I have to admit this looks like it could tick a lot of boxes. Fantastic value and comparing the cost with a GS or Multi..it is a BOGOF offer! So, it comes with up and down shifter, cruise control, 152 horses and decent torque. Also what looks like a comfy riding position. As much as I love twins, if this engine is not sterile, like the latest BMW s1000XR, it could be of interest.
About time the Ninja 1000SX had some competition, the Suzuki looks good, nice first effort However there’s a couple of things that could have been done better, the headlamps…only one side lights up at a time, can’t stand that, looks like a bulbs gone or something! And no 6 axis IMU, so no cornering abs etc Looking forward to a head to head test with the Ninja to see how it fares. I bought a Ninja last year as a workhorse for touring duties, my first in line 4 bike for about 9 years, I thought if I don’t like it I’ll have no problem selling it on,….but it’s surprised me by how bloody brilliant it is Done almost 11,000 miles on it now and it’s a really great all rounder, on a steady run back to the hotel when we were in Wales it turned in 58 mpg, brilliant! Kawasaki have had a few years to refine this model now and I really think it’ll take some beating as a sports tourer
The new Suzuki looks promising, but I couldn't find details of a top box or centre stand option, which really help with a long distance tourer? If these are available as factory options, it could be worth serious consideration. It should be noted that currently I don't think the Z1000SX has these options either. Tom.
TBH despite owning a GS, which can be loaded with gear, I prefer something a bit more stripped back. For years I have thought the way forward was an upright sportsbike, that could handle 'some' luggage. The bike that showed a lot of promise was my K8 gixer thou with flat bars. Amazing bit of kit, handled great, superb engine, dire wind blast. So the gixer is something I have a soft spot for. Centre stand? Got one on the GS and if loaded with panniers and top box, very lucky to be able to haul it up onto the stand. which renders it pointless IMO. Also all that weight. The more pointless shit they add the more weight increases. A sporty sport tourer. Yes please. Not too heavy. Useable power, maybe around 140-160bhp. A shifter, down as well as up..bonus. Cruise control, great for long runs and camera dodging. Great handling..essential. Way before being ablke to pile on the kitchen sink. Those bikes exist already (GS, erm...others lol) Inline four has been a negative for me though. Test rode the new 1000XR last year. Amazing blend of comfort, ergonomics, handling and blistering speed. At the expense of vibrations (if this version was better than earlier, then early ones must have been shocking..) and a MEGA bland engine that just made me embrace the GS all over again. The Kawasaki, I dont want to rain on anyones parade. I just dont find it appealing.
Just going to quickly stick up for the Gen 1/1.5 XR's I've got a 2018 XR HP sport for the longer range stuff. Firstly it's hysterically fast, handles like a dream and enough to hang with a couple of fast lads on rsv4's during a recent Donington track day in took it on. I embarrassed plenty of superbike rider's that day I can tell you. It's certainly more visceral than the newer models, it pops and bangs on the overrun and whilst smashing down the box using the blipper approaching corners. It's the nearest bike to the proper Multistrada 1200s ohlins (pre sky hook & pre dvt) That bike was feral, I loved it, it was more like a supermoto riding on (not in) and then it became fat and low from dvt onwards....I just couldn't get my head round the change to dvt My xr doesnt fill me with joy particularly looking at it, although it's the best looking of the bunch due to the paintwork, it looks sporty, it sounds it with the full akra headers & sc project, but each and every time I ride it I simply can't find another bike anywhere near as capable and comfortable,or as mind warpingly fast with a 200 mile range and a top box. I think I'll keep it for just long stuff and keep changing the nakeds each time. Maybe mix it up with a hypermotard at some point. To don't know whether mine vibrates or not, I assume it does but nothing more than every Ducati or ktm, or various other brands I've ridden.....then again I don't sit at the rumoured 70mph sort of speed for long so maybe I ride through it Anyway, they're not all bland is all I'm saying, the Gen 1 / 1.5 (updated 17/18) really are the S1000rr engine detuned, did me proud at the Nurburgring last weekend I tell thee
I might consider the Pikes Peak Multi V4 IF it's a changed riding position and stripped back to make it leaner than the standard bike. I basically want a big fucking supermoto with a little wind protection and about 150 Miles from a tank
To me, both the Kawasaki and the Suzuki both look like sports bikes with sit up bars and panniers. They are not even approaching the same capabilities of a Multistrada.
I dont honestly know what the early XR was like for vibes. But I did have an S1000r, that had much more engine character than the late XR. It was also hysterically fast. The only bike I have hit the rev limiter on (167 ish indicated on a closed Spanish 'circuit') Chassis balance was sublime. Lifted the back wheel on the brakes, going into a corner in the Pyrenees. tyre wear fast. My life expectancy...short. Awesome bike. The latest XR though, somehow it was bland.
I find the new xr bland to look at and reading the feedback from some owners of the earlier model who've test ridden it they say the same thing in terms of engine. I've not test ridden it because when I sat on one again it started to feel more 'in' and quite restricted in rider position, nowhere near as much room to slide around on the seat to change body position, you're kinda hemmed in place and that's what happened with the dvt The guys who like the newer xr tend to be the ones who found the first one bad for all the reasons I like it. They wanted smoother character & refinement, which is all very well but it removes that ferel thing I like about it. I also had the Gen 1 S1000r, white sports one, I can say that the engine in my current xr is exactly the same, I just never fitted a full system to the R, so actually the XR I have has been let off the leash even more. Tbf thinking about the suzuki, that essentially runs the tried and tested K5 engine doesn't it? Now that should have some ferel in it
Could be great road bike. I ran an FZ1s a few years back and that had a superb balance of power and handling for road use with an uprated rear shock, slightly down on torque as standard but otherwise rather good. No ABS, (mine was US import) no traction control but you could really cane it without it biting back. Not a comfy bike though and now rather dated. My K8 also had a peach of an engine that was useable on the road with zero rider aids. It will all be down to the mid range I think on the new Suzuki..
