Long Term: Suzuki GSX-8T | more bikes

Oliver shares his opinion on his box-fresh middleweight naked…

It’s official. I have a big bike. But that means my journey with the GSX-R has come to an end. It served its role well, being my first bike it taught me a lot about motorcycling, but all good things must come to an end. My new long-term bike is Suzuki’s GSX-8T and it’s absolutely beautiful, just in time for summer. I’d already heard great things about this bike, especially from the engine department, so I was eager to get on it. I went to Suzuki headquarters to pick it up and as soon as it came out of the workshop, its size compared to the smaller 125 I was used to made me a little nervous. Am I eligible to ride it? For most of you this won’t be of much concern, but coming from a bike that dwarfs what I consider to be, and I’m not that tall, it’s quite a step forward.

I initially expected weight to be a big factor in my struggles, as it was when I got my A2 license, however, it is incredibly well balanced. I felt very safe as soon as I sat on it and I felt like I could push it almost like a bicycle. It gives a big bike feel with the wide tank and large digital display, which makes me feel like a real biker. And the color is also attractive. This bike comes in various color schemes, yet I believe I have found the best one. As you can see, the fuel tank is covered in shiny gold-bronze. I certainly haven’t seen many, if any, bikes in this color… and I love it. The color already makes it stand out from the rest, and there is a silver radiator cover with gold accents that cleans up the ugly parts of the internals and brings the bike into a clean and perfectly designed piece of art. The radiator cover my grandfather liked so much, he bought an aftermarket cover for his Kawasaki Z650RS. The mudguards are an attractive black color that reflects the rims, but also show a light green color in direct sunlight which adds some uniqueness and variety.

As sad as it was to see the GSX-R being taken to the workshop, I couldn’t wait to get my first ride on the 8T in the bag. As per Sod’s Law, my first trip to my city of residence was long, wet and muddy, so not the best first experience. At least I got a chance to try out its wet weather capabilities straight out of the box. Stepping out of the Suzuki and onto A-road, the new, extra power I was craving was about to be harnessed. Not having to wait 13 seconds to reach the required speed on a national speed limit road was a breath of fresh air. At first, it scared me to death and I felt like I was almost hanging, but at least I can get out of the slow lane now. I would say the biggest difference I noticed was how much smoother everything felt. Pulling off was effortless, deceleration was quiet, cornering was elegant and even hinted at feeling like a dream. The build quality seems top notch, nothing feels tacky or cheap compared to a normal 125 build. It will take me a while to get the full potential of this bike, but in a way that’s good. I find it fun to get on your bike every day and learn something new or take a little faster turn… it keeps it all exciting.

Since getting the new Suzuki it has been very difficult to stay away from it; I’ve ridden it to work, to the gym, to run errands, to treat myself, and to show off to all my friends and family. With the odd, uneventful ride here and there, I even took it up to the Peak District to properly test it out. The combination of long, flat roads and twisty turns allowed me to explore the bike’s potential. Going 70 mph has never felt so easy; I didn’t feel like the slightest gust of wind would blow me away, as it sometimes did on the 125. The power once again showed its advantage, as I was actually able to overtake vehicles. A very welcome capability. One feature that helps with this is the stock fitment quickshifter that it comes with. It’s a whole new experience for me, being able to fly through the gears with ease and not have to worry about getting a good shift. Traveling from village to village on this bike is enjoyable. How effortlessly it moves around is addictive, and its punching power gives you an adrenaline rush.

The roads around me are, to put it mildly, quite rough, but the 8T has shown itself to deal with them well; Its supple suspension absorbs those back-breaking bumps and potholes. I honestly love this bike; It’s ticking every box. Its stock bar end mirrors give it a very classy, ​​retro look and make you feel like you fit in among the old money mansions and quaint towns that populate my local area, while also making the bike look sleek.

I’ve always been a fan of bar end mirrors as I think regular mirrors look a bit plain and simple, almost with rabbit ears sticking out, so to see that this bike comes with them as standard was even more of a bonus. The riding position and seat comfort have also won my heart. Even after four hours in the saddle, I still feel fresh and like I could ride for days. It’s a nice change from the seating position of sportier bikes. Shortly after the trip to the Peaks, I took it to a bike meet and I’m proud to say I was the only 8T there…it definitely turned some heads. It was nice to be on a bigger bike this time, I felt part of the club.

Now that summer is here, every day seems like a good opportunity to ride without the hindrance of the weather. Hopefully, I can progress much faster in my skill level and ability on this bike because I don’t have to worry about wet piles of leaves or a coating of mud on the road. This bike will cover many miles this summer. Maybe my car will be of no use now. This is a bike that makes you think that if you were unemployed, you would be able to ride it continuously. If only. The bottom line is that it has suddenly become much easier to get along with my teammates, and that’s something they’re also grateful for.