Gentleman among the street fighters
SMOOTH AND LINEAR TORQUE AND HORSEPOWER
The so-called “street fighter” segment — naked sport bikes — brings with it a certain macho sort of appeal. There’s a certain raw hooliganism about them, offering the brutal power of super sport track- oriented steeds and eschewing all- out speed for agility; think less of a polished athlete at the starting line and more of a bruising thug running amok in your neighbourhood, breaking windows and running from the police.
But there is a gentleman to be found among the ruffians. The Suzuki GSX-S750 ABS is so new this year it even has a new name, following the nomenclature of its super sport brother, the GSX- R750. Everything, from the frame to the fairings to the engine is new. Well, that in-line four cylinder engine isn’t exactly new; the block is from the 2005 GSX-R750 (rather than from the current model), chosen simply because the cylinders are more vertical to help package in a shorter wheelbase. Don’t worry, everything else is redesigned, and power is improved to 113 horsepower at 10,500 r.p.m., with torque rising to 59.7 pound-feet at 9,000 r.p.m.
But simple power, while appreciated, isn’t the best thing about this DOHC, 749- cc in- line four; it’s how it’s delivered. With some sport bikes (as well as other larger V-twins), the torque can be peaky and sudden, which means very careful management of the throttle while leaving a turn or even accelerating from a stoplight. But this 750 isn’t that at all; both horsepower and torque are smooth and linear, letting a rider know exactly how the bike will react at every turn. Less- experienced riders will appreciate the gentle touch; more- experienced riders will like the precision as they bring their knee up from an apex. Apart from some slight vibration as the r.p.m.’s soar past 5,000 and on to a 12,000 r.p.m. redline, this is one of the silkiest and most predictable engines I’ve ever experienced.
Don’t take that “smooth delivery” as “slow to react” because it’s simply not. If you want to tear a strip off the pavement, all it takes is a sharp twist of the throttle and you’d better hang on. That torque coming on smoothly from rest just seems to build the faster you go. While it obviously doesn’t have the rip- roaring acceleration of its bigger brother, the GSX-S1000, the 750 is no slouch, though I daresay it may not be the fastest of its competition, such as the Yamaha FZ-09, which has more torque at a lower r.p.m.
The GSX is also surprisingly quiet at low r. p. m., especially for a bike with sporting intentions, and when toodling around town, the wind and street noises drown out the exhaust. That, of course, changes with a simple twist of the wrist, but it never sounds mean. The new exhaust system helps develop more lower- and mid-range power, while also helping achieve strict Euro 4 emissions.
I thought it was just the engine’s power — and my adept skills — that had this bike making consistently smooth takeoffs from a stop, until I realized it’s more than that. Suzuki employs a “low r. p. m. assist” that automatically raises the idle speed when it senses the bike is launching from a start. Oh, guffaw all you want, experienced bikers, but when you’re caught in Toronto’s notorious stopand-go traffic, you’ll appreciate it.
While the engine is the standout here, it isn’t the only thing changed. With a wheelbase shorter than that of the GSX-R750, at 1,455 millimetres, riders sit a bit taller in the saddle than on the sport bike. But that short wheelbase means the bike is joyously tossable in the corners, and with a slightly aggressive forward riding position, the GSX just begs for a slalom. Even at a slightly porky 213 kilograms, it doesn’t feel at all heavy.
When you do have to brake, the Nissin four- pot opposed front calipers offer predictable stopping distance and good feel through the levers. The suspension, while fully capable for many types of terrain and riding, is only adjustable for preload.
At $ 9,339, the GSX- S750 is on the lower price point of the street fighter segment. This is an easily rideable bike suitable for a variety of skill levels.