GSX-8S named as the MCN naked bike of the year 2023

GSX-8S NAMED AS THE MCN NAKED BIKE OF THE YEAR 2023

Against stiff competition the all-new Suzuki GSX-8S came out on top to be named as the MCN naked bike of the year for 2023 in their annual MCN Awards, as chosen by the road test team.
When announcing the 8S as the winner, MCN described its naked bike of the year as “ticking all the boxes”, while being “novice friendly, suited to daily commuting, good value, and offering performance that will satisfy experienced riders too.” Road tester Chris Newbigging also commented how “on paper, the new GSX-8S looked like it could miss the mark… Bike bikes aren't ridden on paper.”
Summing up, MCN said, “it manages to pull off the old: 'the whole is better than the sum of its parts' trick and then some.”

Launched alongside the new V-Strom 800DE at Eicma in 2022, the GSX-8S is a brand new bike in every sense, featuring an all-new parallel twin engine, new chassis layout and futuristic styling. A tubular steel subframe, aluminium swingarm, 43mm upside down front forks and rear shock from KYB, lightweight aluminium wheels, and wide aluminium ‘bars provide the perfect blend of stable roadholding, agility and all round manoeuvrability.

At the heart of the 8S is the long-stroke 776cc twin providing punchy torque with three rider modes to match the rider's style and a bi-directional quickshifter allowing for crisp changes. The patented cross-balancer system and 270-degree crank ensure that the GSX-8S suppresses vibrations creating a smooth riding experience, while also delivering a V-twin esque character and feel, while the 5-inch colour TFT dash, aggressive looks and agile handling complete what MCN have dubbed “the new middleweight king”.

YOUR BIKE. YOUR WAY. YOUR SUZUKI.

SEE THE LATEST OFFERS ON V-STROM 650, V-STROM 650XT, SV650 AND SV650X.

AVAILABLE NOW AND IN STOCK.

Looking for a great deal on your next motorcycle? Our V-Strom 650, V-Strom 650XT, SV650, and SV650X models are all available and in stock, with incredible offers that you won't want to miss.

 Whether you're looking for an adventure motorbike to take on long road trips or a street machine for quick city jaunts, our line-up has something for everyone. And with our current offers, you can get the motorbike of your dreams for an unbeatable price. 

Don't wait – visit your local Suzuki dealer today and take advantage of our amazing offers on the V-Strom and SV models. With performance, reliability and great savings, there's never been a better time to ride a Suzuki motorbike.

£69 PER MONTH (plus deposit & optional final payment)

V-STROM 650 PCP REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLE

CASH PRICE

DEPOSIT

TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE

£8,165.00

£1,650.84

£6,514.16

MONTHLY REPAYMENTS OF

OPTIONAL FINAL PAYMENT

TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE

£69.00

£4,535.00

£8,669.84

AGREEMENT DURATION

PURCHASE FEE**

INTEREST RATE (FIXED)

37 MONTHS

£10.00

2.92%

REPRESENTATIVE APR

3.00%

BASED ON 4,000 MILES PER ANNUM. **included in optional final payment.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

*£500 offer applies to the purchase of a SV650, SV650X, V-Strom 650 & V-Strom 650XT from a participating Suzuki Dealership. The test ride, purchase and registration of the motorcycle must take place between 01/07/2023 and 30/09/2023. This offer includes a £500 saving off the RRP price. Offer is valid in the UK only and may be extended or withdrawn at any time. There is no cash offer, credit or other alternative offered. Promoter: Suzuki GB PLC, Steinbeck Crescent, Snelshall West, Milton Keynes, MK4 4AE. PCP and HP Finance offer applies to the purchase of a new SV650, SV650X, V-Strom 650 & V-Strom 650XT only from a participating Suzuki Dealership. The motorcycle must be purchased and registered between 01/07/2023 and 30/09/2023 to qualify for the offer. £500 minimum deposit required. Credit is subject to status, UK residents aged 18 and over. Suzuki Financial Services Ltd, St. William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 5BH.

With Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) you have the option after you have paid all of the regular monthly repayments to: (1) Return the vehicle and not pay the Optional Final Payment. If the vehicle has exceeded the maximum permitted mileage, a charge will apply per excess mile. If the vehicle is in good condition (fair wear and tear accepted) and has not exceeded the maximum permitted mileage you will have nothing further to pay. (2) Pay the Optional Final Repayment to own the vehicle or (3) Part exchange the vehicle subject to settlement of your existing finance agreement; new finance agreements are subject to status.

You are able to finance your bike on a term of your choosing, either 2 year, 3 year or 4 years.  Depending on the term that you chose, the APR rate on offer will differ.   If you wish to finance your vehicle over 2 years 2% APR representative is available, if you wish to finance your vehicle over 3 years 3% APR representative is available and if you wish to finance your vehicle over 4 years 4% APR representative is available.

V-Strom 650

V-Strom 650

£7,999.00

V-Strom 650XT

V-Strom 650XT

£8,799.00

SV650X

SV650X

£7,499.00

SV650

SV650

£6,999.00

YOUR BIKE. YOUR WAY. YOUR SUZUKI.

SEE THE LATEST OFFERS ON HAYABUSA, GSX-S1OOO, GSX-S1000GT/+, V-STROM 1050DE AND V-STROM 1050.
AVAILABLE NOW AND IN STOCK.

Whether you're a street bike enthusiast, a sports bike lover, or an adventure seeker, we have the perfect bike for you with great finance options. 

To make owning your dream bike more attainable, we are offering fantastic finance options on the HAYABUSA, GSX-S1000, GSX-S1000GT/+, V-STROM 1050DE & V-STROM 1050. Take advantage of our low 2% APR over 2 years, competitive 3% APR representative over 3 years, or 4% APR over 4 years.

Discover the joy of riding a Suzuki motorcycle today. Explore our street bikes, sports bikes, and adventure bikes and take advantage of our finance offers.

£109 PER MONTH (plus deposit & optional final payment)

GSX-S1000GT PCP REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLE

CASH PRICE
DEPOSIT TOTAL AMOUNT OF CREDIT
£12,665 £2,602.92 £10,062.08
MONTHLY REPAYMENTS OF OPTIONAL FINAL PAYMENT TOTAL AMOUNT PAYABLE
£109.00 £6,914.00 £13,440.92
AGREEMENT DURATION PURCHASE FEE** INTEREST RATE (FIXED)
37 MONTHS £10.00 2.92%
REPRESENTATIVE APR
3.00%

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

*PCP and HP Finance offer applies to the purchase of a new GSX-S1000, GSX-S1000GT, GSX-S1000GT+, Hayabusa, V-Strom 1050/Tour & V-Strom 1050DE/Tour only from a participating Suzuki Dealership. The motorcycle must be purchased and registered between 01/07/2023 and 30/09/2023 to qualify for the offer. £500 minimum deposit required. Credit is subject to status, UK residents aged 18 and over. Suzuki Financial Services Ltd, St. William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 5BH.

With Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) you have the option after you have paid all of the regular monthly repayments to: (1) Return the vehicle and not pay the Optional Final Payment. If the vehicle has exceeded the maximum permitted mileage, a charge will apply per excess mile. If the vehicle is in good condition (fair wear and tear accepted) and has not exceeded the maximum permitted mileage you will have nothing further to pay. (2) Pay the Optional Final Repayment to own the vehicle or (3) Part exchange the vehicle subject to settlement of your existing finance agreement; new finance agreements are subject to status.

You are able to finance your bike on a term of your choosing, either 2 year, 3 year or 4 years.  Depending on the term that you chose, the APR rate on offer will differ.   If you wish to finance your vehicle over 2 years 2% APR representative is available, if you wish to finance your vehicle over 3 years 3% APR representative is available and if you wish to finance your vehicle over 4 years 4% APR representative is available.

V-STROM 1050DE

V-STROM 1050DE

£13,699.00

V-STROM 1050

V-STROM 1050

£12,999.00

GSX-S1000

GSX-S1000

£11,499.00

Hayabusa

Hayabusa

£17,999.00

GSX-S1000GT

GSX-S1000GT

£12,499.00

Suzuki rolls out ‘click-to-buy’ on 125cc scooter range

SUZUKI ROLLS OUT 'CLICK TO BUY' ON 125CC SCOOTER RANGE

Suzuki has rolled out a new ‘click-to-buy’ scheme on its 125cc scooter range, giving customers the opportunity to buy online via the official Suzuki website, with orders fulfilled by their local dealership.

Making the buying process quicker and simpler, the scheme is available on the newly-launched Address 125, Avenis 125, and the Burgman Street 125EX, with just a £99 deposit required.

Hitting the ‘click-to-buy’ option from the respective model page or by visiting buy.bikes.suzuki.co.uk, customers enter their postcode before selecting their preferred colour option, after which they will be prompted to choose their nearest dealership with their choice of model and colour in stock and available.

Once the customer has added their details and payment information for the £99 deposit, the order will be fulfilled by the dealership in the usual way.

All three of Suzuki’s new 125cc scooters are engineered to provide comfort, practicality, and outstanding urban performance while also delivering excellent levels of economy and efficiency, but they do so in their own way and with their own style, giving customers the option to enjoy their city, their way.

They are powered by the proven Suzuki Eco Performance (SEP) engine; the air-cooled, single-cylinder powerplant that currently powers over five million Suzuki models worldwide. All three scooters allow customers to ‘go further on a fiver’ by achieving an impressive 148.67mpg* fuel consumption figure and produce just 44g/km of CO2 emissions. At the same time, they still deliver powerful acceleration, with peak horsepower and maximum torque delivered at low rpm.

For more information on Suzuki’s scooter range, click here.

*Official WMTC figure.

£500 OFF RRP*

GSX-S125

*Terms & Conditions Apply £500 offer applies to the purchase of a new GSX-S125 and GSX-R125 from a participating Suzuki Dealership. The test ride, purchase and registration of the motorcycle must take place between 01/07/2023 and 30/09/2023. This offer includes a £500 saving off the RRP price. Offer is valid in the UK only and may be extended or withdrawn at any time. There is no cash offer, credit or other alternative offered. Promoter: Suzuki GB PLC, Steinbeck Crescent, Snelshall West, Milton Keynes, MK4 4AE.

GSX-S125

GSX-S125

£4,699.00

£500 OFF RRP*

GSX-R125

*Terms & Conditions Apply £500 offer applies to the purchase of a new GSX-S125 and GSX-R125 from a participating Suzuki Dealership. The test ride, purchase and registration of the motorcycle must take place between 01/07/2023 and 30/09/2023. This offer includes a £500 saving off the RRP price. Offer is valid in the UK only and may be extended or withdrawn at any time. There is no cash offer, credit or other alternative offered. Promoter: Suzuki GB PLC, Steinbeck Crescent, Snelshall West, Milton Keynes, MK4 4AE.

GSX-R125

GSX-R125

£4,999.00

SUZUKI SUMMER TEST RIDE ROADSHOW BACK FOR 2023

Suzuki GB will again embark on a test ride roadshow this summer, when it brings an additional fleet of demo machines to a number of dealerships nationwide. 

The first of 14 events will take place on the 1-2 of April at new Suzuki dealer Mo-Tech Suzuki, based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, with a test ride fleet including the all-new V-Strom 800DE middleweight machine, powered by a new 776cc parallel twin and equipped with a quickshifter, colour TFT dash, power modes and multiple traction control modes including an off-road mode, plus switchable ABS. The list of demo machines also features the new V-Strom 1050 and V-Strom 1050DE; which also feature a quickshifter, colour TFT dash, power modes and multiple traction control modes. The V-Strom 1050DE also gets switchable ABS and an off-road traction control mode. 

The summer’s list of demo machines also includes the GSX-S1000 and GSX-S950, as well as the GSX-S1000GT – the best-selling sports tourer of 2022 – the updated Katana, the Burgman 400 maxi scooter, and the iconic hyperbike, the Hayabusa.  

Joining the test ride fleet from the 8th April will also be the all-new GSX-8S which features a new 776cc parallel twin and equipped with a quickshifter, colour TFT dash, power modes and multiple traction control modes.  

(Note that bike availability will differ from one event to another. Customers are advised to speak to their local dealer in advance of the event to check availability and to pre-book.) 

Away from the test rides, Suzuki staff will be on hand to provide information on the firm’s full range of models and current offers and incentives. Additionally, individual dealerships will also provide extra entertainment and activities on the day, such as refreshments, special guests, offers on clothing and accessories, and motorcycle health checks.

Suzuki GB’s head of motorcycle marketing, Ian Bland, said, “The test ride roadshows have become a staple part of our summer events’ calendar, and we’re looking forward to getting them underway again in 2023. Not only can potential customers try a rich variety of Suzuki machinery on the day, it is also a great opportunity for us to spend time talking with existing and potential customers to better understand their motorcycling needs and habits. We’re travelling the length and breadth of the country, and it’s set to be another busy summer of motorcycling.” 

For a full list of dates, see below, or visit the event’s calendar

SUZUKI LIVE RETURNS FOR 2023

Suzuki Live will return for 2023, with a full weekend of activity planned at Cadwell Park on 15-16 July, including track sessions, a new adventure bike zone, trade stands and displays, plus special guests.

Spread over both Saturday and Sunday, the event will again bring together track sessions for classic and modern machines, with novice, intermediate, and experienced groups available for pre and post-2000 Suzukis. There will also be a number of classic race bike parades across the two days.

A new adventure bike zone will give V-Strom owners the chance to take their bike off-road, as well as test ride the new V-Strom 1050DE and all-new V-Strom 800DE. The zone – free to enjoy over the weekend – will include expert tuition, a skills area, and a test ride loop through woodland and undulating terrain.

Out on the roads local to Cadwell Park, visitors will be able to test ride other models in Suzuki’s on-road range, including the new GSX-8S, GSX-S1000GT, GSX-S1000, and the iconic Hayabusa.

Joining in the fun will be the likes of three-time British Superbike champion John Reynolds, former National Superstock 1000 champion Taylor Mackenzie, and former 500 Grand Prix racer and British champion Steve Parrish.

Suzuki GB’s head of motorcycle marketing, Ian Bland, said, “Last year’s Suzuki Live event took place in glorious sunshine and was a spectacular day out for us and for everyone that joined. So much so, we couldn’t wait to extend it to a full weekend of track activity, parades, displays, and entertainment., and also add a new adventure bike zone. It’s going to be a full weekend of Suzuki-themed fun, and we’re excited to join our customers on road and track this summer.”

Track day sessions for the full weekend are available for £229, with race bike parade spots costing £199, and both all include camping and evening entertainment on Saturday night, which will feature trophy presentations, lively stories from the star guests, and a live band.

Traders and clubs can also book display space.

Places can be booked here.

Watch the video from the 2022 event, here.

PRICING FOR ALL-NEWV-STROM 800DE ANNOUNCED

Pricing for the most off-road ready V-Strom yet, the all-new V-Strom 800DE, has been announced at £10,499. 

Powered by Suzuki’s new 776cc, long-stroke, DOHC, parallel twin with a 270° crank, the V-Strom 800DE is born to explore and is equipped with a host of electronic rider aids and chassis features designed to help it tackle the rough stuff, as well as ensure it remains capable and usable on the road, too. 

Suzuki’s new powerplant delivers 84.3PS peak power at 8500rpm and 78Nm of peak torque at 6800rpm in the new V-Strom, though riders can choose their preferred power delivery thanks to three selectable engine maps, controlled by a rocker switch on the left handlebar and displayed on a 5-inch colour TFT screen.

Also displayed on the dash in the selected traction control mode, with three on-road modes available to choose from and a G mode, for use off-road, that allows more wheelspin, which is suppressed only enough to help prevent excessive slip, so power continues to be delivered to the rear wheel with minimum interruption. It can also be disengaged completely.

There are also two ABS settings, providing greater or lesser intervention, plus there is the ability to disengage the rear ABS for improved confidence and control off-road, and a bi-directional quickshifter for seamless gear changes.

A new steel frame with bolt-on subframe and aluminium swingarm is suspended by fully-adjustable Showa components providing 220mm of travel and ground clearance. That ground clearance also comes courtesy of 21 and 17-inch wire-spoked wheels, front and back, running tubed Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tyres. Wide aluminium ‘bars and tough steel footpegs are designed to provide greater control when stood up off-road. 

All this is wrapped in unmistakable a new, sharper, taughter incarnation of V-Strom stylinge, complete with a DR-Z-esque beak, and comes in the classic yellow that pays homage to Suzuki’s off-road racing heritage. The V-Strom 800DE is also available in a striking matt grey, with yellow accents, and subtle black, with blue.

It will be in dealerships in the spring.

BURGMAN STREET 125EX PRICING CONFIRMED

Suzuki has confirmed the recommend retail price (RRP) of its new Burgman Street 125EX as £2,999.

The new luxury 125cc scooter forms part of a trio of new scooters from the Japanese brand, set to boost its small capacity range in 2023. 

An ultra-clean Suzuki Eco Performance alpha engine sits at the heart of the new Burgman Street 125EX – an air-cooled, single-cylinder powerplant currently powering over five million Suzukis worldwide – and delivers an impressive 148.67mpg, while producing only 44g/km of CO2 emissions. Though gentle on the wallet and the environment, it still delivers punchy performance with peak power – 8.6PS – and peak torque – 10Nm – delivered low in the rev range, at 6,500rpm and 5,500rpm respectively.

It also boasts an auto stop-start function, the indicator for which appears on a neat LCD dash, next to the eco indicator light, to encourage economical use. 

The smart city commuter fuses class, style, performance, comfort, and practicality, the latter taken care of by 21.5 litres of underseat storage space and two helmet hooks, plus two utility hooks for carrying extra items. There’s also a closable front compartment with a USB charging port and an additional easy access front storage compartment, next to which is the ignition key slot which can be covered using a magnet mechanism coded to the owner’s key.

Comfort is aided by a long, well-padded seat, and wide floorboards with extended footboards up front, with a look of luxury and sophistication created by elegant lines and striking bodywork, and attention to detail, such as red stitching on the seat, distinctive lighting, and integrated turn signals.

Arriving in the spring, at £2,999 it joins the new Avenis 125 – at £2,699 – and the new Address 125 – at £2,499 – enhancing Suzuki’s scooter and 125cc model range.

RELENTLESS RINS WINS DOWN UNDER

Alex Rins took an emphatic victory at the Australian Grand Prix, coming from 10th on the grid to win a race that will go down as another Phillip Island classic.

In what was the first visit to Australia for the MotoGP circus since the pandemic. Rins made a strong start and got among the leaders with a series of expertly executed overtakes.

.

He hit the front at the halfway stage, but with the top-10 covered by less than two seconds, it was not going to be straightforward.

The lead changed hands again and with three laps to go he was back in third place. However, he made two passes into the Southern Loop, in what had become his signature move after a number during the race, and held on to take the win.

He said of his win, “I’m super happy. During the race I was feeling pretty good, in fact my feeling with the bike was amazing. The pace was fairly slow to try and preserve the rear tyre, because we know this place can be tough on tyres. But in the end, I was able to find some good traction in the sweeping corners and this allowed me to gain places and feel strong until the end, but we had a fantastic battle all together. 

“His entire team and everyone who has worked on this project deserves this win, and so do the fans, I’m so pleased that I could celebrate another victory together before we depart.”

THE FINAL FLAG – SUZUKI WAVE GOODBYE TO MOTOGP

THE FINAL FLAG – SUZUKIWAVE GOODBYE TO MOTOGP

The final race weekend of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship season has ended with emotions running especially high for Team Suzuki Ecstar, who bow out – not only from the season, but from the championship.

They did it in spectacular style as Alex Rins led from start to finish in the Valencia GP, taking a whole-hearted victory. Joan Mir showed his usual grit and perseverance to take a solid sixth place.

The team have achieved many great things in the relatively short space of just eight years, with the undoubted highlight being the team and Joan Mir becoming World Champions in 2020.

The journey to the final flag has been quite the adventure, ranging from the very first prototype test in 2012 to the last victory just a few weeks ago in Phillip Island, so instead of dwelling on our exit, we wanted to highlight some of the key moments of our last eight years in MotoGP:

2014: Although the story started under the spotlights of an official MotoGP test in 2013, the wheels weren’t truly rolling until we entered the championship in 2014. Aleix Espargaro arrived at his first day with the team with a statement helmet reading: “The Story Restarts,” and the intention was set.

2015: The first full season back coincided with the 30th anniversary of the legendary GSX-R1000 and a stunning retro livery was unveiled for the riders, Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales. This ‘bedding in’ year resulted in several Top 10 race finishes and 11th and 12th respectively in the championship standings.

2016: The first sweet taste of success came just one year later, with Team Suzuki Ecstar and Maverick Viñales’ first MotoGP victory at Silverstone. The image of Vinales crossing the line, standing high on the pegs with his arms aloft in victorious form gave the team impetus for more moments like this.

2017: The team welcomed a new line-up for 2017, the dynamic duo of Andrea Iannone and MotoGP rookie Alex Rins. It wasn’t smooth sailing for the squad, but with support from the test riders, Sylvain Guintoli and Takuya Tsuda, and the determination of the young riders, a couple of fourth place finishes were achieved.

2018: Suzuki grabbed an impressive nine podiums in the 2018 season with Rins becoming more confident in the class, taking his first MotoGP podium in Argentina. Iannone also put in some impressive rides – especially in Texas where he wore the Stetson with pride from the top step of the podium.

2019: Fast forward a year, and the Circuit of the Americas enjoyed another Suzuki success; this time it was Rins’ turn! This wasn’t to be the only triumph for the number 42 rider though, and in August of 2019 he took an emphatic and thrilling win at Silverstone. A photo of Rins taking the chequered flag, just fractions ahead of Marc Marquez, with the pair eyeing each other up to the finish line has become an absolute classic – not only in the Suzuki history books, but the MotoGP books too. A fast young Mallorcan talent named Joan Mir joined the ranks in 2019 too, showing flashes of excellence in several GPs.

2020: As the world reeled with the emerging pandemic and the MotoGP calendar was left in tatters, Suzuki pulled together and remained focused on racing goals – something which was evident in their month-long stay in Qatar at the start of the season, to protect staff and concentrate on the project. After a slightly rocky start to the season, things soon started to look up for the blue team. Joan Mir put together a sensational season, showing consistency and maturity throughout the year to be crowned MotoGP World Champion and put Suzuki back in the spotlight after 20 years. Coupled with Alex Rins’ impressive form which saw him finish third in the standings, this was truly the ‘comeback’ year for Suzuki – a feat made even more special as the factory celebrated 100 years since their founding, and 60 years in racing.

2021: Entering the year as reigning champions, and with the tried and tested line-up of Rins and Mir, the goal was once again to contend for podiums, wins, and the best championship positions possible. What the team lacked in luck that year, they made up for in tenacity. Rins had a tough year, although a second place at his beloved Silverstone gave a much-needed boost. Mir clocked six podiums through the year, and his consistency gained him third place in the standings at the close of the season.

2022: The final flag. It goes without saying that the highlight of the year for us was Rins’ heartfelt and thought-provoking final Suzuki victory in Valencia – a fantastic reward for the hard work and strong-will shown by the team. Although his nail-biting and ferocious run to the top step in Australia is a close contender. Mir also put in many brave and determined displays. We pulled together for every session of the season, and we stand strong together as we reach the final flag.

Alex Rins: “Well, I managed to achieve exactly what I wanted: another win with my team. This one, being at home and being our last together tastes extra special and it’s very emotional. Over the years Suzuki and I have celebrated some really beautiful victories, but also shared many beautiful moments as a family. I’ll miss everybody so much, and I’ll carry the lessons with me for the rest of my career.”

Joan Mir: “I’m happy to take a pretty solid finish in my final race with Suzuki, especially after a tough few weeks. Winning a title with this team is something I’ll keep in my heart forever, we’ve worked relentlessly during all our years together, but in 2020 everything just came together for us and it was simply fantastic. Thank you to the whole team for their help.”

Livio Suppo: “What more could we ask for? The only thing better would have been a double podium. But Alex showed, once again, how competitive he and our bike are. And Joan did a great job. My time with Suzuki has been short but very sweet. Working with an iconic brand, with superb people, and a great bike has been a big pleasure for me, and I think we can bow out with our heads high.”

Ken Kawauchi: “Today Alex did a very impressive job, getting the holeshot and leading the whole race, thank you to him for this final victory, and also to Joan for a nice sixth place. Finally, thank you also to all the staff for their work during all the years. We have been a very good group of people, and we always tried hard to get the best results.”

Shinichi Sahara: “Victory today in Valencia! What a great reward for the team. I’m very proud of the staff, the riders, the engineers in Japan – not only for today but for the whole season. We had a fighting spirit until the end, and we leave with a World Title and many victories and podiums.”

SUZUKI LAUNCHES INDUSTRY-FIRST ACCIDENT AFTERCARE PROGRAMME

Suzuki has launched its new motorcycle accident aftercare programme, an entirely free service for all customers, regardless of age of machine, that aims to make dealing with the aftermath of an accident or theft as smooth and as pain-free as possible. The programme provides riders with a single point of contact and will handle everything from liaising with insurance providers and recovery of the motorbike, right through to the repair at an authorised Suzuki dealership using only Suzuki Genuine Parts.


The service is a motorcycle industry first, and by helping to remove a lot of the stress from what is already a high-stress situation, it highlights Suzuki’s ongoing commitment to its customers past the new motorcycle point of sale.

With no sign-up required, any Suzuki owner involved in an accident – regardless of their insurer – can benefit from the service by calling Suzuki First, a dedicated call centre available 24 hours a day. From there, the entire claims process, recovery, and repair, will be handled on the owner’s behalf. Suzuki First will also be there if the motorcycle is stolen.

Jacob Lewis, Suzuki GB’s customer retention manager, commented, We pride ourselves on our level of aftersales care at Suzuki, and I think our customers will agree we put a great deal of effort into things like our Suzuki Service Promise and our Vintage Parts Programme. Now, we’re really pleased to be able to further demonstrate our commitment to Suzuki owners with the Suzuki Accident Aftercare programme. Sometimes accidents happen and we know how stressful it is managing the fallout, arranging recovery and dealing with insurance companies.

“We aim to make this process as easy as it can be, by handling everything on the owner’s behalf. Not only that, by managing the process we can ensure that their Suzuki is repaired to the highest possible standard, using Suzuki Genuine Parts and by fully trained and experienced Suzuki technicians. And best of all it is completely free, there is no charge to the owner. All they need to do is call Suzuki First and we’ll take it from there.”

SUZUKI BRINGING CHAMPIONSHIP-WINNING SUPERBIKES TO STAFFORD

Suzuki is bringing championship-winning superbikes to this week’s Stafford Classic Bike Show – which takes place on 15-16 October at the Staffordshire County Showground – with Troy Corser’s World Superbike-winning GSX-R1000 K5 on display next to John Reynolds’ 2004 British Superbike title-winning machine.

The two iconic superbikes, in their Corona Suzuki and Rizla Suzuki liveries from the period, will be on display in the show’s new 90s and 00s hall, with Reynolds himself present for the duration of the show. The GSX-R750 SRAD ridden by Michael Dunlop at this year’s Manx GP will also feature.

Other classic Suzukis on display include the TL1000S that was out of brand new parts in 2014, thanks to Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme, and a GSX-R1100L and Bandit 600 that were both restored by apprentices at the Suzuki Apprentice Centre in Doncaster. Also on show is a DR Big and a GSX1000SZ Katana, one of only 166 imported into the UK in 1981.

Alongside the classic fleet the latest Katana will head a display of modern machines, which will also include the third generation Hayabusa and the new GSX-S1000GT sports tourer.

Support over the course of the event will be Vintage Parts Programme specialists, Robinsons Foundry, as well as representatives from Suzuki Insurance and Motul.

ALL-NEW GSX-8S AND V-STROM 800DE UNVEILED AT EICMA

Suzuki has revealed two all-new models, with a new GSX-8S and V-Strom 800DE revealed today at Eicma in Milan, Italy.

  • Both models use a brand-new 776cc, DOHC, parallel twin engine with 270° crank, designed to deliver punchy torque and a flexible character, while four valves per cylinder enable a free-revving nature.
  • For strength and agility, the V-Strom 800DE and GSX-8S use an all-new steel frame, with each using a bespoke subframe, swingarm, and suspension components for unique ergonomics and a tailored riding experience.
  • As standard, each comes with a five-inch full-colour TFT dash, a three-mode traction control system, bi-drectional quickshifter, selectable power modes, and a slipper clutch.
  • The V-Strom 800DE adds an off-road-focussed G (gravel) mode to its available traction control settings, and an ABS package that offers two modes – for greater or less intervention – and the ability to disengage rear ABS completely.

GSX-8S

The new GSX-8S is born to thrill, offering performance, technology, and style to those that want to work hard, and play harder. Through the combination of an all-new engine, agile chassis, ride-enhancing electronics, and an aggressive design, the GSX-8S is set to raise the middleweight naked bar.

Engine
Powering the all-new GSX-8S is a brand-new engine from the Hamamatsu marque, with a focus on performance befitting of a naked streetfighter. A 270° crank ensures a punchy torque delivery, helping fire the new GSX-8S from corner to corner, while a DOHC design, with four valves per cylinder, means a clean, free-revving nature all the way to the top end. Peak torque is 78Nm at 6800rpm while peak power is 82.9PS at 8500rpm.

A Suzuki Cross Balancer, an innovative new primary balancer design, reduces unwanted vibration, and helps ensure the engine’s compact nature, which in turn aids freedom of chassis design.

The exhaust system features a short new muffler design, barely rising up and out from the right side of the engine, enhances the bike’s compact look and feel and produces an intoxicating rumble.

Chassis
The GSX-8S’s streetfighter character continues with the ergonomics, with wide, tapered aluminium handlebars providing a sporty riding position and plenty of leverage to pitch the GSX-8S effortlessly into turns with speed and confidence.

That confidence also comes from a chassis that features upside down front forks and a rear shock from KYB, and a new aluminium swingarm with a unique shape, is designed to perform with the right amount of vertical, lateral, and torsional rigidity to further enhance the GSX-8S’s flickable nature but also deliver stability and greater ride comfort. Twin 310mm discs up front and a 240mm rear disc provide the stopping power.

These components all fit to a new frame engineered for direct handling characteristics, with a light – and painted – subframe helping keep weight low and aid the design of a sharp seat unit.

 

Electronics

From the seat – which is designed for comfort and performance – the view is of a five-inch, full-colour TFT screen showcasing a plethora of information including speed, gear, rev counter, clock, riding range, and dual trip computers.

It also shows the current settings the rider has chosen for the various advanced rider aids featured on the new GSX-8S, which includes a three-mode traction control system – which can be turned off – three selectable engine maps, and a bi-directional quickshifter for slick gear changes.

There’s also a ride-by-wire throttle, engineered for a natural feel, Suzuki’s Easy Start System, and a low rpm assist.

Style
The minimalist bodywork, wrapped around the slim new engine, is angular and futuristic. Other key elements of the bike’s style come from its bright, light blue wheels and subframe on two of the three available colour options; a pearl cosmic blue and pearl tech white. A matt and sparkle black option is also available.

Stacked hexagonal LED headlights and LED running lights all contribute to a slim, compact, and aggressive stance, while fresh graphics make for a contemporary look.

V-Strom 800DE

Born to explore, the V-Strom 800DE is an all-new adventure bike designed to allow riders to journey without limits. Boasting fully-adjustable suspension with 220mm of travel, a 21-inch front wheel, 220mm of ground clearance, and an electronics package with additional features geared around performance when the road ends, the V-Strom 800DE is the new master of adventure.

Engine
At the heart of the new V-Strom 800DE is Suzuki’s new parallel twin engine. The 776cc, DOHC powerplant produces 84.3PS peak power at 8500rpm, with 78Nm of peak torque at 6800rpm.

Designed to be slim and compact, to expand the possibilities for overall design flexibility, the long-stroke motor with four valves per cylinder produces smooth but potent torque throughout the low rpm, before going on to deliver free-revving performance through to the top end.

This performance is aided through the use of a 270° crankshaft design, which delivers high levels of torque and positive traction – extra-beneficial off-road – and a pleasing rumble to its exhaust note, ensuring it retains a character more akin to Suzuki’s famed V-twins. A Suzuki Cross Balancer, an innovative new primary balancer design, reduces unwanted vibration and helps achieve a compact and lightweight package that enhances the V-Strom 800DE’s agile handling.

Chassis
Wire spoked wheels come in the form of a 21-inch front and a 17-inch rear, shod with Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tyres. Further boosting the new V-Strom’s ability to traverse rougher terrain with ease is 220mm of suspension travel, controlled by fully-adjustable hardware from Showa, and 220mm of ground clearance.

A tough steel frame provides the strength needed for negotiating tracks and trails and provides excellent straight-line stability and agile handling. The seat rails are engineered to withstand the impacts and pressures of riding on trails and feature a narrow profile that helps riders better control the bike with their legs.

Further helping riders control the new V-Strom 800DE on and off-road are wide, tapered, aluminium ‘bars and steel – though rubber-covered – footpegs. A long wheelbase aids stability, helped with an aluminium swingarm with a unique shape that enhances vertical, lateral, and torsional rigidity.

 

Electronics

A ride-by-wire throttle provides a natural feel, and synchronises with a range of electronic features that further enhance the V-Strom 800DE’s performance in a range of riding situations.

Like the bigger V-Strom 1050DE, it gets a traction control system with three on-road modes, which provide varying levels of intervention, plus the introduction of a G mode for use off-road. G mode allows more wheelspin, which is suppressed only enough to help prevent excessive slip, so power continues to be delivered to the rear wheel with minimum interruption. As a result, the rider gets the consistent power output they want. More experienced riders can also choose to disengage the traction control entirely for even more direct control.

The V-Strom 800DE also has two ABS settings, providing greater or lesser intervention, plus there is the ability to disengage the rear ABS for improved confidence and control off-road.

Gear changes are slick and uninterrupted thanks to a bi-directional quickshifter, meaning riders don’t need to trouble the clutch lever and can keep the throttle open on upshifts, while there is no requirement to blip it on downshifts.

Like all new Suzukis, there is the ever-handy low rpm assist – which raises the idle speed when pulling away or at slow speeds to reduce the risk of stalling – and Suzuki Easy Start System, which requires just one push of the starter button to fire the engine into life.

All of the advanced rider aids are managed via a simple rocker switch on the left handlebar, and displayed – alongside speed, odometer, rev counter, and more – on a five-inch, full-colour TFT dash.

Style
All of the above is wrapped in a style that is both quintessentially V-Strom and modern at the same time. Harking back to Suzuki’s DR Big and DR-Z heritage is the notable beak design and a hero colour scheme reminiscent of the firm’s off-road racing exploits of the past. Even the graphics are designed to resemble motocross number boards.

However, the beak is shorter, sharper, and sits higher, highlighting the space between front mudguard and headlight, created thanks to its tall stance and 220mm of suspension travel, and new vertically stacked hexagonal LED headlights are slim, light and compact.

The lines of the body work are sharp with flat surfaces to create a tough look. Bold accents are introduced through the use of moulded colour parts at the tip of the beak, alongside the radiator, and below the large, 20 litre fuel tank. Angled lines set into the knee grip area of the moulded panel below the tank lend yet another subtle accent.

A traditional yellow with dark blue accents and gold rims pays homage the most to Suzuki’s off-road pedigree, while the V-Strom 800DE will also be available in a matt mechanical grey with moulded yellow accents and black rims, and a glass sparkle black, that also comes with dark blue accents and gold wheels.

Availability
Both the V-Strom 800DE and GSX-8S will be available in dealerships in the spring.