Just recently rode this bike and i was blown away with how good it is. Im 6 foot 1 and little bigger and this bike was actually not bad comfort wise at all. I never thought I would own a sport bike fully faired and this one has me wanting one now. The engine torque is immediate and just how smooth it is and the quickshifter as well i was so inpressed with this bike. My wife at 5'4 rode the 8s naked version of this bike and absolutely lived it too and she rarely likes bikes of this type and now she is wanting one. Seriously good bike. Good job Suzuki!!!
Having rode 405 miles on mine in one day in UK I can confirm it is all day comfortable to ride. Frugal mpg too, got 170 out of tank with some left in reserve. Great review Mark, as always.
Perhaps inevitably as your namesake I completely agree with you. Did 705 miles in two days going from the south east of England to Ullapool including a 150 mile motorway stint and found it smooth, comfortable, plenty powerful enough and impressively frugal, around 70mpg. I have the GSX-8S.
Nice review & a great machine. It's a really good sporty all-round road bike & does everything very competently. Goes well, stops well & handles well & comfortable too. I liked it so much I ended up buying one in those colours from that very shop! Great dealer & a fantastic bunch of guys, especially Frank who was extremely helpful & did me a great deal with the Akra full system, levers, tail tidy, radiator guard & a set of tank pads. The QS can be a bit tempremental on occassions but it's improving with miles & I'm learning it's ways so not an issue anymore. The 8R feels so much like a bigger V-twin with great torque & pull pretty much everywhere in any gear. Reminds me of my previous SV1000S, obviously not quite as strong but not too far off either. The spec sheet does the 8R no justice at all. It has excellent real world performance & is fun at legal speeds while not costing a fortune. Thoroughly recommed it.
This certainly appears to be a excellent bike, Mark. I think Suzuki have certainly done very well here with this 800cc twin. In whatever iteration, be it in S, R or V-Strom guise, I think they are certainly on to a winner here. I don't think there's any doubt that these will be anything but popular. Good report, Mark. 👍
Did a 3.000 km tour on my 8S and found it very comfortable. Did 8 hour ride one day and still felt good at the end of day. Was getting over 300km’s (186mi) to a tank (just taking it easy and cruising about 100kph). Would definitely recommend this bike as all rounder.
Looks like the perfect happy medium between sports bike and comfort, without the licence loosing hyper speed.. looks great, sounds good and fuel economy, I like it 😁 thanks mark another great review 🤠 x
Too youthful at only 44 years old ?...well I'm 69 years old and if could afford any of the new 800cc Suzuki's especially this one tested here ,just based on Marks excellent review.....I would buy one . Never give up mate it's when you do that's when you get old ...just advice imo . Not meant to offend .
Thanks for sharing your review, Mark. This is a quality motorcycle, no mistaking that. I think the market here is for riders wanting to both trade up to something quicker ( if you’re moving up) or trading down to something slower (but still eminently exciting) and less demanding on the licence and wallet for riders ditching the hyper-nakeds et al. This bike, as you rightly point out, is about the engine and suspension working together to create a very versatile machine, at the price one pays. The fact it looks good, has enough electronics to keep most riders happy (and safe) and offers a comfortable perch are bonuses to increase its standing in the pecking order. Less frenetic than the Honda Hornet and KTMs middleweight offerings, it would possibly be my choice.
Great look at the 8R Mark.👍 Mr TAYM (The All Year Motorcyclist) recently purchased an 8R and between both of your videos the 8R looks like a great and practical motorcycle for everyday and longer rides.
Suzuki did a fabulous job with this bike. Sporty yet comfortable and practical. If I didn’t have a Street Triple RS in the garage I would be kicking tires down at my local Suzuki dealer😬.
Super review, thanks. I love just about everything about the bike. Looks great for longer journeys too. I've got a new Hornet. I'd swap in a heartbeat!
It's basically fine, but lacks stability and the gearbox/quick shifter is very clunky. The gears could be a bit longer too. Early days with it though. I much prefer the CB650R I traded it in for
@@cliveomahoney4096 Interesting. I have a new Hornet too but I’ve been away from bikes for about 14 years and bikes have changed a lot in the meantime. I like the Hornet except for a snatchy throttle at low speeds. The last bike I had was a new 2006 CBR600F and that was superior but the Hornet did come at a good price. Still getting used to it, like you. I find the speedometer is reading on the high side, I’d question its accuracy. I can tell this by surrounding traffic on the motorway and comparing it to when I’m driving the car.
G'day Mark, first too comment, another good brand too ride, it's one of the four main brands from Japan and the competition keep the quality a must, this bike is a fine example of that, anyone would be pleased too own this machine, cheers mate, ride safe, Neil 🤠. PS great review as always.
Another excellent review! I've test ridden and found to be as fun/enjoyable/comfortable as noted. Wondering if this 8R might be a good middle ground to replace both my Ninja 650 and Vstrom 650 (a mix of sport/sport-touring). Did you find the 8R to be as comfortable as the Ninja 650 (and specifically in ref to height, I am of same stature). Thanks again for your feedback/reviews!
Mark, has Suzuki a winner here ? With what old model Suzuki can you compare it ? GT 550 Ram Air. Or the GS750 1990, two previous good bikes. GSX 750 is maybe asking too much or not. It looks more a sportstourer for me, like the new Hornet.
A fellow You Tuber, the all year motorcyclist, test rode one of these for his channel, and was so impressed,he purchased one for himself, must be good.
Recently tested one. On the plus side, very smooth, easy to ride, predictable handling, great gearbox good TFT well priced, and the cons , didn't feel or sound like a sports bike. It didn't feel exciting or have any real character. Lastly , no wind protection.These cons would put me off owning one, especially as I only have room for one bike.
Headlights are reminiscent off the Suzuki SERT bikes (Endurance Championship) when both on! Those ant antenna mirrors would need to come off straight away (bar fixing threads i noticed),and I've yet to see a decent tail tidy for the 8S,somewhere half way between the factory one and the undertray, one of those XSR700 aftermarket tail lamps, that look like the rear of a fighter jet would look nice on there? Other than that, I'm in,silver one is lovely!
I have the 8s and it comes with a rubber flap covering the rear shock, keeps all the crap off without a hugger. I assume this has it too as apart from the fairing, bars and suspension it’s the same.
What a Beauty ! although there will probably be some Anti Twin Cylinder Remarks I have seen Rumours Of a Retro Version that looks Like the Suzuki T500 from the 70s & Some Photos ( probably Fake?)
New camera Neil ....the DJI osmo action 4....seems to be the standard camera these days..... purple panda mic 🎙️.... changing helmet soon so I'll have to reset the mic position which is always fun 😂 Cheers mark
@@BikerKevGet the turbo kit on that, 115bhp on pump fuel...Extreme Creations...Yamaha do not need a R9,when you can push up to 200bhp out of the 700cc
I testrode this bike 2 weeks ago and loved the handling and the comfort. The riding position is awsome almost like a sporttourer not to much lend forward. I am 6’2 and its roomy. Not many sport bikes out there with fairings that are comfy, roomy and with this relaxed riding position (not to much lent forward). Tried the cbr650r and the Daytona and they are much more lent forward and not so roomy. Cbr650r is roamier than the Daytona. The only downside of the Suzuki 8R is the ugly front looks and the engine a little quirky at lower revs. Nothing beats the triple from Triumph if you want a smooth torque engine the whole register. For me its also so much about the looks. Honda cbr650r is so beautiful bike but want a more torque engine down low. The Suzuki is very close to the perfect bike but the looks doesnt do it for me. I think i dont buy a sport bikes with fairings its hard to find what i am looking for. I think i go for Triumphs Speed Twin 1200 for the lovely looks, comfort lovely smooth torque engine. The best out there for me but its sad when i really want a nice looking better priced sporttourer like the NinjaZ1000SX. Loved that bike but its to expensive to buy and insure
Went from Glasgow-Genoa-Spa-Glasgow on a Honda CBR900RR with a NSR500 V-Twin bodykit in 1998,touring at 80mph(5000rpm),averaged 64mpg...fuel consumption hasn't improved in 30yrs due to emissions crap choking the motors!
