The Suzuki Touring Bike That Flies Under The Radar Is The GSX-S1000GX

If you want a great touring bike, there are some obvious brands that people immediately turn to, like Harley-Davidson, Indian, BMW, or even Honda. This idea is not without merit, either. Their reputations for great touring bikes have been earned over decades, with different models across segments. Suzuki isn’t a name that jumps to the fore when you think ‘touring bike’, though.

Many of its touring bikes fly under the radar, yet among those, there is one that simply gets overlooked the most. Case in context is the GSX-S1000GX+, which is a manic sport bike posing as a crossover, with the reliability of a tourer, and the ability to carry a passenger and luggage in relative comfort. All that, despite having all the performance, bells, and whistles you’d expect from a premium product, while still maintaining a price that is not premium.

The GSX-S1000GX+ Is The Suzuki Touring Bike That Flies Under The Radar

Price: $18,599

The GSX-S1000GX+ might have a convoluted name, but it is easy enough to understand. The GSX-S series are Suzuki models that are quick but not extreme in what they do. The ‘1000’ is its displacement, and this is an inline-four. The ‘GX’ denotes that it is a crossover, or a sports tourer with an adventure bike rider triangle. Think Yamaha Tracer 9, but with nearly 50 percent more power, and you won’t be far wrong. The Tracer is one of the most enjoyable tarmac bikes because it is a mind-boggling combination of sharp handling, good ride, and the ability to deal with bad roads. The Suzuki GSX-S1000GX is exactly the same, but takes things up to 11.

Why We Picked The Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+

• Made up of old liter superbike components
• Complete safety suite with six-axis IMU
• Electronic suspension also present
• Luggage is standard fitment

Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ Engine: Inline Four Eggs You On

150 Horsepower + Reliability = All-Day Fun

The GSX-S1000GX driveline is the same as the GSX-S1000GT’s. This is an old liter Gixxer engine, so you know you’re never going to be short on power. There is a whole 150 horsepower at your disposal. This makes for a slightly weak engine at low revs, but Suzuki has added low-rev assistance from the ECU to help prevent the GX stalling at low revs. Get it in the midrange, however, and it is a road-going rocket right up to the redline. You won’t find it too difficult to keep it on the boil with the close-ratio gearbox, assist and slipper clutch and two-way quickshifter all present.

A by-wire throttle and six-axis IMU are also included, which means ride modes, traction control, wheelie control, engine brake control and cruise control are all there. There is a feature called Suzuki Road Adaptive Stabilization that automatically adjusts the throttle response based on the data it gets from the suspension about the road conditions, which is a useful feature. The cruise control doesn’t disengage even if you shift gears, which is a useful feature for a quick overtake on the highway.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ Engine Specifications

Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ Chassis: Twin-Spar Chassis

Long-Travel Electronic Suspension Is The Cherry On Top

The GSX-S1000GX’s chassis is similar to its sport-touring sibling, but there are a few marked differences. The GX subframe is significantly stronger even though it adds more weight, because as an all-day tourer with long-travel suspension, it is expected to deal with rougher roads than the GSX-GT. Speaking of the suspension, this is a long-travel setup with nearly six inches of travel at either end, around an inch more than the GT.

Another difference is the electronic adjustability. The Suzuki Road Adaptive Stabilization that we spoke about before also adjusts the damping of the suspension automatically to suit the road conditions. The six-axis IMU comes into play with the brakes as well, enabling cornering ABS and rear wheel lift mitigation. These brakes themselves are quality components from Brembo, with twin 310 mm discs at the front gripped by radially mounted four-piston monobloc calipers.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ Chassis Specs And Dimensions

Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ Features: A Whole Lot Of Tech

Not Just Everything You Need Here

The GSX-S1000GT seems like the value Suzuki tourer when you look at just the price, but when you look at the features you get for the price, the GSX-S1000GX+ jumps off the page. Suzuki has showered it with features like it was its favorite child, and it is well worth the extra cash it demands. Sit on the GX and you are greeted by a large 6.5-inch TFT color display that has Bluetooth connectivity, music control, and navigation. Another standard feature worth mentioning is the center stand – it might seem like a small thing, but getting it as a standard feature on a touring motorcycle is an important addition.

Among the other standard features are hand guards, hard luggage that is color-matched, an adjustable windscreen, and all the electronics mentioned above. There aren’t any clearly listed official accessories for the GX, and it is available only in the blue/silver color combination.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ Notable Features

• 6.5-inch TFT display
• Bluetooth connectivity with navigation
• Long list of standard features
• Six-axis IMU
• Cruise control allows gear changes
• Adjustable windscreen
• Electronic suspension

Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ Competition

GX Occupies A Niche Because Of Price + Features

The GSX-S1000GX occupies a niche with its combination of price and features. However, the crossover segment is a popular one, so there are quite a few very good competitors available. The nearest one to the Suzuki is the Kawasaki Versys 1100, but it focuses more on torque delivery rather than high power, so it approaches the problem of high-speed touring from a different direction. The BMW S 1000 XR is another very premium option whose base price is lower than both the Japanese bikes, but don’t expect as much standard equipment from it.

Left-field competitors include the KTM 1290 Super Duke GT with its torquey V-twin engine and great electronics. The Ducati Multistrada V2 S is available for $19,595 if you value light weight over power. And if you’re on a serious budget, the Honda NT1100 DCT is priced at $11,899.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+ Vs Rivals