2018 - 2019 Suzuki GSX-S1000

Suzuki GSX-S1000 Design

The family covers a couple of different bases to cast a broad net over the market with the naked GSX-S1000 and the dark-and-sinister “Z” variant.

Suzuki’s race-tastic GSX-R family was a game changer when it hit the market 30-plus years ago, and its streetwise GSX-S range expanded that success. The factory updated that footprint in 2016 by bumping the 750 cc mill up to an (almost) even liter and nowadays, the family covers a couple of different bases to cast a broad net over the market. First, we have the naked GSX-S1000, standard with ABS for 2019, and the “Z” variant that brings a dark-and-sinister finish to the family. The “F” model that didn’t make it into MY19 had more of a supersport-type panache.

The “F” lead off with a sharper entry than the R, but it included a vented windshield designed to reduce head buffeting while giving you a break from the wind on your trunk. That’s especially important on this family since unlike the Gixxer, the GSX-S has a more relaxed (read: upright) riding position by virtue of the handlebar rise that exposes more of the rider to the slipstream.

Of course, the naked base model and “Z” variant cut all that away with only the headlight housing and vestigial flyscreen to punch a hole in the wind for a look that’s typical of the genre. The “F” also had beefier mirror standoffs, but from there back the flylines of the three rides are identical as they play across the tapered tank that forms a narrow waist ahead of the deep-scoop pilot seat.

The postage stamp-sized pillion area is about what one would expect on a sportbike, so you can disabuse yourself of the thought that you’ll be using it as a sport-tourer to share the joys of riding with a friend. A hangy-downy mudguard/taillights/plateholder assembly finishes off the rear for my least-favorite part of the bike, so this family is definitely a candidate for a tail-tidy.

Suzuki GSX-S1000 Chassis

The liberal use of aluminum reduces weight in the chassis, increasing the power-to-weight ratio and improving flickability.

Curb weight falls between 456 and 472 pounds depending on which model GSX-S1000 you get. The factory achieved this with liberal use of aluminum throughout the rolling chassis, beginning with the twin-spar frame and swingarm with aluminum rims to finish it off. The ride floats on a set of KYB stems that the factory thoughtfully gifted with adjustments for preload as well as compression and rebound damping with preload and rebound-damping tweaks on the rear monoshock for pretty thorough control over the quality of the ride.

The usd forks add a bit of beefiness to the front ends across the board, and while the base and “F” models sport a gold-ish finish on the 43 mm stanchions, the “Z” favors the blackout finish. A pair of 310 mm front discs work with the four-pot, opposed-piston Brembo anchors with a single-bore binder and 240 mm disc in back. The base model was available with or without ABS last year, but it comes standard across the board for 2019. While ABS is a fairly ubiquitous technology nowadays, it’s important to realize that this isn’t a fancy cornering ABS a la BMW, but a simple, non-switchable kind, so be careful how much you rely on it.

The factory added stiffer brake lines as part of the upgrade last year. The new lines result in less pressure loss due to hose expansion for more brake power and better feedback. Blackout, 17-inch aluminum rims with a six-spoke layout mount the Dunlop hoops on the base and “F” while the “Z” sports some red accents to match the red graphics on the fairings; subtle, but still cool.

Suzuki GSX-S1000 Drivetrain

Suzuki took its proven, four-banger Gixxer mill and tuned it for more street-friendly power delivery for the GSX-S1000.

Suzuki took its proven, four-banger Gixxer mill and tuned it for a slightly more street-friendly power delivery for the GSX-S range. Vent holes were added between the SCEM-plated bores as part of the upgrade last year to reduce energy losses due to the pumping action. Not only will this allow the mill to develop more power, but spools up that power more rapidly than before though the factory is typically tight-lipped on exactly what kind of gains it achieved. Suzuki’s cast-aluminum, 59 mm FEM pistons ride in 73.4 mm bores for a total displacement of 999 cc and a sizzlin’ compression ratio of 12.2-to-1. Top speed is governed by the onboard computer at 164 mph; more than enough for street-legal use.

Electronic fuel injection works with the Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve system within the throttle body that helps the engine strike a balance between the demands of the rider and the capabilities of the engine for smooth transitions regardless of right-hand technique. The system also comes with a traction-control feature that sports three rider modes to meet a variety of conditions and skillsets (four if you include “Off”) so you can dial in power delivery along with ride quality for a highly personalized riding experience.

A six-speed transmixxer crunches the ratios with vertically-staggered shafts for a compact overall package with a new SCAS slipper clutch that eases the effort at the left-hand lever. It provides an anti-hop function for another layer of contact-patch protection on top of ABS and traction control. All good stuff for safety and comfort on your commute.

Suzuki GSX-S1000 Pricing

Both models roll for $11.1k for 2019 with the base model available in white and the “Z” in black.

The base 2019 GSX-S1000 comes in Pearl Glacier White and rolls for $11,099. Remember that comes with ABS now so it’s really only a few bills more than last year. The blackout “Z” model is the same price and comes in Metallic Mat Black No. 2.

Suzuki GSX-S1000 Competitors

Both use a blend of curves and angles to create the look, but in my humble opinion, the “SS” headlight arrangement is the coolest thing since French-cut bikinis hit the scene.

For my head-to-head, I wanted to use the top-tier Suzuki within this range but I didn’t want to go to one of the other Big Four for a rather samey-same ride. Instead, I looked to Europe’s Boot and Ducati’s streetwise SuperSport.

In the looks department, I gotta say that it’s hard to beat the Italians for sexy curves, but Suzuki did fairly well with the GSX-S1000 F. Both use a blend of curves and angles to create the look, but in my humble opinion, the “SS” headlight arrangement is the coolest thing since French-cut bikinis hit the scene.

Duc plops an adjustable windshield on top for some wind protection for the rider, but like the “F” model, it’s most effective when the rider tucks in. Similar flylines play over the large fuel tanks and saddles, but the “SS” seems to be a bit more two-up friendly with a wider p-pad perched on the tail. Unfortunately, both rides could benefit from a tail-tidy to clean up the hideous assembly hangin’ off the ass end. To each his/her own, but I’ll go for the Duc every day.

Suspension and brakes are fairly similar across the board with large dual discs and four-pot anchors up front and ABS all around. Duc gains an edge here with the Bosch 9 MP ABS feature that comes with variable levels of intervention rather than the one-size-fits-all system favored by Suzuki for another layer of customization.

I could beat the Hell out of the engine details here, but at the end of the day we have no power figures to compare (yet), and since that’s the real bottom line here, you’ll forgive me if I spare the minutiae and wait for the figures. Pricing is relatively close with Suzuki sliding in a win at the checkout with a $11,299 sticker, just a bit under the $12,995 Ducati.

He Said

“Nice looking bunch of bikes though I still like the SuperSport looks better. Just sayin’. I imagine there is enough support to prop up these liter bikes for a while, but it will be interesting to see how the market shift affects this range. As interest in the full street-racers (GSX-R) wane a bit and more casual — but still sport-tastic — sport-standards gain in popularity, demand should continue to rise on the GSX-S type bikes. The only question is where the balance point will wind up being.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says, "In its basic parts. the GSX-S1000 is a Gixxer engine in a naked bike chassis. It’s a relatively long-stroke engine so there’s plenty of giddy-up. For taller riders, the foot placement might feel a bit cramped, but overall, I feel like it is a good riding position. Throttle response is better than it has been in the past, so if you rode a GSX-S even just a couple years ago and didn’t like it, try it again with a fresh perspective."

Suzuki GSX-S1000 Specifications

Further Reading

Ducati SuperSport

See our full review of the Ducati SuperSport

Suzuki GSX-R1000

See our review of the Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Suzuki GSX-S1000FZ

See our review of the Suzuki GSX-S1000FZ.

Suzuki

Read more Suzuki news.