Suzuki GSX S1000 F

While litre-class motorcycles generally have a glitzy appeal, the Suzuki GSX-S1000 F differs from this conception by having a polarizing design. The motorcycle is based on the good-looking GSX-S1000, however, the front end looks a bit weird and out-of-place for a motorcycle of this size and stature.

Nevertheless, the curvy-looking front fairing, which accommodates curved dual headlamps with daytime lamps attached to their lower outer edges, adds visual mass to the motorcycle and looks well in terms of aerodynamic appeal. The fairing is positioned a bit lower and gets a small transparent visor at the top of it. The clear lens turn indicators are mounted on the side panels of the front fairing.

The side panels of the fairing have a slim zig-zag appeal to them and partially cover the engine on the side, which is finished in a theme of black. Apart from this comprehensively different-looking front end, the rest of the design looks the same as the GSX-S1000. The Suzuki GSX-S1000 F retains its muscular-looking fuel tank, slim side panels, and curved and slim tailpiece rising at the back from the GSX-S1000.

Even the multi-spoke black alloy wheels and the side-mounted stubby exhaust pipe have been shared with the GSX-S1000. At the rear, the Suzuki GSX-S1000 F gets a small clear lens LED tail lamp positioned at the tip of the rakish tailpiece. The motorcycle gets a compact rear fender, on which the clear lens turn indicators are mounted.

The handlebar and rear-view mirrors mounted on it are shared with the GSX-S1000 as well, and so is the fully-digital instrument console. The trapezoidal-shaped console might not look as fancy as TFT units of modern-day motorcycles. However, it packs in more than enough data, including speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, odometer, trip meters, gear indicator, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption, and distance-to-empty.

While the overall visual appeal of the motorcycle might not feel equally good to all, what’s surely impressive is the high quality of fit and finish levels.

Having a very simple mechanical structure under its skin, the Suzuki GSX-S1000 F gets a suspension combination of inverted telescopic forks at the front and a linked-type mono-shock at the back. The overall suspension has been tuned to deliver a comfort-oriented riding experience, given its positioning as a sport-tourer. The motorcycle is equipped with dual 310mm discs at the front and a single 220mm disc at the back for braking purposes, and rides on a 120/70 ZR17 front tyre and a 190/50 ZR17 rear tyre.

The Suzuki GSX-S1000 F shares its four-stroke, liquid-cooled, inline-four, 999cc engine with the GSX-S1000, which itself is shared with the GSX-R1000 but is in a very different state of tune and performance. The engine here is coupled to a slick 6-speed gearbox and churns out a maximum power output of 150 PS and a peak torque output of 106 Nm. For a litre-class inline-four engine, this 999cc mill impresses highly with its sheer refinement and smooth power delivery.

For a litre-class motorcycle, the Suzuki GSX-S1000 F feels under-equipped in terms of electronic riding aids. The only standard features in the motorcycle are a dual-channel ABS and a three-level traction control system.

The Suzuki GSX-S1000 F might not impress at first with its visual appeal. However, this motorcycle is more than how it looks, as the refined and smooth 999cc engine and a comfortable suspension setup make it a very usable and impressive motorcycle when it gets going.