Long touring with a 150-horsepower inline-4 is incredibly fun | Why I'm glad I bought the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT
I was looking for the perfect bike for long-distance touring, and I eventually ended up with the Suzuki GSX-S1000GT.
Honestly, at first, I thought, "It has 'GT' in the name, so it must be a typical touring bike, right?" But once I actually rode it, my impression was completely different.It has almost none of the laid-back feel of a tourer; instead, it is a rare machine that allows you to ride long distances comfortably while retaining the strong DNA of a sports bike.
The engine is a 998cc inline-4 derived from the GSX-R1000 series. It produces a maximum output of 150 PS and a peak torque of 105 N·m. It delivers solid torque from low to mid-range, but if you rev it, it provides the true, exhilarating power delivery of an inline-4. Cruising on the highway is effortless, and when you hit the mountain passes, it corners so nimbly that you'll doubt it's really a tourer. The handling is more direct and lighter than the 226kg curb weight would suggest.
The equipment is especially effective for long-distance touring.
Cruise control comes as standard (can be set from 2nd gear and up, at 30 km/h or higher)
The bi-directional quick shifter significantly reduces the need for clutch operation
The 6.5-inch TFT display and smartphone connectivity (SUZUKI mySPIN) allow for navigation and music
ETC 2.0 is standard equipment
Highly wind-resistant cowl and windscreen
When combined, these features clearly reduce fatigue on the highway. The combination of cruise control and the quick shifter, in particular, gives you the feeling that you can keep riding for much longer.
The riding position is also relatively upright, and the seat has a decent amount of padding. It doesn't give you that "just sitting there" feeling you get with hardcore adventure tourers or full-dress tourers; rather, it allows you to ride for long periods while maintaining a sportier posture. I think that is exactly why it achieves such "un-tourer-like" performance.
It is also practical, with support for side cases. Fuel economy depends on how you ride, but it delivers decent numbers if you stick mainly to highways, and combined with the 19L tank, the cruising range is at a reassuring level.
Of course, it is not perfect. If the seat were a little softer, it would be even better for long distances, and some people might prefer a taller standard windscreen. But even taking that into account, it is a bike I am very glad I bought.
In short, it is a bike that will really resonate with people who don't want to give up the fun of a sports bike but still want to do long-distance touring.Cruising along leisurely is fine, but you can also open the throttle wide from time to time to "travel while enjoying the acceleration of an inline-4"—that kind of touring style comes naturally with this bike.
If you are someone who wants to go on long rides without it just being "a way to get from A to B," I highly recommend taking it for a test ride. The "un-tourer-like" performance, which is better than you might imagine, will surely increase your satisfaction on long journeys.