My metalwork teacher (Mr Gollan) taught, that if we desired more power from our motors, we should buy a bigger engine, and not try to squeeze it from the underpowered thing we already had. He said it was often unreliable to exceed the vehicles original specifications. This leads me to ponder whether he ever taught in Japan, because the guys at Suzuki have delivered his teachings in one of their latest offerings.

Enter the new big cube GSX1400 highway hoover, a bike that’ll smooth out the distortions in your hectic lifestyle and put the smile back on your dial during the week. According to a dyno sheet I found on the Net (www.mcnews.com.au) the air/oil cooled fuel injected GSX, will pump out 71kW or 95hp (@ 6500rpm at the rear wheel). I took the bike Graeme Boyd rode to Phillip Island, out for a spin, spending about an hour with it and then visited Ian Pulley of Wallsend, owner of one for 3 months/2800 kilometers.

Graeme reported that, 285 kilometers of fully loaded hard riding brings up the 22-litre fuel tank’s reserve light. The sitting position is a bit odd but comfortable, in that, your lower body sits sports bike style (but not cramped) with feet back and knees tucked up to the tank and the top half sits like your going on a tour around Oz. The seat height of 790mm is very good for the vertically challenged rider and with a dry weight of only 228kg (same as a Bonneville America) it isn’t going to be too heavy to use as an everyday commuter.

3000rpm equates to around 105kph and the 6 speed gearbox is very smooth, matching the power of the engine nicely. The engine exhaust has a deep rumbling note, without being intrusive. The front and rear suspension has so much adjustment, that if you can’t get it perfect for you, then you’re too hard to please. Handling seemed very good during my ride, and, judging by the tyre wear on Ian’s bike, he’s had it cranked over hard without any dramas. The non-ABS brakes are huge and do their job superbly.

The tool kit is very extensive, and there is about 10 litres of good useable storage under the seat with battery access via a removable cover. According to Ian, the headlight lens is ‘plastic’ which may scratch over time if not protected, while, illumination is not quite as good as the GTR1000 he previously owned. The mirrors don’t vibrate but could do with a bit more extension.

The Bridgestone Battlax tyres (shod to sports style wheels) offer excellent grip and replacement will cost around $192 and $256 respectively. Instruments are very easy to read, hand levers are adjustable, and the side stand has a safety cutout in case you forget it. Acceleration is very brisk and it isn’t hard to exceed the speed limit (any of them) in the lower gears. Horn is sadly ordinary, but many these days are. I’d like to see a guard on the oil cooler as it is quite exposed. Standard style handlebars offer a good range of adjustment while the pillion gets a large comfortable cushion. I found the small ‘custom’ style screen fitted to the test bike, kept most of the air blast off me. It really is worth taking a test ride if you’re in the market for a new bike, and, at $15,373 on the road, it represents great value for money, and, you get a 2 year unlimited kilometer warranty.

Test Bike courtesy of Graeme Boyd Suzuki Broadmeadow 49521577.

May your lid never skid….www.users.hunterlink.net.au/~mbbidp