Thanks for flogging it and letting us know that it's the top dog. Sometimes I hate reviews because no one wants to make a solid statement about how the bikes in the segment truly compare to each other and which one is best. Then you watch countless reviewers with little to no skill ( or maybe it's fear of crashing a demo bike) ride around and never say anything of value because they're scared to lean the bike. I love the way you touch the peg down briefly and then go back for more ! Thank you very much !
Thanks for appreciating! Most reviews don't make these clear statements because the reviewers don't want to anger the manufacturers who provide them with bikes. I'm in the lucky position that I work for a motorcycle magazine that lets me use their demo bikes for my own channel. The marketing people from the manufacturers don't watch my videos and therefore don't complain. I'm in a situation where I can't choose the bikes I get to ride but at least I can talk without having to be diplomatic.
@@Schaaf The manufacturers may not watch your vids but we do. And after watching we get a clear sense of what the bike is about. The big moto mag riding is generally sedate, or at least what we see, and the reviews are always predictable. 🍻
Not to mention this "new" 600-800cc parallel twin segment is probably the most important, because these are the top selling bikes now. It's extremely annoying when all you hear about them is: "yeah it rides great" from some guy in the US going straight at 50 MPH for 10 minutes.
@@Schaaf one thing for sure , the manus know that the big "showoffs" on yt are pussys , and im pretty sure that they watch your vids, exactly because its honest, coldblooded and un"influenced" , you can see it on the insane good reviews the latest sv 650 got from some of the big "official" reviewers included some zonkos , now that its gone, if i were a big manu, i would definetly prefer real reviews, and im poor, dont have a century long history, dont have hundreds of people that check every little detail, maybe im wrong and big money makes big dumb :P
KTM corporate generally allows motojournalists to flog their machines, with abandon. That's quite rare with manufacturers, however. The latest example with this is the 890 SM-T.
I'm honestly really surprised! I thought Suzuki basically had a fluke with the SV, and now that they're replacing it, they would lose the magic that it makes it so great. But to hear such high praise from someone who's experienced so many bikes in this category is really inspiring. Btw, is there any update on the Little Honda™? It's been a few years since we've seen it on the channel, and I just hope it's doing alright. If there was a post about it, I must've missed it somewhere.
Thanks Banshee! Here's your Little Honda update: She's been parked in a dry and warm garage for almost 3 years now. She is all good but would need a carburetor clean-up and MOT to be road-legal again. The little spare time in my life which I have left for motorcycles I use almost 100% on making my RAW videos. But ideally with bikes that haven't been featured on my channel yet since I'm obsessed with creating a catalogue of Onboard videos on here that features as many different bikes as possible. Getting the CB500 back on the road simply has not a high enough priority for me since I don't have the time to ride it anyway. But one day, maybe next year or maybe in 10, I'll get her back on the road and make one more wideo with it.
Yesterday I actually got to test it myself and I agree with your assessment. I was surprised how easy it was to ride. You sit on that thing like it is your bike. Also it felt quite light and nimble to me altough it weights slightly over 200kg. As you said, soundwise there is just not much going on and that really takes away from the riding experience but I'm confident that the aftermarket will take care of that. Good package, one I would recommend to a lot of ppl.
We are in the minority with this one. I have lots of praise for you calling this bike, stable, predictable, easy to ride. These are characteristics every sensible rider should look for in a bike, regardless of it's performance, yet it will be called boring or made for old people. Thanks for the review.
Thank you so much for riding this bike like it is supposed to be ridden! Just bought one because of this review. Suzuki did their homework and I'm so glad they made a desirable and reliable naked! The QS is amazing for a bike that's under 9k MSRP (I'm in the US) and the motor and chassis feel so composed. I was so shocked with how you can push the 8S and it doesn't get overwhelmed. I also love that it has a VIN that starts with J, 😂 🇯🇵❤
I've recently test rode the hornet 750 gsx 8s and the 790 duke and I think this is my favourite has the smoothest throttle and engine and feels so planted and solid in bends Put off a bit by ktms reliability. As the ktm I test rode the quickshifter didn't work above 3rd for some reason.
Nice to read your thoughts regarding the 8S and it’s competition. I’ve been considering them all. I’ll be seeing several in person today, but currently, the 8S is the leader for purchase.
finally ! a video that is not on busy streets...........where the rider is jabbering about features or other trivia............this is WAAAYYY better ! thx. wb
I'm talking to a dealer about getting one now, I hope with upgraded exhaust we can have a more noticeable sound, but aside from that I'm excited to hop on.
Your opinion about the suzuki confirms what i thought when i saw the specs, after a long while of boring bikes in the entry level market this thing seems to hit the mark.
Awesome ride bro. You make the bike (or any bike you’re on 😂) do it’s best on real roads. Love Suzukis and been enjoying my GSX-S750. Your videos is truly inspiring to keep the ride on. Well done 😘
Another great one Schaaf, thanks for sharing. You're the only one thus far that has elaborated on ergonomics and relative comfort beyond "it's ok". Your "quick review" section has more substance than most anything else released for this bike at the moment - I realize some have to play nice with "the powers that be" to keep getting called back but most of what was said in most other "reviews" was fairly shallow.
I'm not sure why I expected anything else. Despite always being in the MT09's shadow, the GSXS750 has been a fantastic and capable bike. Not great on paper but somehow great on the road. Hope this does well for Suzuki.
I think the biggest part of that is the naming of the bike! On paper GSX-S750 looks neat but in reality it's a f**king marketing and selling nigtmare. I dunno why they stopped calling their street fighters GSR's.
GSX-S750. Wenns die neu geben würde, hätte ich sie gekauft . Aber die S 8, hat wahrscheinlich, auch seine Vorteile ! Finde beide Super. Gruss u Danke .
Schöne Strecke, diese Bilder haben mir mehr über den Charakter dieses Moppeds gesagt als alle bisher gesehenen Tests. Danke für die "praxibezogene" Ausfahrt!
The 8S is about €100 more expensive than the Hornet with quickshifter in the Czech Republic. I am a little bit sceptical about sales based on performance numbers it offers. Lets be honest, look and specification sell the bike. Dealers of Suzuki do not offer riding days like competitors, so not many people will have opportunity to try 8S.
True, they don't do riding days east of you either, which is a shame... But sales in central Europe probably don't seem to bother them that much, besides Suzuki has always skimped on marketing the most among the big four.
@@apauma1 i am bit taller (1,90m), the hornet was way too small for me and felt like a 125ccm bike. The 8s felt more stable dn calm. Hornet has more top end power but i like the engine of the 8s more.. idk
Thanks Schaaf, I’m hoping this coming out in India (expected at the end of the year 😢) and if this competitively priced like it is globally, I’ll be excited to test as a potential next bike 😊
They way you drive makes it obvious, that this bike is great and intuitiv to ride. Usually I dont like Suzuki that much, but maybe I should try one after your review :) Would you say it is even better than the Street Triple R or rather different, because the Street is more of a sportsbike with its geometry and high revving engine.
Most importantly, the Street is from a different price category. But the 8S is easier to ride and the QS works better. The rest is is better on the Street, according to the price difference
Looks to perform really well. It's the front headlight arrangement I struggle to like. Much prefer the cleaner look of the round SV headlight. Thanks for your vid, it will genuinely help buyers decide 👍
Brill vid, love your riding , i have a black 8s after testing hornet ,mt07 etc back to back in one day ,well the 8s was the best, around the twisted roads i could push harder and had more conficence in the 8s, the extra weight is not a negetive but a positive it feels planted , i have done 1200 miles in the 4 week i have had her, 1st service done and alls well, i can ride 4 to 6 hrs nonstop and as soon as i get home i want to go back out , love it its full of charater and feels alive you must try one , for me it leaves all the other nakeds floundering
Just picked one up today and I totally agree! I had an 2018 MT-07 which I love but this thing has even more amazing low end grunt, WAY better suspension, smooth as silk throttle, and much more to love about this bike.
That verdict says alot since I know how good the 790 Duke performs. I will take one of these for a testride this coming saturday. Maybe I'll trade my lovely 690 Duke for it...we'll see. Thanks!
It’s seems like a lot of the latest Euro 5 emissions bikes are very muted now from the factory. Unfortunately not always does an aftermarket exhaust solve the issue. It will be interesting to see what the aftermarket can do. It does at least sound better than the current Ducati Monster though.
Some say that this is not a powerful bike and that it is too heavy. From your video I wouldn't say so. :) It leans like there is no tomorrow bro. Enjoyed it. Take care. Would like to try one!
It's my educated assumption that this 8S has been held back a bit in the ECU. With throttle by wire, manufacturers typically pull back the throttle at the high rpm as much as 30%. In other words, your wrist might be held right to the stop, but the computer is controlling the throttlebody and reduces power at pre-programmed RPM in the ECU. Only way to allow the engine the full beans is ECU flashing.
As a followup to this, lots of development has happened in the States. Stock to fully tuned, it's going from factory 78hp/57ft-lb to fully tuned 90/65.
Super review! Ich liebe diesen nüchternen Stil! Stehe gerade vor der Entscheidung 8s oder Tuono 660 Factory. Macht hier nur ca. 1 Tausender Unterschied. Die Tuono hat technisch volle Hütte (IMU usw.) und bei der 8S muss man noch einiges machen, Blinker zum Beispiel. Dafür hat sie einfach einen geilen (vielleicht besseren?) Motor. Würdest du sagen, dass die Tuono eine Klasse uber der 8S ist? Zuverlässigkeit ist natürlich auch so ein Thema. Hört man ja leider immer wieder schlechtes über Aprilia. Hast du als Experte da Erfahrungswerte?
Nice review, and as others have commented, thanks also for committing to an opinion on it's place in the scheme of things. I am surprised at how good it is, now they just need to fix the looks, which really don't appeal to me.
Enjoyed the video. Not a huge fan of most motovloggers non-stop talking. Like your style. Also, as long as I can enjoy the bikes sound a bit, I prefer one that isn't so loud you miss other traffic queues/noises. Seems like the bike for me!
how would you compare this to the kawasaki z900? I've bought a used z900 se with the upgraded suspension and brakes because it was less then this. Maybe in a few seasons I would trade it in for something else.
Amazing video as always Schaaf! I have a Mt-07, and have been eyeing the Hornet... Betwen the Honda and the Suzuki, which one would you go exclusively for the twisties? 👌🏻
Is it a worthy successor to the SV650? I think the design of the SV still looks better. Everything that makes the 8S good, mixed with the cafe racer look of the SV650 (But of course slightly updated) would be a pretty cool combination. But i think i understand why Suzuki went with a completely new model.
I hope suzuki keeps the SV in production. From my couch, it looks like the 8s is targeting a slightly different customer - younger, peeking at the MT-07, Hornet, but someone in their forties may not identify with the modern design and compact frame... and there's a engine size and power difference. Otherwise, I think the SV's development costs have long been paid for, hence the great price - for someone looking for a second bike to ride around town, it's the perfect moto-slave.
Is better than hornet cb750? (I love xsr 900 3 cylinder sound, actually I got an hornet 600 1999) Schaaf i really appreciate your raw honest review. What the next bike? New Hornet, gsxs8, or Xsr900 … Please I really appreciate your feedback
The bikes seem to be confidence inspiring, with a all around good spec sheet for the price. How long have you been riding, since you just throw a leg over it, and scrape the pegs/lean so much?
Curious to see what a full exhaust system + ecu flash will do to this bike. I miss my previous XSR700 and with the yoshi R77 system it sounded beautiful, the suspension was just trash unfortunately. Possibly looking at this or Hornet as a 2nd bike again when I don't want to ride my GSXS1000GT for around town, etc.
I know we cant compare but i would be curious to see it face the Tuono 660.... i rode it and love it soooo much... And V4 engine noise vibe helped for sure. But didn't like MT07.
Cant wait to ride again, now... Either i go for crazy Brutale 800 Rosso or RR (havent choose my crazy or fully crazy levels), or this one. Had a blast on the aging GSX1000S and went to try the 8S in shop... Same position, same ergo, same feeling of "narrowness" and weight almost felt the same. Tho the 8S was much more modern looking and much more polished and quality vibe while 1000S had a lot of uggly pastics. Saw the 8S with short rear light in the rear case, small led blinkers, and engine "sabot". Was looking hot af... And i got to say, nothing feels as good as a metal tank... F the plastic ones XD
@@Schaaf thanks for the answer! Much appreciated. If you can i would be curious to sée you ride the indian ftr (carbon or s) as you make great sound capture. And i would be curious about the v100 moto guzzi and turismo véloce, brutale or dragster 800 at MV :p
Thank God I've emptied my bowels before watching...If I would ever ride those roads it would be max 1/3 of the speed you're taking those corners in :P Even 'commuting' pace feels fast o.O I really start to think that buying a GSA was a terrible idea...should bought MX5 instead >_>
if your tall or want to ride with a passenger its tough. very small bike. if your under 6ft you will probably be fine solo. yeah it is a lot of fun and the triple sound and feel is great. love that triumph offers test rides vs other dealers n brands in the states
I am starting to really like the gsx8s. Currently i own an sv650 and i want something more planted in corners something less wobbly. Do you think this would be a great bike to get or should i class up something like mt09 (dont have budget for SP since no used ones are selling) or like Z900 (se) these 3 bikes are on my mind. I dont want a liter bike i think it might be to much for me and also most of those cost more than 10k euros (tried finding used street tripple but they dont exist here lol) Edit: oh and i tend to ride 2up but less aggressive of course
Hello. Pro sound engineer here. I've always been intrigued by your recording setups and the immersive quality of the audio. But don't use this position, IMHO. It's rattling in the bag, there's a fair bit of wind noise, and I think you've high passed it (assuming, to manage wind noise) to the point where all the lovely juicy bottom end is gone.
@@Schaaf I don´t think so... the middle silencer is very big and you probably only get to change the muffler which doen´t seem to do that much. GSX S1000 owners share the same problem but the orginal S1000 muffler is way bigger. Not asingle company has released an aftermarket muffler until now
Very new to biking, so if during those turns a few pebbles are there that you dont see and you run over them are you just dead? Or can a motorcycle handle those and recover?
A few small pebbles usually won't be a problem. But gravel strips indeed can be a problem. That's why you should never go fast without inspecting the road first in a slow run.
Can you take a Honda CL500 for a spin? Surprisingly it felt really good, considering other Hondas 500cc It is not fast, not stable, has not the best brakes, but really fun to ride!
Wow! This is a great motorcycle! I think I heard 2 things…1. Peg scrapping🤔 2. Back shift tyre squealing? I thought it has a slipper clutch? Or are you applying rear brake more? Thanks for your video! This is a ripping motorcycle 🚀👌👌
Ist die Gabel die gleiche wie an der GSX-S 950? Die wäre für mich eine günstigere Alternative zur 1000er. Und vielleicht könnte ein Chip-Tuner den 950er Motor noch etwas optimieren. Oder reichen die 80 PS der 8s?
![a QUICK review of the Suzuki GSX-8S [RAW Onboard]](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
