something else . I have ridden some bikes where the quick-shifter is ... a bit ... ‘ agricultural ’ but the GSX-8S has what I think might be the secondbest quick-shifter I ’ ve ever used . It ’ s smooth 90 % of the time , both up and down .
TOURING DUTIES It ’ ll tour , of course , but it depends how many compromises you are willing to make . If you ’ re going to take this bike on some road trips , learn to pack light . There are a number of luggage options from the likes of Ventura and Givi , but without installing an extra rack or brackets on the bike , the options are limited . I like the clean look of the bike anyway , so I opted to not add extra racks or anything . This limited things to my Kriega soft luggage and any tie-down points I could come up with . Essentially , I had the US- 20 on the pillion seat , a backpack , and a tank bag . Perfectly fine for anything up to a solo couple of days , but if I were to take a pillion , or go for longer than a weekend , things would get a bit tight . The GSX-8S did everything asked of it , and on the open road managed around 290km to the tank , which is more than respectable . With a more responsible right hand , I ’ m sure you could squeeze that out to 300km to the tank .
SUBARU LEGACY ? I think the Suzuki GSX-8s might be the equivalent of the early 2000 ’ s Subaru Legacy Wagon . The practical , common-as-muck , everyman ’ s sports wagon . it doesn ’ t turn heads for anyone , except for those in the know . It ’ s Fast when you put your foot up it , able to carry out daily duties , practical , and fun , without breaking the bank . $ 13,500 + ORC ... to quote the movie The Castle , “ You couldn ’ t buy the materials for that , its a bargain ”.
102 KIWI RIDER