2016
Suzuki GSX-S1000F ABS
Suzuki
carries their heritage GSX-R bikes to the street with the GSX-S models. New for
2016, the GSX-S1000F ABS is a full-fairing version of the 2016 GSX-S1000 ABS.
Promoting the GSX-S1000 as a ’standard’ or ’streetfighter’ bike (neither sport
nor touring ), Suzuki seems to think that simply adding a full fairing
qualifies the GSX-S1000F as a ’sport-tourer.
One
thing that seems more tourer than sport is the rider triangle. Suzuki lowered
the footrests on the GSX-S1000F from the position on the GSX-R model and
installed matte black aluminum Rental Fatbar handlebars that opened up the
rider triangle for a more upright riding position. That says ’tourer’ when you
have a more comfortable posture. The seat height is lower than the 2015
GSX-R1000 , if you consider 0.1 inch worth mentioning, and the GSX-S1000F comes
with a windshield whereas the GSX-S1000 does not, which you might expect on a
full-fairing model. Other than that, the GSX-S1000F ABS is the same as the
GSX-S1000 ABS. It looks more like a tourer with the fairing, but you’re
still stuck with no storage and no real way to carry a passenger. The
distinctly-shaped dual headlight does lend a hint of sportiness, but not enough
to make people think sport bike.
Like
its fairingless brother, the GSX-S1000F comes with three-mode traction control,
adjustable suspension and Brembo monoblock brakes. The traction control feature
is sweet, especially for new riders. Experienced riders will likely take
advantage of Mode 1 — the lowest sensitivity level of the three-mode control
system. It also works well in road conditions where you have sure-footed
traction. Mode 2 is an all-purpose mode and Mode 3 — the highest sensitivity —
is for less than ideal road conditions.
Switch
modes or turn the TCS off through a switch cluster mounted on the handlebars.
Suzuki says the lightweight, twin-spar rigid frame is new. The fully adjustable Kayaba inverted-fork front
suspension has 4.7 inches of travel. The link-type rear suspension with its
single Showa shock has a 2.5-inch stroke. All this sits on 17-inch ENKEI
six-spoke lightweight cast aluminum wheels and Dunlop radial tires.
The
GSX-S1000F shares the same liquid-cooled, in-line, four-cylinder 999 cc engine
as the GSX-S1000, and it’s based on the GSX-R1000 supersport engine. It’s a
version of the engine used in the 2005-to-2008 bikes, re-tuned for street
performance with better low- and mid-range torque. Suzuki says it’s all about
shared technology and performance-packed hard parts evolving from one
generation to the next. Cooled through a newly designed and high-efficiency
round radiator and liquid-cooled oil cooler, the engine uses Suzuki’s original
dual throttle valve 44 mm throttle body.
