MCN Crowns Suzuki GSX-8R Sportsbike of the year

Motorcycle News has crowned the Suzuki GSX-8R as its “Sportsbike of the Year”. The 8R collects the award a year after its naked stablemate, the GSX-8S, won the award for Best Naked.

The award makes it two awards in two years for Suzuki’s 776cc parallel twin engine platform, which has won favour with press and customers alike thanks to its punchy power delivery and flexibility.

The GSX-8R was heralded as ‘a sublime bit of kit’ by the world famous motorcycling newspaper, and praised for being ‘cracking fun to ride’ and for being ‘living proof that sportsbikes can be fun, comfortable and capable, without breaking the bank, as it blends sportiness with everyday usability.

Jak Tyrrell, Suzuki GB’s senior motorcycle marketing manager, said after collecting the award, “It’s obviously really pleasing to see the 8R recognised as the great bike it is, but, for us, it’s also great to see that our latest engine platform is clearly a leading light in the middleweight category, with two MCN awards in two years. The GSX-8R really captured imaginations when it was revealed, and has clearly delivered on its promise to be a sportsbike accessible for all riders.”

The GSX-8R houses its 776cc engine inside a brand new chassis, with suspension from Showa, including the firm’s SFF-BP (Separate Function Fork – Big Piston) at the front. Radially-mounted Nissin four-piston calipers provide the stopping power. 

An electronics package features a bi-directional quickshifter as standard, three power modes, and three traction control settings, with all information displayed via a colour TFT screen.