ROAD NEWS
TWO MORE SUZUKI P-TWINS ON THE WAY
Following on from the positively received
GSX-8S and DL800 range in the past year , Suzuki has announced two new models which will join the local lineup for 2024 . Based on the GSX-8S released earlier this year , the GSX-8R adds a fairing and revised ergo ’ s into a package that will go head-to-head with the likes of Yamaha ’ s YZF-R7 . The 8R ’ s fairing definitely looks like a Suzuki sports bike should . At its heart is the same
270-degree 776cc parallel-twin as found in the GSX-8S putting down 81hp at 8500rpm and 78Nm of torque at 6800rpm . Placing a foot firmly into the sporty sector , the 8R comes with a bi-directional quickshifter and Suzuki ’ s SIRS suite of electronics . With the more sporty aesthetic comes a more sporty chassis , with Suzuki swapping out the KYB shock and fork of the GSX-8S for Showa
SFF-BP fork and link-type monoshock . Suzuki NZ currently expects the GSX-8R to arrive locally in March 2024 , with pricing to be confirmed soon . Over in the more touring-focused corner is the GSX-S1000GX , which gives Suzuki a foothold in the growing crossover market . Set to arrive in New Zealand dealers in February , the GSX-S1000GX builds upon the GSX-S1000GT but shifts focus from a long-slung sports tourer into the segment the Europeans call a Crossover . That means it sits somewhere between a traditional sports tourer and an adventure bike .
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