I didn ’ t even think about traction control until someone else asked what mode I ’ d been using . Set to the least intrusive level (# 1 ) it drives well out of corners , with little discernible intervention - just great drive . Turning the TC off released a little more performance , showing it had been working without me noticing . The tyres work well too , barely rippling up - inspiring for a roadspecific tyre . The bike is more than fast enough , hitting 199km / h through the left hand turn one before braking for the tight , bumpy off-camber turn two . The GSX is a very competent bike on track despite not having any track pretensions . With a set of sticky tyres and some rear-set footpegs for extra ground clearance it ’ d be a complete hoot . An aftermarket pipe would make this
thing sing , and maybe release a little at the top end too . It ’ s a definite sleeper .
THE LOW DOWN The GSX-8S is a great bike . It also has lots of potential . Suzuki owners have long had the reputation for tinkering with their bikes , more often than not fitting an aftermarket silencer , tail tidy etc . In the true Suzuki mould , the GSX- 8S is ripe for individualising - just like the SV650 was for a couple of decades . With some carefully chosen parts , it ’ ll go from great to bloody brilliant ; a bike that can grow with you . The GSX-8S does everything right . It looks sharp , goes well and handles beautifully - all at the right price point ... and is set to become a cult machine in its own right .
KIWI RIDER 39