General Information · 03-12-2025
This is one of our favourite classes of bike and, after logging some serious kilometres, I was reluctant to hand back the key. At $12,990 ride away (Q4 2025), Suzuki’s naked twin cylinder is a bargain. At the heart is the familiar 776cc parallel twin, also seen in the V-Strom 800DE and GSX-8R. It’s a supersmooth engine with barely any vibration, making 61kW at 8,500rpm and 78Nm at 6,800rpm. The delivery is silky across the rev range and a joy around town.
Suzuki’s SCAS slipper clutch is paired with one of the better bidirectional quick-shifters I’ve used – crisp, seamless and effective even at low throttle openings. Combined with the torquey 270-degree twin, it makes commuting or lane filtering effortless, with plenty of low-end shove.
The exhaust is neatly tucked under the swingarm and has a decent note, though most owners will no doubt reach for a performance muffler to unlock more sound. Suspension is serviceable but basic: KYB 130mm USD forks up front and a rear monoshock that feels a touch stiff on rougher roads. Perfectly fine for short, sporty rides, but over longer sessions the firmness is noticeable, particularly for heavier riders.
At 810mm, the seat height is approachable, and the ‘bar position suits an upright naked stance. Taller riders like me (194cm) might find the legroom slightly cramped after an hour, but the seat itself is more comfortable than it looks, only fatiguing after a few hours. Tipping the scales at 202kg, it’s no lightweight on paper, yet once rolling it feels nimble and light.
Braking is handled by Nissin: 310mm dual discs with four-piston radial calipers up front and a single 240mm disc at the rear. While not flashy, the system delivers confident, strong stopping power, even under a heavier rider.
Commuting and freeway stints are dispatched without fuss, but it’s on backroads where the bike comes alive. I had one of my most enjoyable Putty Road loops aboard this bike – over 450km of spirited riding returned 5.1L/100km against Suzuki’s 4.2L claim. The chassis is stable in fast sweepers, yet flicks side-to-side quickly, with the Dunlop Roadsport 2s proving more than capable.
Styling is sharp, with an aggressive front and a neat matte-black finish. The bright-blue wheels divide opinion and a tail tidy would clean up the rear. Other colour options include Pearl Cosmic Blue and Glass Matt Mechanical Grey. Tech is simple but effective: a 5-inch TFT dash, three riding modes, traction control and Suzuki’s low-RPM assist.
All up, Suzuki has nailed the brief. The GSX-8S offers strong performance, solid handling, enough tech and a grin-inducing ride at a sharp price. A little more suspension plushness and cruise control would be nice, but at this money it’s hard to argue. This is one of the best bang-for-buck nakeds on sale.
Bike test: Nick Ware Photography: ShotByRoth
Visit suzukimotorcycles.com.au
Quick Facts – Suzuki GSX-8S
PRICE: From $12,990 ride away (Q4 2025).
WARRANTY: Two-year, unlimited kilometres.
COLOURS: Metallic Matt Black No.2 (tested), Cosmic Blue and Glass Matt,
Mechanical Grey.
POWER: 62kW @ 8,500rpm.
TORQUE: 78Nm @ 6,800rpm.
CURB WEIGHT: 202kg.
FUEL CAPACITY: 14L.
MEASURED ECONOMY: 5.1L/100km (measured).
ENGINE: Liquid-cooled, parallel twin, DOHC, 8-valve, 776cc (84.0 mm × 70.0 mm bore × stroke), 12.8:1 compression, two-into-one exhaust.
CHASSIS: Steel frame.
RAKE: 25° TRAIL: 104mm.
SUSPENSION: 43mm KYB inverted non-adjustable telescopic fork, coil spring, oil damped, 130mm travel; KYB link-type monoshock, coil spring, preload only, oil damped rear.
BRAKES: Twin 310mm front discs, single 240mm rear disc, ABS.
TYRES: Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2, 120/70ZR17 (f), 180/55ZR17 (r).
DIMENSIONS: Wheelbase: 1,465mm Seat height: 810mm; Length: 2,115mm; Width: 775mm; Height: 1,105mm; Ground clearance: 145mm.
INSTRUMENTS: Full-colour 5-inch TFT dash, Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (S.I.R.S.), LED lighting all round.
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