Suzuki unveils new GSX-8S naked bike

Suzuki has taken the covers off the GSX-8S naked bike, which is positioned between the SV650 and the GSX-S1000 in its line-up. This bike is powered by a brand-new liquid-cooled, 776cc parallel-twin engine making 81.8hp at 8,500rpm and 78Nm of torque at 6,800rpm. 

• New engine features balancer shaft to reduce vibrations

• TFT dash, bidirectional quickshifter, riding modes, ABS, TC standard

Suzuki GSX-8S naked bike: details

The Suzuki GSX-8S is a brand-new middleweight naked from the Hamamatsu-based marque and it makes 81.8hp at 8,500rpm and 78Nm of torque at 6,800rpm from its brand-new 776cc engine. Suzuki has fitted its patented Suzuki Cross Balancer to this new mill, which reduces vibrations and also contributes to a more compact engine design. 

Nestling this engine is a brand-new steel frame with an exposed trellis subframe. Suspension duties are handled by a 41mm USD fork and a monoshock, both courtesy of KYB. Braking is handled by a pair of 310mm twin discs (front) and a 240mm single disc (rear), mated to dual-channel ABS.

Tyre sizes are par for the course with a 120/70ZR17 at the front and a 180/55ZR17 at the rear, shod with Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 tyres. With its 14-litre fuel tank fully brimmed, the GSX-8S weighs 202 kg, much heavier than its chief competition, the recently unveiled Honda CB750 Hornet.  

A comprehensive number of electronic aids are on offer, including a bidirectional quickshifter, three riding modes, three traction control settings and dual-channel ABS as standard. All of these features are controlled through a brand-new 5-inch TFT dash. Suzuki’s Easy Start System is also on hand which allows you to start the bike with just one push of a button. Another feature helping the rider, especially useful in our riding environment, is Suzuki’s Low RPM Assist feature that raises the engine’s rpm when starting from a dead stop. 

Visually, the bike shares its design language with its elder sibling, the GSX-S1000 while adding its own flair to it. The stacked LED headlight is retained and the rear tail lamp is integrated into the rear number plate holder (like the KTM 790 Duke and the BMW F900R). The GSX-8S is offered in three colours – blue, white and black. There is an entire range of accessories on offer, including soft luggage options, LED indicators, crash protection, a pillion seat cowl and heated grips. 

Whether the bike makes it to India remains to be seen but considering the fact that Suzuki’s big-bike portfolio currently has a void in the middleweight naked segment, the GSX-8S could fit in perfectly here. 

Would you pick the GSX-8S over its other Japanese rivals? Let us know in the comments section below.