Expectations surpassed

Sportsbikes are back in vogue so Suzuki wheel out the new GSX-8R. It might lack a bit of showroom sparkle, but the twin is in the mix for sporty road bike of the year…

By Carl Stevens

Grippy, winding, warm Spanish tarmac, and Suzuki's new GSX-8R really comes into its own. This motor is sweet on twisting asphalt. The 776cc parallel twin has one of the meatiest midrange deliveries in the business, with a V-twin-esque ability to romp with serious urgency from the bottom of the rev range and pull hard into its deep spread of drive. Its claimed 60 lb.ft is easily the most torque in class and it's a pleasure to use, and abuse. In riding mode A – the most direct of the three on offer – the GSX-8R has impressively direct, accurate throttle response, and with 85% of peak torque available from just 4000rpm the Suzuki allows laziness with the gearbox. Then there's its cornering prowess. The chassis feels like it was crafted…

You're reading a preview of

BIKE United Kingdom (Digital) - 1 Issue, April 2024

DiscountMags is a licensed distributor (not a publisher) of the above content and Publication through Zinio LLC. Accordingly, we have no editorial control over the Publications. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including those made in Publications offered on our website, are those of the respective author(s) or publisher(s) and not of DiscountMags. DiscountMags does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or usefulness of all or any portion of any publication or any services or offers made by third parties, nor will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in any Publication, or your use of services offered, or your acceptance of any offers made through the Service or the Publications. For content removal requests, please contact Zinio.