When Stuart Baker (Chief head of Suzuki motorcycling), called and asked me if I’d like a brand new, zero kilometer, GSX-S1000 for a week or so, I obviously said, “yes please”.
However my excitement soon turned a little sour, because he collected myself early the next morning and threw me into the Suzuki workshop at 9am, where I was told to build the fookin’ thing. It was a fun experience with a shocking lack of coffee though, which I was promised on our way to work in Stuart’s car- lying bast’…
Anyway, after water-from-the tap and a couple of hours with tools the ‘birth’ of a new bike was complete. With a little help from the Suzuki crew it was ready to ride, and I was told to go out and run the bike in for a few hundred kilometers. It was a relatively easy task as the bike is virtually complete besides fitting the ‘bars, connecting the battery, adding fuel and fitting the genuine and tiny, but highly effective, wind deflector situated on top of the triple headlight stack. This addition is a genuine Suzuki accessory and a ‘must have’ part if you own one, or decide to buy the GSX-S1000.
Things to make sure your local dealer has done during the PDI (pre-delivery-inspection), is to clean the brake discs with a brake cleaner to remove the protective coating, adjusts both levers to your style of riding, inflate the tyres to the correct pressure and add fuel, and that’s about it.
During the first few hundred meters you should constantly apply both brakes to get the pads hot/warm, it’ll pay dividends as you add the kilometers for a stronger ‘bite’ on the new discs. Then that’s about it, just go out and enjoy your new bike, and be careful of the new tyres. You can stick to the recommended running in procedure, but I tend to ride the bike as normal without stressing the engine too much for at least 500km.
This was also the first time I saw the GSX-S1000 in this new gray option, with a hint of metallic glitter that sparkles in the sun. Without doubt the best colour option for this bike’s style.
The last time I rode this bike was on the launch and I came away with a so, so attitude. However after having the bike in my life for a few weeks I thought it was superb, the perfect bike for exciting town rides, and even a track day if you desire. With 138hp at the wheel, on our dyno, it has more than enough power for any type of rider, and exemplary reliability of course. The quick-shifter is also one of the best in the business, as is the gearbox. And that little screen is surprisingly effective for such a small thing, which makes high speed cruising less of a strain on your neck muscles. 
After my few weeks were over the GSX-S1000 returned to the workshop where we built it, and I did miss having it around because it’s such an easy bike to live with on a daily basis. While I was there I saw the new and updated Katana, which looks stunning, and I can’t wait to get my hands on that with its new colours. I won’t say what colour it is yet, it’s a surprise, and thankfully it was already built. 
Go to www.suzukimotorcycle.co.za for technical information on the GSX-S1000.
