Photo: Suzuki
I will never understand why motorcycle makers, especially the Japanese ones (but Germans and others too), choose to sell the bikes they make under such complicated names. Sure, I get the need for an internal code to make it easier for the company itself to identify a product, but how can you advertise something that's called GSX-S1000GX? It must not be easy…
The above apparently random letters and numbers have meaning behind them, and spelled like this they stand for a new crossover motorcycle presented by Japanese bike maker Suzuki at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan. It's a crossover in the sense that it blends sport-tourer and adventure cues into a single potent package.
The bike is based on the GSX-S1000, of course, in the sense that it uses the same frame and engine - meaning a 999cc liquid-cooled, four-cylinder. It doesn't stand out as a significantly different beast, but it comes loaded with safety features.
The most important of them all is something called the Suzuki Advanced Electronic Suspension (SAES). Deployed for the first time on this particular motorcycle, it's supposed to control the suspension of the bike electronically, altering damping and preload depending on a wide variety of factors, including speed, road surface, and the effects of braking on the ride's posture.
Suzuki says the GSX-S1000GX crossover will become available at dealers in December, but makes no mention of how much we should expect it to cost.
On the same stand at the EICMA show where the GSX-S1000GX was shown the Japanese also displayed the GSX-8R sport bike. This one, as its designation suggests, is based on the GSX-8S. That means it is animated by the same 776cc parallel two-cylinder engine sitting in the same kind of frame.
Setting it apart from the rest of the bunch are a few visual changes, including the fitting of a fairing and separate handlebars which are supposed to be "suitable for sport riding." The bike's engine and seat rail are exposed to the naked eye for the ultimate visual impact.
There is also a hint of mechanical upgrades, manifested through a suspension system relying on larger pistons. With these things on, the motorcycle should be equally as suitable for use as a daily, or as a sport bike, and even as touring.
The 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R will become available at the bike maker's dealers in both Europe and the US in the first month of next year. Just as is the case with the GSX-S1000GX, pricing for the model was not disclosed.
The two bikes are not the only models the Japanese have brought with them to EICMA. Stay tuned throughout the week as more details become available and we uncover more of the Suzuki goodies for the new model year.
The bike is based on the GSX-S1000, of course, in the sense that it uses the same frame and engine - meaning a 999cc liquid-cooled, four-cylinder. It doesn't stand out as a significantly different beast, but it comes loaded with safety features.
The most important of them all is something called the Suzuki Advanced Electronic Suspension (SAES). Deployed for the first time on this particular motorcycle, it's supposed to control the suspension of the bike electronically, altering damping and preload depending on a wide variety of factors, including speed, road surface, and the effects of braking on the ride's posture.
Suzuki says the GSX-S1000GX crossover will become available at dealers in December, but makes no mention of how much we should expect it to cost.
On the same stand at the EICMA show where the GSX-S1000GX was shown the Japanese also displayed the GSX-8R sport bike. This one, as its designation suggests, is based on the GSX-8S. That means it is animated by the same 776cc parallel two-cylinder engine sitting in the same kind of frame.
Setting it apart from the rest of the bunch are a few visual changes, including the fitting of a fairing and separate handlebars which are supposed to be "suitable for sport riding." The bike's engine and seat rail are exposed to the naked eye for the ultimate visual impact.
There is also a hint of mechanical upgrades, manifested through a suspension system relying on larger pistons. With these things on, the motorcycle should be equally as suitable for use as a daily, or as a sport bike, and even as touring.
The 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R will become available at the bike maker's dealers in both Europe and the US in the first month of next year. Just as is the case with the GSX-S1000GX, pricing for the model was not disclosed.
The two bikes are not the only models the Japanese have brought with them to EICMA. Stay tuned throughout the week as more details become available and we uncover more of the Suzuki goodies for the new model year.
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