One year after Suzuki released the GSX-8S middleweight naked bike, the company has announced a fully faired sibling for 2024. The GSX-8R sportbike joins the lineup with the same 776cc parallel-Twin, slim chassis geometry, and Suzuki’s Intelligent Ride System rider aids, but with sporty ergonomics and styling that draws on the 35-year GSX-R heritage with a modern interpretation.
Related: 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S | First Ride Review
The 776cc parallel-Twin DOHC premiered in 2023 in the GSX-8S and the V-Strom 800DE with a claimed 83 hp peaking at 8,500 rpm and 57.5 lb-ft of torque at 6,800 rpm. A 270-degree crankshaft configuration gives the engine a rumbly exhaust note, and the Suzuki Cross Balancer system allows for a compact and lightweight design.
When we tested the new engine in the 2023 V-Strom 800DE, our reviewer said, “When a twist of the throttle requests more power, the engine responds with a torquey forward rush, and the Suzuki Cross Balancer system does a great job of quelling any excessive engine vibration.”
Related: 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE | First Ride Review
The 8R’s has a steel-pipe frame and a cast-aluminum swingarm. The wheelbase is 57.7 inches, and the seat height is 31.9 inches. Suzuki describes the 8R’s ergonomics as “an upright, forward-leaning riding position.” The 8R has a 3.7-gallon fuel tank and a claimed curb weight of 452 lb.
The GSX-8R gets a different suspension setup than the GSX-8S to better suit sport riding. Up front is a 41mm Showa SFF-BIP fork, and out back is a Showa monoshock with a spring preload adjuster. There are 5.1 inches of travel both front and rear.
Braking comes in the form of dual 310mm front discs paired with radial-mounted Nissin 4-piston calipers and a single 240mm rear disc with a Nissin single-piston caliper. ABS is standard on both front and rear brakes, and the front brake lever is adjustable. The 8R rides on 17-inch cast aluminum wheels wrapped in Dunlop Roadsport 2 radial tires.
See all of Rider‘s Suzuki coverage here.
Like the GSX-8S, the 8R comes standard with the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System’s suite of rider aids, including a quickshifter, traction control, ride modes, and more.
The Suzuki Drive Mode Selector allows riders to choose three engine power output modes called A, B, and C, with A delivering the sharpest throttle response and C providing the gentlest throttle response, and ride modes can be changed while riding with mode and select switches on the left handlebar.
The Suzuki Traction Control System gives riders four traction control options. Mode 1 has the lowest sensitivity and allows rear wheel spin best suited for good road conditions. In Mode 2, traction control engages sooner for average conditions, and Mode 3 eliminates wheel spin for riding on wet or slippery roads. Additionally, STCS can be turned off altogether, and STCS modes can also be changed while riding.
The bi-directional Quick Shift System allows the rider to shift up or down without operating the clutch or throttle, and the Low RPM Assist System increases engine speed for smoother power delivery when taking off from a stop or while riding at low speeds. The 8R also comes equipped with the Suzuki Clutch Assist system that allows a small amount of clutch slip for smooth downshifts and increases plate pressure under acceleration.
The 5-inch TFT instrumentation displays ride modes and traction control modes. It also shows speed, a gear indicator, tachometer, fuel level, and a clock. The TFT can be set to automatically shift between Day Mode and Night Mode or can be switched manually, and the brightness can be adjusted. The bottom of the display can be set to show coolant temperature, ambient air temperature, odometer, dual tripmeters, fuel consumption, or riding range. The GSX-8R also comes with full LED lighting, including a stacked pair of hexagonal headlights supplied by Koito.
The 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R will be available in Metallic Triton Blue, Metallic Matte Sword Silver, or Pearl Ignite Yellow with an MSRP of $9,439 and a 12-month, unlimited mileage warranty. Visit the Suzuki website for more information.
Check out more new/updated bikes in Rider’s 2024 Motorcycle Buyers Guide.
I love the way the bike looks and the ergos, but I’ve never owned a parallel twin, I have two Suzuki in my stable now, the Gsx 650f with 87 claimed HP and 2018 Busa sports tourer basically bone stock but both have exhaust, Yoshi full exhaust,Healtec fuel MGMT system and Tail Tidies!
My question is will the 8R be a in between option to ride or will it lack the grunt or get up and go of my Gsx-650f that is 120 pounds heavier but has 6 more HP.
Are twins sluggish, I’ve only had one a standard 1977 Suzuki Gs 400xb, the motorcycle that made me fall in love with riding and motorcycling 30 years ago, 500lbs of Japanese steel with a top speed of 90mph down hill with a tail wind.
The 8R needs to be my mid range performance between the GSX 650f at the bottom and the Busa Way up top.
Problem is that the 4 cylinder Gsx-650f has great power from bottom to almost top And plenty of grunt to go with that fat ass it has. So will the lighter slightly less HP but better power to weight ratio at about 120 pounds lighter but 6 less horsepower than the Gsx-650f. Will someone tell me that it’s super punchy and because of the new tech and the lighter weight and the parallel twin
It will fall perfectly in the middle of my two bikes. This would be a perfect set up for me if so? Looking for any feedback, I can be reached at maxibigs@gmail.com
Hope to hear from some parallel twin guys.
Thank you in advance!