Q What does a RIDE reader think?
2019 Gsx-s1000f-owning reader Simon Wright tries the GT
‘It is the bike Suzuki should have made from the start!’
SIMON WRIGHT
Age 54
Height 5ft 7in
Owns 2019 Suzuki GSX-S1000F & 1991 Yamaha FJ1200
What’s good?
“The first thing I saw that appealed on the GT are its mirrors. The F’s mirrors are terrible; not only do they just show your elbows but they are threaded so I have to carry two spanners because if you knock one filtering (they’re the same height as van mirrors) they just flop around. The GT’S mirrors fold back and are far better. Cruise control is also handy and I’ve always wanted it, mainly for keeping a constant speed through restricted limits but also for touring. The new dash is lovely, clear to read and while I don’t care about phone calls, I like the fact you can run a sat nav on it. The panniers are nice with a simple locating system and I like the fact the tank is two litres larger. It will now go over 200 miles between full-ups, which is great for touring, and the shock feel better than the OE unit on mine. The screen is wider than the F’s yet you can turn full lock without catching the mirrors on it.”
Not keen on?
“I wish heated grips were standard as Suzuki’s grips — and the panniers — are dear. I don’t like how small the trip switches are in the dash and how big the TC mode switch is. Although I don’t necessarily want them, I feel Suzuki should have added angle-responsive electronics as without, it makes the bike seem behind the game. I’m not keen on the brakes either; they are devoid of feeling, and the indicator switch is a bit tricky to locate with winter gloves on.”
Are you convinced?
“Yes; as soon as I rode it, the GT felt like a comfortable pair of slippers. I’m glad the engine’s smoothness hasn’t been ruined and Suzuki seems to have addressed all the faults on my bike and enhanced it with a better shock, improved fuelling, the quickshifter and proper touring features like a more comfortable seat.”
Would you buy it?
“I’ve done 20,000 miles in three years on my F and it is a great tool but it has its faults. I would certainly buy a GT; it is a more complete bike than mine but I’d look for a deal. I got my F for just £7200 with 900 miles on its clocks and there are usually deals to be had late in the year on Suzukis. If I saw one at the right price, with panniers fitted, I’d certainly buy it.”