Suzuki concluded the list of its new products with the delivery of the GSX-8S to dealers. V-Strom 650 Explorer, V-Strom 1050 MY23 and V-Strom 800DE had already arrived, now it’s up to the streetfighter who will have a price of 8900 euros and will be available in Blue Sydney, White Oslo, Black Dubai (below our test).
Complete electronics package
The new naked from the Hamamatsu company is part of one of the liveliest segments of the market, that of mid-engined naked bikes, and the range includes the GSX-S 950 between the SV 650, whose lines it also somewhat recalls. Pointed fairing with overlapping headlights, side panels with a curious angular shape, minimalist tail and short tailpipe, certainly the GSX-8S is not lacking in personality. It is powered by a 776 cm³ parallel twin-cylinder engine with 270° crankshaft, equipped with DOHC distribution with four valves per cylinder and credited with a power of 61 kW (83 HP) at 8500 rpm, with a torque of 78 Nm at 6800 rpm. The electronics provide three driving modes, traction control adjustable to three levels and can be deactivatedthe ride-by-wire accelerator, the Easy Start System and Low RPM Assist devices and the bi-directional quickshift.
Quality suspension
The chassis has slightly more generous dimensions than the average of its competitors, with the advantage of excellent habitability. The wheelbase is 1465 mm and the seat is 810 mm from the ground.
The fork is both KYB production with inverted stems of 43 mm Ø, both the shock absorber adjustable rear preload which controls the movement of the rear suspension through the linkages of a progressive system. The wheels are 17″ alloy and mount Dunlop RoadSport 2 tires in sizes 120/70 front and 180/55 rear, with respectively two 310 mm Ø floating brake discs and four-piston calipers, and a 240 mm Ø disc.
