Suzuki GSX-S1000F vs Kawasaki 1000SX
Hello. First post here. I've got some questions, please. I'm comparing the 2020 GSX-S1000F to the 2020 Kawasaki 1000SX. I still haven't seen either in person, let alone sit on one. Taking awhile for the new bikes to get to southern Utah. I'd like to start light-touring more. 2-4 days max. I'm about 5'10" and a 30" inseam.
By photo's, the Suzuki's bars are higher than the Kawasaki's, which I prefer. The Suzuki doesn't have cruise control like the Kawasaki has. How light is the Suzuki's throttle? Does your hand get sore after a few hours? Have you had good results if you used the typical throttle locks that clamp onto the grip?
The Suzuki throttle is fairly average to light in feel. The Vista cruise throttle lock works fine on it. "Cheap" cruise control which is nice to have for multi-day trips.
How is the Suzuki's seat?
That depends a lot on you, to be honest. The guys that are lighter in weight (let's say 165lbs or less) seem perfectly happy with the Suzuki seat. I'm about 255lbs and find the stock seat is 'sacked out' after less than an hour. For multi-day touring, you'll want something better unless you are light, in which case, a simple sheepskin cover might make the stock seat fine for several days in a row. Or get an AirHawk. Or just send the stock seat out to get better foam put in it.
Spencers Seat Mods - Home Page - Custom Motorcycle Seats, Motorcycle Seat Modifications, Motorcycle Seat Mods
How is the wind and vibration at highway speeds?
Vibration on the Suzuki is a non-issue. Bike is pretty smooth. As for wind, I have a 'naked' model and can't really answer for the "F" bike, but what I've learned is the "F" model is the bike to have for touring/multi-day trips and if it is too windy or noisy, you cut the windscreen SHORTER. Then try it. Then cut it shorter again, then try it. At some point you will get it so the wind-blast is on your chest (not your head), and that will leave your head in clean, quieter air. Most people make the mistake of going bigger and bigger. You can't get big enough. You will end up with turbulence behind the screen that buffets you around. That's miserable. Shorter is better. You just trim and try until you get it right.
What kind of MPG are you getting on longer rides?
I get about 40mpg to 44mpg on my day trips, which often include some high speed runs up to 100mph just for giggles, then some droning along (in speed trap land) and wicking it up in the corners for fun. If you are just droning along at 70mph for a day, I bet you'd see 45mpg pretty easily on the Suzuki. For most liter class bikes, 40 to 45mpg is about the norm. (If you REALLY want great mileage, look at a Suzuki DL650! That darn thing gets over 50mpg pretty easily.)
At 70 MPH, what is the RPM's?
The Suzuki with stock gearing is going to show about 5,300rpm at a TRUE 70mph (not an 'indicated' 70mph; the odo has an 8% error, like nearly every Japanese made machine does, so when the speedo shows 70mph, you are really going about 64.5mph.) That RPM level seems just a touch too high for me to run it like that all day. But you know what? The bike doesn't care. The engine isn't bothered by that rpm at all. And fuel economy is still 40mpg or better, so no worries. But as mentioned by another inmate on here, going up to an 18 tooth front sprocket drops the 70mph rpms by about 200 or 250, making the bike feel just right. Helps fuel economy a bit, too. So that's a cheap 'fix' if 5,300rpm is too fast/buzzy for you. (Again, the engine is happy to do that RPM all day long...so it's more of a personal preference than a real issue.)
Is there a center stand available?
There is no centerstand available for the Suzuki. So how are you going to lube that chain out on the road? Two suggestions. First (and best) is to get a Scottoiler! This product is amazing and will pay for itself over time. Seriously. I had a chain that was at 36,000 miles and still going strong due to the Scottoiler. And this was on a liter-class sportbike, so the chain saw a hard life. Check it out here:
https://www.scottoiler.com/ (I had the vacuum operated unit and it worked fine. I have no experience with the electrical units, but would imagine they work just fine, too.)
If you don't want to spring for the Scottoiler ($140 from Twisted Throttle), then you'll need some way to get the rear-wheel off the ground to spray lube while out on the road. That's where the SnapJack can help you out:
snapjack
If the bike is trailered, can straps be attached to the tail area or do you have to attach somewhere around the passenger pegs? I appreciate any help.
Rear straps when trailering the bike will go to the passenger pegs on the Suzuki. There is nothing further back to attach to. But that works fine. I trailered my bike from Fort Worth to the Texas Hill Country and it was fine. I do recommend that you get a Baxley motorcycle chock if you plan to trailer often. It is a very strong, amazing product that will (again) pay for itself if it saves your bike from falling over even once. I can't imagine ever trailering without this product again:
https://www.amazon.com/Baxley-Chock-Motorcycle-Wheel/dp/B004J6LCFI