Both engines feature an innovative new primary balancer design , which Suzuki calls “ Suzuki Cross Balancer ”, which further reduces unwanted vibration , and helps ensure the engine ’ s compact nature , which in turn aids freedom of chassis design . In possibly a first for a Suzuki , the exhaust system features a short new muffler design , barely rising up and out from the right side of the engine , enhances the bike ’ s compact look and feel . It ’ s meant to sound cool too . The GSX-8S introduces a load of technology into the middleweight Suzuki street bike lineup . Included in the package are full LED lighting , TFT dash , a bi-directional quick-shifter , traction control and rider modes . Just like the parallel-twin engine , the steel frame in the GSX-8S is a completely new design and is meant to balance comfort , stability and nimble handling . The GSX-8S also has a unique aluminium swingarm , KYB suspension , Nissin radial-mount monobloc brakes and cast-aluminium wheels with Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2 rubber . The 14-litre fuel tank features a slim design unique to the GSX-8S and there are three liveries : Pearl Cosmic Blue and Pearl Tech White , both created exclusively for the GSX-8S , and Metallic Matt Black No . 2 / Glass Sparkle Black . While Suzuki NZ expects the GSX-8S will be available in August 2023 , one of the talking points many appear to have missed is that the DL800DE and GSX-8S are not replacements for the much-loved ( and long-lived ) DL650 and SV650 . In fact , Suzuki has stated that both the DL650 and SV650 will remain in the Suzuki global lineup for “ lovers of V-twin engines ”.
HONDA
XL750 Transalp We had an idea Honda was going to drop the new Transalp at EICMA this year after patents were filed and trademarks on the Transalp name were renewed in recent months - the only question was where on the continuum line of adventure motorcycling would the new Transalp fall . Would it be more dirt-oriented , or would it stay the course as a bit of an all rounder ?
Based around the same 755cc parallel-twin engine as the forthcoming CB750 Hornet , the new Transalp puts down 90.5hp at 9500rpm and 75Nm of torque at 7250rpm . Weight is always a point of contention with multi-cylinder adventure bikes , and Honda seems to have done well to keep the new Transalp down to a competitive kerb weight of 208kg . In saying that , the base bike ships without a skid plate , hand guards or crash protection which a lot of the competition have straight out of the box , which is a bit of a disappointment . Visually Honda hasn ’ t gone and broken the mould , with the new Transalp slotting in well with the current Honda lineup as a bigger brother to the established CB500X with similar lines and silhouette . In the chassis department , the XL750 utilises a steel frame mated to a set of Showa suspension . Up the front is a 43mm SFF-CATM upside-down fork with a rear shock working through a Pro- Link setup . Ground clearance is 210mm with 200mm of travel in the front suspension and 190mm at the rear , while seat height is 850mm . Braking is supplied with dual twin-piston calipers biting down on 310mm discs at the front and a 256mm disc and single-piston unit at the rear . Rolling stock is proper off-road friendly with a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel set with tyres in sizes 90 / 90-21 and 150 / 70-18 respectively .
32 KIWI RIDER