Suzuki GSX-8R Road Test Review - A Versatile Sportsbike

If you’re in the market for a sub-1,000 cc sports bike, the options are limited. Until recently the only option was the Kawasaki ZX-6R, Honda CBR650R and the Triumph Daytona 660 There’s also the Ducati Supersport 950, but its pricing is closer to a litre-class superbike so we have skipped it. Suzuki also entered this segment last year with the GSX-8R. It isn’t a hardcore sportsbike but more of a sports tourer and is powered by a twin-cylinder motor. So here’s what we liked and disliked in the Suzuki GSX-8R.

What We Liked 

1. Styling

The most obvious reason to be attracted to the 8R is the styling of the bike. Suzuki designers have got the balance between sporty, unique and appealing very well. The most unique aspect has to be the vertically stacked projector headlight, which makes the bike look so distinct, and wherever I went during testing, it managed to grab loads of attention. The fuel tank is sharp, and so are the fairing panels, and the ‘8R’ font on it is a very neat touch. The exposed subframe, split seats and an edgy rear section scream its sporty intentions. The underbelly exhaust muffler is a neat touch and flows well with the overall design. Quality levels as expected from Suzuki are top notch and there’s nothing to complain about in this regard. 

2. Versatility

Although it looks sporty, the Suzuki GSX-8R offers a relaxed riding stance. The clip-on handle bar isn’t very low and the footpegs aren’t pushed back a lot, so the riding posture is sporty, but never does it feel uncomfortable and there’s ample space for the rider to move about. The comfortable riding dynamics means that apart from short rides, you can actually cover some miles on the bike without having to reserve a chiropractor’s appointment. 

The other versatile aspect is the engine; you can ride the GSX-8R in city traffic without much effort, as the clutch action is very light, and the torque-heavy nature of the motor means that you can chug at city speeds easily. When you want to have some fun, switch to power A, reduce the traction control intervention, and there is enough punch to keep you entertained. The bike's turning radius is also very good for a bike of this segment, and cutting through traffic also felt very easy. 

High-speed dynamics are also sorted, as we discovered during the Acko Drive Awards jury round at BIC. The GDX-8R felt super stable while cornering fast, and even direction changes were swift. So it’s a good bike to tour and also have fun on the race track, a versatility that very few bikes offer. 

3. Pricing

Despite its performance, features and electronics, the Suzuki GSX-8R is priced very well in comparison to its rivals at ₹9.25 lakh. The Honda CBR650R retails for ₹10.40 lakh, and the Triumph Daytona 600, on the other hand, will set you back by ₹9.72 lakh (all prices mentioned are ex-showroom). So while the Daytona 660 does come close with respect to pricing, the Suzuki offers better kit, more engaging handling and also service cost for Suzuki premium bikes are competitive. The Honda on the other hand offers four-cylinders, but costs a lot more and in terms of handling, can’t match the agility and versatility of the Suzuki. 

What We Didn’t Like

1. Engine

Let me be clear, the 776 cc, twin-cylinder engine offers good performance and as I mentioned it’s very versatile too but what it lacks is aural thrill. The twin-cylinder engine sounds very muted and comes nowhere close to the Triumph’s triple or Honda’s in-line four symphony and buyers in this segment do enjoy a melodious exhaust note. While the acceleration is quick, it doesn’t blow your socks off, something which you expect from an 800 cc motor. So the engine is likeable and very flexible, but misses out on a bit of thrill and oomph. 

2. Tyres

The GSX-8R gets chunky 120 and 180 section tyres at the front and rear respectively. When I rode the bike at BIC, I had no issues with the Dunlop RoadSport 2 tyres and was having a gala time cornering fast. Yes, they aren’t the best tyres for a big bike, but for the performance on tap they felt adequate. However, on the streets of Mumbai, the tyres did fight for traction especially on wet surfaces and even around corners, one never felt at ease. You always felt stressful while cornering hard, so rather than enjoying the moment, you were always worried about the front washing off or the rear sliding. So my suggestion will be to upgrade to Michelin or Pirelli rubber if you really want to enjoy the performance the GSX-8R has on offer. 

3. Brakes

Unlike the tyres, this issue was persistent both at the track and on the streets. The braking setup is a bit too soft for the kind of firepower the Suzuki GSX-8R has on offer. While I understand the soft braking setup is friendly for new riders, when you want to ride fast, the brakes don’t instill too much confidence and I was downsifting hard to cut the momentum. The brakes need to offer sharper bite and on the track I had observed the brakes fading a bit too quickly for my liking. So yeah, one will have to opt for better pads or change the whole setup for harder stopping power.

Overall Take

Despite its shortcomings, the Suzuki GSX-8R is a very likable and easy to recommend motorcycle. Most of the negatives can be fixed easily (barring the exhaust note) and if you want to enter the world of performance bikes, the Suzuki is a very good option. The styling is on point and the relaxed ergonomics makes it very easy to commute and tour. Also, the GSX-8R doesn’t feel slow on the racetrack and will keep you engaged and grinning with its handling dynamics. So while it isn’t perfect, it’s very very appealing for the price and performance it offers.