New GSX-S1000F sport tourer

[UFO]

Kill it with fire!

[Sport-Touring]

[SLK50]

Awesome! A non-track oriented liter bike that doesn't
look like a Transformer. Might actually work.

[Blue is Best]

I like it. Ninja 1000 has some competition. Put some bags on it and hit the road. Hope they keep some HP in it and beef up the midrange over the GSXR.





I like the color, too!!!!!!!

[veefer800canuck]

The passenger accommodations don't look inviting.

[Volfy]

Nice styling.  Much better than the GSXR vertically stacked headlights.  Should've used tall clip-ons like the Ninja 1000.  Tubular handlebars just look cheap on a fully faired bike.

Biggest drawback... no apparently provisions for panniers.  I hope I'm wrong about this, but no point to this kinda bike if you can't hang hardbags on it.

[Rincewind]

The passenger accommodations don't look inviting.

Agreed.

Announcements about this bike, and it's naked brother, are on the UK Suzuki website but not the US.  

[Blunder]

Should've used tall clip-ons like the Ninja 1000.  Tubular handlebars just look cheap on a fully faired bike.

It's a tawdry attempt to draw in those of us holding on to 13 year old Bandits.

[Dan K]

Color me interested.

- Dan

[Volfy]

The best term I have seen used for this type of bikes is ROADSPORT.  The actual definition is kinda vague, but basically it's a sportbike for real world road riding, and less razor-edge performance-focused like the race replicas.  I suspect the typical rider who buys these will ride mostly solo.  Those who need pillion accommodation tend to gravitate toward a larger Sport Tourer anyway.  Keeping the wheelbase tight and the subframe modest help keep roadsport bikes lightweight and better balanced.

[Dan K]

The best term I have seen used for this type of bikes is ROADSPORT.  The actual definition is kinda vague, but basically it's a sportbike for real world road riding, and less razor-edge performance-focused like the race replicas.  I suspect the typical rider who buys these will ride mostly solo.  Those who need pillion accommodation tend to gravitate toward a larger Sport Tourer anyway.  Keeping the wheelbase tight and the subframe modest help keep roadsport bikes lightweight and better balanced.

FYI, found a local with a VFR1200 for sale... he indicated I could take it for a ride. Will keep you posted. If I love it, I'll have to double my meager efforts to sell the Sprint...

 - Dan

[Volfy]

FYI, found a local with a VFR1200 for sale... he indicated I could take it for a ride. Will keep you posted. If I love it, I'll have to double my meager efforts to sell the Sprint...

Speaking of Roadsport... Viffer Grande qualify as one too.  Sure, whether you like it or not, at least you'll have first hand experience.  Bring a tire gauge and check before ride.  You just never know.  I test rode one that felt weird until I figured out both tires were low on pressure.

[Cobalt]

Stop calling anything that's not an RR bike any kind of tourer. Sure, use it for touring. Make it fit your needs. I'm all about that.  But a true tourer comes out of the gate with touring capabilities designed in. This doesn't. I don't know why that bothers me so much but it just seems everyone is carrying a major hard on to hold onto the "sport touring" moniker that it's become a game of throwing spaghetti at the wall and waiting for it to finally stick.

[gritsngravy]

I like it!   Apparently the engine has similar characteristics as the highly regarded 2005 gsxr1000.  That fairing is  strange looking so one would hope it's both light and effective.   I was surprised to see it and it's smaller sibling up already on the US website.   I'd have either one in a heartbeat.

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/GSX-S750/2015/GSXS750Z.aspx

[Volfy]

Stop calling anything that's not an RR bike any kind of tourer. Sure, use it for touring. Make it fit your needs. I'm all about that.  But a true tourer comes out of the gate with touring capabilities designed in. This doesn't. I don't know why that bothers me so much but it just seems everyone is carrying a major hard on to hold onto the "sport touring" moniker that it's become a game of throwing spaghetti at the wall and waiting for it to finally stick.

You are taking the definition thing a bit too seriously.  Exactly how much touring capability does a bike need "designed in" to count as a Sport Tourer?

There are likely as many different opinions of what constitute a Sport Tourer is as there are eyeballs reading these forums.  From reading you past posts, I already know mine is clearly different than yours.

Call it whatever you want; it's what you do on it that defines whether it's a Sportbike, Sport Tourer, Grand Tourer, or Iron-Butt Buddy.

[JTM]

Sorry but Cobalt is right on this one, a factory ST comes with luggage.

[Volfy]

Sorry but Cobalt is right on this one, a factory ST comes with luggage.

So none of the VFR's are ST's?  Neither are FZ1, Bandit and Ninja 1000.  Lots of "ST"'s aren't sold with luggage.  I may be wrong, but some yrs of the Sprint ST didn't come with factory panniers.

Hey, I have no problem if that's your definition.

[SLK50]

The U.S. is one percent of the world motorcycle market.
"Sport-Tourers" are one percent of THAT market.
Arguing definitions is silly at best.

However, I must agree that sport-tourers should at the very least
have factory hard bags available.
That has been the defining characteristic of sport-tourers
for over thirty years.
RS, SP, ZG, ST, et al.

[Dan K]

Call it what you will. I want a powerful, sporty bike that is comfortable for touring and commuting, e.g., fully faired with decent wind/weather protection. If a top case is not available from the factory, I don't care as long as I can add a rack. Doesn't matter to me if it's a factory ST or what not - it's what I can do with it. Function over form.

FYI, VFR guy flaked on me. WIll have to start my search anew.

- Dan

[Volfy]

Call it what you will. I want a powerful, sporty bike that is comfortable for touring and commuting, e.g., fully faired with decent wind/weather protection. If a top case is not available from the factory, I don't care as long as I can add a rack. Doesn't matter to me if it's a factory ST or what not - it's what I can do with it. Function over form.

FYI, VFR guy flaked on me. WIll have to start my search anew.

- Dan

Bummer.  Oh well, used VFR1200 do spring up from time to time.  I remember just before I bought mine, there were a whole bunch of leftover '10s, plus a slew of low-miles barely 1-2yr old ones on the market.  Maybe they finally got bought up by riders who actually like it for what it is... not what they thought it was.

What you said is exactly right.  Right after I bought it, first thing I put on my S3R was a SW Motech top rack, so I could mount my Givi top case on it.  I don't much care if it came with racks or bags, as long as I can put one on, and the subframe is stout enough to support hard luggage.   I've got soft panniers for now, but I'm working on a set of racks to hang my Givi V35s.  I know guys who do multi-state tours with their purely naked S3's with nothing but duffle bags basically.  Mine's decked out like a Sprint ST compared to theirs.  

The FZ1, with Givi hard luggage, makes an amazing lightweight sport tourer.  Very similar to the N1K.

[Dan K]

Yeah, I'm leaning back towards the FZ1 with full fairings, but still intrigued by VFR1200 (have not ridden) or ZX14 (surprisingly refined and more than satisfactory handling).  All 3 can be fashioned into sport tourers. Look at my Tuono:



I also have throw over bags I've used on occasion. But that bike just isn't for LONG distance. Good for commuting with the topcase.

- Dan