Suzuki GSX-S 750 Yugen Carbon 2020, the Japanese naked is even meaner [ROAD TEST]

Suzuki has always stood out in the production of sports motorcycles with high performance and characterized by exemplary usability and ease of driving. In recent years it has also accustomed us to the presentation of new trim levels for its flagship models, which are increasingly exclusive and captivating. As for the Suzuki GSX-S 750, after the presentation of the version in 2019 Yugen, this year it's the turn of the new Yugen Carbon. The term "Yugen” identifies mysterious abilities in Japanese that cannot be described in words. With this new version, Suzuki have tried to express this concept to the maximum by installing numerous special accessories as standard and using a series of eye-catching liveries. Will they have managed to achieve this ambitious goal?

Sporty design that also knows how to be elegant

The aesthetics of Suzuki GSX-S 750 Yugen Carbon it is sharp and sporty, but at the same time very elegant. Much of the credit goes to the spot-on black-white color with rims and fairing details in purple red, really impressive. The tapered lines of the tank, the tip and the fairings develop towards the passenger's tail, giving the bike a massive and slender appearance, definitely a sculpted look that leaves no one indifferent. It's a pleasure to see how the GSX-S 750 Yugen Carbon stands out compared to classic Japanese sports nakeds, characterized by an excessively "manga" style aesthetic, thanks to an excellent general cleanliness of the design which shows off all the salient sides of the motorbike without the presence of unsightly exposed electrical or hydraulic cables. The attention to detail is very high, something that is not to be taken for granted for a motorbike of this category and price range. The assemblies, plastics and electrical blocks on the handlebars showcase a remarkable level of finish. It's a shame only for the bulky license plate holder and the large indicators which slightly dirty the general quality level of the GSX-S 750. There's no need to worry, however, because this can easily be remedied by drawing on the long accessories catalogue. The compact front light cluster, narrow saddle between the legs and the short tail blend harmoniously with the lines of the bike, further emphasizing the sporty side of this Suzuki. The “total black” look of many aesthetic details such as handlebars, footpegs, brake and clutch levers, engine and frame blend with the particularly satisfying colors of the model being tested, creating a very aggressive dark appearance. Also, the setup Yugen Carbon it brings unique details and accessories. like the beautiful and massive carbon fiber exhaust by SC-Project, fairing smoked and the single seat cover that make the GSX-S 750 even more precious and personal. Few naked competitors in the same price range can boast finishes and attention to detail like this Suzuki.

Riding position: sporty, but without exaggerating

La riding position is sporty, but not extreme. The torso is a little loaded on the front end, but it doesn't make your back and wrists sore while driving. You have an excellent feeling of control of the vehicle without being forced to maintain an uncomfortable position. The legs also have sufficient space available, they draw a correct angle which is not too restrictive and thanks to theexcellent grip provided by the footrests the feeling of support is high. You immediately feel at ease. There saddle only 820 mm high from the ground It helps those who are smaller in stature and after a couple of kilometres, it feels like you've been driving it all your life, it's so friendly. The saddle is thin and well shaped, it supports well both sporty and relaxed driving. You can take the classic day tours on your favorite passes or at the lake without returning home with sore buttocks, but if you have to make long motorway transfers the story changes. Long trips on the "highways" are not the ideal terrain for this Suzuki. The new GSX-S 750 Yugen Carbon it doesn't excel in terms of aerodynamic protection and therefore isn't the best for long high-speed journeys, but we were still pleasantly surprised by the protection provided by the screen up to 130 km/h. Small but honest, it doesn't work miracles, but it should be rewarded for the effort.

Effective and practical electronics

The electronics installed on the Suzuki GSX-S 750 Yugen Carbon It's simple, but very effective. To make the motorbike usable in all riding conditions and guarantee maximum safety, there is a traction control that can be set to three levels of intervention and can be deactivated. Via the comfortable and practical controls located on the left side of the handlebar it is possible to choose the different intervention methods. Il level 1 it is dedicated to speed and works with minimal action. The level 2 offers the best compromise for different driving contexts, while the level 3 it is programmed to guarantee maximum control in case of precarious grip conditions, for example on wet asphalt. There are also an effective and minimally invasive system ABS and the "Low RPM assist”, a useful system that automatically raises the number of engine revolutions when the clutch is released, in order to facilitate restarts and avoid a sudden shutdown of the vehicle. To make starting the engine easier, there is aEasy start system, a device that allows the in-line 4-cylinder to be started by simply pressing the start button, without making a long press on the switch necessary. The compact e completes the picture modern instrumentation with LCD display which allows you to view many information such as the speedometer, traction control level, gear engaged, odometer, coolant temperature, fuel consumption and clock. Furthermore the tachometer is customizable according to 5 pre-installed templates in the instrument, definitely a racing touch. The only flaw of such a valid system is its small size. Due to the compactness of the system, the display is very crowded with information and not all parameters are clearly visible at a glance.

114 HP four-cylinder engine

The engine of the Suzuki GSX-S 750 Yugen Carbon comes from myth Suzuki GSX-R750, a magical motorbike that has managed to remain in the hearts of many enthusiasts. Since 1985, the year the first version was released, this engine has been able to carve out a place of honor for itself thanks to its balanced and extremely exploitable performance. More equipped in terms of torque than a 600, but less powerful and demanding than a thousand: this is the recipe behind the success of the 4 cc in-line 749-cylinder. The maximum power is 114 HP at 10.500 rpm, while the torque reaches 81 Nm at 9.000 rpm. Respectable numbers, but the extremely progressive and linear delivery is the real ace up the sleeve of this engine. The chassis, derived from racing, it is characterized by an aluminum perimeter frame optimized to guarantee stability at high speeds and agility in tight mixed terrain thanks to a limited wheelbase of 1.455 mm. The new swingarm, characterized by a more tapered design, is made of aluminum and goes well with the look of the GSX-S 750 Yugen Carbon, which also features a new chain tensioner. The entire suspension department, adjustable only in spring preload, is supplied by Kayaba and despite having a fairly strong setting, it manages to handle different types of road malformations with dignity without making the chassis nervous. L'braking system, resistant to stress and very modular in operation, uses a pair of calipers on the front end Nissin with radial attachment that "bite" 310 mm diameter discs, while at the rear there is a single 240 mm disc.

Getting behind the wheel: music to your ears

Il 4 cylinders in line confirms itself as a sacred object of the world motorcycle scene. Derived from the very famous Suzuki GSX-R750, expertly optimized by engineers Suzuki to equip theirs naked, borders on perfection. In this unprecedented setup Yugen Carbon, thanks to the presence of series of one splendid SC-Project exhaust, power increased by 4,4 hp from 114 to 118,4. Everything is made even more satisfying by the exhilarating but polite tone of the new terminal. As suggested by a dear colleague, the Suzuki GSX-S 750 has a "smart" engine. Very smooth at the bottom and always ready to launch you from one corner to the next without trying to tear your hands off the handlebars. It is incredibly exploitable from the first to the last horse and beyond 7.000 rpm it shows off its aggressive side, as if it wanted to underline its sporting origins. Too bad only for a slight "on-off" effect of the throttle control during reopening. Nothing too annoying, but you have to get the hang of it. Braking is powerful and very modular and the system guarantees constant performance even in the most sporting use. The suspensions favor sportiness over comfort, but are still smooth enough to handle even potholes, rails and cobblestones with dignity. A really nice surprise, if not a half miracle. The chassis behaves impeccably and conveys a sensation of absolute stability. It seems that the motorbike is traveling along an imaginary track when cornering. The GSX-S 750 is agile, but above all stable. Its chassis is more focused on stability and you can feel it from the first kilometre. Probably the Hamamatsu engineers, to make their bike extremely balanced, sacrificed a bit of agility, which still remains high, in favor of truly enviable stability. The front end is also noteworthy: granite and precise like a scalpel in typical Suzuki style. It allows you to delay braking right into the bend, without the motorbike reacting abnormally and maintaining the set line. When leaning, the traction is always high and you really have to exaggerate to call the traction control into play, given that the bike faithfully follows the trajectory without widening when exiting the corners. Chassis, engine, suspension and brakes work in unison and with great harmony. The result is an excellent feeling that allows the driver not only to feel in control of the situation, but also to maintain very sporty driving paces with little physical effort. Part of the credit for this excellent dynamic behavior must be attributed to the tested and sporty original equipment Bridgestone S21 tyres, a truly excellent combination with the new GSX-S 750. They have a very short warm-up time and great versatility of use. They are very neutral and balanced tyres, a bit like the GSX-S 750 itself, characterized by a high grip and rapid, but always very homogeneous, reactions. They have a sporty but balanced behavior that encourages you to dare in sporty driving but which always remains very predictable even in the event of a loss of grip.

List price from €9.190

La Suzuki GSX-S 750 Yugen Carbon It's a really fun and balanced naked bike, characterized by great riding pleasure. An almost electric engine in delivery, simple electronics and a healthy and tested chassis convey a satisfying sensation of almost "analogue" riding, typical of the motorbikes used before the advent of electronic "assists". A true all-round naked bike truly suitable for everyone, experts and non-experts alike, which makes versatility, fun and ease of driving its aces up its sleeve. Despite being a sporty naked, it is well suited to all types of use, from urban commuting to out-of-town trips with friends to your favorite mountain passes. As the icing on the cake we find a truly inviting purchase price, given that la new Suzuki GSX-S 750 Yugen Carbon starts from one list price of €9.190.