Suzuki GSX-8S Chris' First Vlog!

[@Trevster65]

I tried the hornet 750, Honda cb650r, triumph trident 660 and the bmw 850gs before riding the 8s. I bought the 8s and after 2700 miles it still makes me smile and I don’t regret it one bit. Not everyone’s cup of tea as there are better looking and more powerful bikes for less but I like the power delivery on the 8s.

[@houseofroos]

What were the pros for you of the Zook?

[@ilmiosmani3689]

Dont forget tho put an aftermarket exhaust its a must !

[@geneharrogate6911]

Much as I love my Euro bikes, I know a Jappa will tolerate indifferent maintenance, daily flogging, being put away wet and still be more or less turnkey reliable and still make you smile for thousands of K's. They were the perfect choice for a constantly broke apprentice back in the day.

[@RupeWilson]

As i rider of a 2014 duke 390 I feel this would be the perfect upgrade. Perfect for the back lane blasting and a light commute to work.

[@arunps7719]

The 390 Duke has its flaws, but gdamn it's a thriller, don't sell it, they don't make bikes like that anymore

[@CraftyMrRyan]

I've had the 8S since July last year and it's just ticked over 3000miles. It's my first bigger bike after a 125 so I don't really have anything to compare it to. But I've loved every mile of mine. It's plenty quick enough but also not intimidating at all. It fits my body perfect at 6ft (The Hornet 750 felt too small). Coincidently the roads in the video are the exact roads I ride along when I get the opportunity.. I knew the road as soon as the video started! Sad really. Would highly recommend the 8S to anyone thinking of it as an option.

[@pauldaum6513]

the 8S must be mind-boggeling coming from a 125 :D I found the low end power much higher than I would have expected from this class of bike

[@CraftyMrRyan]

@@pauldaum6513 15bhp jump to just over 80bhp certainly puts a smile on your face. The low end torque makes it feel faster too due to the instant punch in most gears. It's really useable and geared for the road.. I think it would run out of puff on the track though as you'd be wanting a bit extra up the rev range. But for everyday legal speeds you wouldn't want any more (can't complain with 60mph in sub 4 seconds)..

[@exothermal.sprocket]

10-15 kg lighter? Swap exhaust. Swap to lithium battery. 12 lb removed. ECU flash for another 9 hp, 10 ft-lb. Amazing bark, sound. Want to spend money on a bike it doesn't make sense to spend money on? Have a set of forged alloy or carbon fiber wheels made. Knock off another 10-12 pounds. You essentially have everything you're asking for. Nevertheless, the weight is coming from the steel mainframe and steel subframe. Alloy is expensive due to casting costs.

[@pauln6803]

I doubt there's a huge difference from the subframe when you factor in the strength needed. KTM can build entire frames out of chrome-moly that are light and stiff. Aftermarket cans will shave off 5kg easy if it's something quality like Akra or Arrow, but the cheaper ones can be surprisingly heavy in comparison. Wheels? Absolutely the biggest difference to handling. But forged ally doesn't always make that much of a difference. I had an old Aprilia RSV-R with the forged OZ wheels straight after a base Mille (cast Brembo wheels) and maybe noticed a small difference in turn in, but that could've been the stiff, recently refreshed Ohlins setup on the R over the (past their best) Showa/Sachs on the Mille. Carbon wheels? Now that's going to be noticed immediately and in almost every way. I rode my KTM RC8R for over 5 years before finding a set of carbon Dymag off eBay (there's such a thing as too much orange!). I've always taken the bike press with a pinch of salt when they say "transforms the bike", but it was like losing 20kg off the bike. The KTM was already a sharp and easy to ride machine, but the new wheels really did make the handling lighter and easier.

[@allwheeldrive]

There are riders, and then there are those who think they are riders. Those who use their bikes regularly look for the kinds of attributes in this "boring" bike that all armchair-racer comments here castigate. And - of course - they haven't even sat on one, let alone spent time with it. From nearly all accounts, this is an entertaining bike. But in the real world, the comfort, ease of performance-access, and slam-dunk reliability of the 8, only adds to the ownership experience - particularly for real riders who use the thing as often as their acceptance of the weather permits. I've got a Speed Triple and a Super Tenere ES. I love them both. And they are quite different. But...if I really need to be somewhere, and without arriving all folded up and cranky, it's the ST. It's heavier, doesn't care to be rev'd past 8500 (even with a flash), and doesn't cut a profile like the Speed. But it can CLIP, and I have real fun on it. The Bullet Train can def keep up on the winding roads. Plus! I can crack off easy 500-mile days as simply as a quick trip to the store. And it NEVER has let me down. To each their own, but before you open your yap, throw a leg over some of these "snoozer" bikes. Even with just a little bit of skill they are ANYTHING but boring. I save the Speed for the short, angry rides. Enjoyable, just the same.

[@willclrh2o498]

Just got the 2024 gsx 8s in grey. Absolutely love the bike.

[@urbanstrencan]

Also great work Chris love your reviews ❤😊❤

[@TheDBall73]

It needs some aftermarket seat options…. I went for a ride for over hours last weekend with some friends and it was brutal.

[@telbenj]

Perfect example of the pot hole issue we have in this country

[@paulconnell1309]

Nice ride. Wow, narrow roads. Bit too much on the weight and perhaps not enough on the torque which is rich and fun to ride with the quick shifter.

[@alwarren2653]

May 2023 a dealer had an extra GSX-8S dropped off in blue. I wanted white. Not sure Hornet direct comparison on spec. and next Hornet delivery Aug./Sept. Review by med. on launch said MPG doubtful due to fill ups and caning. I went for £6500 and three free services deal on the SV650 - known engine and 66mpg - Do I really need KTM Duke 790/890 or GSX-8S performance on the road?

[@mikeamphlett7913]

Actually. I have bought one because of the great reviews they have received and also I am in my 70s, i want a bike that is not too heavy, and is comfortable and mainly reliable. Fits the bill just right. Swapped it for a 310kg HD

[@xclent1975]

I just skipped over the class and just went straight to a late model 2015 Kawasaki Ninja 1000sx under 10k miles and $4500 USD … with panniers heated grips and Sargent heated seat …. Good deals are out there go find them !

[@ITS-yk5ky]

Do you think people watching a 2024 GSX8s video care? …no….

[@dariocp87]

Chris! What happened with the bmw 1000r you were fixing? And can you review the Aprilia Tuareg? Cheers mate! Big fan of this channel!

[@loztagain8278]

I preferred the look of the 8s to the hornet. I went to test the hornet, great bike. Went to test the Suzuki and it was too heavy for where I need to manoeuvre it. I was going from a 2004 Suzuki sv650s and had already found that hard to wheel around in my back yard where I keep it, so couldn't justify too much more weight.

[@jeffs2485]

Thanks, a very useful comment. Same issue for me.

[@alphacapo]

Are you guys older riders or smaller men?

[@loztagain8278]

@@alphacapo i'm 6ft 3, in my 30s. My back yard is grass on a slope.... sometimes it rains, and the ground is slippery. I'll be getting the area paved probably next year.

[@bc3nt]

i like the motovlog content here and there!

[@mrwaerialphotography9325]

Where are you based? More than happy if you wanted to test ride mine. Got a full arrow system, no cat or baffle, dna air filter, 3d printed air box lid delete, flashed ecu and a lithium battery to drop the weight a bit. Sounds incredible with an exhaust.

[@allwheeldrive]

Did flash open it up as expected?

[@mrwaerialphotography9325]

@@allwheeldrive if you do supporting modifications, exhaust and air filter it's a very noticeable increase in torque and doesn't fall flat on its face when you rev it out. Vcyclenut has very detailed dyno runs with every possible performance modification currently available, best he's gotten was 90hp. With a longer duration cam to bring the power higher up the rev range it would very likely take that closer to 95-100hp.

[@JonMann-e2v]

If it was your money would you save £1,500 and buy an SV650 and put up with less outright performance and tech over a more involving riding experience ?

[@kswager2217]

I’d say save a bit more and buy a used sv650. No reason buying a newer one

[@HifeMan]

This bike is way more fun than my SV-650. :)

[@creedm3040]

Awesome video! The countryside was beautiful. Where was that? Best!

[@shanestewart4905]

Tame wet rides you upload are better than no uploads Chris. More please.

[@Farsightful]

Nice weather. 😊

[@martinhughes9769]

Love Suzuki's, I'm fed up with manufacturers chucking out 2 cylinder bikes ,

[@gerryryan2302]

I wouldn’t give my mate Dave the key to a tin of pilchards !!

[@alphacapo]

Suzuki always rides nice and feels rock solid because of the little extra weight. Built for daily use to last

[@nickrider5220]

My mate Dave !

[@Druezy]

I'm so torn between this and the RC390. I know I'm going to want to get something like a Duke 990 eventually, so I don't know whether to start with the RC390 and turn it into a track bike later or get the 8S and trade it in. The 390 seems like so much fun on the roads here in New England. 6'3" 210, I'm sure most would say 8S.

[@houseofroos]

There are usually a half dozen late model Duke 390s near me on Facebook marketplace. You could get one of those for a season and sell it for nearly what you paid.

[@Druezy]

@@houseofroos A 2023 brand new RC is discounted to $4299 at a few dealers. That's a lot of fun for that money. I wouldn't buy one used.

[@allwheeldrive]

Easy. Get the Suk, have great fun getting to know it, flash the ECU, keep going!

[@markputnam6371]

I feel a Chris project bike coming on. Shed some bike weight, liven up the exhaust......

[@allwheeldrive]

And...an ECU flash?!

[@Oilyhands749]

Looks like a breakers yard bike, did they run out of paint?

[@dotdashdotdash]

Reminds me of the Yam TRX, a bike that looked half arsed

[@barryrose4850]

Good video as always. I know more boring Dave’s than reliable Dave’s 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@chrish2696]

What is the maintenance schedule 8s in the UK, does it fall under Europe and Oceania countries in the owners manual?

[@flamintasty]

The dash is nice 😊

[@nockianlifter661]

Lights, weight, lack of wind protection and no cruise control put me off. Bought a Tuono 660 factory instead.

[@ramo940]

Nice, but I'd pick the GSX-S 1000 for also good value.😉 both very good though👍👍

[@UpsideDownFork]

I do love my gsx-s1000 still after a couple of years. It's a great real road bike, but for 99% of riding, it's just twice the power you really need. Riding the GSX-8S was pretty eye opening for me. It's a better all round package out of the box. It is greater than the sum of it's parts. If you want a weekend thrasher with high performance then the 1000 is better, but for most day to day riding, i think the 8s is every bit as good. Controversial I know!

[@ramo940]

​@@UpsideDownForkmeaty old school inline four with screaming topend for sometimes - don't swop😉

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@UpsideDownFork I've done similar before. After piling on a lot of miles on a tuned FZ1, I had to admit it was only really fun when most laws were being broken. I sold it and went back to an SV650S with a full exhaust at the time. These days after a few more bike genres and different engine configurations, I'm a fan of either triples or twins. I do like a four, no double about it, but they tend to be fun when you're on high alert for law enforcement and that only lasts a few moments every few rides. The rest of the time it feels vanilla and like everything's too easy and without any challenge. It seems most 1L fours (in most categories) are being sold today on spec sheet numbers. Too many people are hyped about spending $28k on a BMW that makes 200 horsepower, not realizing perhaps, that if they don't run the engine above 9,000 rpm, they really have an engine producing about half that power. "Nice to have it when you need it" is nothing but a justification for driving an F1 car to groceries and bumbling around backroads, having spent well over 2x as money money for it.

[@ramo940]

​@@exothermal.sprocketok, I live in Germany and just had it at 150 mph for a minute - hard work without a windshield😅 impressive though

[@garethevans1751]

where can I watch bike world on tv, I can't find you anymore?

[@MouldyPIX]

Chris - can you share what road you did the test drive on..? 👌

[@CraftyMrRyan]

It's in South Wales. The start is here.. 51°50'32.2"N 3°40'13.6"W

[@bengraham6672]

It'd interesting to see the gsx-8r against say, a k6 gsxr 600

[@_audacerider3838]

Honda's Hornet 750 is 190kg wet GSX8S is 202kg wet so 12kg difference. Get rid of the Euro 5 exhaust monstrosity under the bike and fit a full exhaust system and you easily will drop GSX8S's weight to 195kg. I think one of the Suzuki's Endurance Sert riders had a GSX8S with a full exhaust at the press event for the GSX8R and with full exhaust and a ECU flash that engine will easily get 95bhp that is supposed to be the limit for the new supersport twin class.

[@Teatimeted]

Maybe I'm just a fat lad that is used to riding big heavy bikes, but can anyone really tell the difference when it comes down to 12 KG? My breakfast at Greggs weighs more than 12 KG.

[@dreadnaught688]

​@Teatimeted depends where it carries the weight

[@luuceichhorn4489]

Try the CB750 Hornet in comparison

[@damon1957ful]

I have tested back to back and the 8s kicks the hornet in to the gutter

[@urbanstrencan]

Between this, Honda Hornet 750, KTM Duke 790 what is your choice?

[@budmiller3823]

used MT09

[@HifeMan]

@@budmiller3823funny enough I traded it in my MT-09 for the GSX8S. lol

[@SmkinBarrel]

Shopping between this and the Triumph Trident 660. Does anyone have experience with both? What’s everyone’s vote and recommendation between the two?

[@wl660]

I have had my Trident for 3 years, 15k…love it. A keeper…I will get other bikes but only when I have space to keep the Trident. Ride them both - go with your instinct.

[@outquick]

How would you compare this to the GSX-S750?

[@outquick]

Me I’ve had a bunch of bikes, ride at the twistiest roads in America and I like the S750 a lot, but it needs a seventh gear.

[@myfewmoments]

@@outquickif you need a 7th gear on S750, 8S definitely is not for you

[@outquick]

See you at the dragon 🐉

[@JD-fd6gt]

Its only 11 more pounds than the origional 2003 cbr600rr was. You can drop some pounds with a full system.

[@eldiablomatadore8580]

whole weight argument falls off when u start counting weight including brake , oil and coolant fluids

[@bensmith7536]

Ive had a GSXR600 and a GSXR1000 in the past, I can honestly say they were the best most reliable bikes Ive ever had. I wasted money on a rusty Ducati, I burned cash on a late model KTM 1290S and will never waste money on that utterly unreliable brand again. I have a '23 BMW GS1250 ADV now but if i could afford a second bike, it would be a Zook without hesitation.

[@petrol11]

Don't let the haters distract, this is an absolute blast to ride, and for a first gen it's basically had no major issues afaik. It's a really solid machine.

[@disekjoumoer]

Chris likes Dave. Who knew? 😜

[@GazBromley]

It's an EU regulated parallel twin. Suzuki have left MotoGP and they're winding things down, and heading into huge car production. Toyota made a deal with Suzuki to make cars. Heartbreaking....money wins over passion.

[@xorbe2]

8S or Monster 937?

[@dani25683]

Monster

[@DucatiDale]

Not partially fast pretty much heaviest in class with the longest wheelbase not much top end so in essence not all that fun in the grand scheme of things I’d have one over nothing because it has 2 wheels and a engine but would be hard to walk past the Honda ktm and yam for it in the class forgetting the z650 because that’s hateful 😂 with the gen 4 coming out dealers are giving the stock gen 3 mt09 away for 8k as well some food for thought it’s better than any other bike I mentioned

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Less than 450 pounds these days is "heavy." Either the human race is getting very whimpy, or totally losing perspective.

[@DucatiDale]

@@exothermal.sprocket heaviest in class…. Meaning it’s heavier than its competitors

[@Crsf84]

It’s maybe a one sided view but these “middle weight” bikes just seem very unflattering, Back in the olden days 😂 I was spoilt growing up from fizzy 50, tzr 125 onto rgv 250 then finally the rvf 400 followed by zx6 then many litre sports bikes imo the best one being the k5 gsxr 1000. I have had a shot of some of these bikes and they just seem pointless. It’s almost like they created a category nobody needed.

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Not by choice though, the manufacturers are being forced into making these to get through all the emissions rules.

[@svracing3]

Annoying how much hate these bikes get I had the r7 and loved it just as much as the r6 I had a few years before you can’t complain 600 and 1000’s are dying and not be a buyer of them that’s why they die

[@tepidtuna7450]

The extra weight is better engineering.

[@davea9946]

And better stability

[@ronwhite8503]

That's what I say about my extra weight.

[@-DC-]

Always hilarious seeing the 😭 in the comments regarding parallel twins, If people still bought 4 Cyl Sports Bikes they'd still be on sale but the market evaporated, Similar to the people crying about Land Rover ceasing to build the old Defender which nobody bought new either. Its a Business like it or not.

[@allwheeldrive]

Yeah, and it's - in reality - no compromise, but a daily-driver improvement! Wringing a four's neck in town, and even on some wonderful, winding public roads, can actually become a study in frustration (and law avoidance, which can get pretty tiring, pretty quickly). There is NOTHING wrong with usable mid-range unless it is a dedicated track bike.

[@CharlieboySLONDON]

I've been riding for 33 year this year, after riding every engine type I won't ride a 4cyl unless it's crossplane. I have a Triple a single and a Parrelel twin. The character of a new Parrelel Twin in my 890R is probably one of the most usable, fun bikes I've ever owned. I've owned faster and more powerfull. I love triples for touring. Single for single track. Torque is what you need on the roads not revs. Lots of people I think just read stats and base a bike on its BHP (revs) and weight. There's so much more to it.

[@GligaChaz]

They did though, the GSX-S750 was a great seller, despite the reviews.

[@KnightRider1157]

Suzuki have made the washing machine of motorcycles

[@TheBas1984]

Nah, buy the gsx-s1000, far more bike

[@flamintasty]

This 👆

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Nah, buy the 1390 Super Duke R. Far more bike. Nah, buy the MTT-420RR. Far more bike. See? You can go forever with this. Why would you bother watching a video about a 85 horsepower accessible street bike when you've made 150 horsepower your minimum?

[@TheBas1984]

Yes, but in this case i still would go for the s-1000, because i own one. If you dont want a 1000cc bike, get the gsx-s750, the 4 cilinder is a lot more smoothe and give a sporty feel, the twins dont have that.

[@GligaChaz]

Yeah, I'd go for the gsx-s1000 over this. Glad I got my gsx-s750 before they stopped making them.

[@sancoblanco]

I can't stand the looks of this bike from the profile. From the middle and to the front it looks like MT07 with sharper edges and updated plastic and the tail section looks like something coming off a triumph bike. It's so unpropotional and weird. I have owned previous GSX-S750 and that bike is aesthetically so much better looking. GSX-R8 does look more balanced tho!

[@Steeps1969]

What a poor choice of roads to review/talk about a bike of that cc? Why?

[@Supercharged1976]

Am I the only one that feels like they're trying to drive the whole world into an Asian inspired motorcycle market? All they are coming out with are these cheap ass bargain basement bikes and trying to get people excited about them. Soon we'll be thinking wow look at that cool dude on that 800.....man how does he handle that 75 hp....so fast. Sad day in the superbike world fella's. All these p.o.s.'s are nothing more than over rated scooters and every review you watch on them they are trying SO hard to make it sound good and you can just tell their like F this p.o.s.

[@donderstorm1845]

boy what in tarnation are you talking about

[@petrol11]

Man some people really have their ego linked to horsepower. Having the horsepower is totally pointless unless you're taking it to a track or trying to kill yourself on public roads. I have the GSX 8S and it does exactly what I wanted it to do. It's insanely fun to ride, it's very precise and stable, it's a rocketship in its happy mid range, and the tech there is all great. Fact is we've had liter plus bikes for a long time now and nobody out there driving them anywhere near capacity on open roads for anything longer than a youtube stunt.

[@Supercharged1976]

@@petrol11 Well it's great that you love yours. The point I was making is that they are doing away with real superbikes and trying to pass these off as "just as good" I've been riding superbikes since 1992 and I can tell you there are plenty of people riding them to their limit on a daily basis. The circles you run in might be conservative and ride slow (nothing wrong with that as it saves you from tickets and accidents) but the circles I ride in we roll race, drag race and top speed run almost every time we go out. My Z H2 currently is sitting around 230 hp @ the wheel and I can tell you without a doubt it gets used....a lot. The GSX 8S is literally like buying a 500cc 4 cyclinder. If that's what you like that's great. In the mountains I'm sure it would be a freaking blast but, in the circles that most superbike riders run you'd end up riding alone back to where ever you were all meeting up.

[@Errol.C-nz]

What ever happened to actual reviewing.. it's just like it's cousin the P-Strom.. overweight underpowered characterless PIG.. Sz should have refined the 1050 V.. a MUCH better engine.. & bike.. & could've been a fair bit cheaper to make levels better than this PoS!

[@allwheeldrive]

Can you post YOUR review for us?

[@exothermal.sprocket]

"overweight underpowered characterless PIG" Are you referring to your fitness level, or a motorcycle that's already entered into MotoAmerica twins cup?

[@johnnyblue4799]

Just another lackluster parallel twin.

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

This is the 2 wheeled world we're living in now Johnny.

[@nickb3968]

You are correct sir.

[@johnnyblue4799]

@@BikeWorldTVshow I know and I don't quite like it. But any bike is better than no bike at all.

[@CharlieboySLONDON]

​@johnnyblue4799 how many have you ridden ? Have you tried a 890R ? Nuda R ? ... nothing wrong with these engines in the right bike. I miss the 600 screamers don't get me wrong. But as Street bikes I'd choose my 890R over my R6 all day everyday unless I was going to the track.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@johnnyblue4799 Another predictable, boring, out of context comment.

[@johnbanks9392]

So in a word "bland"

[@dalemeadows225]

Nice video, boring bike

[@rajashekarbellamkonda9051]

First comment

[@Bow-to-the-absurd]

And you really smashed it out the park.

[@pabloblascocarrascosa5425]

No squids?? No wheelies??😢😢😢 Boring bike

[@allwheeldrive]

Ahhhh, the smell of wasted testosterone. I'll bet you're a ranked racer, correct? And that you take your show on public roads, correct? Frankly, if you can't life the front-end on this bike, it's back to elementary school!

[@bytesandbikes]

"Tuck bike away for winter" ?!?! Heresy! 🧊🥶