It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. That phrase haunted my thoughts as the clouds opened up and rain lashed the 2022 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+’s windscreen. “Why didn’t you pack waterproof gear?” I chided myself. “Why didn’t you check the weather report?” As luck would have it, the shower soon became a downpour. Water streamed into my leather jacket first. In minutes, my riding jeans were saturated.
After finding shelter and a warm fireplace, I realized that the "have it and not need it” expression doesn’t just apply to riders; it also sums up the sport-touring category. With travelers covering vast distances in the saddle, manufacturers need to account for all climates and conditions when fashioning a grand tourer. However, there’s a big difference between packing the essentials and packing the kitchen sink. From semi-active suspension to cornering LED lights, many of today’s sport-tourers opt for all the bells and whistles.
