GSX-S1000GT Initial Remarks
It’s not really a review, is it. More observations after only a few rides. There are around 250 miles on the clock so far. I’ve done a couple of trips to work, (25 miles to and 25 miles back) and I’ve done a couple of circuits of my Snake Pass route, which is about 40 miles each one.
This bike is awesome!
Things I’ve noticed
There is a noticeable vibration in the right footpeg at a little over 2,000 revs. It’s not the least bit something that would ever make me question my buying decision. There is nothing I’ve experienced on this bike that would. It’s just something of note.
It handles like a dream. The transition from my SV650 to the GSX-S750 was marked. Riding the GSX after the SV was like experiencing electricity for the first time. One of the things I noticed back then in 2020 when I got the GSX-S750 was the improved handling over the SV650. I’m getting the same feeling of improved handling when I now ride the GSX-S1000GT. It’s just so much more… balanced.
The mirrors are wonderful. So much better than on the 750. They are further out in front, on the fairing as opposed to attached to the handlebars, and they provide great all round visibility. Their multiple joints allow them to be much more easily adjusted, which is a BIG improvement. No spanners are required to adjust these lovely specimens.
Throttle response is pretty smooth. Much smoother than the old GSX-S750.
There are many YouTube reviews that complain that the brakes are a bit wooden, and have no feeling. I don’t have a problem with them. Every bike is different, and they each have their very own characteristics and unique behaviour. As riders, we adapt to their peculiarities and learn to get the most out of them. We tailor our riding styles to the quirks of our bikes, and before long we don’t even notice them. Unless they are real problems, of course. The brakes are not.
It's nimble. I’ve always been (and still am) a very cautious filterer, but I feel quite confident when riding between stationary queues of cars. It’s agile.
We’ll have to see how the fuel gauge performs.
Seat comfort is good. It’s a little wider than the 750’s, which I like, and it has a little bump at the back which I find reassuring.
Riding position is also comfortable. Obviously, rider comfort depends on rider proportions, and mine are perfectly suited to the bike. I’m 6’1” with a 33” inside leg.
Finding the indicator switch can be a little tricky because it’s so close to the cruise control switches, but I’ve never not been able to find it, so what am I complaining for? I’m not, really. As I become more used to the bike, I expect I’ll become more adept.
Small point. The kickstand is great. You barely have to touch it with your left leg and it retracts. It’s an absolute joy to use.
I do need to be firmer with the gear change. A couple of times now I’ve been a bit too gentle when changing up from first and I’ve landed in a very screamy neutral. Not very nice on the ears, and even less nice for the gearbox. I promise to be more definite in future.
Weirdly, the gap between footrest and gear change lever is so small that I find it difficult sliding my foot off the peg and beneath the lever. I know this is partly due to the glue-like friction between the sole of my new boot and the gear change lever, and I think that’s exacerbating the difficulty. I’m now sliding my feet along the ground and twisting my foot on the ground like a muppet with each step to ‘wear my new boots in’ in an effort to reduce the friction. We’ll see.