something highlighted by not being able to turn
the ABS off – and it’s excellent at it.
The bike is certainly competent on gravel, but
the standard road-focused Bridgestone Battlax
Adventure A41 tyres are less suited to gravel and,
please, just change them for off-seal work – they
look a 96% road tyre to me. It’s a great road tyre
but could do with more bite for deeper gravel.
Twin Tokico 310mm discs with four-pot calipers
at the front have excellent initial bite and stop the
big 247kg curb weight Suzuki very well. Arguably,
after the first bite they are a little wooden, but it’s
more the fact the 1050 is a big lump to stop and
you really only notice it when pushing along quite
hard. The twin piston, single Nissin caliper and
260mm disc rear brake works well with as much
feel as good ABS allows at the rear.
The 1050 handles extremely well on tar-seal. Any
thoughts of its size melt away thanks to a light
and accurate turn-in. It is stable and planted,
generally promoting confidence until being really
pushed where its mass becomes noticeable, as
with all big bikes. Back the extreme pace off a
little and the Suzuki is a quick, efficient, relaxing
and enjoyable mile eater.
The 20 litre fuel tank should have you safely
seeing 300 clicks on the TFT before looking for
gas, which is a good bit longer than my 250km
AMCR (Arse Maximum Comfort Range) on most
bikes. And on the practicality front, it comes with
a centre-stand to make wheel changing and
chain lubing super easy – hallelujah!
52 KIWI RIDER