Suzuki recently applied to register a new acronym to name one of its models for next year.
The new Suzuki GSX-8R will be ready for 2024, or at least that’s the Japanese brand’s intention after registering the acronym with the Swiss homologation office. In any case, it’s something we’ve been expecting for a long time, given that today most of the leading brands have developed a sports model derived directly from their naked chassis.
Yamaha has the YZF-R7 in its ranks, while Aprilia is doing the same with the RS660. There are also rumors of a sports version of the current Hornet 750, and in the Far East there is no end to the development of such models to compete with the leading bikes in the category.
As we heard from Bennetts’ group, Suzuki has reportedly submitted UN-ECE homologation documents for the model to be homologated in continental Europe and the UK. These documents refer to a new commercial designation, GSX800 (8R), as well as a second designation for a limited variant of the current A2, GSX800U (8R).
In these documents to which we have had access, it is confirmed that both versions would be equipped with the power unit currently used by the GSX-8S. The 776 cc, water-cooled engine with 6 speeds and 6 ratios is the engine used in the GSX-8S. Final dimensions are 84.0 mm x 70.0 mm, while the compression ratio is 12.8:1. In total, it can deliver 83 hp at 8,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 78 Nm at 6,800 rpm.
However, and confirming the theory of a completely new bike, the future GSX-8R approves some of its figures with different data from the naked version. For example, the top speed is 215 km/h, compared to 210 km/h for the GSX-8S. The same goes for the A2 variant; while the sports model has a top speed of 174 km/h, its naked sister has a top speed of 170 km/h.
This variation is mainly due to the inclusion of a fairing, with the GSX-8S’s overall wheelbase and wheelbase dimensions remaining unchanged. What does change is the width, now 770 mm, and the height, 30 mm higher than the naked version. Likewise, the final weight rises to 205 kg, three kg more than the GSX-8S.
Otherwise, no major changes are expected to the future Suzuki GSX-8R. Brakes, suspension or main chassis elements would be shared with the roadster variant. It remains to be seen whether the lighting equipment that currently characterizes Suzuki’s naked bikes will be retained, with twin headlights. It is also not known whether it will come with a full fairing or just a front fairing.
All these doubts will be clarified in the coming weeks and it is very likely that, as we get closer to the next EICMA 2023, we will have access to new information on this subject.