SUZUKI GSX-S1000F (2015 - on) Review

The brakes on this bike are far better then the competition. The Kawasaki, Honda and to some extent the Yamaha all had very soft brakes. The gsx-s brembo's were far better. Ride quality is excellent although it is very firm, especially at the rear. Everything is adjustable but it is not easy like the Kawasaki z1000. One of the downfalls with paying less for the bike.

The engine is my favorite part of the bike. It is butter smooth and the power curve is perfect as there's a lot more mid-range power available. Something very important to note that I was unaware of until I purchased the bike and could really take it out and push it. This is under no circumstances a bike with 130 horsepower as the dealership told me. Even the advertisements I saw stating 140 horsepower I found hard to believe. Only after researching it did I find that the power rating is actually 163 horsepower at the crank. This came straight from one of the Suzuki engineers who worked on the bike who accidentally let it slip. I suspect Suzuki did this for insurance purposes for purchasers. Be prepared for some serious power.

The build quality of the bike is excellent. In my research I was able to confirm prior to purchase that it was indeed built entirely in Japan. The quality shows. I have had no breakdowns or failures with the bike. Further the k-5 motor is known to be very reliable and parts and service are easy to come by should you need them.

The only shock that I had was the cost of the insurance on the bike. It actually cost more than a GSXR and far more than me z1000 and MT10 I looked at and had my agent quote. And even cost more than my brand new Wrangler for insurance. After some research I found out why. This has a delicate aluminum frame and fairings that are expensive to fix as well as the bike has much more horsepower than advertised. If the bike goes down and the frame is damaged, even slightly, the dealership told me that they typically total the bike. I recommend you get a insurance quote before you purchase the bike. Because this is what I wanted I purchased the bike anyway. Insurance is over $1k per year. My new Indian is less than half that.

Because the bike is the most inexpensive of the class it is missing some things that I take for granted. It does not have an easily adjustable rear suspension like the z1000 and it does not have cruise control like all others in the class. Unfortunately, the cruise control is difficult to add and with the rear shock I just have to live with it. The tires that come with it are great. The bike's looks can be polarizing but I do like them. I also like the LCD dash a lot. In my opinion it is still better than the 2020 updated Katana dash. The bike also has a slipper clutch which is great. I will be adding a quick shifter to the bike sometime in like 2020. If this voids the extended warranty I will have the fuel system remapped at the same time how's this is a great feature to have an up-and-down quickshifter. Especially with an engine and transmission this good.

Excellent for my use. Perhaps rear shock could do with remote pre-load. Other than that it works for me. Brakes are very very good. Barely used because of the engine braking, but when needed they are strong, with beautiful feel. Cornering and braking performance from the suspension is exemplary on all roads, and I find it really comfortable on most road surfaces. Plush, with a firm edge.

Awesome. Sounds refined but aggressive at the same time. Acceleration is instantaneous and engine braking preserves brake pads too. Fantastic control.

A lovely bike to own and ride. I reviewed this when I got the bike in May. Rated it highly then, but even more so now. I've added just over 9000 miles in five months of riding and there is absolutely nothing I can fault. For me, very comfortable. More than quick enough for the road. I am an advanced riding observer, and using the bike on those rides which cover all road types shows me just how excellent the bike is. Very nimble, yet comfy too. The finish looks like new. I've added Oxford heated grips, a 48 litre Givi top box and Suzuki touring screen, which I've topped with a Givi deflector. Also, a tank ring fixing tank bag. Economy-wise I am averaging over 60mpg, without really trying. Just over 200 miles between refills when commuting. Pillion needs to be someone you get on with, or a small person. My wife enjoys the journey up to an hour before needing a break. I can ride all day without any aches at all, and find the seat is plush for my posterior. Bars at a good reach and height, easily adjusted too. So, as you can see, I use this bike a lot, in lots of road conditions and weathers, piling on the miles at about 22000 miles per annul. No issues at all. QUALITY.

8000 mile service cost about £295.

Has everything I need. Dash comprehensive. ABS strong and unobtrusive. Traction has been a revelation to me in the muddy lanes I have to ride along on wet autumn mornings.

I've seen some negative comments, but mine is really very good. I ride on roads ranging from dirt track from my house, country lanes, fast A and B-roads and motorways, and this bike copes well with the lot. Corners are a thing of joy. The seat and riding positions are spot-on for me at 5'9". No issues at all with comfort. The brakes are also strong with good control. I don't use them much as I try to anticipate and gently slow down, but grabbed a handful the other day to see what they're like, and was reassured they will do their job.

Smooth, lovely sound. Very lively throttle response, but now I'm used to it I like that part of it. Overtakes are a doddle, and torque is widely spread.

I've only just got the bike so too early to judge. It does look and feel very well put together, so I have high hopes. I rely on my bikes and travel in all weathers all year. The 1250FA did very well in the three and a half years that I had it. I expect this one will be better still, judging from first impressions.

Can't comment on costs too much, but with 8k-mile service intervals I don't imagine it'll be to burdensome. I'll be getting about three services a year with my current mileage.

Good dashboard. Easy to use computer settings, and joyfully easy traction control. It has everything I need, and more.

Quality brakes and stopping. Ride quality is great and comfortable.

Awesome engine that does what you tell it.

Never broken down. Great reliability and great build quality. After 3 years of winter use the last service was quite expensive. But the new Phantom will not be used in the winter.

The original adverts said the bikes audience would be for "above average earners". But, it gives approximately 54mpg. Excellent.

Renthal Fatbars as standard gives a comfortable ride position. Used a set of rear tyres a year, but got good mileage out of them. The dealership fitted a battery charging cable and that was extremely helpful during winter and weeks when I didn't use the bike.

Very comfortable and really good riding position for up to about 2hrs. This is not a bike for a pillion.

What can I say its a revamped K5 engine. It`s got real grunt whenever you need it. It pulls right through the mid range, even in higher gears it`ll just pull. You can really work it, it just sings at high revs and is really responsive. Brings a real smile to your face. It`s just as happy at lower speeds.

Typical Suzuki bullet proof engine. No corrosion whatever but fairings are pain to take off for cleaning. The only failure i`ve had was the ignition/ lock. The bike was 3 months out of warranty but here`s customer service, Suzuki covered the cost of all replacement parts. Well done to them!

This figure is averaged over all services up to 13000 miles. Does not include tyres.

Great brakes,awful rear shock

very powerfull ,very vibey

It is reliable and shiny

Enough toys for me

This is an extremely confidence inspiring machine. Turn in is very fast (magnified no doubt by chucking on a sporty set of Michelins). Possibly the easiest bike to ride quickly that I have ever had a go on (including the S1000RR, ZX10R, Fireblade, R1 and 1199 Panigale). On a twisty road, no one will have any trouble keeping up with the superbike friends. Brakes are good, not as initially sharp as my Aprilia Tuono, but nevertheless, I have never had any reason to be overly concerned. And because of the confidence it instils in the rider, it can be ridden quickly in all circumstances (including when it just finished snowing a few weeks ago). Superb

I'm not awarding this full marks because the engine is based on the K5 R1000. I'm giving it full marks because it makes so much useable power, as opposed to headline figures. It has the best low down engine response of any of the inline 4s that I have ridden. It has an instantaneous throttle response, which some have complained about, but I personally really like that, and wish more bikes were like that. It also sounds great, even with the standard exhaust. As for performance, it's got plenty.

It's a Japanese bike, which should tell everyone all they need to know regarding how little trouble it has been owning this. Even when I dropped it (entirely my own fault, not the bike's), all the damage was merely cosmetic and it has ridden just as well since being repaired.

I didn't buy it new, deciding to let someone else suffer the depreciation, especially as there is not a huge difference between the original and the 2017 update. No matter how I ride it, it refuses to return below 40 mpg. Which for a bike of this calibre is superb. Very affordable

Not much in the way of electronic back-up and all the better for it! ABS to stop me hitting a tree. Traction control has saved my bacon a few times. No power modes thank goodness.

Ride quality is good, very comfortable on full day ride outs no numb bum, wrist or neck ache. Seat is wide and has ample padding & I find bar, peg location ideal. Screen works okay to 80 mph after that there is buffeting unless you tuck in slightly. Brakes are good after initial sponginess on front, back is slightly weak although the ABS does kick in so I must lock up on my other Non ABS bike.

Great engine with loads of pull, a bang in the middle and a real rush to the limiter. Sounds great even with the stock exhaust but doesn't have the theatre of the MT10s cross plane. Nothing in it performance wise. Suzuki claim about 145hp and most dynos support this, Yam claim 158 but rarely produce more than 145 on the Dyno. Do not believe sales hype! Just for fun I tried playing through the very slick gearbox, no quickshifter or blipper but do you really need it? You can potter around in top from 22mph and pull cleanly away or sit at 70 in any gear. My only gripe is he ratios taken straight from the GSXR, they are too close so you really only need 1st 3rd 4th and 6th. It would have been great if they opened up the ratios for more road bias with 6th as a low rpm cruiser.

Build quality looks good but some of the fasteners are plated rather than stainless and furring up in the winter. Invest £50 in full stainless fasteners and an ACF coating to make it winter proof.

Surprisingly frugal on a 60 mile motorway commute, hitting 57mpg and 200 miles on a tank. Hard weekend riding with R1s (it keeps up easy) and similar pulls it down to 40mpg. Service is 7500 miles so costs aren't excessive. Riding on Metzeller Roadtec 01s, went to a 55 profile rear they have excellent grip and feel.

Multi function dash and easy to use traction are really good. I dislike the one headlight on look on dip beam and really wish that Suzuki had included cruise control

The suspension is awful. It's over sprung and underdamped at front and pogo stick on rear. Shame, as its very poised and sharp handling, but gets in a pickle on bumpy fast roads. Throttle is way to sensitive. Brakes are also poor. Very wooden, no feel.

Cracking!

Throttle bodies went on a tour of france :(

Brake lever has to be gripped quite hard. One comment said he was thrown from the seat on bumps and had had to spend almost £1K on suspension mods, all you need is a suspension setup by a pro for £40, job done, mine bounced over bumps, not any more, its great

pulls and pulls , any gear

Corrosion sets in quite early

Poor suspension makes the poor throttle even more hard to deal with. If you hit a bump at speed you can find yourself lurched forward or backwards. It's not relaxing and becomes unnecessarily annoying £700 spentbon new suspension front and rear has sorted mine. I may try new pads in front brakes to see if they willl Hine more bite.

Stonking! Pulls like a train with massive amounts of power everywhere. Turn the TC off and it's wheelie heaven! Even sounds great with standard can.

Good equipment all round. Dash has a lot of options for feedback. 3 traction control levels. Standard tyres have been good and rear still not bad with 3500 miles on it. Will swap to bridgestones next. Shame it doesn't have a cruise control

the bike is at its best at speed and cornering at speed, I rode through wales covering 475 miles in a day and I could of jumped back on it and done it again straight away. the brakes are keen and more than capable of slowing you down to more sensible speeds

I can't fault the engine, it sounds sweet and has bags of torque

I love everything about this bike compared to my last bike which was a gsx1250fa. I think the build quality is excellent and I've not had any issues with reliability.

not sure where mcn got their average fuel consumption from, they must have thrashed it everywhere in 3rd gear. I get between 50 and 55mpg every time I go out and get 190miles on a full tank of fuel and I don't spare the horses. I know Suzuki haven't aimed it at the touring market but with the addition of some soft luggage this bike is more than capable.

the renthal fatbars are great and the clock display is good and easy to read and operate. the original tyres where grippy but only lasted 2800miles, I've switched to Michelin 2ct's and nearly covered as much miles and they still look like new

Excellent ride quality and great Brembo brakes. When brakes are applied, they react.

Great performance and excellent delivery of speed. Awesome torque and great feel at speeds.

Fat bars are great and the stock exhaust sounds absolutely amazing. Other than that, I think panniers would spoil the look of this gorgeous bike.

Really to early to judge as only got today, gave it 5 stars as have had suzukis before and always found them reasonable with the running costs

Ride quality is on the slightly stiffer side, (can adjust this if required) brakes didn't seem to have the instant bite my Honda CBR 600F had, need to squeeze them a little harder to get the same bite on the brakes, they seem to be more progressive. Front - Brembo, rear Nissin

Engine seems to pull great, even when you get the gears wrong! I did test ride the naked version of the Z1000 about 5 years ago, which is almost the same engine in the current Z1000SX + a few minor improvements, i have to say the engine in this bike trumps it! it feels livelier, it does at times at low speeds feel snatchier, there again that could be me getting use to a 1000cc coming from a tamer 105bhp 600F Honda CBR to a stated 145Bhp (although during tests by mags they seem to think its more like 160Bhp and that's how it seems to me, compared to my memories of the Z1000.

Quality seems excellent, to early to comment running costs and reliability, i expect reliability to be good, and running costs to be reasonable.

Equipment is pretty good, however i would of preferred analogue dials for speed and revs instead of the entire instrument panel being Lcd