Suzuki GSX-S1000F - Long Term Test Ep5 - Jonny's Blog

In an effort to relieve him of his eternal novice biker status, we gave our tame photographer a GSX-S1000F to look after. He rides it a bit, fettles it a bit, but mostly looks at it. This episode: a lot of waffle, really. When Jonny eventually came back with our long term loaner GSX-S1000F he'd done all this: Dynojet power commander, quick shifter, new Bridgestone tyres, MRA tall screen, more Yoshimura garnishments, Hyperpro springs... and some left over bits. If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing half of and then buggering off...

[@JohnnyWooh]

I love how honest this is. Jonny can stop putting himself down now. Quite refreshing to hear his opinion on things, instead of the usual racing legend pointing out things that happen at angles and speeds none of us normal people ever reach.

[@fastbikes]

Us neither most of the time to be fair!

[@WheatMillington]

God damn, the way some people complain about "wind blast" - maybe buy a car and give up motorbikes? Or ride a Goldwing or something. I just feel like if you're complaining about wind, maybe motorbikes aren't for you.

[@fastbikes]

Really? After a few hundred miles it can be bloody annoying, and he's not just talking about general riding wind, but deflected wind from the fairing which gets concentrated in particular areas and, hence, can become irritating especially if you are a tall type. That's all, and it's also our job to find things out about bikes let's not forget, so when they are all so good (as most modern bikes are), it's the little things like this you end up focussed on, such as a snatchy throttle or, shock/horror, concentrated windblast...

[@scottieray]

Glad you mentioned "deflected wind from the fairing". I've also ridden naked bikes (my B-KING and FZ-09) that had better wind management than some fully faired motorcycles. Sometimes the fairing makes things worse.

[@dry509]

+Fast Bikes Magazine I sit very tall in the saddle also. What bike does Johnny ride that does give him wind blast and buffeting protection?

[@Xerdoz]

There are different kinds of windblast. Actually riding a bike without any fairing might be more comfortable for some people because that way the wall of air hits your whole body. With a fairing which isn't suitable for you the air might just hit your helmet and be turbulent and be much louder than the wall of air hitting you without a fairing.

[@stephenmcqueen4029]

It’s a faired bike that’s why the windblast is annoying , shouldn’t be there

[@dnasplice]

looking forward to that comparison in the future.

[@hedgehog3900]

Great vid,enjoyed that.

[@kevinwong9656]

Finally! Episode 5 😀

[@aioesj]

Where is this comparison mentioned at 13:50 "modded GSX-S1000F vs stock GSX-S1000F" & "GSX-S1000F modded vs comparable priced bike"? I demand justice! Make this video now, I promise you it will launch your channel into superstardom, it is the comparison everybody wants to see.

[@johncain2872]

video should be titled: "How to Destroy a Perfectly Nice Bike" Lots of solutions in search of problems....silly

[@cavscout62]

Sure wish I’d bought one of these instead of this pos Speed Triple !😎

[@tomlarcher1]

I've got a street triple and looking to switch to the gsx s1000f. Just tired of no wind protection and the bug lights.

[@TheBobstephenson]

I have one of these bikes.My thoughts? Absolutely terrific- Bought mine for £8K with 180 miles on as an ex-demo. Probably the most bike you can buy for this money. I`m 5`8 so no windblast for me ( but would be wiht the naked one ). Ive added a QS and better tyres. Done track days and loads of road miles. Great handling bike- and great looking bike from some angles! Let down a bit by the brakes- but only on track. A proper, comfy sportsbike for the road, with no equal for this money. You could tour on this, dont know about the yamaha.

[@fastbikes]

We agree, it is a great bike, the dividing factor seems to be the looks. But as you'll see in the next video, we've improved ours even more now!

[@illsuspect]

Fast Bikes Magazine c'mon let's see it! it's been a year already!

[@mathias6423]

Fast Bikes Magazine Where is the next video ?!? Want to see the improved looks :)

[@miteor]

It will be really interesting to see what you think of the new Speed Triple

[@Coldestaevadoit]

i hope they make a wind screen with a slight up slope at the top to push the pocket a bit higher . The standard screen is obviously molded for ideal wind tunnel testing with a tucked in rider but that doesnt jive with the upright handlebars.

[@user-aleksanar.pajevic]

Have you done those videos you talk about in this one? I would love to see all those stuff.

[@alistairmcquillan9506]

Any chance of uploading the speed triple R long term review? (Only over 2 years later on..still haven’t seen it uploaded ;)

[@nsbharad]

Has Alastair Fagan completed the mods on the bike? Curious to know how it got on.

[@thealtered7]

I have really enjoyed this series. Please keep giving this man fast motorcycles.

[@wayneb2580]

When is Ep 6 coming it's been along time.?

[@GIGABACHI]

The MT-10 looks like a Supermodel next to this Suzuki. I would take the naked version over this one any day of the week. That quickshifter looked and performed amazing.

[@reverendhoover]

I rode both Suzuki and the Yamaha on the same day at the MCN Festival and can honestly say the Suzuki is the better bike.

[@GIGABACHI]

Stuart Peters i totally believe you but to me it's very difficult to live with a motorcycle i can't look at w/o twisting my face like I'm looking at a naked senior citizen. Ugh.

[@stickmanjd]

Stuart Peters i own the suzuki i love it! What is it that makes the suzuki a better bike in your opinin? I would love to hear what you think. To me out the gate the suzuki make you feel like you have been riding it foever. I dont mind the looks i think that it looks interesting and kinda wicked.

[@DonPedro6901]

What the hell was that in 7:00?! Cramp without any profile?

[@oso1165]

have you tried a ninja 1000/z1000sx/z1000 ? very interested to see what you think of it vs this bike.

[@szaesz8190]

Short people won't ever understand the complaints of a tallguy. I hear you mate. Any aftermarket screen that might work for people our size for this lovely ride?( 6'5", Africa Twin AS, Cb650f)

[@TheCdubbleyoo]

What would it take to get Jonny to do an update to this with the S1KGT?

[@aioesj]

Where's the update guys?

[@jorgemarques8708]

Where is the "to be continued story" of the bike?

[@bentalbottalbot]

JHS Racing are the Dogs Bollocks!!!

[@TristanDesnos]

Fucking hell, he seemed like a laugh...

[@johnkelly1246]

Did you complete the suspension mods and comparison with other bikes of similar value?

[@BigCarKilla]

john kelly looks like it didn’t happen. Nor did the comparison between a stock one and a competitor of equal value 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@tammyforbes2101]

Yea that back shock don’t move much it’s pretty rigged even at low settings! And the front is ok but is a little soft on hard bumps but I’m a big guy and we got some horrible roads can’t blame the bike like he said in the video! On track it would be amazing I’m sure it’s decent stuff and works for the whole bike but for me the rear is to hard and the front to soft even after tuning for my weight and adjusting pressures and all that! Now I am getting new tires not because mine are wore out they are just the original tires that came on it the Dunlop 214’s! They are 7-8 years Old I think they was made prior to the bike being built in 2016 so 2014-2015 probably if that new! Pro any like 10 years old 😂!I’m going with either Michelin’s road 5’s or Dunlop q3 or q3+! I love my Dunlop sport tires don’t know as much about the Michelin’s I know they are on par or better but you pay for that premium! Usually another $40-50 a set on these big bikes like the GSXSSS’s!

[@classikz]

I'm trying to sort out the suspension settings so that it is not so harsh on bumpy roads. Any recommendations? I tried the settings from the other video but felt it made it even harsher - but was great for smooth roads. Thanks for putting out these videos, they are super helpful. Keep it up!

[@fastbikes]

Thanks for the kind words. On the stock hardware, you're always going to be searching for the right compromise for you, but as far as I can work out it will always be on the firm side rather than on the plush side. I satisfied/deluded myself with the conviction that having the boingy bits keep the bike well under control and the tyres firmly pressing into the road, while not the best for comfort, at least was safe and a bit sporty-feeling. I would say that for the fork, a click or three less compression damping and a tad less preload are where I'd start looking for a less harsh ride but my little knowledge might be dangerous.

[@stephensu5929]

I wanna have a go at this but it costs 13,000 here

[@UncleWally3]

I'm on the fence wondering . . . should I buy or should I no? I'm a sixty-five year old that has 40 years, 400 000+ kms of riding experience on about ten different bikes. My daily ride now is a 2015 V-Strom (nice inexpensive bike) and it"s fine for what it is - nice - but what it isn't has been reminding me that time is a ticking. The S1000F's price is right, don't want a track bike, do want a road bike that doesn't force me to go all origami but also makes me smile goofy again. This review helps, but doesn't settle the matter. Perhaps another single malt would help . . .

[@fastbikes]

We'd say go give one a try, it can certainly give you that goofy smile you're after!

[@catcall569]

Walter Wilkins Walter my man, you should go for it. It's more comfortable than leaning over on a super sport and it will give you what you need when you need it. I say the decision is clear. You owe it to yourself. Stop thinking about it.

[@bobsyeruncle4841]

did you do it im thinking the same

[@columkenn]

Walter Wilkins Go for a superduke)

[@MARKINAU8]

Looks like I can't ride it out of the box without any mods?

[@stickmanjd]

MARKINAU8 the bike is great i absolutly love it! Zero mods and im happy with it! I also got a good deal on it. (A few people in this comment section like the people in the video are lemon riders) this bike is great.

[@bendscrewrc2745]

Got an update on this, fellas?

[@fastbikes]

There is one more episode still to come - watch this space!

[@johnkelly1246]

What's happening with the final episode?

[@UncleWally3]

The prices for these bikes are starting to drop: Suzuki discount + a demo = me buy. It appears to be that these are very good bikes that aren't selling as well as they should be selling. I suspect it's because of marketing, competition (mostly from Yamaha) and a cool reception from a ghost demographic that may or may not exist. Then there's Triumph. They've nailed the marketing, sidestepped the competition and produced bikes that scratch where it itches. Me? I've owned and ridden a lot of bikes, but I've also been a Suzuki guy for a long time - and for that reason only I'm waiting for the right cards to fall before I decide.

[@columkenn]

Walter Wilkins They don't sell well for obvious reasons. Am bewildered why Suzuki offer a Sport-touring bike that is fuck all use for touring, unless your idea of touring is travelling alone with a small tailbag. I looked at one of these after a recommendation. It can't take pillion or luggage very well. I didn't buy one for the same reason most others looking for a Sport-tourer won't buy one. Z1000SX and R1200RS both understand the need to take luggage and pillion. Suzuki have a foolish bike here. A tourer that can't tour!

[@chickentikka25]

@@columkenn it's not billed as a sport tourer, never has been. It's sold as a comfy sports bike. Niche, but perfect if you don't want 200BHP and knackered joints 👍

[@columkenn]

@@chickentikka25 A comfortable sports bike is a good description. It was suggested to me by a few as a Sports Tourer. Actually Suzuki were marketing it as a Sports Tourer in the UK, with a very small tailbag and tankbag supposedly making it a tourer)) The bike looks nice in Red. I do imagine sales would improve if they compromised making it a little more tourer at the small expense of Sports. Suzuki have enough sports options already

[@TheSwellrider]

An aside: re: comparing the looks of the S1000F to the MT-10. IMHO the Zuke looks really good. Yamaha has gone in a different direction with the FZ-07 thru FZ-10 and I think they all look a little like a Transformer that didn't quite finish the job. The MT-10 being the worst of the bunch looks like hammered shit. So bad that in spite of very good performance reviews I would not buy one and I own. '15 FZ-09.

[@billhamilton7524]

AGREED ,,09 and specially 10 are plain nasty looking,,plastic pos,,i wanted to buy one after owning fz07 which does not belong in this list ,,i am in love with the looks of this bike so imo you are wrong to include it ,, here we are couple years later and those bikes are even uglier,,even the o7 is now going down that road ,,but here comes the 1000 naked to save the day, to each his own

[@tammyforbes2101]

I either want this or the ninja and I like Them both ninja seems to be better tourer maybe and the suzuki a slightly faster tourer! Pretty much the newest and cheapest out the door or from a private individual! I’m probably gonna be patient so I can get a lot bigger better bike as now is not the time to buy! Wait till all the Tax money is spent and dude can’t feed his car habits and jump on it get a new bike a year old with 1-3k miles on it still new

[@MillerMotoring]

How tall is Jonny?

[@bwheat60]

Did you get an answer? I like the looks of the bike and the windscreen. Just a few inches can make the difference between getting hit at the top of your helmet and mid visor.

[@fastbikes]

He's about 6.4, er, we think! Could be a little taller, we'll ask.

[@dry509]

+Fast Bikes Magazine Johnny please advise what bike gives you protection from wind blast and buffeting or at least smooth non turbulent air? Thanks.

[@Christian-xc9bh]

Jonny, what makes you laugh?

[@fastbikes]

Word play, bad puns, inappropriate observations - he makes himself laugh quite a lot. Also, talking about himself as if he's a third person.

[@outquick]

Cry me a river bro. I did install all that HyperPro on an FZ-07 and I crushed the Dragon 🐉. Now I got the GSX-S1000 with the HyperPro front fork springs and it’s great for the bike, but our roads here r smooth n got 318 turns in 11.6 miles no side roads. So just twistie yea.

[@berendnieuwhof8147]

Just get an aftermarket windscreen (the touring kind) and stop wining

[@steve-wu7jp]

How to ruin a bike

[@paulcrocker8600]

PLEASE BECOME A POLICEMAN CHRIS DOMS AND TAKE OVER THE WORLD.....

[@kenmcdougall6106]

Please take the caps lock off and stop shouting at everybody.

[@BiffBallbag]

Suzuki should have called it the "Bergman 1000 F". It's such an ugly bike

[@columkenn]

BiffBallbag They should have called it "the sport-touring bike that can't tour with luggage and pillion so just buy one of our sport bikes instead"