bike without traction control. Fuelling has been well-sorted out on the S1000, with progressive, even relaxed throttle response offered for this powerful bike, making it not-so-intimidating to ride as earlier generation litre-class nakeds. A strong surge of power is delivered from about 5,000rpm to 7,500rpm, after which a really solid rush kicks in and catapults you all the way up to the rev limiter at close to 10,000 revs. It’s effortless to achieve an indicated 108kph on the GSX-S1000, in first gear! The Suzuki’s exhaust note is a loud, addictive and sporty note, that’s music to the ears when heard echoing in the hills. The new Suzuki comes with ample performance to get you to and beyond 200kph in a jiffy, and then cruise all day long at 150kph, should that be what you were looking for. The gearbox shifts with a flawless, well-weighted feel, supported by a light action clutch, that isn’t too much of a chore to use in crowded Indian riding conditions.
The Suzuki feels like a slim machine for a litre-class bike, more so around the crucial thigh and knee-grip regions, making for ergonomics that are that much easier to live with.
Suzuki’s latest has solid street presence, helped by its loud, intoxicating exhaust note that proved to be a head-turner throughout our ride. It’s a really quick motorcycle, as expected from a modern-day litre-class naked, and handles really well too, proving about as much fun on rain-drenched roads as we hoped for. Riding on dry stretches confirms this is indeed an excellent-handling naked bike. And Suzuki’s done well to equip the S1000 with upmarket electronics including ABS and traction control, both excellent aids to have. The GSX-S1000 costs an affordable Rs. 12.25 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
