GSXS 8 review

[Supermofo]

First review I've seen/read.

[Bigjawa]

Another twin.

Personally I'd buy a TDM and trouser the other five grand.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I can't see why you'd buy this over the new Hornet, other than the fact that you want a Suzuki and not a Honda Which, TBF, is as valid a reason as any other so far as bikes are concerned!

[KungFooBob]

I'd buy the Honda... Until I see a group test where the zook laps Cadwell 0.003 seconds quicker, then I'm GSXS all the way.

[Supermofo]

I think the only reason you'd buy any of the others over the Hornet would be looks. Which would be a fair reason as the Honda looks like a CB500 but for the cost saving I'd put up with that.

[Bigjawa]

I think the only reason you'd buy any of the others over the Hornet would be looks. Which would be a fair reason as the Honda looks like a CB500 but for the cost saving I'd put up with that.

Honda strikes me as the sort of bike that will attract aftermarket stuff, a bit like the original Bandit.

[ChrisW]

One of these has turned up in a dealer nearby, called in and had a look. Seems quite nice on first look-over. I've booked a go on it this Thursday, weather dependent.

My daughter took the photo, I'm beginning to think she hates me.

[KungFooBob]

My daughter took the photo, I'm beginning to think she hates me.

Why, was it her turn to wash your socks?

[weeksy]

One of these has turned up in a dealer nearby, called in and had a look. Seems quite nice on first look-over. I've booked a go on it this Thursday, weather dependent.

My daughter took the photo, I'm beginning to think she hates me.

The pic, is somewhat lacking

[ChrisW]

My daughter took the photo, I'm beginning to think she hates me.

Why, was it her turn to wash your socks?

Wait, that's not a treat?

[ChrisW]

One of these has turned up in a dealer nearby, called in and had a look. Seems quite nice on first look-over. I've booked a go on it this Thursday, weather dependent.

My daughter took the photo, I'm beginning to think she hates me.

The pic, is somewhat lacking

I fully agree. She's on notice & I'll try to get something better when I have a go on it.

[MingtheMerciless]

One of these has turned up in a dealer nearby, called in and had a look. Seems quite nice on first look-over. I've booked a go on it this Thursday, weather dependent.

My daughter took the photo, I'm beginning to think she hates me.

The pic, is somewhat lacking

I fully agree. She's on notice & I'll try to get something better when I have a go on it.

I believe Sir requires the "Sandals of Invincibility".

[KungFooBob]

The pic, is somewhat lacking

I fully agree. She's on notice & I'll try to get something better when I have a go on it.

I believe Sir requires the "Sandals of Invincibility".

How are they better than Mince Trotters?

[ChrisW]

I nipped out on one of these for an hour today, albeit with a stop at my Dad’s for a cup of tea. Parent for scale:



Here’s what I thought:

Engine: Feels a bit flat low down but has a decent mid-range and a very slightly nicer top end than an MT07. They’ve done a great job with the balance shafts and it feels very smooth - although contradictorily it’s quite buzzy through the bars while going through the gears and there was a distinct buzz through the footpegs up towards 3 figures. Slipper works fine. Fuelling’s really nice low down - the RPM assist works well. It’s nice, but it’s not very playful.

Suspension: It’s ok, I was expecting it to be a little better than it is but it’s quite firm, which I like, though not particularly harsh. Easy to use all of the tyres on a decent surface but it was a little wallowey in sweepers and decidedly squirrelly at speed on a rough dual carriageway, a bit of head-shaking especially on some of those ‘there’s a roundabout coming up so we thought we’d make the surface worse whilst you’re slowing down’ yellow lines. Closest I’ve come to a slapper for years. The tyre pressures did feel a little low.

Riding Modes: I just left it in A mode.

TC: It was set to it’s highest (3) when I left & was kicking in on the first little roundabout on the way out of town. I turned it down but found it was still kicking in occasionally - straight line, corners. I turned it off.

QS: I didn’t try the quick shifter. It was suggested that I try it switched off to start with, so I did, but then when I stopped I couldn’t figure out how to switch it on…

Brakes: are fine, decent feel. Front ABS only activated when I made it do so on purpose and the rear didn’t kick in particularly early.

Comfort: The seat’s really very good, feels like it would be all-day comfortable. Does get very blowy at higher speeds, more than other modern nakeds.

Sound: It’s quite muted but reasonably pleasant, very little induction noise. It’s ‘polite’. It sounds a bit like a triumph triple when you’re on the bike.

Weight: Honestly doesn’t feel heavy. If I hadn’t known it was 202kg I’d have guessed around 180.

Niggle: The pillion seat lock. It looks like a crappy glovebox or door lock on an old car, just slapped on the side of the tail unit.



It’s sort of a slightly-less-quick Japanese Street Triple / 790 Duke hybrid. The overall fit & finish is good but the tank (black bit) looks a little cheap and as if it’s going to end up scuffed fairly quickly. I like the bolt on rear subframe and little things like the footrests & heel plates are nicely finished. The cockpit/bars/dash area looks & feels good when you're on it.

For me the Riding Modes, TC and quick shifter aren't needed on this bike, I'd much rather have had slightly better suspension with more adjustability instead.

I’d probably have one and really enjoy it. While £8k does seem quite a lot of money for it, it’s maybe not massively too high.

[Bustaspoke]

I was sat on one of these in the showroom earlier today,I'm presuming the tank was empty but the bike didn't feel as heavy as I was expecting.
The only reason I was in the shop was to get my Street Triple booked in for a service,but they offered me a deal on my bike as P/X against a new price reduced SV650 plus a few years free servicing.Last time I was in there they sold me the Street Triple,I've avoided going back until today

[KungFooBob]

Sounds alright, now go ride a Hornet for comparison!!!

[Skub]

Seems like a bike for the job,rather than anything liable to set trousers on fire,but that's ok too.

[weeksy]

Nice write up. Thank you

[Supermofo]

Nice review, thinking I should see one when I take mine into St Neots Suzuki for its service.

That pillion seat lock is the same as mine, but on mine it's underneath so hidden from view.

Si Hargreaves gave the bike a good review and said for him he thought it was a better bike than the Hornet albeit heavier/less power.

[Dodgy69]

The MT09 seat lock is underneath the seat, right in the firing line. Little cap to protect key hole.