Suzuki’s new roadster: the GSX-8S
The headline news is its new parallel twin engine
Launched alongside the new V-Strom 800 DE at Milan, Suzuki’s new GSX-8S streetfighter uses the same 81bhp, 776cc parallel twin engine in a straightforward roadster chassis, with a new steel frame, aluminium swingarm, capable running gear and a midrange electronics package. Designed to replace the GSX-S750 and its ancient GSX-R750-based engine foundations, the new twin gives Suzuki a smaller, more modern, economical and efficient (though less powerful) powertrain option going forward.
As with the V-Strom 800, the GSX-8S engine has the new patented Suzuki Cross Balancer system that uses two balancer shafts for better vibration reduction. The 270° firing order gives the ‘pulsing’ power delivery of a 90° V-twin, but with the lower production costs of a parallel layout. Only having one cylinder head and block to machine, and one assembly step rather than two saves time and money – it’s no shock that so many firms now use inline twins for their middleweight machinery: Kawasaki, Honda, Yamaha, KTM and now Suzuki.
The rest of the GSX-8S is fairly sensibly designed, too. The chassis is built around a steel tube frame rather than fancy cast aluminium, while the suspension offers preload-only adjustment on the rear shock, and unadjustable forks. All-up weight is a little bit hefty, at 202kg ready to ride, which is down to the steel frame no doubt (though Honda’s similarly-equipped Hornet 750 is a chunky 12kg lighter).
You get four-piston radial mount front brake callipers mind, with 310mm discs, and a sporty 180-section rear tyre fitting. The electronic rider aids have no IMU assistance, but there is a standard-fit up/down quickshifter, colour LCD dash and four-way traction control.
It all adds up to a fairly typical Suzuki recipe of late: sensible tech levels and solid performance at a great price. There’s no word on the cost as we go to press, though – we imagine Suzuki has had to do some hard thinking when it saw the bargain £6,999 tag on the Honda CB750 Hornet launched a few weeks earlier.