Being a shortie myself i have learned that if a bike feels comfortable for you plus torque and performance has a added bonus then regardless of looks for me its a top contender
I agree, it's like the first filter any bike has to pass through when you're short ! ... the 8s certainly passed it no problem ...Thanks for watching ...
I much preferred it over the new Hornet that i've also ridden. I'd rather have the more stable longer wheelbase over quick steering, it suits my riding more these days. I also much preferred the lower down torque of the Zuki engine over the Honda. You may be able to roll the bars back a tad to get better reach, or risers are an easy and cheap fix. The all black one was my favourite colour out of the 3 options. Only the looks were questionable for me. It not a bad looking bike by any means, just a bit too modern design for an old geezer like myself. The worst being that tail end monstrosity incorporating the rear light, but i guess the aftermarket will have something to fix that. Even though this is a relatively new engine from Suzuki, i'd have as much faith in this p twin as i do the v twin in my Strom.
Thanks Jeff, I've always valued torque which is why I was drawn to the 8s over the Hornet but I will get round to testing the Honda too . Yes there are a few tail tidy's available already for the Suzuki, and many of the 2nd hand ones have them fitted already so no issue there. I just have to learn to love that face !!
@@WyreForestBiker Biggest issue with the Hornet for me, was how physically small it felt. Felt way too cramped on it. But i am 6'1" with long legs. But even if it had fit me better i would have still preferred the 8S.
Think the suzuki 8s would be a great 2nd bike, having 2 completely different bikes makes a lot of sense. Bought 2 new bikes last year, honda rebel 500 and cbr650r
The bike gets great reviews but I can't get past the looks. For what I do my T100 is perfect and I love the retro looks. Nice to watch a review on roads I know so well.
Thanks Simon , It is a great bike to ride but I agree the looks are 'challenging' ! The T100 is lovely and still on my radar, I will ride one again soon .
Thanks for your review, I enjoyed that. I've had the 8S for 12 months and just clocked 8500 miles on it. It's been a great bike and I get just as excited about going out for a ride on it now as I did when I first picked it up. That torque never gets boring. Good luck with your bike search 👍
Thanks David ,good to hear your positive thoughts about the 8s, It's still very much on my radar . As you say an absolute peach of an engine ....thanks for watching👍
Hi. I am looking at doing this the other way round, getting the CL as my second bike, hence I have stumbled on your channel. Thanks for all the thoughts and views, really helpful. Going off topic, as a fellow short person with a 29 inch leg. Any advice on which jeans come in an actual short leg as the ones I have tried and sent back tend to have the knee protection where my shins are which is not ideal. My old leathers are great but a pair of jeans would be a nice addition. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.
I was thinking all the way through that how it was just like me when I test rode a Tracer 7 GT. It was pretty much perfect, size, power, weight, it handled beautifully, the suspension was good it came with everything I'd need to tour on it and I was so impressed that I went straight back and put a deposit on it and then over the weekend all I could think about was the Bonneville I'd seen in the showroom. In pretty much every way the Tracer was a more suitable bike but I still ended up buying the Bonneville and I still think I made the right decision. The GSX 8-S is a brilliant package but only you know if it is the right one for you.
I compared this to the hornet and plumped for the hornet for many reasons, including more power, nimbleness and a considerable saving on price, but both are excellent bikes and buying one over the other is just personal choice in this category, but i'm well happy with my decision, as i imagine those who got the gsx8s are. There's a few minor things i don't like, as all bike have, but nothing i can't live with. as far as your question on if you 'need the power', short answer is no, but i find having it and twisting the throttle to feel the fun kick up the ass is a real buzz that you 'want' sometimes, so why not. GL and thanks for the review.
Very interesting review David, that bike sounds great. The riding reminded me of when I had a torquey bike (GSX1400), it's great but I did miss the enjoyment of winding it out through the gears, because it wasn't really possible without turning it into a starship! I would get into a lot of trouble with that bike!!!
Wish I had a £1.00 for every road you have been down David I would be a millionaire lol seems a quick bike I use Streetbike myself. About 7 mths ago I was going to buy the CL500 green from Sutton's but went for a Himalayan instead. Happy Riding 👍
Have tested p strom800 and currently own a 650. If I had the money I would change but I paid £6k for a year old v strom650 with 1000 miles on. On getting back on mine from the test ride, I decided to£4k the difference, no way. Too old and skeletally challenged for one of these and 6’1” cant hunch up. I do think I need more power than cL for that occasional kick in the arse. My 650 when revved out is fast enough for most situations on a road
Yes nothing wrong at all with that 650. All round great bike. Having ridden both I wouldn’t swap for the engine as they are both amazingly capable, but maybe the more modern styling, LED lights and dash. But that’s very personal if any of that bothers you.
What do you think all day comfort would be like on The Suzuki. I tried the SV 650 last year and loved the torquey engine, not a bad ride too, but only on it an hour. Cheers 👍
Hi Simon, I have owned the SV and agree great engine but let down by very budget suspension in my opinion although that could be easily improved. I have to say the 8s is a huge improvement all round ...thanks for watching.
Hi Simon ,yes I had an early example of the latest model SV 650 (16 reg) . The engine was a very good unit but the 8s 's is a big step up in my opinion (as you would expect) more powerful and smoother but still with character ( that word again! ). The other big improvement is the suspension which was noticeably "budget" on the SV ... The 8's feels much higher quality on the front end in particular.
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The torque of the Suzuki GSX 8S is so good... you can show your taillight to 90% of all motorcycles on the road from 0 to 100 km/u , so much fun
Being a shortie myself i have learned that if a bike feels comfortable for you plus torque and performance has a added bonus then regardless of looks for me its a top contender
I agree, it's like the first filter any bike has to pass through when you're short ! ... the 8s certainly passed it no problem ...Thanks for watching ...
I much preferred it over the new Hornet that i've also ridden. I'd rather have the more stable longer wheelbase over quick steering, it suits my riding more these days. I also much preferred the lower down torque of the Zuki engine over the Honda. You may be able to roll the bars back a tad to get better reach, or risers are an easy and cheap fix. The all black one was my favourite colour out of the 3 options.
Only the looks were questionable for me. It not a bad looking bike by any means, just a bit too modern design for an old geezer like myself. The worst being that tail end monstrosity incorporating the rear light, but i guess the aftermarket will have something to fix that.
Even though this is a relatively new engine from Suzuki, i'd have as much faith in this p twin as i do the v twin in my Strom.
Thanks Jeff, I've always valued torque which is why I was drawn to the 8s over the Hornet but I will get round to testing the Honda too . Yes there are a few tail tidy's available already for the Suzuki, and many of the 2nd hand ones have them fitted already so no issue there. I just have to learn to love that face !!
@@WyreForestBiker Biggest issue with the Hornet for me, was how physically small it felt. Felt way too cramped on it. But i am 6'1" with long legs. But even if it had fit me better i would have still preferred the 8S.
Think the suzuki 8s would be a great 2nd bike, having 2 completely different bikes makes a lot of sense. Bought 2 new bikes last year, honda rebel 500 and cbr650r
I think you're right , each would give a different riding experience as your 2 do ...thanks for comment .
The bike gets great reviews but I can't get past the looks. For what I do my T100 is perfect and I love the retro looks. Nice to watch a review on roads I know so well.
Thanks Simon , It is a great bike to ride but I agree the looks are 'challenging' ! The T100 is lovely and still on my radar, I will ride one again soon .
Thanks for your review, I enjoyed that. I've had the 8S for 12 months and just clocked 8500 miles on it. It's been a great bike and I get just as excited about going out for a ride on it now as I did when I first picked it up. That torque never gets boring. Good luck with your bike search 👍
Thanks David ,good to hear your positive thoughts about the 8s, It's still very much on my radar . As you say an absolute peach of an engine ....thanks for watching👍
Hi. I am looking at doing this the other way round, getting the CL as my second bike, hence I have stumbled on your channel. Thanks for all the thoughts and views, really helpful.
Going off topic, as a fellow short person with a 29 inch leg. Any advice on which jeans come in an actual short leg as the ones I have tried and sent back tend to have the knee protection where my shins are which is not ideal. My old leathers are great but a pair of jeans would be a nice addition. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.
I was thinking all the way through that how it was just like me when I test rode a Tracer 7 GT. It was pretty much perfect, size, power, weight, it handled beautifully, the suspension was good it came with everything I'd need to tour on it and I was so impressed that I went straight back and put a deposit on it and then over the weekend all I could think about was the Bonneville I'd seen in the showroom. In pretty much every way the Tracer was a more suitable bike but I still ended up buying the Bonneville and I still think I made the right decision. The GSX 8-S is a brilliant package but only you know if it is the right one for you.
That's very interesting ! ... I think I need to ride a Bonny again before I make a decision ...Thanks.
I compared this to the hornet and plumped for the hornet for many reasons, including more power, nimbleness and a considerable saving on price, but both are excellent bikes and buying one over the other is just personal choice in this category, but i'm well happy with my decision, as i imagine those who got the gsx8s are. There's a few minor things i don't like, as all bike have, but nothing i can't live with. as far as your question on if you 'need the power', short answer is no, but i find having it and twisting the throttle to feel the fun kick up the ass is a real buzz that you 'want' sometimes, so why not. GL and thanks for the review.
Thanks Bob interesting view, I must test the Hornet too . I agree the power isn't needed needed but it's addictive and I do miss it sometimes ! ...
Very interesting review David, that bike sounds great. The riding reminded me of when I had a torquey bike (GSX1400), it's great but I did miss the enjoyment of winding it out through the gears, because it wasn't really possible without turning it into a starship! I would get into a lot of trouble with that bike!!!
I love the GSX1400 in blue and white ... test rode one many years ago but the size and weight was just a bit too much ...Thanks Glyn.
Wish I had a £1.00 for every road you have been down David I would be a millionaire lol seems a quick bike I use Streetbike myself. About 7 mths ago I was going to buy the CL500 green from Sutton's but went for a Himalayan instead. Happy Riding 👍
Have tested p strom800 and currently own a 650. If I had the money I would change but I paid £6k for a year old v strom650 with 1000 miles on. On getting back on mine from the test ride, I decided to£4k the difference, no way. Too old and skeletally challenged for one of these and 6’1” cant hunch up. I do think I need more power than cL for that occasional kick in the arse. My 650 when revved out is fast enough for most situations on a road
Yes nothing wrong at all with that 650. All round great bike. Having ridden both I wouldn’t swap for the engine as they are both amazingly capable, but maybe the more modern styling, LED lights and dash. But that’s very personal if any of that bothers you.
Certainly consider this as a 2nd bike for commuting to and from work. Save using car
Some bargains to be had, similar price to the hornet at moment
Yes , sub £6K now 👍
Must be nice to have an instrument pod that you can read...as well.
|It's a great display ... not sure how it will look and perform in 10 years though ! ?
What do you think all day comfort would be like on The Suzuki. I tried the SV 650 last year and loved the torquey engine, not a bad ride too, but only on it an hour. Cheers 👍
Hi Simon, I have owned the SV and agree great engine but let down by very budget suspension in my opinion although that could be easily improved. I have to say the 8s is a huge improvement all round ...thanks for watching.
Thanks David. I might have to try one then 🤣there are so many great bikes out there at the moment. Cheers 👍
You mentioned having an SV so I presume you mean the SV650, how did the bike compare to that if you can remember the SV?
Hi Simon ,yes I had an early example of the latest model SV 650 (16 reg) . The engine was a very good unit but the 8s 's is a big step up in my opinion (as you would expect) more powerful and smoother but still with character ( that word again! ). The other big improvement is the suspension which was noticeably "budget" on the SV ... The 8's feels much higher quality on the front end in particular.
Does it vibrate much at higher speed?
No Nigel , very smooth .👍
Interesting….read a few reviews where the ride was saying vibes coming through the pegs (esp. the right peg) and bars at 70+ mph.
Thanks for posting.
İlginç evet satış stratejisi mi ..@@nigelfisher3756