There ’ s an extra 3kg of weight from the new bodywork and while the 8R differs most obviously in the fairing / screen department , look closely and you ’ ll notice there ’ s been a more subtle suspension change . Where the 8S runs Kayaba suspension front and rear , the 8R is sporting Showa suspension components at both ends . The forks are Showa ’ s SFF-BP ( Separate Function Fork - Big Piston ), with one fork leg controlling the compression damping and the other the rebound damping . As the name suggests , the damping pistons are larger in diameter . The theory is the bigger piston moves more oil , and more oil movement means it ’ s easier to control that movement , which is the damping . At the rear there ’ s a Showa shock . Except for preload adjustment on the rear shock , to take account of rider / luggage weight , none of it is adjustable . We ’ ll come to that later .
ERGONOMICS This bike suits me . The bars are slightly lower and further forwards on the GSX- 8R than on the naked 8S , which gels with my riding style and physical size . It fits . For me , the 8S is a little cramped , and I do mean just a little , while on the 8R the bars being further away and lower tilts me forward and puts a tad more weight on my arms , taking it away from my arse . It ’ s not much , but it ’ s noticeable - and it does feel more sporty , in keeping with the bike ’ s styling . At 182cm tall , I found the 8R a comfortable place to be - despite only riding it around a racetrack . The seat and ‘ pegs seem identical to those on the 8S , which I found comfy for a very long day ’ s ride when riding the 8S in Australia . I ’ d expect the 8R to be better still for longer rides and trips , with the fairing and screen keeping the wind away . The screen moved the windblast from my torso to my neck area .
ELECTRONICS Suzuki loves an acronym and the 8R has a few . The main one you can interact with is the SDMS
( Suzuki Drive Mode Select ). Which is acronym gobbledygook for the engine / power modes . There are A , B and C modes . A is the sportiest , the most responsive to throttle inputs . Mode B offers a softer throttle response and a weaker midrange , but the same peak power and C is the wet weather , low traction mode that significantly softens the throttle response and power output . There ’ s a colour 5-inch LCD screen with all the typical info at a glance . This is the visual interface for adjusting the riding modes and traction control of which there are three levels of intervention . It can also be switched off completely . The display automatically switches between night and day modes , depending on ambient light , but it can be set to stay on either , whichever your eyes prefer . Fitted as standard is a bi-directional quickshifter for easy , sporty , up and down-shifts . Like the traction control , the quick-shifter can also
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