I felt more confident on the brakes once I fitted aftermarket brake pads to the Suzuki GSX-S1000GX

The GSX-S1000GX doesn’t really want for anything in the horsepower department thanks to the fact that it uses a derivative of the original Suzuki GSX-R1000 K5 inline four engine. With a claimed 149bhp it accelerates rapidly in any gear, helped by the fact that it’s very under-geared.

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The other factor in this equation is the weight of the bike. While there are undoubtedly plenty of heavier machines on the market – it’s no lightweight, tipping the scales at 232kg (kerb) – this still equates to a more than respectable 0.6422bhp per kilo (rider not included). So the bottom line is that on UK roads it’s more than enough for anything from two-up touring to a spirited Sunday morning blast.

Where I’ve found the Suzuki lacking, however, is braking performance. The bike is fitted with Brembo calipers and 310mm discs, so it was a big surprise that the system lacks power.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GX Galfer brake pads

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve not once out-braked myself or run off the road, but on a few occasions I have found myself having to squeeze the lever far harder than I would ever have expected, which has induced a few anxious moments. And it’s not just the stopping power, it’s also the feel, which is disappointingly wooden for a modern bike of this spec.

Normally OE brake pads deliver strong performance but in an effort to try to improve the set-up I spoke with Performance Parts who suggested the Galfer Sintered Road Sport pads. Priced at £35 per set – £70 for the pair, Galfer claim them to be a higher spec than the OE pads.

I’ve now done just shy of 2000 miles with the new pads and they are definitely an improvement. It’s not night and day in terms of outright stopping power and you still have to give the lever a good squeeze to achieve maximum braking, but it’s the feel and control where the Galfer pads have made an improvement.

Suzuki GSX-S1000GX fresh brake pads fitted

As a result I feel more confident on the brakes, especially now winter has truly taken hold and feel is paramount in the current low-grip conditions.

In other news I hit 7500 miles on the Suzuki, which meant a trip to the dealer for its second service. It includes oil and filter, air filter, clutch and brake fluid plus new spark plugs.

Throttle bodies are checked to ensure they are all in tolerance and calibrated correctly – which they were. The total cost of the service was £312.40 with the next one due at 15,000 miles.