Hi Del,
I bought this 2014 3.5K one last July to replace the R1 below it as it was getting a bit too extreme for me. I put the Autocom you sold me onto the Kwack!
The SX is a lovely bike I bought it after testing the then new MT10 which I loved (great engine and handling)but managed to empty the 17Litre tank in 100 miles on the test ride. The thirst wasn,t the issue but having to stop for fuel every 100 miles would be. I also tested the GSX-S with the fairing which was lovely too but had no decent luggage options and snatchy fueling (but handled well). I tested the z1000sx it has a 19Litre tank and averaged 45MPG (the suzuki was frugal too at about 48mpg!) over the same test route at the same speeds that the MT10 was doing 29mpg. It isn't as exciting as an MT10 but its close. The engine of the z1000sx is very torquey and flexible. It will pull smoothly from 25mph in top. You can ride it like a big scooter if your feeling lazy just leave it in top and roll the throttle on and off it pulls like a train at any revs.... very handy for overtaking. The bike is geared for about 150mph so some people grumble that it is a bit tingly at 70-90 mph. I don't find that with mine at all, its very smooth in top at those speeds. Mine gets a bit tingly through the bars at about 7000rpm so i occasionally notice it when accelerating hard.......but boy can it go! I would say faster than the r1 in the mid range but obviously slower overall. I'd say top gear on the sx is about the same as 4/5th on the r1. Over distance it is at least as comfy as my r1150gs. I changed the seat for a Sargent one and that made a big difference and I have an optional gear position indicator a sat nav and oxford heated grips. I usually get 180miles to the reserve light but have got as little as 160 miles and as much as 200 on a gentle run. I find the standard screen on the highest position (I'm 5'9") gives decent protection and no buffeting. Handling is good I'm on standard size Michelin PR4's and find that it turns and grips well. Its not as planted at (stupid!) speed as the R1 but that had fork tweeks and an Ohlins triple clicker on it so I wouldn't expect it to. The post 2014 bikes like mine have two power modes (pointless in my opinion as it fuels beautifully so I never bother going to low power mode even in the wet) and three stage traction control with off as a fourth option. Traction mode 3 is the most intrusive and i use it in the wet. Mode two knocks wheelies on the head pretty quickly and 1 lets you hoon with a bit of a safety blanket. For the road I leave it in two unless wet and forget about it. My bike also has ABS. The new 2017 bikes have an IMU (gyro thingy?) so have more sophisticated traction control and cornering ABS but I think the dynamics of riding between the two are very similar.
Not so good stuff. If you ride in the wet without panniers your ass and back get covered in road crap. Panniers on and the crud is deflected and you stay clean. You can buy an extender for the rear hugger which might help and I might try. There is no option for a centre stand. I don't mind really and have fitted an Auto TUtoro oiler on a hand made bracket attached to the pillion peg. For a rider only the comfort is good but for a pillion there is no comparison with a GS SWMBO won't sit on it but I still have the GS for that!
Some say the lights are Crap but they are way better than the GS and I don't ride much at night anyway if i can avoid it. There are the usual HID or LED conversions if you are so inclined.
The speedo reading is taken from the ABS sensors so some people go up one tooth on the front sprocket and two down on the rear to increase the gearing for smoother cruising/higher top speed/better economy. I haven't bothered because I like its lively character with standard gearing and it is not hard on juice.
Overall i'm very pleased with the bike. The panniers are neat and hold 28lts each and I have L bars to fit my Ventura system along with the panniers. Its all the touring bike and sports bike that I need to the extent that I could happily sell the GS other than I've had it for 13 years and it doesn't cost me in terms of depreciation!
Oh and Its been 100% reliable and does not use oil!