I’m the form of shopper who likes to have it multi functional bundle if I can. I really like a motorcycle that excels in its class, however for the day-to-day, you possibly can’t beat a bike that ticks all of the containers with out feeling like several of these containers are being compromised. The brand new Suzuki GSX-8S middleweight streetfighter comes fairly darn near checking all the appropriate containers for me. It’s a harmonic mix of energy, worth, stability, consolation, and enjoyable.
On the Suzuki GSX-8S press launch in Antibes, France, I received to check this new mannequin out on each town streets and the mountainous, curvy roads by means of the Maritime Alps. Earlier than stepping into my overview of the 8S, I’d like to offer southern France two enthusiastic thumbs up. It was the right location for a primary experience of the 8S and offered a full day of beautiful roads and sights. Don’t even get me began on the seafood.
The GSX-8S is a brand new mannequin for Suzuki, with an all-new 776cc 4-stroke DOHC parallel-Twin engine and a brand new chassis. The engine will also be discovered within the V-Strom 800DE, which can be new for 2023.
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Suzuki says the brand new engine performs equally to the V-Twin within the SV650 fashions however supplies extra energy for riders on the lookout for a little bit extra pleasure. It options Suzuki’s patented Cross Balancer system, which permits the engine to be slimmer and extra compact whereas lowering vibrations. Bore and stroke are 84mm and 70mm. The brand new engine makes a claimed 82 hp peaking at 8,500 rpm and a claimed 57.5 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 rpm.
Beginning out from the resort in Antibes and navigating the busy metropolis streets on our approach towards the mountains, what I observed virtually instantly was how a lot grunt was out there at low revs. Energy supply was quick and have become very easy as soon as I switched into the gentler “B” experience mode. I may put this bike in 2nd gear and roll by means of the stop-and-go, then give it a twist when the visitors opened up, all with out actually needing to alter gears. That low-to-mid vary torque, coupled with the sleek throttle response, made this bike stress-free to experience by means of town streets.
As soon as we have been out of town and choosing up pace, I observed that the engine didn’t have the identical get-up-and-go at larger rpms. Nonetheless, that preliminary pull after bumping up a gear was pure pleasure, and it made passing slower-moving visitors a breeze.
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The 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S Bits
Together with the brand new engine, the 8S additionally includes a new chassis with a compact design. It has a metal body, an aluminum swingarm, a 3.7-gal. gas tank, and a large, tapered aluminum handlebar. The KYB inverted fork and monoshock KYB rear suspension each have 5.1 inches of journey, and the shock is preload-adjustable with a software.
The seat was comfy and offered loads of room to maneuver round, and it was slim sufficient {that a} mild hug with my knees stored me securely in place. The broad handlebar supplied loads of leverage, and the upright seating place stored me comfy for a complete day of using with out feeling fatigued on the finish of the day.
GEAR UP
The 31.9-inch seat top of the 8S was a stretch for my 5-foot-1-inch body. I may graze the pavement with the ideas of my toes when the bike was utterly upright, however I wanted to lean it over to get sufficient contact between pavement and boot to assist myself when stopped.
This leads me to one in all my favourite features of the 8S: its steadiness. Even when rolling by means of very gradual visitors, I hardly ever wanted to place a foot down in any respect, and after I did, the bike’s weight is carried low sufficient that it was simple to carry up at a lean. Its curb weight of 445 lb was manageable in each gradual using within the metropolis and out on the twisty mountain roads.
The 8S comes geared up with ABS brakes, and stopping energy comes from twin Nissin radial-mounted 4-piston calipers and floating rotors within the entrance and a 1-piston caliper and a single disc within the rear. I by no means braked exhausting sufficient to interact the ABS throughout our take a look at experience, nevertheless it was good to understand it was there if I wanted it.
If I may make one change to the 8S, it could be the tires. The Dunlop RoadSport 2 radial tires on the 8S have been alright however not awe-inspiring by any means. I didn’t really feel a lot suggestions from the tires, making it unclear to me if I nonetheless had sufficient grip for higher lean angles or not. For on a regular basis commuting, the RoadSports are superb, however if you wish to expertise all what the 8S has to supply, a grippier set of tires may present extra confidence.
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Able to Roll
“We didn’t purpose for the best powered or lightest weight bike,” stated the 8S’ chief designer in the course of the technical presentation the evening earlier than our take a look at experience. “We aimed to fulfill all riders.” The opposite designers and engineers current additionally drove dwelling the purpose that they listened to clients’ wants and requests when constructing the 8S to create an all-around bike that satisfies a variety of riders.
They demonstrated that need to please all riders throughout our take a look at experience as properly. Any time we stopped for a espresso break or lunch, the Suzuki designers and engineers have been wanting to hearken to our suggestions and ask questions on our first impressions. A number of of them got here to me immediately, saying they have been within the perspective of a youthful, smaller lady. I appreciated that degree of dedication to their product and the need to proceed to enhance and meet riders’ wants.
To that finish, the GSX-8S features a full suite of rider aids as commonplace. Together with ABS, it comes with a 5-inch TFT show with day/evening modes, an up/down quickshifter, three experience modes, and 4 traction-control settings.
I loved the structure of the TFT show. It was simple to see, and it confirmed all the data I wanted with out making any of it troublesome to seek out. One other consideration that made the bike user-friendly is how simple it’s to change experience modes and the TC ranges and that each modes are all the time seen on the show. The experience mode swap on the left aspect of the handlebar has apparent buttons and a easy design.
The three experience modes actually did contribute to a unique model of using. The throttle response in Trip Mode A was a bit too aggressive for me, particularly on the town. Trip Mode B smoothed out that jumpiness with out compromising the low-rpm torque that I loved a lot. I didn’t spend a lot time in Trip Mode C as a result of B hit the spot so properly for me.
I had the traction management set to degree 3 for many of the experience. Maybe with grippier tires, I might’ve felt extra assured with much less TC, however since I used to be in a brand new surroundings, on a brand new bike, and with much less expertise than the opposite journalists alongside for the experience, I appreciated the additional assist.
With my most popular settings dialed in, even on a brand new bike on alpine roads that have been a lot tighter and steeper than what I’m used to again dwelling in Tennessee, I actually began to benefit from the 8S and the attractive surroundings and roads. The 8S supplied sufficient to maintain issues thrilling for the extra skilled riders, nevertheless it was additionally tamable for somebody like me who couldn’t push the bike to its limits in the identical approach.
One for All
Suzuki wished the 8S to be a well-rounded bike that pleases each skilled and newbie riders. If I have been a pair inches taller, I’d agree utterly. Driving taller bikes is one thing I’m nonetheless attempting to get comfy with, and a tall seat top is an element that may add some intimidation and apprehension for shorter riders.
Suzuki presents a variety of helpful and classy equipment for the 8S, corresponding to tender aspect circumstances, a flyscreen, cowls for the passenger seat and decrease engine, billet brake and clutch levers, lever guards, body sliders, gas tank protectors, and a USB socket, nevertheless it missed a chance to make the 8S extra accessible by not providing a decrease seat. Other than having an extended attain to the pavement than I’d like, the 8S’s steadiness, maneuverability, and enjoyable issue really do make it an approachable experience.
After a full day of using the 8S by means of town and the mountains of Southern France, I’ve a few items of recommendation to impart: 1) If you happen to’re on the lookout for a motorcycle that’s higher than the sum of its components and performs properly for a variety of conditions and using ranges, the brand new Suzuki GSX-8S ought to be one of many bikes in your checklist. 2) If you end up in Antibes with an empty stomach, you’re doing one thing incorrect.
2023 Suzuki GSX-8S Specs
- Base Value: $8,849
- Web site: SuzukiCycles.com
- Guarantee: 1 yr., unltd. miles
- Engine Sort: Liquid-cooled parallel-Twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
- Displacement: 776cc
- Bore x Stroke: 84.0 x 70.0mm
- Horsepower: 82.0 @ 8,500 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
- Torque: 57.5 lb-ft @ 6,800 rpm (manufacturing facility declare)
- Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated slip/help moist clutch
- Remaining Drive: Chain
- Wheelbase: 57.7 in.
- Rake/Path: 25.0 levels/4.1 in.
- Seat Top: 31.9 in.
- Moist Weight: 445 lb (manufacturing facility declare)
- Gasoline Capability: 3.7 gal.
