Refined chassis, cutting-edge electronics and a beautiful engine. This could be the recipe for the new medium sport from the Hamamatsu house
March 30, 2023
Mid-range sports cars are slowly returning to the market although with a conception far removed from the 600cc four-cylinder sports cars which, despite their difficult usability on public roads, entertained many of us enthusiasts.
Today’s sports have changed character, both for the constraints relating to pollution and for a factor relating to everyday use, the tendency is therefore to adopt a twin-cylinder engine. The examples that immediately come to mind are the Aprilia RS660, the Yamaha R7 and the exception, the Japanese “black sheep”, the Kawasaki ZX-4R, with its 80 horsepower four-cylinder.
Designed in the image and likeness of their superbike big sisters, these new generation sports bikes are conquering many motorcyclists, especially those in possession of the A2 license. These are motorcycles simple enough for those who want to start and with more than exciting performance to entertain even the most expert motorcyclists. Generally they are also well equipped in terms of suspension and brakes, some also have a considerable electronic package.
And the Suzuki sports cars?
Suzuki, al momento, is one of the few manufacturers that does not have a super sports car on the market, but the arrival of the new naked GSX-8S could be the Hamamatsu manufacturer’s opportunity to give shape to a new sports car, especially now that the GSX-R 1000 has disappeared from the catalog as it is not suitable for Euro5 standards.
The GSX-8S could therefore be the strong point for Suzuki. Just as Yamaha did with the R7 project – we recall that it has the MT-07 chassis and engine -, the Hamamatsu could go the same way covering his naked with a fairing and mounting clip-on handlebars so as to completely overwhelm the driving style of the now ex naked.
The engine, a 776 cc and 83 HP parallel twin, it would fit perfectly into the current sports philosophy and, thanks to the aluminum double-sided swingarm, KYB inverted front forks and Nissin four-piston radial calipers, the GSX-8R would be well equipped for sporty riding. Even the electronic package would be up to par: ABS, various riding modes, traction control and a Quickshifter system uphill and downhill.
Mich Superbike
Will we ever see it on the market?
So far no details or images have been leaked about its possible development, but thanks to the digital designer Mich Superbike, we can have a concrete representation of this mid-engined sports car.
A motorcycle like this for around 10,000 euros would certainly be a good raise for Suzuki. Would you like to see it in Europe?
