Motorcycles like BMW’s S 1000 XR and the Ducati Multistrada have proven there is demand for sporty road bikes with the upright riding position of an adventure bike, and now Suzuki is looking to get its slice of the pie with a ‘crossover’ of its own, the GSX-S1000GX.
Powering the new GSX-S1000GX is Suzuki’s venerable 999cc inline four-cylinder motor, which can trace its lineage back to the legendary GSX-R1000 K5 superbike of 2005. The motor produces over 150bhp, with 106Nm of torque at 9,250rpm. It’s a good chunk of power down on the ultimate crossovers, like the M 1000 XR and Multistrada V4 RS, but with a much more affordable price tag it should provide more than enough to make it the sort of fun and practical mainstream option for which Suzuki have become renowned in recent years.
Where Suzuki appear to have upped their game is in the electronics department. The GX features Suzuki’s most sophisticated rider aid package to date, with a number of features enabled by the adoption of a ride by wire throttle, six-axis Bosch IMU, standard quickshifter and electronic suspension from Showa.
Always fans of a good acronym, the GX features what Suzuki call Suzuki Advanced Electronic Suspension (SAES), which is a Skyhook style, semi-active, suspension manufactured by Showa. With 150mm of suspension travel and 17” wheels, the chassis has no off-road aspirations, although the upright riding position and 845mm seat height create what looks to be a comfortable all-rounder, which weighs in at 232kg ready to ride.
The suspension has three preset options, to give either a soft, medium and hard feeling, which can be adjusted on the go, with the further ability to create a user customised setting. Another acronym, SRAS (that’s Suzuki Road Adaptive Stabilisation) makes its debut on the GSX-S1000GX and further helps smooth out the ride by detecting wheel speed and activating the SFRC (Suzuki Floating Ride Control), which also adjusts the throttle response.
The ride by wire system allows for three riding modes (acronymically known as SDMS-α) and these can be used to adjust the throttle response and electronic intervention levels. With a total of three different throttle maps, seven levels of traction control and a number of suspension and anti-wheelie settings, the GSX-S1000GX does appear to offer a huge amount of customisation options. Cruise control and a system which is designed to prevent the rear wheel lifting under braking are also included in the electronics system, which can be monitored through the 6.5” TFT colour dashboard, which offers smartphone connectivity.
The IMU also facilitates what Suzuki call ‘Roll Torque Control’ which is their name for what appears a fairly sophisticated cornering traction control system, where the ECU calculates the amount of intervention required based on the lean angle, to create a smoother and less intrusive system.
Emphasising the sporting nature of the GSX-S1000GX, the main frame also started life in the GSX-R. The angular bodywork is new and features LED lighting all round, while the hand guards and luggage rack all add weight to the GX’s all-rounder credentials, with panniers on the official accessories list. With a 19 litre fuel tank, the new Suzuki certainly appears to fill a hole in the market for a solid all-round crossover, with a higher specification than Kawasaki’s Versys 1000 and a lower cost than the European competition.
Priced at £14,499, the GSX-S1000GX is expected to be in dealerships next month. If you fancy one, you’ll have three colour choices: Suzuki’s traditional metallic blue, gloss black or a new matt green option.
