Suzuki GSX-S1000GT (2022-current) - Review & Buying Guide

Replacing the fairly ill-conceived and pretty ugly GSX-S1000F, the GSX-S1000GT arrived in 2022 and was bang on the mark. Finally, Suzuki had listened to customer comments and built a proper sports tourer to take on the likes of the Ninja 1000SX – which it has to be noted has long been a strong seller for Kawasaki. With the ability to have Suzuki’s own colour-matched panniers fitted (unlike the GSX-S1000F...), a comfortable riding position, decent tech, strong inline four motor, agile chassis and good looks, the GT also boasted a fairly competitive price tag. Unsurprisingly, it sold very well and in its first full year on sale (the initial batch of bikes were delayed in arrival) it was the UK’s best-selling sports tourer. Since that date interest in the GT has diminished somewhat, a situation not helped by the arrival of the tech-heavy crossover GSX-S1000GX, but now that finance packages are starting to mature there are lots of used GT out there for sale. If you are after a sport tourer, it is a very good option. Not the most technologically advanced it has to be said but a good, solid, performer that is hard to really fault.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT (2022-current) - Price

Prices for the GT start at £7500, which is higher than you might expect. Oddly for a touring bike, there are very few GTs with big miles on their clocks and the most you are likely to find is around the 8000-mile mark. Why is this? Generally riders in the UK cover about 4000 miles a year, so a bike bought in 2022 should show roughly this figure, and the cost of living crisis in recent years has seen riders less inclined to go on big and expensive fuel-sucking tours. Could it also be to do with sportsbike riders, who traditionally tend not to cover huge distances, opting for the comfort of a GT over a GSX-R? If you want the GT+ with its panniers, or just a bike with panniers fitted, expect to pay roughly £400 more than a stock machine. It’s a sensible investment as they cost nearly £1000 new including the fitting kit, locks etc. Before you buy used, however, check what discount dealers are offering on new or pre-registered models. It’s not hard to get a pre-reg bike for £10,000 and that means a long warranty, new tyres, etc.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT (2022-current)- Engine & Performance

The heart of the GT is the same inline four as used in the GSX-S1000S since 2021, which is great news. A really beautiful motor with bags of mid-range, it is a touch vibey and feels and sounds like it is working hard when it isn’t (70mph is 5000rpm in top) but overall is a great engine. With a genuine 140bhp at the rear wheel backed up by 74ftlb of torque, it never feels lacking and merrily shrugs off the effects of a pillion and/or luggage.

With used bikes showing fairly low mileages there is little to worry too much about. Suzuki offered the GT with three-years warranty as standard, which is worth checking to see how much is left, and also see where it is at with its service schedule. The GT should be serviced every year or 7500 miles with the valve-clearance check at 15,000 miles, which is quite short. A minor service is about £350 and the valve-clearance £700. Technically the coolant should be changed every four years, brake fluid every two and brake lines changed every four (they are rubber, not braided) so bear this in mind.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT (2022-current) - Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight)

The GT’s chassis manages to walk the fine line between sporty and comfortable very well. Once you get rid of the terrible OE Dunlop Roadsport 2 tyres the GT is very confidence-inspiring in bends and it is great to see the forks are fully-adjustable. However it is equally annoying to note the shock’s preload adjuster isn’t remote and instead you need to dig out a C-spanner. Come on Suzuki, small details. When buying used check the rings move freely as they can seize up, however all should be well.

When it comes to the GT’s brakes, there are more frustrations to be found. Despite being Brembo units, Suzuki insist on fitting the most horrible and dead-feeling brake pad compound, so swap it for a quality aftermarket brand as soon as possible to get some bite back. Do this and with new rubber the GT feels pleasantly sportier while not compromising its easy-going nature. Oddly, some owners really rate the GT’s finish while other criticise it.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT (2022-current)- Comfort & Economy

There is lots to love about the GT’s comfort levels. Its seat is sumptuous and the bars are pleasingly widely splayed and tall while the pegs are low. You can happily stay in the GSX-S’s saddle all day long and certainly see off its around 200-mile tank range in one hit. It’s not perfect as the engine is a bit buzzy but overall, it’s a comfortable bike. However it does have one rather major issue – its screen. Lacking any form of adjustment and fairly low as standard, you really need to invest in a taller screen (around £80) if you want to take the GT touring or cover lots of straight-line miles. Kawasaki can manage to make the Ninja 1000SX’s screen adjustable, why can’t Suzuki?

Averaging around 50mph, the GT’s 19-litre tank is good for around 160 miles before the reserve warning (which is pathetically small and easy to miss) and 200 miles until dry, which is pretty acceptable for a sports tourer.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT (2022-current) - Equipment

Yes, the GT comes with connectivity in its dash as well as five-stage traction control, ABS, three power modes, an up/down quickshifter and cruise control, which are all very welcome, but where is the angle-sensitivity? Weirdly, Suzuki decided not to give the GT this feature (the GSX-S1000GX has it) and that seems a bit of an oversight. Does it need it? Arguably not as it has ABS and TC but you do expect it on a modern bike, especially one that is designed to be ridden whatever the weather. But that’s not the only slight oversight...

Considering the GT is chain-driven rather than a shaft drive, Suzuki not giving the option of fitting a centre stand is a fairly glaring, and irritating, omission. That’s very poor thinking.

Onto a happier note and if you want panniers, the GT+ comes with them as standard and they are one-key and colour-matched to the bike. Buying them separately will cost you roughly £1000 once you factor in the brackets etc. Suzuki’s own heated grips are a fairly terrifying £419 to add, which seems extortionate as they don’t link into the dash to display their setting. Buy aftermarket ones instead.

If you want to bling-up your GSX-S1000GT Suzuki sell various rim decals, carbon covers, crash protection and even red Brembo brake calipers (for £624 a pair...) but most owners keep their GTs fairly standard.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT (2022-current)- Rivals

Modern sports tourers are generally bought by those looking at riding their bike for reasonable distances rather than touring as such. They are a comfortable and practical option over a dedicated sportsbike that hasn’t lost too much of the sportsbike thrill.

Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX (2020-current)| Approx Price: £7000-£12,000

Read more

Power/Torque

140bhp / 82lb-ft

Weight

235kg

Yamaha Tracer 9 GT (2021-current) | Approx Price: £7500-£13,000

Read more

Power/Torque

117bhp / 68lb-ft

Weight

213kg

Honda NT1100 (2022-current) | Approx Price: £7500 - £12,000

Read more

Power/Torque

101bhp / 77lb-ft

Weight

238kg

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT (2022-current) - Verdict

The GT was the UK’s best-selling sports tourer in the year after its launch, which is a reflection of not only how fans of Suzuki’s products were desperately waiting for them to build such a bike but also how right they got it. A thoroughly enjoyable machine to ride, the GT isn’t as technologically advanced as some of its rivals but what it does do is deliver no-frills practicality in a comfortable bike with a storming engine. There are certainly areas it can be improved, namely tech and small details such as a centre stand and its lack of adjustable screen, but they aren’t huge issues in the grand scheme of things. With used prices now dropping and dealers cut the price of new bikes (in a typical Suzuki way) buying a used GT makes a lot of sense.

If you’d like to chat about this article or anything else biking related, join us and thousands of other riders at the Bennetts BikeSocial Facebook page.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GT (2022-current) - Technical Specification