Our longterm GSX-8S is forcing Ray Heron to rethink what kind of motorcyclist he is .

IDENTITY CRISIS

Whether you would admit it or not , we all have an image of ourselves in our heads . Most of us like to think we ’ re the hero in our own story , shaped by the choices we make and the preferences we cling to . For me , that selfimage has always been clear ... I ’ m an adventure rider . My skills are sharpened on dirt trails , I ’ ve weathered the elements . I go places a sports bike wouldn ’ t dare to venture ( except those crazy guys riding trails on GSXRs or travelling the world , they ’ re next level ). Tarmac ? It ’ s just a minor inconvenience — a stretch of road that gets me from one gravel path to the next . I ’ ve never been one for those typical group rides around town . While some enjoy the social side of city spins , I ’ d rather be off exploring gravel roads and hidden back-country tracks . That ’ s where I feel at home or , at least , that ’ s how I ’ ve always seen myself . But then the GSX-8S rolled into my life , and I now find myself starting to question everything I knew . This bike is low , sleek , and quick on its feet — everything I never thought I needed . There ’ s no awkward hike up the pants before swinging a leg over , no mud splattering my boots , and it sticks to the road in a way that ’ s got me reconsidering my riding priorities . For years , I ’ ve been rumbling around on what ’ s