Suzuki to launch GSX-S1000T tourer
By Ben Purvis
Has written for dozens of magazines and websites, including most of the world’s biggest bike titles, as well as dabbling in car and technology journalism.
14.06.2021
When Suzuki unveiled the revamped and restyled GSX-S1000 earlier this year there was never much doubt that the faired GSX-S1000F would be getting similar treatment. But now we’ve got evidence that Suzuki will give the GSX-S1000F’s replacement a new ‘GSX-S1000T’ designation and a more touring-oriented direction.
The adoption of a new name makes sense. The naked GSX-S1000, which gained new, angular styling and a higher-revving, harder-hitting 150hp engine, modified to meet Euro5 emissions limits for 2021, replaced the GSX-S1000S but ditched the final ‘S’ in its designation with the update. Now it seems the faired version is to replace its ‘F’ title with a ‘T’ to better reflect its touring role.
We’ve got our hands on type-approval documents for the new model, and while there’s no photo of the new bike yet, the paperwork includes information about its dimensions and performance as well as the new name.
Unsurprisingly, the new GSX-S1000T shares its mechanical parts with the 2021 GSX-S1000 naked model. The engine is the same Euro5-compliant four, based on the old 2005 GSX-R1000’s motor, with emissions-friendly updates including new camshafts, valve springs and throttle bodies as well as a cleaner exhaust. The exhaust system itself will be shared with the naked bike, indicating that at least some of the styling is shared between the GSX-S1000 and the GSX-S1000T as well as the mechanical parts.
Power is the same 150hp (152PS, 112kW) as the GSX-S1000, delivered at 11,000rpm, and torque is also unchanged at 79.66 lbft (106Nm), peaking at 9250rpm.
Engine, chassis and exhaust are carried over from the naked bike
The frame is also a carry-over from the GSX-S1000, with the same 1460mm wheelbase and identical upside-down forks and Brembo brakes, with a 190/50ZR17 rear and 120/70ZR17 front tyre.
What changes, though, is the bodywork. The new GSX-S1000T is far taller than the naked model, thanks to a high screen atop its new fairing. In stock form the bike is 1215mm tall, which is 135mm higher than the 2021 GSX-S1000, and there’s an optional screen that’s taller still at 1280mm. In comparison, the old GSX-S1000F sits 1180mm high at the top of its windshield.
The new model is also a smidge wider than the GSX-S1000 at 825mm from side to side, and marginally longer at 2140mm instead of 2115mm. That final figure suggests the seat unit may not be shared with the naked bike, or the ‘T’ may have luggage as standard to make it a little longer.
Where the old GSX-S1000F was only around 4kg heavier than its GSX-S1000S sister model, the new GSX-S1000T hints at its more touring-oriented style by weighing a full 12kg more than the naked version. That means a wet kerb mass of 226kg against 214kg for the 2021 GSX-S1000. The bike is also rated to carry 20kg more load than the GSX-S1000.
Now that the GSX-S1000T has been type-approved, it’s likely that its official launch isn’t far off – we’d certainly expect it to be officially revealed before the end of this year.
UPDATE - 22nd Sept 2021
Official: Suzuki GSX-S1000GT Launched
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