Touring motorcycles are made for a particular purpose (the clue is in their name). But they might be too big and heavy for daily work. Or in the search for maximum comfort, manufacturers tend to sideline pleasure. After all, who doesn’t want a motorcycle that likes to be ridden hard when the opportunity presents itself?
That means the best kind of touring motorcycle walks a fine line between long-term comfort and reliability, while still making the rider want to ride simply because it is a good motorcycle to be on. Quite hard to achieve, right? Luckily, there are quite a few good touring motorcycles that show off this ability. There is one that meets all the criteria exceptionally well, and that is the touring motorcycle that balances distance, comfort, and engagement well.
The Suzuki GSX-S1000GX Balances Distance, Comfort, And Engagement
Suzuki is one of the few remaining motorcycle manufacturers that still has old-school motorcycles. They might not be cutting-edge tech, but they certainly are proven technology, which, for a touring motorcycle, is an essential thing. The GSX-S1000GX is a prime example, and it’s made from old GSX-R bits like the engine and chassis, retuned for a better touring experience. It has been updated with modern suspension and a six-axis IMU, and it is somehow greater than the sum of its parts.
Suzuki GSX-S1000GX Price: $18,599
The GSX-S1000GX is priced at just under $19,000, which makes it the cheapest among the direct competition. The great thing about this Suzuki is that it doesn’t need any accessories or options to truly be a premium tourer. Among the competitors, there are both Japanese and European brands, so there is a choice. Yet, the Suzuki makes a good case for being the most reliable among them.
Superbike Engine, Almost Superbike Tuning
The GSX-S1000GX has the same engine as the GSX-S1000GT, and in the same state of tune. This 999 cc inline four cylinder engine is tuned for power, with 150 horsepower arriving at 11,000 RPM and 78.2 pound-feet at 9,250 RPM. If that seems like it arrives quite high in the rev range for a tourer, that’s because that’s true. Y
ou really need to get this engine revving to get any poke from it. It can make it a little too docile in the city, but out on the highway, you’ll have a big grin plastered on your face. There is only a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission available, and a two-way quickshifter and an assist and slipper clutch are standard.
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There are a bunch of acronyms helping things out: a by-wire throttle and six axis IMU are the base of things here. There is the S-DMS (Suzuki Drive Mode Selector – Alpha) that combines settings from ride modes, traction control, anti-wheelie, and engine brake. The SRAS (Suzuki Road Adaptive Stabilization) configures the throttle response to the road conditions automatically, using data from the electronic suspension. There is also the Suzuki Exhaust Tuning valve, which helps optimize torque at different revs. Finally, there is the Smart Cruise Control, which won’t disengage if you shift gears.
Electronic Suspension Parts Are Standard
The GSX-S1000GX has a twin-spar aluminum frame from an old GSX-R sport bike, but it has been adapted to the GX’s intended use. There is a different subframe that can take the stress of a pillion and luggage, and long-travel suspension with 5.9 inches of travel at both ends, with full electronic adjustability. Here too, the Suzuki Road Adaptive Stabilization lends a hand by automatically adjusting the damping to the road conditions. 17-inch alloy wheels with road-biased tires are present. The brakes consist of twin 310 mm discs at the front with Brembo radial monobloc calipers, and a 240 mm rear disc with a single piston caliper. Cornering ABS and rear lift mitigation are standard.
Suzuki GSX-S1000GX Dimensions
This isn’t a very large motorcycle, at under 85 inches long, and it is quite maneuverable as well, with a wheelbase of under 58 inches. It is expectedly high, with a seat height of 33.3 inches. There is the width of the transverse inline four engines to consider as well. Ground clearance is an appreciable 6.1 inches, while wet weight stands at 511 pounds.
Good Feature Set With All Bases Covered
The price of the GSX-GX is not merely a base one; what you see is what you get. And you get pretty much everything on the list. That includes a 6.5-inch TFT screen with Bluetooth and navigation, color-matched hard luggage (with a quick-release function), a center stand, an adjustable windscreen, and hand guards. The options list is small but has practical items like heated grips, frame sliders, and a seat that doesn’t heat up as much as a normal one would in the sun. Oh, and you can have red brake calipers as well!
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Suzuki GSX-S1000GX Competition
There are a few sport tourers that should be on your radar if you’re considering the GSX-GX. The Ducati Multistrada V2 S ($19,595) exists in the same realm, but is for a different kind of consumer with its torquey V-twin engine. We’d like to give a shout-out to the Yamaha Tracer 9 here. It is exactly like the Suzuki, but at a lower price point ($12,599) and with less performance out on the highway.
That leaves us with the BMW S 1000 XR, whose base price ($18,825) is within a few hundred dollars of the GSX-S1000GX. However, if you try to spec it with the kind of features that the Suzuki has, you’ll end up adding a couple of thousand dollars to it. There is no denying that the 170 horsepower is very tempting, though.
Finally, there is no such problem with the Kawasaki Versys 1100. Like the blue bike, it is fully loaded from the get-go. It has the same basic components as the Suzuki – inline four engine, long-travel suspension, TFT screen, six-axis IMU, but the larger displacement doesn’t translate to more outright performance. Kawasaki has chosen to focus on torque, so if you like to ride sedately, it will certainly be a better choice. It also has a unique instrument cluster that consists of a TFT plus a large analog tachometer,
Suzuki GSX-S1000GX Vs Kawasaki Versys 1100
|
Model |
Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ |
Kawasaki Versys 1100 SE LT ABS |
|
Price |
$18,599 |
$19,499 |
|
Displacement |
999 cc |
1,099 |
|
Power |
152 HP @ 11,000 RPM |
133 HP @ 9,000 RPM |
|
Torque |
78.2 LB-FT @ 9,250 RPM |
82.5 LB-FT @ 7,600 RPM |
|
Curb Weight |
511 LBs (wet) |
571 LBs (wet) |
Source: Suzuki Cycles