Suzuki GSX-S750 blog: Winter of content

Mileage: 5560 | Economy: 42.7mpg | Power: 113bhp | Torque: 69lb-ft | Weight: 213kg | Price: £7,699

I admit it: when the snow hit this year, I worked from home. While some of the main roads were fine, the streets getting away from our house were so thick with snow and ice that, despite the Evotech Performance crash protection, I didn’t want to chance sliding off.

But otherwise, come sleet, rain or hail, I’ve continued riding this great little street bike. I own a KTM 1050 Adventure, yet prefer the GSX-S in these clumsy conditions – it’s lighter, I can more easily get my feet down, and despite the lack of weather protection, it seems to be dealing well with the road salt that’s caked over it.

The luxurious carbon-fibre extras will shrug this grime off at the next wash

It helps that I’m what could best be described as a little OCD about cleaning it. I don’t wash it every day, or even every week, but when I do, I do it properly: I cover it in snow foam, then I jet wash it (carefully), then I clean it with Surfex HD and a long-reach paintbrush, then I rinse it, then I towel it off, then I blow dry it with a Brühl dryer, then I towel it off again.

If you’re following my test of corrosion protectants – which is still ongoing after more than four months because two of the products haven’t allowed corrosion through – then beware, spoiler alert: I spray my bikes all over (except the brakes and tyres of course) with XCP’s Rust Blocker. While the poor little Suzuki is covered with grime as I write this, it was in a worse state last time I washed it, but still looked pretty much like new once I’d finished.

Except the chain – that seems to corrode more easily than others, like the one on my KTM. I recently explained in a video how to clean the chain, after seeing how grotty the GSX-S750’s drive had got. Even after that though, and a good coat of quality chain lube, the surface rust still came back. Fortunately it’s still moving fine, so it’s only cosmetic… perhaps it’s the small price to pay for such a relatively good value bike with such a great engine.

How to clean your chain

Should you use WD-40? What about petrol or kerosene? Consumer editor John Milbank explains… Should you use WD-40? What about petrol or kerosene? Consumer editor John Milbank explains…

Yes, I love this engine. In the winter, the 113bhp is delivered smoothly and progressively. On dry roads, the induction howl is intoxicating. And on track, it’s got more than enough for me; I’m no race hero – I’m happy going at my own fastest pace, more focussed on the sound and feeling of dragging my knee than beating my own, or anyone else’s lap times.

I’ve been making a lot more use of the Suzuki tank bag recently; from carrying toy train parts for my mate’s little boy, to tools for setting up our office video studio. It’s small, but surprisingly practical.

It’s not cheap though – at £95 for the bag and another £32 for the tank adaptor, there are less pricey options. Still, it is well made, and when I had my DSLR, macro lens and flashgun in there, I found it was (fortunately) rain-proof enough without the cover (which I’d left at home) to protect my kit through 10 miles of rain. There’s also a good chance you could get a deal on one if you sweet-talk your Suzuki dealer when buying a bike.

I’ve been very lucky to have kept this bike over winter; most manufacturers ask for their long-term loan machines back around October, but we’ve had this almost a year now. Maybe if I keep quiet they’ll let me keep it a bit longer… the GSX-S750 is so good I don’t want to lose it.

Three things I’m loving about the Suzuki GSX-S 750

• Easy to stand over

• Smooth power delivery

• Intoxicating induction roar

Three things that aren’t so good…

• Wish I’d fitted heated grips

• The chain rusts easily

• I miss the luggage capacity of my KTM 1050 adventure

2017 Suzuki GSX-S750 specification

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