The dash on the GSX-8S says I ’ m closing in on 1000 kilometres since picking up the Suzuki long-term test bike , and I ’ ve got a problem . I have a feeling I ’ m going to gain a reputation for buying every long-term test bike I ’ ve ever had the privilege of riding . I fear this may happen again because the GSX-8S is lighting my fire . It ’ s catching my eye . It ’ s giving me the fizz . I ’ ve heard it said that if you park your bike , get off and walk away without looking back to admire your machine , you bought the wrong bike . I have found myself looking back . Every . Single . Time . It ’ s not just the slight “ robot-vomit ” front end that has grown on me , it ’ s the colour , the lines , and vibe , the mambo , the gist . It ’ s the relentless swell of power that pushes you forwards from 5000rpm when you wind it on .
SHADY BACKROOM DEALS I ’ ve started to think this may have been a stitch-up between Suzuki NZ and KR ’ s Editor ... a conversation in the smoke-filled , darkened back room of a dry-cleaners , over a few hands of poker , cigars in hand , and half a bottle of whisky on the table . Suzuki NZ - “ I want to move some of these bikes on .” KR - “ I know just the guy who ’ ll take one , he ’ s a soft touch , we ’ ll tell him it ’ s a long-term test ...” Usually , when I have a test bike , I ’ m keen to get back on my own bike after about a week . This time , although I still like my own bike , I am excited to get back on the GSX . So , now I want to keep the bike , but I don ’ t want to keep it at the same time ; on principle . For a while there , the thought of riding over the Remutakas made me sign up . It was just another piece of road I had to traverse to get to the dirt trails on the other side . But now , on the GSX-8S , I ’ m excited and keen to just ride over and back .
TALK MYSELF OUT OF IT Maybe if I find enough things I don ’ t like about the GSX-8S , I will go off the boil . The problem
KIWI RIDER 71