ROAD NEWS
SUZUKI’ S STUNNING NEW TWINS
Suzuki has expanded its 800cc twin-cylinder stable with two new offerings. Called the GSX-8TT and the GSX-8T, the new models fill out the range nicely with a retro-styled café racer option and a more traditional( read: round headlight) sporty naked variant. For the retro fans and the longer in the tooth readers, the‘ winglets’ adorning the TT’ s bikini fairing( as they were called back when Suzuki’ s brilliant GS1000S was the cool kid on the block with its early version of winglets) will no doubt see them flock to the dealers. The whole package looks striking, as does the T, albeit in a more conservative way. Pricing for the dynamic duo is $ 16,999 + ORC for the T and $ 17,999 + ORC for the‘ winged one’ adding to the GSX-8R, S and V-Strom models already using the new parallel twin engine. Utilising said tried and tested 776cc twin, the output is a healthy 78Nm and 61kW making for a spirited but not overwhelming ride, in a class that is becoming the mainstay of motorcycling, yet again. Keeping to the purist theme, Suzuki has
ABS fitted as standard fare but none of the whizzbang multi-axis IMU sorcery. For some, the clean lines of the bike and the unfettered experience may be just what riders are hankering after. Sure, they have classy TFT screens, USB charging, switchable mapping, ride-by-wire and traction control, just not a million other functions. Even the engine maps make sense, giving quite different power deliveries for real-world use, lending different personalities for different rides and conditions. Clean and uncluttered, we’ re definite fans.
KIWI RIDER 87