[dekker]

I took the 1000-S ABS for a ride today. The power made me feel like I was riding my B-King again but without all the weight of that bike.

The "snatchy throttle" that testers have complained about did not really bother me much at all and did not put me off wanting the bike.

The brakes are very good, almost had me over the bars when I first tried them out. There is more than enough bite for me and they are much better than my GSR750.

I am a "shorty" 5'7" with only a 28" inside leg but I could get my feet down really well and I was very comfortable on the bike.

With a hand full of throttle in 3rd gear the front wheel came up off the ground over some bumps.

The only complaint I have is that the instrument panel is not bright enough.

I shall definitely be ordering one, they tell me 1st week in June for the ABS and early July for the none ABS and the "F" models.

You will have hold on tight to the bike and even tighter to your licence.

 

[Gixxus]

Dekker,

Where are you located?

 

[dekker]

Stafford UK. Had the test ride at Chester.

 

[Gixxus]

Im bummed if the US doesnt get the F version until July!

 

[999]

Great first ride review, it helps to read/watch these from a real owner than someone from a publication that has only had it for an hour or two.

In for a follow up long term review if you're up for it.

 

[dekker]

@999, sure more comments will follow, also I hope from other riders too.

One thing I did not mention in my post is the colour. This bike was the red one and on a bright sunny day it was standing in the shade outside the dealers showroom.
I could not get over how dark, dull and drab the red parts looked, "It will look a lot better over there in the sun", said the sales guy. I pointed out that I do not just ride on sunny days and that the ratio of sunny to dull days in the UK is not in the bikes favour.
I really hope the Blue version does not suffer the same effect.
As for the Grey (Gray) one mmmmm, I don't want to be invisible to others.

 

[Ginger]

Perfect dekker, we share nearly identical leg 'specs' so your words make me confident that it will be jsut as comfy on the road as it was at the show.

As for the snatchy throttle, could you see how or why they would make that point or do you feel its more spurious anecdote on their part?

 

[dekker]

There is definitely something going on at times like a vague very light surge when coming back on the throttle.
But it did not bother me at all, I was too busy having fun!

 

[dekker]

I had another test ride today and did not notice anything wrong at all with the throttle. But it was not the same bike as I rode first.
All good, I have placed my order for the blue one. Delivery middle of June .

 

[Mythic]

Everyone who has tested one has loved it. I was talking a couple of friends of mine in the uk who have tested it and they both have placed orders. They even told me that the suzuki mechanics were saying that the power figures published were not correct as they were early figures. They claim they have tested it on a dino and its producing around 160 and that's in stock form.

comments from my friends

very comfy
very powerful
traction control off and its a wheelie monster
slighty snatchy but nothing to write home about

biggest issue they could find is you cant see the dash when the sun is in the wrong place

one friend said "it seems as fast if not faster than my gsxr in road conditions"

 

[bking1441]

I will pick up mine on friday.
Will test it against my B-King (1441cc)

 

[Gixxus]

I will pick up mine on friday.
Will test it against my B-King (1441cc)

Now that will be interesting! Please report!

 

[dekker]

Will test it against my B-King (1441cc)

Now that's not fair, you have a "Big Bore" kit on the King!

 

[bking1441]

Now that's not fair, you have a "Big Bore" kit on the King!

We will see.
I don't think my new toy will do bad.
According to recent test/review done by MotorRad the GSXS is a few tenths "slower" from 0-200km/h than class leader S1000R and a stock B-King (8.2sec).
I have "only" managed 7.8sec with my King, but that is mainly because I am struggling with wheelies on 1st and 2nd gear.
>

 

[dekker]

I have "only" managed 7.8sec with my King, but that is mainly because I am struggling with wheelies on 1st and 2nd gear.

Oh yeah I know, those wheelies are such a nuisance aren't they. I had the same problem with my B-King.

I have "only" managed 7.8sec with my King

That is very fast, I am guessing it is "stretched" as well.

 

[bking1441]

Oh yeah I know, those wheelies are such a nuisance aren't they. I had the same problem with my B-King.

That is very fast, I am guessing it is "stretched" as well.

Stock swingarm and suspension

Too much traffic yesterday so no chance to do a real comparison with "The King".
But the GSXS is really fast and fun to ride.
Turned off TC and the wheel comes up in 1st and 2nd when the engine reach its powerband (7k and upwards).
I felt like riding a 600cc going from the B-King to the GSX.

 

[bennyt]

1st ride this morning

First test ride this morning at Crescent Verwood, Ringwood. Very impressed over all, was a little dissapointed with the bottom end and mid range power, its nothing bad but was just expecting a bit more response lower down, but I suppose it depends on what your use to.. Im sure there will be little tweaks here and there to improve it, the gearing is quite long for a naked bike so slightly lowering it would probably improve it straight away. Up top though it goes really well even in top gear feels as though it would have no problem pulling most of the way through it given that its probably geared for a good 170 mph. Its the comfiest naked bike ive ever ridden, could ride it all day long no problem. Suspension is very plush and does a fine job, for me if I buy one I would eventually upgrade the shock and probably tweak the front slightly, but its all good really, set up quite neutral for all kinds of riding i suppose. I honestly don't know what people are complaining about with the snatchy throttle, its barley noticeable and no worse than most other new bikes, the sound is amazing for a stock exhaust as everybody else mentions also, cant wait to here one with an akra or yoshi though.. Well impressed with the 3 mode TC and wheelie control very good and fairly smooth with no nasty jolts as it cuts the power, with it turned off though you had better be awake especially on on the back up and down roads with lots of humps, sees the front lofting hard under acceleration even in 3rd gear.. great fun, this bike is in its element on these kind of roads, it will flick from side to side very easy, no effort at all.. All in all well impressed and will more than likely buy one after another much longer ride hopefully when they get there demonstrator in June.. The only thing they could have improved on is the lower down power and response but im sure there will be ways to improve..

 

[scatz]

Another first ride !

Waiting so long for this one to come, finally got my ride today. The overwhelming presence of the engine cannot be ignored - how they got this through noise control is beyond me. The sound from the airbox anywhere in the power range is astounding ! For me, loads of power, very light, huge grin factor from sound. The snatchy throttle simply happens because the engine feels it wants to rip away from the bike ! Was not a problem for me at all, it is all about control. Took me a short while to get used to the bars as I am used to the sports bike position. You seriously have to control speed as this bike breaks limits in seconds ! How can it be so comfortable too ? Also, naked bike, but didn't have any issues with buffeting from the wind ! Red and Black Faired on order. June delivery.... now the wait.... I bet it's not the 1st June !