New Suzuki GSX-8S 2023: Designed to have fun! [ROAD TEST]

Suzuki GSX-8S 2023 – The acronym is one of those that recall the Suzuki tradition. The historic "R", however, leaves room for the modern "8S" combination which identifies the new naked from the Hamamatsu house. Taut and modern lines, extraordinary chassis and an engine that is always ready, are the basic characteristics of a motorcycle that comes to satisfy a very broad target, ranging from novice riders to expert motorcyclists looking for a reliable and non-tiring vehicle. The beating heart of the project is a 776 cc DOHC parallel twin around which an all-new chassis has been built. The result? A motorbike that satisfies every need, proving itself sincere, precise and progressive in every situation.

To me the eyes!

The Suzuki GSX-8S is – to all intents and purposes – a style icon. The concept immediately envisaged sharp lines that met a futuristic look, much appreciated by end users globally in the medium-displacement naked category. The GSX-8S is therefore a motorcycle that stands out, attracting the attention of other motorcyclists: the front features a pair of hexagonal LED headlights  with vertical orientation, set between the lateral plastics which in turn house the very thin LED blades, useful for catching the eye. The side view allows you to appreciate it minimal style of the superstructures, designed to give a simple but sophisticated look, which conveys that feeling of dynamism so dear to the Hamamatsu giant; the 14 liter tank perfectly shaped, it is characterized by an opaque central section - close to the areas subjected to greatest friction - contained between the body-coloured side panels on which the model name stands out. The aesthetic characterization is completed by tapered and pointed tail, on which there is a saddle which, despite what one might think, guarantees a good level of comfort for the passenger too. The matching rear subframe and the contained shapes of the exhaust terminal allow you to appreciate the efforts made by the technicians to create a product with attention to the smallest details.

Manageable and never unpredictable

The Suzuki technicians, with the GSX-8S, did an excellent job to say the least, starting with steel trellis frame, compact and light, characterized by agility and comfort, to fully enhance driving pleasure; it is bolted to it the rear subframe which – in the colored variants – is always painted in body colour. The suspension department relies on one KYB upside down front fork with a travel of 130mm while, at the rear, the beautiful aluminum swingarm works with a mono from the same manufacturer with progressive leverage, designed to offer stability and comfort. The front does not have the possibility of adjustment while, on the rear, it is possible to act only and exclusively on the preload. This might make more experts turn up their noses but, as we will see in the part dedicated to driving sensations, the balance is so perfect that you won't regret further adjustments, even when putting stress on the excellent braking system equipped with two radially mounted calipers on the front axle, which bite on as many 310 mm diameter discs. At the rear, however, we find the classic single 240 mm disc combined with its single-piston caliper. From an initial analysis of the driving position and the structural geometries, this is immediately evident the wheelbase is 1465 mm, also longer than that of the GSX-S 1000, to the advantage of stability but also of accommodation for taller riders. The handlebars, footrests and seat surface, positioned 810 mm from the road surface, form a perfect triangulation for a motorcycle of this kind; in fact, the driving position has little load on the arms, thanks also to Consistently positioned footpegs if compared to the type of motorcycle and, above all, to the target to which it is addressed.

Easy and intuitive electronics

Once in the saddle, the rider finds the new 5 inch color TFT LCD multifunction instrument panel, useful for providing all the necessary information when driving. The most interesting aspect related to the motorcycle management electronics, however, is the SIRS, acronym for Suzuki Intelligent Ride System, that is, that "package" of electronic systems that allow you to fully enjoy the features of the very fresh GSX-8S. In fact, from the left block, you can quickly access the menu that allows you to choose one of the Riding Modes available (SDMS – Suzuki Drive Mode Selector) and also the level of intervention of the Traction Control (STCS – Suzuki Traction Control System) on three levels, to also achieve its complete deactivation. Riding Modes designed by Suzuki technicians, they are three: Active, Basic and Comfort. The difference lies simply in the power delivery curve which finds its sportiest expression in Mode A, becoming more linear with Mode B and even conservative with Mode C, ideal for long journeys or for driving on mixed or wet terrain . Also part of the electronics package are the Ride-by-Wire accelerator, the ABS system and bidirectional quick change as well as the Suzuki Easy Start System, i.e. the low rpm assisted starting system.

A whole new heart

Shared with the V-Strom 800DE, the beating heart of the GSX-8S is the new 776 cc DOHC parallel twin  with the now famous 270° crank mechanism, used to offer a smooth ride and generous torque, "simulating" the sensations and sound of V-twins. The engine uses a technology patented by Suzuki which takes the name of Suzuki cross balancer: this advanced system positions the two countershafts at 90° with respect to the crankshaft, eliminating vibrations and increasing operating fluidity; the two countershafts have the task of respectively eliminating the primary vibrations generated by the pistons of the two cylinders while the 270° angle of the crankshaft cancels the secondary vibrations. By choosing to position the two balancers at 90° equidistant from the crankshaft, the primary vibrations of the couple are also eliminated. No detail is left to chance: the engine, in fact, uses forged pistons and specific high-reliability connecting rods, while the cylinder bores have been coated using the well-known SCEM process (Suzuki Composite Electrochemical Material), originally developed on the track for competitions and then transferred to production motorcycles. This specification further reduces friction between the parts ensuring better heat dissipation and a longer life of the parts involved. The data in hand speaks of  83 hp at 8500 rpm, while the maximum torque value is equal to 78 Nm and is reached at 6800 rpm, respecting the stringent Euro5 regulation.

Driving impressions

Here we are finally riding the new Suzuki GSX-8S: it welcomes us a particularly comfortable seat, which gives a perfect fit of the legs in the lateral recesses of the tank. Just grip the knobs and put your left foot on the footrest caressing the gearbox, to realize how successful the triangulation orchestrated by the Hamamatsu engineers is. The feeling of solidity of the product only increases the perception of quality, thanks to some very small details such as the caps that cover the 4 Allen screws that lock the double-section handlebar to its risers. Map C inserted, traction control set to maximum and off we go: straight away the feeling is excellent, with a sensation of agility equal to that of a scooter. A few kilometers are enough to feel at ease, as if you've been driving it forever. It is clear how conservative the chosen map is, as is the traction control setting which intervenes too much, suggesting that perhaps it is better to use it only and exclusively in case of rain or unclean roads. More than its engine qualities, in this configuration we appreciate its ability as an urban "commuter", the way in which it makes its way through traffic with jaw-dropping agility, especially if we think that it is not exactly a featherweight with its 202 kg in running order. At low speeds, what is not convincing is the operation of the electronic gearbox which tends to stall, making clutch intervention preferable to facilitate gear changes as best as possible. If it weren't for the lack of a loading floor, the GSX-8S wouldn't even make you regret a scooter but... that's not what it was designed for. The weekend approaching means only one thing: twists and turns with our new Suzuki! Suitable clothing, map A inserted and traction control that we "play" with moving from the lowest level of intervention to total deactivation. After doing well in the city, here she is at ease on extra-urban roads that lead to paths full of curves, both narrow and supported: the Suzuki is starting to give the first satisfactions, with the pull of the twin-cylinder from 2500 rpm to 7500, It always delivers torque and power in a linear mannerwithout ever being scary. Once you reach this value, it is better to choose to move on to the next gear because going beyond it makes no sense: the thrust, in fact, is clearly decreasing. The engine demands to be exploited in the medium range, while the chassis behaves in an exemplary manner, suggesting that it could support much greater power than the 83 hp available. The suspension performs particularly well even when the pace becomes insistent: the front supports every movement and the rear follows well, without ever suffering, even in continuous and sudden changes of direction where we would have expected a minimum of "pumping". When called upon, the brakes prove to be well modulated, even if at the beginning it's best to be quite decisive when pulling the right lever; the ABS intervened only in case of real necessity, allowing us to fully savor the driving pleasure. This is its world, the mixed one, where it behaves admirably, thanks also to the riding position and the liveliness of the parallel twin that takes us out of the bends with an exhilarating thrust, especially if we consider the basic characteristics of this two-wheeler. . However, we find a few too many vibrations although the less positive aspect remains that linked to the gearbox, which is harsh especially in downshift and, occasionally, prone to sticking. For the rest, there are no objections, not even to the Dunlop RoadSport 2 tires, in the 120/70 and 180/55 – 17' sizes, which had never driven us crazy on other vehicles. Here, however, they make it even easier to descend into the lean, giving that pleasant sensation of feeling the front, of seeing that "where you put it, it stays", with the rear following well without any uncertainty.

Price and consumption

The GSX-8S is one of those bikes you don't want to return: you can choose to go to the office every day and then, at the weekend, to wear technical clothing or even a leather suit to fully enjoy its dynamic qualities among the curves in the mountains. To close the latest naked born under the Hamamatsu star in the garage, 8.900 Euros needed and you will have to choose only the color you want. The sample being tested is in the exclusive color Sydney Blue which is joined by the White Oslo – always with blue circles – and, finally, the total black version Black Dubai which is capable of completely changing the appeal of the GSX-8S. Whichever color you choose, the concept is simple: you will put a little jewel in the box, capable of consuming just 4.2 liters per 100 km, at least until you realize how fun it is to turn the throttle!

Dimensions: length 2115 mm; width 775 mm; height 1105 mm; wheelbase 1465 mm; saddle height 810 mm
Engines: 4T twin cylinder, ref. liquid, DOHC, 776 cc, max power 83hp, max torque 78 Nm
Displacement: 776 cc
Shift: Bidirectional Quick Shift System
Weight: 202 kg
Front suspension: USD, coil spring, oil
Rear suspension: Link type, coil spring, oil
Braking system: Front double disc 310mm, rear single disc 240mm
Tires: 120/70 ZR17 front, 180/55 ZR17 rear.
Tank capacity: Lt 14
Consumption: 23,8 km/L (4,2 L/100 km)
Price: 8.900 € fc