A little over a year ago, Suzuki reintroduced its trusty Hayabusa to the range after it needed a little bit of time off in order to clean its act up. It found its way back into the line-up complete with ride by wire fuel injection and catalytic converters stuffed up every available orifice to do its bit for the planet, and a posh new frock to give it a more modern look. Once again, Suzuki had a high-speed, continent-crushing mega-bike that with not much effort can also acquit itself in the corners if needed.
Fast-forward to just a few months ago and Suzuki rolls out its new GSX-S1000GT, which must be one of the least catchy names for a bike since the err… GSX-S1000S.As I mused in my launch report, it really should have been named the Bandit 1000 on account of it following the exact same formula as the 1990s icon.
Basic but not cheap, and simple but not boring, being more than just competent at its purpose – as well as affordable and excellent value.
Suzuki has added another bike to its range that’s capable of peeling off big miles in short periods without being a one-trick pony. When Suzuki announced the GSX-SGT, my very first thought was “What’s the point of the Hayabusa now?”
On paper there’s nothing the GT can’t do that the Hayabusa can, apart from a top speed north of 180mph, so when one became available, after a short delay on the GT’s arrival to the UK, I grabbed it and a Hayabusa, then waited for the sun to come out and the roads to dry.
It’s important to get one thing out of the way straightaway – that as an alternative to the Hayabusa in terms of build quality, suspension quality, and yes, sheer thrust, the GT cannot hold a candle to it. The Hayabusa is on another level and can easily justify its £5000 premium over the GT on those points alone. However, there are things about the GT that, as appealing the Hayabusa’s engine is, are hard to ignore, starting with its £11,599 price tag, which frankly makes it a bargain.
Suzuki has played to its strengths with the GT and based it almost entirely on the GSX-S naked bike I rode last year at its press launch. Save for a fairing, beefy subframe, snazzy new clocks, and slightly lower footpegs, they are the
