2023 Suzuki GSX-8S | First Trip Assessment

I’m the sort of shopper who likes to have it multi functional package deal if I can. I like a motorcycle that excels in its class, however for the day-to-day, you may’t beat a motorbike that ticks all of the containers with out feeling like all of these containers are being compromised. The brand new Suzuki GSX-8S middleweight streetfighter comes fairly darn near checking all the correct 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 obtained to check this new mannequin out on each town streets and the mountainous, curvy roads by way of the Maritime Alps. Earlier than moving 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 trip 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 can be discovered within the V-Strom 800DE, which can also be new for 2023. 

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Associated: 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE | First Trip Assessment 

Suzuki says the brand new engine performs equally to the V-Twin within the SV650 fashions however gives extra energy for riders searching for somewhat 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 lodge in Antibes and navigating the busy metropolis streets on our means towards the mountains, what I observed nearly instantly was how a lot grunt was obtainable at low revs. Energy supply was speedy and have become very easy as soon as I switched into the gentler “B” trip mode. I might put this bike in 2nd gear and roll by way of the stop-and-go, then give it a twist when the site 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 trip by way of town streets. 

As soon as we have been out of town and selecting up velocity, 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 site visitors a breeze.  

Associated: Suzuki Declares 2023 Lineup of Sport, Avenue, and Journey Bikes

The 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S Bits 

Together with the brand new engine, the 8S additionally encompasses a new chassis with a compact design. It has a metal body, an aluminum swingarm, a 3.7-gal. gasoline 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 device. 

The seat was comfy and offered loads of room to maneuver round, and it was slim sufficient {that a} gentle hug with my knees stored me securely in place. The extensive 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 peak of the 8S was a stretch for my 5-foot-1-inch body. I might 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 help myself when stopped. 

This leads me to certainly one of my favourite points of the 8S: its steadiness. Even when rolling by way of very sluggish site 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 sluggish 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 laborious sufficient to have interaction the ABS throughout our check trip, however it was good to understand it was there if I wanted it. 

If I might make one change to the 8S, it might 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 better lean angles or not. For on a regular basis commuting, the RoadSports are effective, however if you wish to expertise all what the 8S has to supply, a grippier set of tires would possibly present extra confidence. 

Associated: 2022 Motorbike of the Yr – Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

Able to Roll 

“We didn’t intention for the best powered or lightest weight motorbike,” mentioned the 8S’ chief designer throughout the technical presentation the night time earlier than our check trip. “We aimed to fulfill all riders.” The opposite designers and engineers current additionally drove residence the purpose that they listened to prospects’ wants and requests when constructing the 8S to create an all-around motorbike that satisfies a variety of riders. 

They demonstrated that need to please all riders throughout our check trip as nicely. 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 girl. I appreciated that stage of dedication to their product and the will to proceed to enhance and meet riders’ wants. 

To that finish, the GSX-8S features a full suite of rider aids as customary. Together with ABS, it comes with a 5-inch TFT show with day/night time modes, an up/down quickshifter, three trip modes, and 4 traction-control settings. 

I loved the format of the TFT show. It was simple to see, and it confirmed all the data I wanted with out making any of it tough to seek out. One other consideration that made the bike user-friendly is how simple it’s to change trip modes and the TC ranges and that each modes are at all times seen on the show. The trip mode swap on the left aspect of the handlebar has apparent buttons and a easy design. 

The three trip modes actually did contribute to a special fashion 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 nicely for me. 

I had the traction management set to stage 3 for many of the trip. Maybe with grippier tires, I might’ve felt extra assured with much less TC, however since I used to be in a brand new atmosphere, on a brand new bike, and with much less expertise than the opposite journalists alongside for the trip, 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 residence in Tennessee, I actually began to benefit from the 8S and the gorgeous surroundings and roads. The 8S supplied sufficient to maintain issues thrilling for the extra skilled riders, however it was additionally tamable for somebody like me who couldn’t push the bike to its limits in the identical means. 

One for All 

Suzuki needed 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 peak is an element that may add some intimidation and apprehension for shorter riders. 

Suzuki affords a spread of helpful and classy equipment for the 8S, equivalent to smooth aspect instances, a flyscreen, cowls for the passenger seat and decrease engine, billet brake and clutch levers, lever guards, body sliders, gasoline tank protectors, and a USB socket, however it missed a chance to make the 8S extra accessible by not providing a decrease seat. Apart from 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 trip. 

After a full day of using the 8S by way of town and the mountains of Southern France, I’ve a few items of recommendation to impart: 1) When you’re searching for a motorcycle that’s better than the sum of its components and performs nicely for a variety of conditions and using ranges, the brand new Suzuki GSX-8S must be one of many bikes in your listing. 2) If you end up in Antibes with an empty stomach, you’re doing one thing fallacious. 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S Specs

• Base Value: $8,849 
• Web site: SuzukiCycles.com 
• Guarantee: 1 yr., unltd. miles 
• Engine Kind: 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 
• Closing Drive: Chain 
• Wheelbase: 57.7 in. 
• Rake/Path: 25.0 levels/4.1 in. 
• Seat Peak: 31.9 in. 
• Moist Weight: 445 lb (manufacturing facility declare) 
• Gas Capability: 3.7 gal.