There’s something about the middleweight segment of motorcycles that hits just right. It’s a sweet spot where power meets agility, and the latest crop of 650cc to 900cc bikes is proving that point over and over again. One standout in this crowd? Suzuki’s GSX-8R, a sportbike that shares its DNA with the GSX-8S and V-Strom 800. This machine is Suzuki’s way of saying, “Yeah, we still got it,” while adding fuel to the fire of an already thriving middleweight sportbike class, now dominated by parallel-twin engines.
A Segment Stalwart, the Suzuki GSX-8R Only Needs New Colors
For 2025, Suzuki’s keeping things simple. The GSX-8R gets a splash of new paint and graphics—that’s it. But hey, sometimes it’s the simple things that count. This bike is available in three sharp colorways: a stealthy Metallic Matte Black No. 2, the classic Suzuki Metallic Triton Blue, and a throwback Pearl Ignite Yellow that will have you reminiscing about those wild ’80s and ’90s sportbike days.
Beneath that new skin, though, it’s still the same beast. Powered by a 776cc parallel-twin with a 270-degree crankshaft, this thing churns out about 82 horsepower. And thanks to a suite of rider aids, you can tweak the performance just how you like it. At a starting price of $9,669, it goes toe-to-toe with the likes of Yamaha’s YZF-R7 and Honda’s CBR650R—solid competition, but Suzuki’s always been a contender when it comes to bang for your buck.
The GSX-8R is more than just a sportbike. It’s versatile, comfy enough for daily rides, and capable enough for longer hauls with some luggage strapped on. Suzuki’s proving that with the GSX-8R, you can have your sportbike thrills and ride it anywhere you damn well please.
Check out the 2025 model at Suzuki’s website.
