By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Sport Tourer vs Hyper Naked
Suzuki GSX-S1000F Sport Touring (MY2016) vs Yamaha MT-10 (RN45)
Suzuki GSX-S1000F Sport Touring vs Yamaha MT-10: where they split, and which one to buy.
Roll on the Suzuki GSX-S1000F Sport Touring's throttle in slow traffic and an early bike won't stay smooth: it'll snatch on and off. The Yamaha MT-10's crossplane engine puts a race bike's off-beat bark under your wrist. It pulls hard in the midrange and doesn't need revs.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the GSX-S1000F Sport Touring if…
Traveling with luggage
Clear winner: GSX-S1000F Sport Touring
Loaded for a long trip, the GSX-S1000F Sport Touring pulls clearly ahead. That comes from a better passenger seat and more comfort on long stints. It's the one you'll want with a week of gear on board.
The GSX-S1000F Sport Touring has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Inches ahead: GSX-S1000F Sport Touring
The GSX-S1000F Sport Touring is a touch easier on the wallet to run. Condition still matters more than the model.
The MT-10 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: MT-10
The MT-10 is a touch more fun when the road starts bending. Thank better suspension for that.
Which one's the smarter buy
Apples and oranges
These bikes sit in different classes, so there's no clear better buy for the money. You're weighing a sport tourer against a hyper naked, not a simple price tag.
What makes each one tick
GSX-S1000F Sport Touring
Tall, flat bars and low-set pegs perch you upright on the GSX-S1000F, and there's space to stay aboard for a full day. The aluminum frame flicks the bike into a corner quickly. Once leaned, it holds its arc. The Brembo lever tells you what the front's doing.
MT-10
A howl that wouldn't sound out of place in a MotoGP paddock comes from the MT-10's exhaust, and it's the sound you'll keep chasing. Around town, a bump in the pavement doesn't knock the upside-down fork off its composure. The front wheel lifts on request.
Nils rode the MT-10 in Austria in 2017 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The GSX-S1000F Sport Touring has the lower seat: 31.9 in (810 mm) vs 32.5 in (825 mm).
- The MT-10 makes more peak power: 160 hp (118 kW) vs 145 hp (107 kW).
- Ride Modes: standard on the MT-10, not offered on the GSX-S1000F Sport Touring.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not suited: MT-10
There's no comfort verdict for the MT-10 here. Its job is somewhere else.
They come out level on commuting. The better-kept used example is the smarter money.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
GSX-S1000F Sport Touring
What owners say
Strengths
- Sharp, agile handling
- Comfortable upright ergonomics
- Strong radial Brembo brakes
Trade-offs
- Snatchy throttle on early models
MT-10
What owners say
Strengths
- Incredible crossplane engine sound and character
- Monster midrange torque
- Excellent electronic package for the price
- Strong standard equipment and build quality
Trade-offs
- Uncomfortable stock seat
Known problems to check before you buy
GSX-S1000F Sport Touring
- Abrupt throttle snatch (pre-2017 models) Many owners and testers note a jerky on/off throttle transition, especially at low rpm and in first gear, making low-speed maneuvers and corner exits unpredictable. The issue is typically resolved with an aftermarket ECU reflash or by installing a Power Commander.
MT-10
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 9-year-old GSX-S1000F Sport Touring with a 9-year-old MT-10.
- GSX-S1000F Sport Touring
- about $6,200
- MT-10
- about $9,700
At nine years old, the Suzuki GSX-S1000F Sport Touring sits around $6,200 while the Yamaha MT-10 runs about $9,700. That's a $3,500 gap in the Suzuki's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Wet weight
- 463 lb (210 kg)
- Engine
- Inline-four
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 4.5 US gal (17 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| GSX-S1000F Sport Touring | MT-10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) | 32.5 in (825 mm) |
| GSX-S1000F Sport Touring | MT-10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 999 cc | 998 cc |
| Power | 145 hp (107 kW) | 160 hp (118 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,000 rpm | 11,500 rpm |
| Torque | 80 lb-ft (108 Nm) | 82 lb-ft (111 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 9,500 rpm | 9,000 rpm |
| Top speed | 160 mph (257 km/h) | 152 mph (245 km/h) |
| GSX-S1000F Sport Touring | MT-10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 310 mm | 320 mm |
| Rear tire | 190/50-17 | 190/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 57.5 in (1460 mm) | 55.1 in (1400 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| GSX-S1000F Sport Touring | MT-10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ride Modes | Not offered | Standard |
| Steering Damper | Not offered | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Not offered | Standard |
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
| Luggage System | Not offered | Option |
| LED Headlight | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
