The MAM JOURNALS -Suzuki GSX 8R . A bike for today's motorcycling world?
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- Опубликовано: 20 мар 2024
- The new GSX8R is clearly not the "GIXXER" of the past but one of the new generation , less powerful but good handling modern middleweights. With increasing emission legislation, straight 4 middleweights appear to be a thing of the past although Honda's relaunch of the CBR600RR is interesting.
Most manufacturers appear to be investing heavily in their twin and triple cylinder offers . The 8R is fitted with Suzuki's recently launched parallel,83hp twin and their object was to "combine practical,useable,real world performance with rider friendly controllability and ease of use" .
Do I think they have achieved this? This video explores that, as well as going through the specifications of the bike , a ride out and my concluding thoughts...
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I'm not even halfway through this and it's the best review video I have ever seen.
👍😂 .. lets hope you enjoyed the second half !
Easily the most thorough and detailed review of the GSX8R on RUclips to date. Chapeau Michael.
It’s the first time I’ve seen one in black, and in my humble opinion it does the bike no favours.
Each to their own, but I think the blue shows off the great styling to best effect.
Glad you liked the review . I actually like the black but completely accept others have different views . Blue is the classic Suzuki colour ...
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment 👍
I have the 8s and nearly 3000 miles so far and love it, ample power for normal roads and no buffeting.
I like the 8S . Great bike . Glad you are enjoying yours . Good to hear 👍
Another great, grown up, informative review of a motorcycle. Mentions the good, bad, and ugly and for a nice change fit, finish and build quality. Not just how fast it goes and how well it wheelies. Well done Michael.
😂 Thank you . Glad you enjoyed it .
Great video. I am 66 and find most bikers my age and more are opting for lighter bikes. When I was at the Triumph dealer all of the riders my age where looking at the new 400x and 400 speed, no young riders. 3 riders had bought the 400 all downsizing.
Thank you James . I cover the Royal Enfield brand on the channel and although their marketing materials invariably show riders in their 30’s , in the UK , the buyers are actually on the journey you describe . They are down sizers , looking for something lighter and easy to ride . I have recently agreed to cover Triumph with my local dealer , first video , on the New Scrambler 1200x is actually out next week . I may review the 400 in series 2 . 👍 Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment .
That will be 3 riders taking their bikes back in the not so distant future.
This review is why I bought my 8R, and I’m in love! Thank you Michael ❤
Great bike . Have fun 👍
I absolutely love my new 8R, Suzuki nailed it with this bike. Great review Michael!
Good to hear! Have fun 👍
An absolute work of art this video is, well done! New subscriber. Greetings from Canary Islands!! Ride safe ✌🏽
Great review of a bike I'm seriously considering adding to My 1250 GSA that my wife and I go on extended trips on and occasionally ride like a big, overweight motard. I also have a 2000 Honda SP1 undergoing a minor restoration in my shed which I take out and relive my misspent youth. It still gives me goosebumps!
I was hugely impressed with this bike and how much fun it was to ride and my sixty-one-year-old knees were fine!
I'll wait until Honda brings out a CBR750r before committing to buying. Look forward to seeing your review and comparison on that pending release.
Take care, ride safe and have fun.
Thank you . Glad you enjoyed it .
Just getting my SP1 ready for its first run of the year … great bikes .
Really enjoyed my time on the R8 . Very engaging and easy ride . Have fun on your bikes 👍
A good review, thank you.
That really should sell well.
The stealthy black colour suits it very well in my opinion.
Thank you Ady ! I really hope that it sells well . It deserves to ! Hope to catch up soon 👍
I bought an XSR 125 at 48 and now, almost 2 years later I've set my sights on the GSX8R as the absolute perfect bike for me and my next step.
It used to be the CBR500R but then this happened.
I think it will sell like crazy and it will do the bike community a world of good for it restores sanity.
Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment . I think the 8R would be a great first sport(y) bike 👍 Have fun and take care .
How refreshing to get a proper motorcycle review rather than some knob jockey caressing his ego
Good review
Personally I struggle to find comfort
So I happened to sit on one of these bikes today and was pleasantly surprised to find comfort
The one issue for me is the lack of tank guard at the front end of the seat
Exactly where your zip or buttons will mark the tank
Enjoyed your review ty
Thank you Dave 👍 Glad you enjoyed it . Next review is out on Thursday .
Have to say , I had a chuckle when you mentioned how clear the TFT display was when you had it blurred out 😂 .. good review on what appears to be a good bike ..
Irony is alive and well 😂..
I think it is a good bike 👍
I sat on one this past weekend and was favorably impressed with the seat, rider triangle and overall fit and finish.
They ride well too . Good bikes . Really fitted me well but I am 1.72 metres . 👍
Amazing review. Fingers crossed i might buy this one
So many good bikes in this mid weight , sports sector and , in my opinion , this is one of them 👍
great video I hope your channel will grow quickly as you really deserve it thanks
Thank you !
I have made 79 videos so far . Growing steadily which is good but it is a hobby that I really enjoy , and it keeps me out of garden centres , which is an added benefit ..
Brilliant review…made me want this bike. Subscribed.
Thank you . 👍
Of course you like how it looks. It's like your twin but with a classy tux. Black with gray accents DAAAAA. lol I like it!!! It reminds me of me. Comfortable, reliable, safe, sporty, and damn good looking! Headed to Oregon and Washington next week. You better hop a plane. I hear there are some cool roads in the Cascade Mountains and Scablands of eastern Washington! Spring is beautiful east of the Cascades. None of those gray skies around your parts! Very nice Michael
Have a great trip Leigh . Always good to hear from you .
I think it was Bill Bryson who described living in the UK as like “being trapped inside a Tupperware box “ , constantly grey above you ..
Getting better now though . Heading to Portugal soon to see some BLUE sky 👍
Just bought one picked it up few days ago first impression fantastic bike glad i purchased it looks amazing in the black cheers fir video
Rab
Have fun Rab ..👍
To be honest some of these smalle engined middle wieght bikes are super impressive. I have an MT10 SP but my mate has an MT09 and its absolutly brilliant far more usable power plenty of punch and easy to ride. If next year i want a trade i will seroously be thinking of chucking the MT10 in for a new MT09. I also thing the prices are getting rediculous now for the high end bikes. You cannot use 200 bhp on the roads especially the state of our roads in the UK. I also think at yhe moment Suzuki are making some of the best value for money bikes out there. There not getting to technical to keep the price reasonable
Totally agree, but I do have an M1000R in the garage which is great fun but somewhere between complete (ly) and pointless …
Looks more, like a katana then the Katana! Which I like, a lot. A good comprehensive review, as always.👍🏻
Thanks for watching Ben . I know what you mean about the looks 👍
Plenty accessories are starting to appear, £350 for a full de-cat exhaust and can, that's a bargain from my usual exhaust system supplier,the afore mentioned, Evotech have got GPS brackets, mirror blanking plates (mirrors ruin the look of the bike,they should be on the bars),etc. Agree about the tail tidy market, there's not a decent one out there yet, somewhere between the factory original and the others available, is what's required! Might just be enough to get me off the ADV/Crossover bikes,i could easily tour on that,maybe McCruise need to hurry on with C/C for the 800cc range?
Good one, thanks
Thanks Greg 👍
Excellent review. I'm considering this one for my next bike. I have a kawasaki W800 right now.
I see MCN (motorcycle news ) have voted it , best in class 👍
I’m seriously considering going from two bikes to one and this looks like a great option. I need to get a test ride organised
Always the best way to decide , if you can get one 👍
A nice, balanced review as always Michael. It does look to be a "nice" bike which can cater to the whims of most potential riders. Not sure how it stacks up against a Street Triple, but it certainly seems good vfm. ATB
Thanks Chris . Great to hear from you . Haven’t ridden a street triple yet .. one for the list 👍
Great review Michael it looks a very nice bike especially in black. Not my type of bike at my age but reminds me of a VFR 800 i had years ago. I'm in the less is more camp as well being a GoldStar owner, actually I've never ridden a bike with a quick shifter in my life and you never miss what you've never had, do you.
Thank you Ian . The Suzuki QS is exceptional . I am definitely a convert to good quick shifters ..👍
Thank you for another great video! As you ride where it rains as much as 4 or 5 times a year :) , I would think brighter colors might be easier to see and therefore be more survivable. I don't ride in the rain as I don't have to and I don't like trying to get the bike as clean as new afterward.
😂. Apparently global warming means we get warmer rain and a lot more of it .
Fortunately I don’t mind riding in the rain but am not so keen on ice and the salt we put down to deal with it .
Brightening up soon now 👍
Always good to hear from you . Thank you 👍
Great review, really useful. I’d buy this bike! People will sneer at the power but I’ve come from a GSXR 750 and let’s face it, anything around or over 150bhp is nuts, makes no sense on the road. Plus they’re uncomfortable. I’ve had different types of bikes and prefer sports bikes. I want something that looks like a sports bike…with wind protection, has enough power to have fun, but with the added bonus of comfort. This looks perfect for me.
I still have a GSXR 750 but use it for the occasional track day . Great bikes but difficult to enjoy properly on modern roads . The GSX8R is fun and engaging on the road and as you rightly say , more comfortable .Glad you found the review useful and thank you for commenting . I see it just “won” a group test in motorcycle news ..
Looks pretty great in black I must say
I thought this and the new Daytona 660 , which I have recently reviewed , were both good looking bikes ..
Really enjoyed your review Michael. As usual, professionally done. I personally am not in the market for this style of bike, but that said, if I were, your review would certainly help to reach a decision as I’ve come to trust your knowledge, experience and opinions. Many thanks….
Thank you again for your kind comments . What bike do you currently ride ? Are you based in the UK ?
@@michaelmam Retired motorcycle ‘Bobby’ and currently ride a Yamaha 900 Tracer, based in Warwickshire. The Tracer is a solid all rounder and accomplishes a number of different functions for me in one package; only really being able to justify having one bike. It does everything well but is not necessarily exceptional in any particular facet. It’s like an old friend, has been reliable to the hilt and I haven’t seen another bike to date that has prompted me enough to want to part company. If money, space and a happy spouse were not an issue, I would of course have a sizeable collection of bikes of various genres in my garage. Sadly reality dictates otherwise. Bikes are still a passion of mine though and I do enjoy cleaning and tinkering as much as I do riding. Warmest regards
@@palerider4015 I recently tried a Tracer 9 GT + , which bike magazine rave about . I really like the engine . Very willing .
I like cleaning and keeping the bikes up together as well . Lucky enough to have a few , which I appreciate and enjoy .
Thank you for watching the channel and taking the time to comment . Enjoy the improving weather !
@@michaelmam Will do and to coin your own phrase….ride safe & stay well 👍
Good review on the bike. From Philippines
Thanks! 👍
Wonderful review of a very nice looking bike (except for the backend). I sat on it a couple of days ago at the dealer and with my 187cm it felt very comfy. It felt very light also. I hoped that the fairing offered more wind protection for the upper body, don't think the stock screen does much for wind protection. Seems quite minimalistic. Both my current two Suzuki's have a centerstand, I think I would really miss that part for maintenance purposes. The biggest issue I have with this bike are the current two Suzuki's I own, they just are still great fun to ride....
Thank you Robert . Glad you enjoyed the review . Which 2 Suzuki’s do you currently have ?
Great video...well presented nice bike.. but will stick to my gsx s1000gt for now... after all I'm still only 67 years old 😉😅
😂 I really like the 8R but will be keeping my GT for a while as well . Different types of bikes of course . A Two up Sports Tourer suits us very well . Others have different needs . 👍
A nice looking bike, I do like Suzuki machines, thanks for the video 🙂
Thanks for watching Dave . 👍
Great video
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment .
I was looking at this and the new triumph daytona, but having watched your reviews, I think this is more of what I wanted, since it would be my first bike. Less sporty, more comfortable (even though the daytona seemed fine when I popped in last weekend to just have a sit and talk about financing)... Just in general more of what I'm used to (which is an MT-07). If only honda brought out a hornet based CBR... oh, imagine the difficulty of that choice.
Nice problem to have ! Enjoy it ..
I suspect as a new rider , the Suzuki would help you out , the Daytona , lead you on ..
Great looking bike! Really good looking
I think so too!
Brilliant video as per Mike! So interested to know what you thought of the 8R and found it to be very balanced, objective and funny which is what I’ve come to expect from your reviews. I love my 8S, I feel like if the 8R had been around at the time I would have gone for it. Perfect amount of power for me at the bottom of the triangle, weather protection, handles nicely and I love the looks of the 8R. Great review, will definitely test ride one but may consider going up to a 1000. It looks really decent in black like the 8S. To me it looks like a gateway drug to sports bikes and for that I would consider it very seriously!
Thank you Rob . A gateway is a great way to describe the bike .Ideal first “Sport(y)” bike . Very easy to ride briskly without having so much power it pulls you into situations some might mot be ready for . Most fast group track riders say they learnt to ride fast on much smaller , less powerful bikes 👍
@@michaelmam I am going to check out the Classic Motor Hub, that’s just the right kind of distance to get out to and back at the weekend! Another good tip cheers!
The little Suzuki sv650 only had around 70bhp and they sold ship loads of them, I said ship.
😂 . They did, as well as the VStrom 650 .. I still have one .
Great mid sized all rounders , reliable and good value . The new RE may well fill this gap over time but personally I think the 8S and 8R might be attractive to another ,slightly different market ? We shall see .
I Hope they sell well . Good bikes 👍
Thanks for the discussion at the end. I was watching it and thinking "he keeps calling it easy to ride, but is it any fun?"
This is very close in price to a Street Triple R in the US and I don't know if this one has that ephemeral pull like the Triumph does.
I really like the 8R . The Street Triple RS is another £3000 in the UK so not normally considered a direct competitor 🤔
Determined to be the first to watch this!
😂 I think you may have cracked it ! 12 views so far 👍
Didn’t spot a centre stand, could be wrong. I’d ditch the quick shifter for a centre stand any day . Practical - nearly. Great review.
😂 I would carry it on my back before losing the Quick Shifter .. so good . It is standard though , not an option
We are all different though , which is good . Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment 👍
How could they Fit a Center Stand to a Bike with an Underslung Exhaust system?
No available space for a center stand.
Thanks Michael, great review, really enjoy your videos. I’m considering one of these and wondered how practical/comfortable this would be as a tourer? Want to avoid going down the adventure bike route if possible and looking to do the NC500 this year and want something that can eat up the miles.
Glad you found it useful . I think you could put some soft panniers on it and tour but it isn’t the perfect touring bike as it is quite small . Riding position would , for most, be comfortable for longer distances though so the question would be how much gear do you want to carry and are you planning to be two up , which would reduce luggage capacity .
Thanks for the response.
Would just be a couple of soft panniers and perhaps a tank bag, would only be riding solo.
@@sheldonh3508 that could work ???
Trying to decide between this and the vstrom re. Any idea why the vstrom is around 40 lbs heavier?
No entirely sure . Overall the RE is just a bigger bike . A comfortable adventure style bike with longer forks and a more substantial passenger area. Both are very good and the R definitely feels sportier . Nice dilemma to have though ..
Great presentation of this fantastic bike, mate 👍
But I pity you island folks for your weather as well as your roads 😔
Tell me about it😂 You can tell when it is summer … the rain is warmer .
@@michaelmam Getting jealous, mate 😁
@@kwakithailand 😂
@@michaelmam I suppose that Lucas fridge was replaced long time ago?
So, at least your beers are cool all year round, mate 😁
@@kwakithailand that is the idea 😂👍
Suzuki need to produce this bike in a 300-500cc guise. I personally need more than a 125cc but do not require 800cc. Suzuki have nothing in between their 125 to 650cc range within The UK. If this was a GSX 4R, I'd be buying it tomorrow.
Interesting comment . Thank you . The 300-500 sector doesn’t feel particularly busy at the moment although Royal Enfield have sold a fair few 350’s and Honda’s 500 seems to be well regarded ? Triumph’s new 400 is having rave reviews but it is early days . A few to think about …
As you rightly say , Suzuki are not in this space in the UK unless you stretched to the SV650..?
Torn between this and Honda's e clutch CBR. Two cylinders v four....what do u think?
Nice problem to have .
In my view , having narrowed the choice down to two , the best thing to do is test ride them both and decide which one you like the most . They are both good bikes but ride quite differently influenced by , as you mention , the engine configuration …
Have you try the ZX4RR I think is one good competition on the middle size bikes.
@@abigailmendoza4819 Haven’t tried it yet . Maybe get a chance at some point 🤞👍
I really enjoy your productions, and delighted to promote your channel any way possible
@@martinl6205 Thank you Martin . Glad you enjoy the videos .
Nice review but I can't help noticing you bypassed Snake Hill.
I didn't .. 😂 .. I just enjoyed it rather than filmed it ..
I want one.
Good bike . Really enjoyed riding it 👍
Get one, love mine!
How did you get this thing in black?
UK has Black as a factory option . I think the States has yellow ?
@@michaelmam they messed up , lol
Need that thing in black
@@akaashanova 😂
Sadly Michael I don't think our children/ grandchildren will be riding motorcycles for much longer. Thanks for the review.
Thanks Carol . I suspect our children / grandchildren will still need to get around . What powers them remains to be seen !
I’m 25 now. They can pry my bike off my cold dead hands before I stop riding. My future kids will probably ride too.
@@Blakesworld17 😂 Hope so 👍
@@Blakesworld17well, I'll tell you something young man..ya better start looking up..and see what they're doing to the skies ..I'm now 60yrs old..and my riding time has been significantly reduced due to what is happening to the skies...chem trails, young man...chem trails...take it for whatever its worth..oh and I've been riding longer...way longer then you've been alive
Its this a good bike for a beginner? I do like this one. But is my first time getting a bike
Personally I think it would make a very nice second bike . I would buy an older , already dropped , smaller bike to get some practise in . There aren’t many of us who haven’t dropped a bike on the drive or in a car park , whilst we gained experience 🤔 As soon as you feel more confident , the 8R is a nice , engaging bike to ride ..
In the UK , training and a gradual increase in engine capacity is a legal requirement . A bit of training can help you learn the fundamentals but I know not everyone, likes that idea ..
@@michaelmam Thank you Michael. Im in the US you need to do a couple courses to get a bike license. You can practice over there with the type of bike you looking for. Ill give it a shot
Just buy it.... just go easy on the throttle for the first few months, then you will be fine
@@thainaaier that is extremely subjective and dangerous advice. Have a nice day
I recently bought this as my first bike. I don’t think it’s too powerful especially not the lowest power mode. I hadn’t ridden any other bike besides a Honda grom during the motorcycle course. Respect the machine and you’ll be fine. I may be a little more daring and reckless than the average person and I’m already wishing I bought an inline 4 cylinder rather than a 2 cylinder. That being said I’m an adrenaline junkie who craves more speed and acceleration. If your intention is to just casually ride around then I think this is a great bike.
Can manufacturers make the bikes a couple of hundred more expensive and just fit fully adjustable suspension, this bike ain't my cuppa but if it had +20hp suprisingly I might be keen considering how cheap they are?.
I think you may have answered your own question Vaughan . They are targeting a price point . The more you add , power and sophistication , the more expensive it becomes. Proper , fully adjustable suspension is sadly not “a couple of hundred more” . Reading a bike publication recently(MCN) they say that sales in the uk have started well which suggests we are not alone in thinking it is a good bike for the money.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment .
There are already mods that can get you into 90hp. Not that you really need that on a lightweight bike for the streets. This bike is getting so much attention for tracks too, with many teams developing much for them. I wouldn't be surprised if 100+hp becomes a thing a few years down the line.
@@charlesharalson487Race series in the UK starts soon . Looking forward to it . Daytona 660 was fast in testing so suspect it will be a competitive series ..👍
Black looks so amazing with it holymoly, mines blue
See it went well in the American race series recently . Good bike , whatever the colour 👍
Yeah. I think a few regions got the Yellow,Silver and Blue.but i believe the Black model is exclusive to Europe and UK markets.
@@yeejay6396you are correct because im currently looking at getting this bike in blue but I stumbled upon this video and it looks amazing in black (I live in the States)
It’s a sensible good-looking bike no doubt but I can’t escape the knowledge that you could buy a brand new Gixxer 750 only ten years ago for £7.5k-I nearly bought one. Yet nowadays the same money only gets you a bike with around half the horsepower.For me it just doesn’t represent very good value for money on that basis .Also,people keep on about how economical these twin cylinder bikes are compared to 4’s.But,really? This and the Hornet 750 are still in the 40’s mpg when thrashed, so not much better than a 4 cylinder super sport at the same velocities. This Suzuki twin just isn’t a bike I could get excited about. Suzuki, bring back the Gixxer please.
Inflation sure is fun eh?
@@yeejay6396Shrinkflation,in this case.
I do know what you mean . I have a GSXR 750 L3 in my garage . In my opinion , one of the best bikes ever made . Sadly no longer available in Europe as a result of Euro 4 although you can still buy them in America and , I believe other parts of the world. . Although I do question the logic and impact of this , I can't change it. I test the bikes available today and try and do so as objectively and fairly as I can, comparing them with others in the market today.
I really liked the 8R but my 750 is significantly faster . It wails like a banshee and has an induction roar to die for ...
They have a black one now?!?
UK … I think US has a yellow option ?
I'm sure it's a lovely bike to ride but the styling of todays bikes let them down. I am looking at a 2000 Yamaha R6 in blue and it looks fantastic as do most bikes of that period.
As we both know looks are very subjective .. 😂
I agree. I lke the looks of the new Honda CBR600RR but the riding position may be a bit too extreme. Difficult choices.
@@splodge5714 I think , aesthetically, sports bikes remain my favourites but are actually the bikes I ride the least . Not very comfortable and limited on our now pot holed roads in the UK . I use my Gixxer 750 for my slow tracks days now . Great for that, and I suspect the new Honda would be as well ..
This Suzi looks much better than a modern KTM, though 😂
The worst thing on these bikes is the size of the fuel tank, for a country like Australia it's absolutely useless, needs another 5L to be comfortable
I guess that would rule a few bikes out for the Australian Market . 🤔
@@michaelmam it depends on the type of riding, certainly no problem around big cities and country riding might require some careful planning.
Hepco Becker rack and a Rotapac...plate replaces the rear seat also available!
and here I thought someone on youtube would actually go over the settings in the manu. Nope. 👎
What settings ?
He went over more settings on the Menu than I have seen other folk do. Download the manual and check for yourself!
All manufacturers are palming you off with twins simply to save production costs of making ‘fours’ … obviously with cheaper parts for the rest of the bike … I can’t understand why the great buying public are falling for this half an engine sale that’s thrust upon them as the sixties died years ago 🤷🏻♂️
Are you based in Europe ? Emission regulations seem to be playing a big part in what the Japanese are building for the European markets . Great mid weight straight 4’s like the GSXR 750 vanished years ago …but are still sold elsewhere in the world . Interestingly Honda have just bought back a 600/4 but I suspect that is racing related . Not sure how they will sell for the road . We will know in a few months 👍
To me, a GSX-R 750 with a Yoshi is pure aural bliss… but in the real world, these twins are both supremely useable and extremely frugal… For this reason, I really like the idea of the GSX-8R and would be a prime candidate for it… However, I like to ride my bike on long trips and thus truly wish they had made it a GT with proper panniers and cruise control.
As it stands, you can pick up a gently used GSX-S1000GT with proper panniers, heated grips and cruise control for just about the same as a fully kitted out GSX-8R - and that’s what I’d get… probably with a Yoshi, just because ;)
@@eskemeldgaardkrogh4145 Love my GSX-S 1000 GT plus . We have done about 7000 miles on ours including a 2000 mile tour ..
The 800 RE / DE are their adventure tourers ..
Have you test ridden one?
@@jaquesmike68 sorry . Not sure who that question is directed at , and which bike ?
Honda cbr650r is better imo
I am sure , for some , that is right 👍
Oh look! The BLACK bike that North America DIDN'T get.....
UK didn’t get the yellow one .
I think it is the local distributors who makes the decision as to which colours they chose for their country ?
overweight underpowered and boring
😂 not for you then ..
what would you go for , at this price ?
I own a kawasaki SX 1000 2017 yes I get shoulder pain but I have arthritis, but love it ,a d would not trade it for a suzuki I've owned 8 Suzuki's,
Always good to hear from riders who are pleased with the bike they have 👍
Great video
Glad you enjoyed it . Thank you