It looks like I will be joining RiDE magazine on a road test of this bike next week. Should be fun!
2023 GSX-8S
- Thread starter Arsey
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The French reviewers seem to like it too
Just got back from spending the morning flying around the Cambs/Northants backroads following Jim from RiDE magazine. I was very impressed with it. Really comfy ergonomics, excellent grunty motor and confidence inspiring handling. Some kind of aerodynamic wizardry with the front end made it remarkably pleasant at ‘high’ speed. The feature should be in their next issue.
Sat on one in P&H.
It’s certainly bigger than the Hornet
It’s certainly bigger than the Hornet
My thoughts on it.
Y
Y
My thoughts on it.
Can you get a discount on one for me ?
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Interesting announcement from Suzuki regarding the V Strom 800 , new extra model in 2024 range will be a more road orientated version with cast wheels (19" front and 17" rear), more road orientated suspension and narrower bars. Basically the bike most people want as they never venture off road
It’s the bike most people should want, but I bet they sell more 21” front wheel models (see also Triumph Tiger 800)
Why should most people want a bike with smaller wheels and less compliant suspension ?
Hmmm….. Because everyone is different perhaps and wants different things from their motorcycles and scooters? Variety is the spice of life don’t cha know!
Took one out this afternoon.
What a fabulous bike !
If you’re considering a new Hornet 750, you must ride this first.
Admittedly I’ve not ridden the Hornet but I’ve ridden the Transalp with same /very similar motor and the Suzuki is MUCH nicer .
Ok, it makes less power and is heavier than the Hornet , but it has so much more midrange and has real punch .
Great riding position, even for me at 6’1”. Loads of leg room . Great TFT. Lovely handling and the quick shifter is possibly the best I’ve ever used - so much better than that on my new 890 SMT.
I can see why most reviews rate it better than the Hornet .
Go try one . I guarantee you’ll be amazed at how well it goes and how it feels like a proper bike …..
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What a fabulous bike !
If you’re considering a new Hornet 750, you must ride this first.
Admittedly I’ve not ridden the Hornet but I’ve ridden the Transalp with same /very similar motor and the Suzuki is MUCH nicer .
Ok, it makes less power and is heavier than the Hornet , but it has so much more midrange and has real punch .
Great riding position, even for me at 6’1”. Loads of leg room . Great TFT. Lovely handling and the quick shifter is possibly the best I’ve ever used - so much better than that on my new 890 SMT.
I can see why most reviews rate it better than the Hornet .
Go try one . I guarantee you’ll be amazed at how well it goes and how it feels like a proper bike …..
Sent from my Nokia 3310 using Thetwatcantalk
An 800 in anyone's book is, or at least, used to be a big bike. I just think it's a shame they're phasing out the Vstrom DL650 due to both emissions and cost of production (parallel twins are cheaper to make than Vee twins...allegedly) and whilst it's no doubt a stonking bike in it's own right, it means the loss of one of the most flexible and reliable "little" 650 engines possibly ever made. Having had an SV650, I can see that this is the current thinking to "more is better" but in doing that, will it lose something of the charm and reputation of the outgoing model I wonder? The endless quest for more power isn't always needed depending on what you buy a bike for. I had the choice of buying one of these in VStrom 800 guise or going for an older one, to add to my RS. I chose the older one, despite this one being appreciably punchier and more up to date.
That misses the point of this naked one perhaps as my comments were more about the V Strom. I'd agree whole heartedly anyone considering a Hornet would probably be doing themselves a favour trying this one first. Physically, it's a bigger bike than the outgoing SV5650 so it may not have the same wider demographic appeal as the lower SV (ladies and recent A1 licence riders?). I can see this might top the heavy/middleweight charts above the KTM and Honda competition, not least for the competitive pricing and what's on offer.
That misses the point of this naked one perhaps as my comments were more about the V Strom. I'd agree whole heartedly anyone considering a Hornet would probably be doing themselves a favour trying this one first. Physically, it's a bigger bike than the outgoing SV5650 so it may not have the same wider demographic appeal as the lower SV (ladies and recent A1 licence riders?). I can see this might top the heavy/middleweight charts above the KTM and Honda competition, not least for the competitive pricing and what's on offer.
I bought one, I love it.
Rode the Hornet which was all about top end revs and was a bit cramped, i was sorely tempted but the Honda dealer returned my wife's NX500 with a front spindle clamp bolt missing and a loose spindle. Decided that I did not want this quality of service!
The Suzuki engine kicks in straight of the throttle, much nicer feel for me. More room to fidget about on, not the plushest seat I've been on but that's not hard to rectify.
Rode the Hornet which was all about top end revs and was a bit cramped, i was sorely tempted but the Honda dealer returned my wife's NX500 with a front spindle clamp bolt missing and a loose spindle. Decided that I did not want this quality of service!
The Suzuki engine kicks in straight of the throttle, much nicer feel for me. More room to fidget about on, not the plushest seat I've been on but that's not hard to rectify.
Exactly . The Hornet has bugger all midrange but the Suzuki has it in spades and it’s a physically bigger bike for normal people . Did you get the faster blue colour ?
Mines in the even faster stealth black, its even lighter as I swapped the delightful appendage at the back with a tail tidy.
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