Suzuki GSX-8S

» On first inspection Suzuki’s GSX-8S appeared to be wide of the mark; almost 10bhp down and 12 kilos heavier than Honda’s equally fresh Hornet 750. And at £7999 it’s a grand more expensive. How could Suzuki have got it so wrong?

But, as is oft the case, spec sheet numbers tell only part of the story. Riding this new naked middleweight reveals the full 3D picture. Its 776cc, 270° crank, parallel-twin motor out-guns the Honda with superior torque and power all the way to 8000rpm. For real-world situations, like flexible thrust on unknown roads and A-road overtakes, this Suzuki leaves the Honda shuffling for a lower ratio and struggling to keep up. Between 5000-6000rpm, where the GSX-8S enjoys its biggest advantage, this twin is the new naked middleweight king. Sure, the CB750 is a fantastic machine with a belting engine, especially for those who love an eager top end. But, in 90 percent of situations the Suzuki is better. Even 12 extra kilos can’t hold the GSX back. It actually helps if anything, giving the Suzuki’s handling more composure, stability and maturity than the Honda’s sometimes nervous ride. The GSX-8S feels more settled and reassuring, not just than the

Hornet but than the previous best-inclass, Yamaha’s MT-07 – and yet it’s still agile and extremely easy to control. It feels like a grown-up motorcycle. This maturity extends to the Suzuki’s ergonomics. It feels a half-size bigger than the Honda, almost as if it belongs to the capacity class above, so there’s plenty of scope for taller riders. The modern dash is clean and easy to read, and the switches are simple to operate. Even the mirrors are good. The finish punches above its weight too – maybe at last ending that tired ‘flimsy Suzuki’ stereotype.

So is it worth a grand more than the excellent Hornet? Yes – the Suzuki plays its ace card in almost every road riding situation and feels better and better with every mile. It’s not just a middleweight master, but likely to steal sales from its larger GSX-S1000 sibling. Great bike.

‘Between 50006000rpm, where the GSX-8S enjoys its biggest advantage, this twin is the new naked middleweight king’