All you need to know about the new Suzuki GSX-S1000

Suzuki have tweaked just about everything on the new GSX-S1000. It’s got a new look, an updated engine, fresh electronics and they’ve even had a go at the ergonomics too. If you liked the old one, your bound to like the new one.

The first thing you’ll notice about the new model is it’s sharper, more aggressive bodywork. It might be completely new, but it still looks like a Suzuki GSX-S1000, doesn’t it? Suzuki say the new angular lines give the bike a ‘powerful stance’ with a ‘mass forward demeanour’, but I’ll let you be the judge of that.

For some reason, and I’m not sure if it is to try and be funny, they’ve kitted the new bike out with ‘MotoGP inspired winglets’. They’re not necessary on a bike of this nature and are likely to be the subject of some ridicule if you were to turn up on one, but never mind; sticks and stones and all that.

The full LED light system drag the Suzuki into the 21^st century. We’re being told that the new LED headlights provide a really wide, bright light, which is nice. And I think they look pretty good too, even if it does make the bike look a bit alien-versus-predator-esque.

Lovely spread

The engine has had a reasonable amount of tinkering, with new inlet and exhaust camshafts, valve springs, slipper clutch, exhaust, throttle bodies and airbox. Thanks to all the changes, the inline four engine now makes 150bhp at 11,000rpm (despite now being euro5 compliant) and has a broader spread of torque. Although, judging by the fact that the peak torque figure was conspicuous only by its absence in the Suzuki GSX-S1000 press release, I would hazard a guess it’s less than the old bike. Never mind.

Euro 5 emissions are met thanks to an extra cat in the exhaust, and the new throttle bodies give the bike a more controlled throttle response. Oh, and the new slipper clutch does exactly what it says on the tin.

‘Tronics

Unfortunately, the bit of the bike that you look at most often when you’re riding it, isn’t the trendiest. They’ve taken the dash off the GSX-R1000R and slapped it on the new GSX-S. I would have thought they could have done better, because that dash is not pretty. But I suppose it works, and Suzuki will argue they have done it to keep the cost down. Which they have, to be fair, and we’ll come to that shortly.

The new Suzuki Drive Mode Selector system allows you to choose between three engine maps and five levels of traction control. You can also turn TC off.

Factory chassis

The twin-spar ally frame hasn’t had much attention, but you do get a GSX-R1000 swingarm… although it is only off the 2016 Gixxer. The KYB forks though, are fully adjustable and you get preload and rebound damping adjustment on the shock.

They’ve stuck some new handlebars on the GSX-S that are 23mm wider and mounted them 20mm further back to make the thing a bit more comfortable in case you want to do big miles. And the big-milers out there will be glad of the new, 19 litre fuel tank; good for 194 miles, allegedly.

The new Suzuki GSX-S1000 sounds like it’s going to be a bit better than the old one. But in all fairness, it hasn’t taken the big step forward that the Triumph Speed Triple has, this year. In a world with Aprilia Tuonos, Ducati Streetfighter V4s and KTM Super Dukes, you’ve got to do more than Suzuki are doing, if you want to seriously compete in the super naked sector.

But if the new Suzuki GSX-S1000 sounds like your cup of tea, and you’ve got £10,999 spare, you can have one. They’ll be available in blue, grey or black, and in dealerships by the end of June, all being well.