Suzuki GSX1000GT

[Wag]

So, today I took my 1250s Bandit in for a new chain and sprockets.
I took the V Strom 800RE out for a spin whilst they were doing it.
Got back a bit early, and would you believe it, someone had just dropped their 23 plate GSX1000GT, with panniers, in on a P/X.
OH SH@T!! I really needed to try it out (please don't engage on the extreme differences between the Strom and the GSX).
OK, so a bit more compact than the Strom, totally different really!! 4 cylinders, super smooth delivery, power shift absolutely smooth either way: seamless power outlet. A real licence taker if you don't watch it.
It was fantastic. I just cannot stop thinking about it. In short, it's (to me) a modern day Bandit. Fairly good sit up position.
A fabulous bike.
The cons (for me) no centre stand..can't be fitted due to exhaust. Lights reviewed as poor at night.
Everything else I love.
WFT do I do???

 

[wessie]

WFT do I do???

get your money's worth from the new chain ...

 

[Traffic893]

Buy a paddock stand to replace the centre stand.

 

[peepingtom]

life is short

 

[Wag]

Nice colour too.

 

[Wag]

It really is a no brainer. As I've been round Ireland on the Bandit, I didn't miss the ADV style.
I might have to keep the 1250 though.

 

[glenn2926]

Buy a paddock stand to replace the centre stand.

Not very easy to carry around if one needs to adjust the chain whilst away on a trip.

 

[Wag]

Not very easy to carry around if one needs to adjust the chain whilst away on a trip.

Yeah, get that. But if I was abroad, or away for a long time, I'd just have to sort it. Even if it meant dropping into a local dealer. Having said that, I don't carry a torque wrench or stuff to tighten/loosen the wheel nut.

 

[wessie]

Not very easy to carry around if one needs to adjust the chain whilst away on a trip.

having owned a few chain drive bikes with 3 or 4 cylinders, adjusting a chain between tyre changes is a rare necessity.

 

[glenn2926]

having owned a few chain drive bikes with 3 or 4 cylinders, adjusting a chain between tyre changes is a rare necessity.

Having just part exed my Tiger Rally Pro chain driven bike I did need to adjust the chain once on our 5100 mile trip around Norway. Having a centre stand made this very easy to do. Seems rather silly to not have one really. Plus the centre stand makes lobbing the chain so much easier. I’m struggling to find any advantage of not having a centre stand.

 

[Wag]

The GX takes a centre stand, there are differences. I reckon I'd get by without it though but, I've still got the old Bandit.... in the meantime.

 

[wessie]

Having just part exed my Tiger Rally Pro chain driven bike I did need to adjust the chain once on our 5100 mile trip around Norway. Having a centre stand made this very easy to do. Seems rather silly to not have one really. Plus the centre stand makes lobbing the chain so much easier. I’m struggling to find any advantage of not having a centre stand.

I agree but it seems Suzuki fucked up the design that makes fitting a main stand impossible on much of the GSX1000 range

I did not spec a mainstand on my new V85. So far not missing it as could not use it on my sloping drive, anyway. I have a shaft though!

 

[Arsey]

Yeah, get that. But if I was abroad, or away for a long time, I'd just have to sort it. Even if it meant dropping into a local dealer. Having said that, I don't carry a torque wrench or stuff to tighten/loosen the wheel nut.

Just get one of these

 

[yoyo]

Fit a Scottoiler or similar to take care of the lubing issue.

Sent from my SM-S921B using Tapatalk

 

[Mr Derek]

Buy a shaft drive bike. You can't tour on a chain driven bike. I read it here.

 

[littleade]

Have you bought it yet?

 

[WhiskyMac]

I owned one for a year. I found it strangely characterless. I liked it, but not as much as the Z1000SX that it replaced. The Kawasaki's engine was more refined, but you might like the K5 character of the engine on which it's based. Brakes were a bit wooden and the standard tyres mediocre.

 

[mort77uk]

Same here, owned one for a year and found it characterless. Traded for a GSX8R which is much more fun. The owner’s forums were full of people complaining about hot start rattle, was the issue ever sorted?

 

[MILLE_RIDER]

Brakes were a bit wooden and the standard tyres mediocre.

Just about every review mentioned the poor brakes but apparently the problem was the the pads, so easily fixed.

 

[Wag]

Have you bought it yet?

No, having had overnight to think about it, I'm going to try out the GX version before I commit to anything.