17-inch rims , which are colour-matched to the frame and plastics , the GSX-8S is a looker . I think pictures and video don ’ t do the bike justice . When I picked it up from my local dealer ( TSS in Lower Hutt , Wellington ) I found it much more appealing in person . With a seat height of 810mm , it ’ s quite easy to stand over , and with a weight of only 202kg wet , the GSX-8S feels very light compared to what I ’ ve been used to riding .
FIRST IMPRESSIONS The Suzuki GSX-8S is an easy bike to ride . It ’ s light and user-friendly . Everything is exactly where I would expect to find it . Things like ergonomics don ’ t stand out to me unless the manufacturer has got it very wrong . Suzuki has nailed it . The levers are the perfect distance from the bars . The switches are located perfectly so my thumbs find them , the first time , each time . And pulling away for the first time , I didn ’ t even have to think about where the clutch engagement point was . It was like I had been riding this bike for years . The TFT display is stunning . Really . It ’ s nicely laid out , easy to read , with not too much information to complicate things , just what you
60 KIWI RIDER