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Suzuki GSX1400 (2008) – Bob Pickett rides the final iteration of Suzuki’s big musclebike... and loves what he finds

With thanks to Johns of Romford, Rush Green branch for the loan of the bike

2008 Suzuki GSX1400... big, imposing, but surprisingly easy to ride The GSX1400 was created by Suzuki as their entrant into the large-capacity, naked musclebike class. Originally intended for the Japanese market only, it was released onto the worldwide market in 2001, until it was sadly discontinued in 2008. During that time there was little change, except the exhaust going from a 4-2-2- to a 4-2-1 system and remapping the fuel injection.

The model borrowed from John’s of Romford Suzuki Branch was the final, 2008 model, with just 2,600 miles on the clock, on sale for £5,499 (April 2010). It featured a tiny nose screen in front of the clocks, crash bars and Yoshimura exhaust.

Despite the physically impressive 500lbs dry weight and 1402cc of engine, I felt instantly at home. The GSX1400 carries weight low and the fuel injection is sorted perfectly, allowing you to dial in controlled amounts of power, even at low revs. The upright riding position is both neutral and natural, with the bars just wide enough to give full control but without having to stretch.

Town work showed impeccable manners. The upright riding position gives a great view over traffic, the soft suspension soaks up the lumps and bumps and it will gently carry you along at town speeds from just 2K.

2008 Suzuki GSX1400 engine - crack open the throttle... and go into warp drive, Jim Getting out of town and upping the revs to 4-5K is more enjoyable and adds a little urgency to the ride… so I decide to open up and see what happens.

You know that moment in ‘Star Trek’ films, when the warp drive kicks in and the ship launches forward? Cracking open the throttle on a GSX1400 is a bit like that. One moment we’re trundling along; the next I realise that nothing that was with me on the road is still in sight.

Motorway speeds (70mph is 5K in 3rd gear) are handled with ease, with the engine laying down creamy torque, the handling and softish suspension keeping it all on track. The little screen in front of the clocks deflects some windblast but the shoulders take a pounding. You could ride this bike forever. On the motorway section, it was like being on an airbed, albeit an immensely powerful one. And the fuel used suggested a 200+ mile tank range.

Major ‘A’ roads are huge fun. With the power on hand, you can just find a gear and leave the engine to get on with it. So I did. Frankly, 2nd has a broad enough range to run at A road speeds, but there is more fun flipping between 2nd, 3rd and occasionally in 4th on long, fast straights.

2008 Suzuki GSX1400 - looks good, rides even better Backroad blasts are involving. This is somewhere a big, imposing bike shouldn’t shine, but the massive but controllable power on tap, the responsiveness and that relaxed riding position allow you to glide from corner to corner effortlessly. For such a heavy bike, it is genuinely nimble, rewarding a firm nudge on the inside bar with responsive, but controlled tipping in.

Braking on this bike could be a concern, with all that weight to haul up and power being laid down. But braking is powerful, yet controlled with good feel from the lever. I only once managed to get the suspension in trouble – but that was going into a tight left hander, following braking into a truly dire piece of road surface, that needed the bike aiming between two manhole covers. All that was needed was to whip in the clutch slightly, keep calm and the GSX came back on track.

2008 Suzuki GSX1400 clocks - why increment in 20s when UK speed limits have a lot of 30, 50 and 70s? Niggles? Just a couple. The analogue clocks increment in 20mph marks – not good when you consider how many 30, 50 and 70mph limits abound. The radiator is exposed – I was worried when I rode over a lot of gravel. And you do take a pounding from the wind at speed.

Verdict: But I’d forgive all of that in a moment. Huge, creamy waves of torque, utterly comfortable, brakes just powerful enough to cope without being overpowering, and suspension on the soft side that matches the bike. I would own one of these in a moment – if Johns had said I could have it, I’d have opened up that warp drive and sped away before they could change their minds.

Thanks again to Johns of Romford, Rush Green branch for the initial loan of the bike

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