Suzuki GSX-8R Review – All-rounder GSX

The Suzuki GSX-8R has a lot to live up to owing to the heritage of the GSX-R range.

Story: Joshua Varghese
Photography: Sanjay Raikar

Cruising on the highway at 100 km/h in sixth gear on the Suzuki GSX-8R with no discomfort led to the realisation that today, there are not many motorcycles like this one. Motorcycles that are built aimed at performance and handling usually do not prioritize comfort and vice-versa, but it is remarkable how Suzuki have managed to achieve generous proportions of both in one motorcycle that may just be impossible to dislike.

Anyone who grew up admiring the GSX-R range of big bikes can spot design similarities in the 8R but there is not enough to put it in the same class as those mean machines. The 8R has its own identity as a handsome motorcycle which, in my opinion, looks best in this electric blue colour. In overseas markets, there is also a bright yellow colour but we don’t get it in India. This motorcycle is essentially a GSX-8S with a fairing and everything from the 14-litre fuel-tank to the tail is identical between both bikes. Regardless, the stance offered by the 17-inch cast alloy wheels and the sharp design is so alluring that I found myself turning around to steal a glance each time I parked it because it is such a tastefully designed motorcycle. We wish Suzuki had given this one also those gorgeous three-spoke rims we have seen on the R600 and R750. Would have elevated its appeal further.

Although the seat is 810 millimetres off the ground, most people should be comfortable astride this motorcycle thanks to the contours of the seat and fuel-tank. More importantly, the riding position is neutral and physically undemanding. Credit is due to the slightly raised clip-ons, plush seat, and neutral foot-pegs. Pillion comfort is practical for short rides around town. Once in the saddle, one is welcomed by a five-inch digital console and while we are not keen on such units, we must say that it has a neat and clutter-free layout. They have managed to display all the essential information on one screen, which means the rider does not have to go hunting through different menus. Worth appreciation.

The 8R’s engine is familiar to us because we have already experienced it in the V-strom 800DE. It is a smooth and refined 776-cc, eight-valve, DOHC, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin with a 270-degree crankshaft to mimic the uneven firing order of the V-twin. For some reason, Suzuki are being incredibly secretive about its power output. After failing to obtain said information from their Indian and global websites, we arrived on the United Kingdom site which says it develops 82.9 hp at 8,500 rpm and a peak torque of 78 Nm at 6,800 rpm. With well-spaced gear ratios for its six-speed transmission and a final drive gearing that complements the flexibility of the engine, the only thing that we did not enjoy about the transmission was the quick-shifter. While up-shifts are managed admirably, the down-shifts required more effort than expected, which led us to question if it was actually a bi-directional unit. Of course, there is a possibility that it may have been a problem with the particular machine that we tested.

Suzuki have used the ride-by-wire throttle well to calibrate its power modes. “A” is most responsive while “C” is essentially rain mode. We found ourselves switching between “A” and “B” most of the time; the former for open roads and the latter for urban use. The beauty of this engine is its linear power delivery. Even with the sharpest throttle response, the way the power comes in is progressive and predictable which complements the motorcycle’s friendly nature. “Friendly” is not to be confused with slow, because it is a properly fast machine but one does not have to work hard to carry that kind of pace. What is more admirable is how usable this GSX is in town. The power-band is well-spread and the motorcycle is not difficult to manage at low speeds. While the 8R is more of a sport-tourer than a full-blown sport bike, it can be sporty and comfortable enough to make it a more reasonable everyday option than most sport bikes.

An upside-down (USD) fork and linked monoshock are in charge of suspension duties. Damped on the softer side, they offer excellent ride quality on our roads which adds to the 8R’s everyday usability. The trade-off is that when ridden at speed, one can expect some movement when exiting a corner with the throttle wide open; something that is unlikely to be much of a problem for those with a smooth riding style. As good as this motorcycle is round corners, we cannot help feeling that its potential is currently limited by the Dunlop tyres. A similar limitation can be experienced while braking also because we feel the anti-lock braking system (ABS) kicks in too early for a sporty experience. The feedback at the brake lever and the bite are impressive, so controlling one’s pace while going into a corner is easy.

The Suzuki GSX-8R is such a well-rounded motorcycle that it occasionally blurs the line between sport-tourer and sport bike in terms of performance and handling, which is a good thing for those who do not have access to a racetrack. The 8R is not meant to be a replacement for the R600; rather it feels more appropriate as a machine for someone graduating from smaller road bikes like the Aprilia RS 457, the Kawasaki Ninja 500 or the Yamaha YZF-R3. However, at Rs 9.25 lakh (ex-showroom), it is a tough sell given that the price difference between it and the four-cylinder Honda CBR650R is less than a lakh of rupees.