Suzuki GSX-8R

The Suzuki GSX 8R is for those looking for their first big bike. It’s a sports tourer designed to work equally well in the city and on highways. It’s meant to be fast but friendly; exciting yet manageable. And at Rs. 9.25 lakh ex-showroom, it is also the most affordable in its class - a class that includes the likes of the Honda CBR650R and the Triumph Daytona 660.

There’s no denying that the GSX 8R looks every bit the part of a sports tourer. It has a racy design, complete with an aggressive front fairing and a tight, upswept tail. But look closer, and you’ll spot the upright seating ergonomics.

Furthermore, with a 120-section front tyre, a 180-section rear tyre, dual front discs, and a stubby exhaust, its sporty intentions are clear from a mile away.

It is also well put together. The panel gaps are tight and even, plastic all around is of good quality, and the machining is neat and nicely finished. Apart from that weird-looking front number plate hanger, there’s nothing to complain about when it comes to the 8R’s design.

Suzuki has tried to keep things simple for the rider with the 8R while still making the motorcycle modern and in line with current tech trends. So, it gets a full-colour TFT display, but there isn’t an elaborate menu to change a million things. You can only toggle through trip settings, and traction and riding modes via the left-side switchgear.

There are four traction modes to choose from - 1, 2, 3, and off - and three ride modes: A, B, and C. Like we said, Suzuki has kept things very simple and straightforward for the rider: just numbers and alphabets, with both progressing towards more electronic intervention.

There’s no damping adjustment for the suspension, no cornering aids, and no wheelie or slide control either. It does get sporty rubber, LED lighting all around, clip-on handlebars, and a throaty exhaust note to complete the package.

The 8R weighs 205kg, so it’s not exactly light. It has an 810mm seat height, making it very accessible indeed. And though it only has a ground clearance of 145mm, we never scraped its belly; but then, we were riding solo most of the time.

The GSX 8R uses a 776cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine. It makes a little over 80bhp of max power and almost 80Nm of peak torque. Both these numbers are achieved at lower RPMs compared to its competition. And even though the Suzuki trails both the Honda and Triumph in outright power, its higher torque rating keeps it in the running.

In fact, on the road, the 8R is surprisingly easy to ride and control given the kind of power and torque it makes. It’s not slow, mind you. But with its linear and predictable power delivery, you can get on and ride, even if it’s your first big bike experience, without feeling intimidated. This is in C mode. Switch to the most aggressive A mode, and the throttle can catch you off-guard at times. The throttle becomes snappier, and the fuelling can feel jerkier in this mode. But again, it still feels a lot friendlier than its over-80bhp power figure might suggest.

It also has a good spread of torque in the midrange. So unless you’re in a hurry or want to hear the exhaust growl, you can constantly short-shift, open the throttle, and be on your merry way without the bike feeling slow, bogged down, or boring. As a result, the 8R feels nice to commute on in the city.

What’s more, the Suzuki hides its speed well. Even when short-shifting, you hit 130kmph in a jiffy and without realising it. That front windscreen might look small, but it keeps buffeting completely at bay, adding to the lack of drama. Unsurprisingly, the 8R makes for a wonderful touring machine. The relaxed seating ergos, torquey engine, good wind protection, and a well-sorted suspension setup all contribute to the 8R’s touring prowess.

The suspension might be non-adjustable, but it’s well-tuned to handle bumpy city roads at slow speeds as well as undulating highway sections at three-digit speeds. And though it’s not the sportiest, most precise, or most eager motorcycle to take corners on, the grip, feel, and reasonable agility make it a nice thing to ride around switchbacks, even slightly bumpy ones.

We didn’t like the brakes on the GSX 8R, however. These have a good feel and bite at slower speeds, but as you start riding faster, they begin to struggle. They lack progression, consistency, and outright bite. If you have a fast bike, you need the confidence that it will stop even faster - and that’s not the case with the 8R.

The Suzuki GSX 8R is a lovely motorcycle. It’s fast, comfortable, and it balances simplicity and modernity exceedingly well. It won’t overwhelm you, and no matter where you ride - in the city or out touring - it will handle both with aplomb.

But it doesn’t feel special. It doesn’t feel engaging enough. It’s not as exciting or as challenging as one would expect a big bike to be. So, if you’re getting back into motorcycles and want something quick that’s also not very demanding, the 8R is a no-brainer.

Photography by Kapil Angane