This is a traditional GSXR in every sense of the word. Exhilarating fun to ride with a trackside manner that will make any die hard superbike man, (or lady for that matter), grin. Most of the grin is caused by that insane K5 1000 cc mill, a liquid-cooled 999cc inline-four linked to a six-speed manual gearbox. This is the long-stroke K5 engine, and it makes 148 hp and 80 lb-ft. But the quirky, modern styling with stacked LED headlight really sets you apart from the crowd. This is a naked superbike in a very raw, true sense of the word.
By now you’ll know the detail:
The Suzuki GSX-S1000 has a six-speed manual gearbox. It has a slipper-assist clutch and an electronic quick shifter. The naked bike also comes with standard ABS, big Brembo radial brakes, low-RPM assist, traction control, and multiple riding modes, ‘A’ for faster and ‘C’ for slightly less fast… We chose A… all the time. Suzuki’s ‘Easy Start’ feature means you don’t have to pull in the clutch to start the GSX-S1000, as long as you’re in Neutral. It comes with fully adjustable KYB suspension, and full LED lighting along with the LCD instrument panel. All good, but you need to ride it to truly understand…
It’s so easy. Small and light to roll around in the garage. Turn the key and tickle the starter, she rumbles to life. Give the throttle a little blip and the hair on your arms start to rise just a little bit. Climb aboard and she hugs you in a blue cocoon. Your knees slot comfortably into the tank, your legs are not cramped and while you do lean forward a little, the bars are high, wide and comfortable. The display is all clearly legible. Snick her into first and roll out of the yard. Hit the road and open up. Man it’s a cool feeling. She howls off like a bolting horse, just a lot smoother easier to handle with fewer emission control issues…
The K5 engine was upgraded from the original with new cams, valve springs, exhaust, revised injection, new air box and more to make it Euro5 compliant. And that also gave the K5 mill a little boost in the midrange and at peak power. Perhaps she’s not as powerful as, say the latest European offerings… but, especially at the comparative price tag, she has far more performance than any sensible naked should have. Hold the gear and the front end gets all light without becoming squirly. It’s really good fun! And she’s as fast as you’d expect, we’ll pop a little review up on our You Tube channel, (RideFast), and you can see just how quick this bike I for yourself.
She shifts so beautifully up and down through the quick shifter, one of the very best in the industry just so smooth. The suspension is stiff without being harsh and you feel like a GP man leaning through the turns and twisty’s. She’s quick, slick and comfortable and she makes your average street rider look and feel really good. But… and there’s always a but… We guarantee that your inbox will be stuffed with traffic fines. It’s just that kind of bike…
We get to keep this one for the next few months, so you can expect us to be really broke.
R225 900.00 at your Suzuki dealer.
Specifications:
Fuel Tank: Â Â 19L
Seat height: Â Â 810mm
Engine type: Â Â 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC
Bore x Stroke: Â Â 73.4mm x 59.0mm
Displacement: Â Â 999cm3
Transmission: Â Â 6-speed constant mesh
Suspension Front: Â Â Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped
Suspension Rear: Â Â Link type, coil spring, oil damped
