The Most Well-Rounded Touring Motorcycle You Can Buy In 2025

Over the decades, developing a good touring motorcycle ​​​​has turned into a science. Comfort, performance, the ability to tour, and luggage all need to be in balance. And these things need to be provided at the right price, else consumers will just move on to the product that makes more sense. So we need to look at something that isn’t too bulky, so no full-dress tourers. It needs to be accessible, so no need-a-ladder-to-mount adventure-tourer either.

It needs to be somewhere in the middle, striking a balance (if you’ll excuse the pun) between carrying capacity and being light enough to be pushed around in a parking lot. This leaves us with crossovers and sport tourers, and the latter kind fits our requirements better because of their ability to cover large distances while still offering grin-inducing fun around corners. Plus, on a budget slimmer than that of the former. Here is the most well-rounded touring motorcycle you can buy in 2025.

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The Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ Is The Most Well-Rounded Touring Motorcycle You Can Buy In 2025

Price: $14,299

Utilizing an old platform to craft a new product isn’t something new, but some do it better than others. Suzuki has made quite a lot of its product range last for a lot longer than you’d expect by updating old platforms, and the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ is no different. It is, under the skin, a K5 Gixxer, but has been updated and is modern where it counts. Saving even more cost is the fact that it was developed side by side with the GSX-S1000 naked.

This approach makes a lot of sense when you think about it: sport tourers don’t need the razor-sharp handling and nuclear power of an up-to-date liter superbike. Instead, trading those attributes in for reliability will make it a far more usable bike in the real world. Bung in some electronics to make sure the rider makes it home in inclement weather, and this truly can become a tarmac bike for all seasons. Suzuki’s effort has resulted in a sport tourer with performance and handling that will put a smile on your face, and a price that will widen that smile.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ Highlights

• Old platform, but great updates
• Comprehensive electronics suite
• Luggage is standard
• Awesome pricing

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ Engine: The Wild Child, Tamed

K5 Engine Is Surprisingly Usable In New Avatar

This engine is a twenty-year-old design from the GSX-R1000 K5. At that time, it was head and shoulders above all the other liter superbikes because of how much more power it made, and the way in which it delivered the power. Today, Suzuki has toned down the power output to 150 horsepower, although you still need to rev it all the way to 11,000 RPM to get to that figure. Low-rev performance is augmented by Suzuki’s Low RPM Assist.

The by-wire throttle allows the inclusion of the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector, which means three ride modes on the GSX-S1000GT+. Interestingly, all three modes deliver the same maximum horsepower but differ in throttle response and torque delivery. This is matched to a five-mode traction control system. Suzuki’s Smart Cruise Control is present, too.

The six-speed transmission is a close-ratio one to extract the most out of the engine, and the two-way quickshifter helps when riding spiritedly. For the times you need to use the clutch lever, you’ll be happy to know that Suzuki has included an assist and slipper clutch, which reduces effort at the lever and prevents the rear wheel from hopping under downshifting. The quickshift feature can also be switched off via the menus.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ Engine Specifications

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Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ Chassis: A Superbike-derived Perimeter Setup

Intelligent Additions To The Electronics Keep Costs In Check

The GSX-S1000GT+ chassis, like the engine, is from an old Gixxer, but the twin-spar aluminum frame is more than up to the task of a blat through the twisties over the weekend. Helping things along is an aluminum swingarm that is also nicked from a GSX-R1000, and suspension that isn’t electronic but is fully adjustable. The brakes consist of dual 310 mm floating discs at the front gripped by radial Brembo monobloc fixed calipers – another component borrowed from a liter Gixxer – and a single-piston Nissin caliper at the rear.

When belting around, you’ll realize a six-axis IMU isn’t present, so there aren’t cornering functions for the ABS and traction control. However, you can mix and match the levels available to you in any ride mode, and they can be done while on the move, as long as the throttle is closed. As with the rest of the bike, this is a smart move to provide features that will be required, but without overkill to keep the price reasonable.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ Chassis Specs And Dimensions

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ Features: All The Basic Are Available

Well Thought Out Features List As Well

This model has two variants, the GSX-S1000GT and GSX-S1000GT+. Only the latter is available in the US, in either blue or gray.. The difference is that the latter offers hard side panniers that can hold a full-face helmet each, at 6.9 gallons. The GT+ also has a (non-adjustable) windscreen that is 2.75 inches taller

A 6.4-inch TFT color display displays the information the rider needs. It has Bluetooth connectivity, and via the Suzuki MySpin app, will display notifications and navigation instructions and allow control of calls and music. A USB charging port is provided to the left of the display. The menus can be accessed and features toggled with switches on the left handlebar. This is also where the cruise control switches are.

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Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ Rivals

Only One True Competitor, Follows The Same Recipe

The sport touring segment seems to be shrinking rapidly, and a new breed of sport tourer based on adventure bikes like the Yamaha Tracer 9 and Honda NT1100 is emerging. Even Suzuki has a finger in that pie with the GSX-S1000GX. However, looking at more traditional sport tourers derived from sport bikes or sport nakeds, we need to consider the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT ($20,499) and the BMW R 1250 RT ($19,995). Both offer a more refined, up-to-date experience with their six-axis IMUs, but also cost a significant chunk more than the Suzuki. Both are also due for replacement soon.

Nearer to the GSX-GT’s price point is the Ducati Supersport 950, which will offer a purer sporting experience with its V-twin engine and Italian heritage. However, it runs the Testastretta 11-degree engine with the Desmodromic valvetrain, so it won’t be a great companion for owners planning high-mileage trips. Kawasaki has used the same recipe as Suzuki, concocting the Kawasaki Ninja 1100 SX from the Z1000’s bones. The Ninja has a slightly larger engine but a lower power figure, so it should be better at low-rev riding than the ‘Zook.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ Vs Rivals