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The Route Napoleon is taken into account among the best drives throughout France. It begins close to the French Riviera and runs as much as the southern tip of the Alps. The route earns its namesake by following the trail that the one-time French emperor used to covertly make his method north after escaping his first exile. Regardless of moist circumstances with gravelly sections enroute and frost at increased elevations, it was a most glorious place to have our first dance with Suzuki’s new bare, the 2023 GSX-8S. The second of two 776cc Parallel-Twin-powered fashions from Suzuki, the GSX-8S proved its mettle over only a single day’s experience by way of being a contender within the middleweight bare class. Let’s get to it.
Suzuki’s new bare bike delivers a one-two punch with its glorious new Parallel-Twin engine.
Editor Rating: 82%
| Engine | 18/20 | Suspension | 10/15 | Transmission | 7.5/10 |
| Brakes | 7.5/10 | Devices | 4.5/5 | Ergonomics | 9/10 |
| Look | 9/10 | Desirability | 8.5/10 | Worth | 8/10 |
+ Highs
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– Sighs
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As beforehand alluded to, the GSX-8S follows on the heels of the 2023 V-Strom 800 DE because the second mannequin to make use of the all-new 800 platform. The 2 fashions share the engine and the metal most important body that the Twin bolts into as a harassed member. The 776cc DOHC Parallel-Twin will get its capability from a few 84mm bores with 70mm strokes, whereas the compression ratio is available in at 12.8:1. The 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S is claimed to provide 82 horsepower at 8,500 rpm, with 57.5 pound-feet of torque topping out at 6,800 rpm. Redline cuts in at 9,250 rpm.
Ergonomics appear fairly spot on for a man who’s 5-foot 8-inches tall with a 30-inch inseam (I might flat foot each boots).
The secret with Suzuki’s new mill is its low- and mid-range energy. After driving the V-Strom 800 DE about six weeks in the past, I used to be really stunned by the low-end punch on the GSX-8S. Suzuki instructed us beforehand that there was little change in mapping between the 2 bikes, however the 8S nonetheless feels punchier – if my perma-jetlagged mind could be trusted. This additionally makes it a wheelie machine within the arms of these nicely versed within the artwork. There’s a noticeable hit of energy within the mid-range as nicely round 7,000 rpm that tugs the corners of your mouth into a smile each time. That stated, when you’ve made it a lot additional into the rev vary, energy begins to log off as you method redline, so there actually isn’t a lot purpose to have the motor screaming on the prime of its lungs.
776cc of name spankin’ new Parallel-Twin.
Talking of lungs, because it was on the ‘Strom 800, the 8S makes use of a horizontal six-liter air field that’s located beneath the seat and breathes out of what Suzuki says is its first “brief muffler” which retains weight central and low. The cooling system makes use of a thermostat management valve which we’re instructed aids in faster heat up instances and extra secure combustion temperatures, resulting in lowered exhaust emissions. A dual-counter balancer can be used to quell undesirable vibration and does a great job up till the purpose the place you in all probability don’t thoughts beneath liberal throttle twistage.
The three.7-gallon gas tank is pretty widespread on this class, and though we weren’t in a position to confirm mpg figures, it’s doubtless secure to imagine the ballpark it’ll be enjoying in shall be mid-40s.
A non-adjustable fork and preload adjustable (with a software) shock are each provided by KYB, and each supply 5.1 inches of journey. The seat is a manageable 31.9 inches from the bottom, and it’s a snug perch, certainly. A few 17-inch forged wheels are proper for this sporty steed and are shod in Dunlop Roadsport 2 rubbers. Path and rake is 4.1 inches and 25 levels, respectively. Mixed with the 57.7-inch wheelbase, the chassis geometry results in a secure, well-handling experience. Curb weight is claimed to be 445 drippin’ moist.
Using the GSX-8S is a completely digital affair because of the ride-by-wire throttle. Sadly, cruise management was not bestowed upon the 8S.
The GSX-8S options lots of the similar electronics, which Suzuki refers to because the Suzuki Clever Trip System (S.I.R.S.) seen on the V-Strom 800, and so they’re managed through the left switchgear by the five-inch TFT show. S.I.R.S. consists of the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS) which provides the rider three choices for throttle response, the Suzuki Traction Management System (STCS) gives three ranges of intervention together with off, and the bi-directional Fast Shift System (QS) does precisely what its identify implies. SDMS and STCS could be adjusted on the fly. ABS has a single normal setting which may’t be altered, and not one of the electronics are IMU-based.
To the Route
I can’t say the roads we frolicked on didn’t play into a lot of the GSX-8S’s strengths – that’s why it’s at all times good to get the bike again dwelling for a comply with up assessment or comparability take a look at. Making our method inland from the Côte d’Azur towards the Route Napoleon required first navigating our method out of the maze-like small streets of a city whose official incorporation dates again to 43 BC. That’s to say, the roads have been tight, twisty, touristy, and provided various ranges of traction. On this, the GSX-8S’ low seat peak, usually nimble low-speed dealing with, measurement, and low-to-mid-range energy all made for a wonderful machine to assault the busy metropolis. I did discover the SDMS A mode (essentially the most direct throttle response) to be a bit a lot. I selected to crank up the TC to three and swap the mode to B whereas on the town to have one much less factor to consider as we navigated visitors in what I’m positive was a superbly cheap and authorized method for southern France. The individuals honking should have been vacationers.
As soon as we’d wrestled our method out of city, we set off to comply with within the footsteps of the controversial French emperor. The street was bumpy, moist, and strewn randomly with gravel as we set off into the mountains, however the surroundings was unbelievable. I managed to absorb a few of it between getting laborious on the fuel after which, likewise, on the brakes as we dove into hairpin after hairpin. The Nissin binders present good preliminary chew and loads of energy as they squeeze the twin 310mm discs, even when suggestions on the lever is uninteresting. I stored the TC turned up and left the bike in B mode throughout this portion. The bumpy street additionally started to disclose the suspension’s limits all too shortly. Thoughts you, we have been taking it at a reasonably scorching tempo. The dearth of subtle damping was shortly obvious because the bike compressed and rebounded all too shortly. Mentioning the rear with some preload definitely helped, however there’s no substitute for… damping.
The GSX-8S won’t deal with as shortly as some others within the class, but it surely’s a greater than keen dance associate.
Finally, we snaked our method increased up into the mountains, and though the temperatures dropped, the street was (largely) clear and dry – A mode was chosen, TC was backed off, and I by no means switched it again. The GSX-8S is an absolute blast to experience at a fast clip within the mountains. Sure, the suspension is a weak level, but it surely didn’t hold any of us from completely having fun with the route that Suzuki France had deliberate for us. Even with the stout punch out there from the P-Twin, it’s straightforward to modulate on the proper grip. There’s some noticeable driveline lash, however that would have doubtless been smoothed out considerably by tightening up the chain (in all probability from all of the journos earlier than me pulling horn monos).
Throughout one in all our photograph passes, we began testing one another’s assigned bikes and got here to appreciate that regardless of all the bike’s preload being set at “2” on the stepped preload adjuster, not less than one of many different bike’s shock felt markedly stiffer. After we had the prospect to swap machines, I additionally famous much less driveline lash and a extra delicate quickshifter on one other bike. These inconsistencies between not less than three of the bikes on the introduction do give pause. A few of these issues might be able to be adjusted out, or not less than to the identical impact, however the distinction between shocks was puzzling.
So far as the competitors goes, the GSX-8S slots itself proper between one thing like 12 bikes that may be thought of “middleweight nakeds.” You’ve the bikes on the 650-ish cc vary and, then, the upperclassmen round 900cc. At $8,850, the GSX-8S within reason priced for the larger bikes, however considerably costly for the smaller ones. When it comes to weight, 445 kilos is hefty regardless of which finish of the spectrum you’re , although the bike masks the heft very nicely. Its energy figures lean extra towards the smaller middleweights, too. That stated, the expertise of driving the bike and the know-how included, to me, have this bike punching towards the upper finish of its weight class.
Stepping again into my preliminary driving impressions and away from how the GSX-8S may examine to others within the class, I got here away extra impressed with the engine than I had anticipated. Regardless of the mushy suspension, the bike maintains stability on smoother roads (and even bumpy ones in case you’re keen to dial your proper wrist again) and the electronics are helpful with out being excessive. Suzuki has a historical past of constructing glorious motors, and I feel this 800 platform is an instance of simply that. Within the GSX-8S, the engine steals the present, however your complete machine is a blast to experience, even with the nits that I’ve picked.
| 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S Specs | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $8,849 |
| Engine Sort | 776cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC Parallel-Twin |
| Bore x Stroke | 84.0 mm x 70 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 12.8:1 |
| Gasoline System | Gasoline injection |
| Starter | Electrical |
| Lubrication | Drive-fed circulation, moist sump |
| Ignition | Digital ignition (transistorized) |
| Spark Plug | Iridium kind x 2 |
| Clutch | Moist, multi-plate kind |
| Transmission | 6-speed fixed mesh |
| Closing Drive | O-ring fashion chain, 525 x 118L |
| Entrance Suspension | Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped, 5.1 inches of journey |
| Rear Suspension | Hyperlink kind, single shock, coil spring, oil damped, 5.1 inches of journey |
| Entrance Brakes | Nissin radial-mount 4-piston calipers, twin disc, ABS-equipped |
| Rear Brakes | Nissin 1-piston, single disc, ABS-equipped |
| Entrance Tire | 120/70ZR17M/C (58W), tubeless |
| Rear Tire | 180/55ZR17M/C (73W), tubeless |
| Headlight | Mono-focus LED x 2 |
| Tail Mild | LED |
| Flip Indicators | LED |
| Size | 83.3 inches |
| Width | 30.5 inches |
| Peak | 43.5 inches |
| Rake/Path | 25° / 4.1 inches |
| Wheelbase | 57.7 inches |
| Floor Clearance | 5.7 inches |
| Seat Peak | 31.9 inches |
| Curb Weight | 445 kilos (claimed) |
| Gasoline Capability | 3.7 US gallons |
| Coloration | Pearl Cosmic Blue, Pearl Tech White, or Metallic Matter Black No. 2/Glass Sparkle Black |
| Guarantee | 12-month limitless mileage restricted guarantee |
| Extension | Longer protection durations with different advantages out there by Suzuki Prolonged Safety (SEP) |
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