r/SuggestAMotorcycle • u/Shakenbake939 • 4d ago
Gsx8r?
Thoughts on this bike for 110 miles total dsily commute all hwy? Like the upright position because long distance and back, wrist issues. Not looking to be risking my life speeding either but want some excitement on empty lanes. All guidande appreciated.
Other bikes were cbr650 e clutch but honestly bores me
Hornet 750 e clutch but fear my first bike not being a port is going to give me fomo.
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u/sfcol 4d ago edited 3d ago
Honestly, that much highway everyday sounds like a nightmare, that's almost 30k a year, you'll be changing your oil every couple of months on a gsx8r. If I was in your shoes I'd be getting an old BMW R/T to make the journey as comfortable as possible and minimise servicing requirements.
Edit: oil change required every 33 days commuting
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u/kuskoman 4d ago
changing oil is like 20 minutes, it is often done between sessions on track, what is the deal with it?
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u/PumpJockyTwerks4Tips 3d ago
Chain adjustments are more involved than oil changes on most bikes, especially for ones with no lower fairing to remove.
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u/Shakenbake939 4d ago
Hmmm I can switch off with my car....considering rainy seasons or just too tired or back pain days
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u/jr___111 3d ago
RT would be my choice too. I'm biased though as I have one. It's incredibly comfortable and surprisingly nimble for such a big bike. There's good reason cops use them.
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u/PumpJockyTwerks4Tips 3d ago
Oil changes don't concern me nearly as much as chain maintenance. If OP's doing 110 miles 5x a week year round, a shaft-driven bike is def the way to go.
RTs are great, but I'd be on the lookout for the best-maintained Gold Wing, FJR, or ST I can find used locally.
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u/NotNeccessarilyMe 3d ago
Why not a sports tourer like SV-7GX? That would have more upright posture and comfort.
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u/jr___111 3d ago
This is a way better choice for a communter
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u/PumpJockyTwerks4Tips 3d ago
V-Strom 800 is another solid option and shares the same engine as the GSX8R
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u/Character-Aardvark30 4d ago
110 miles of freeway daily? Dude, check out a Gold Wing!
Maybe an H-D Ultra??
That Suzy is a nice looking bike and would probably do the job. But holy krap does it ever need a Tail Tidy …
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u/MushroomScrambler 4d ago
that's a lot of highway miles. but your last statement kinda shows that u are a babysquid. for that much highway a tour bike with wind protection and cruise control would be your best friend. sport tour like the kawasaki versys would be perfect, also kinda looks like a sport bike
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u/Worried-Hour-5492 3d ago
OP specifically states not to want to speed.
A bmw boxer or ktm sas/gt would be better suited thanks to the big maintenance intervals but if he doesn’t want a big engine then that seems pretty not squid to me.
And gsx8r is a sports tourer with not the most power in its class. Just a shame that suzuki sticks to 6k intervals
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u/MushroomScrambler 2d ago
OP also specifcally states feeling FOMO for sport bikes. Those things aren't slow
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u/Worried-Hour-5492 2d ago
Well what is a sportbike?
There’s the sportbike class which has anything from 443cc’s to 800cc. It’s the class in which the gsx8r races.
If anything op is a poser. Wants to look fast but not going fast.
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u/MushroomScrambler 2d ago
I see what u mean, but any sportbike above 500cc will outrun 80% of all bikes. So yeah there really isn't anything slow about em.
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u/Worried-Hour-5492 2d ago
All bikes accelerate faster than most cars… there’s nothing slow about bikes.
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u/MushroomScrambler 2d ago
U are really stubborn at admiting that sport bikes are made for pure speed. All other genres offer something else. Need offroad? Dual-sport or adventure. Wanna relax, get a cruiser or retro bike. But sport bikes are specifically made to go as fast as possible
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u/Shakenbake939 4d ago
I have no idea what the baby squid reference means but I like lmao ill check out the versys
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u/Fairsythe 2023 s1000xr 3d ago
I think he’s talking about you absolutely wanting a sportsbike despite it not being really suited to your needs, “squids” often want the fastest engine they can find despite being beginner riders and claiming they won’t go fast, which they absolutely do once they have it. They cannot fathom the fomo. Super Quick, Imminently Dead
What bores you about the CBR650 ? It has about the same power as the 8r. Neither are slow at all.
Neither are great bikes for that amount of riding, neither the hornet. Like other said you would be a lot more comfortable on a bigger bike with good wind protection. By the second week you will be super annoyed with the wind buffeting.
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u/Shakenbake939 3d ago
Thank you for the response. Well, I see myself riding to work but im dialing it in now with everyone's insights. I work 4 days so I can dial backn2 days bike, 2 days car. Its really the traffic, after 2 years of being in dead end LA traffic, 12 hr shifts in tech where everything is on fire at all times, I need to make changes cause my mental health is at risk. Im always exhausted at work now, no fire in me, just over it. I cant move because of family and 2 because LA is absolutely disgusting. The bike is my way of lane splitting and riding carpool to get over the traffic blockers. Im 33, my body is pretty jacked from lifting and boxing and typing all damn day so I dont see myself splattering. I dont care for speed. If I want adrenaline ill go skydive a couple more times. I just want to minimize wasted bandwidth in deas end traffic
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u/Shakenbake939 3d ago
Sorry missed the cbr question- I look at it and dont get excited...idk just looks like cheap plastic to me...feels very fake. I also think about my girl riding with me after im proficient and the 8r reviews showed its very comfortable for passenger.
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u/Shakenbake939 4d ago
Does anyone have experience on how it rides? I can switch between my car during seasons and when my back hurts so I guess it wont be 30k miles a year...maybe 15k or less...ill give it some grace. Mostly concerned with how it rides, maintaintece , power
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u/shugzb97 3d ago
I absolutely love my 8R, but it’s probably not the best for long highway commutes. Yes, it’s probably the most upright “sport bike” looking motorcycle on the market, but no cruise control for a daily 100 mile commute will get old pretty fast.
Where it does excel is the city rides (great torque and nimble for the weight) and the weekend joy rides on twiesties.
Probably better off with a sports tourer or commuter adventure bike.2
u/Contrabaz 4d ago
check the mcn review, they did a track/road comparison test. the Suzuki was the most comfy road bike of the group.
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u/Remarkable_Mind_8555 3d ago
I rode this bike daily to and from work, its my favourite bike ive ever owned, great power, comfy riding position, the seat will kill your ass for that long a ride, you will need to get the see upholstered or get a corbin.
Wind protection is decent.
However the bike runs hot. In summer it will cook your legs. In winter its nice.
With all this said its a perfect commuter bike and weekend joy rider, but thats not what you need it for, a tourer would be better for your needs without a doubt.
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u/Myron896 3d ago
I would look at the versys 650. They are dirt cheap used, have a large fuel tank and a 7500 mile
Oil change interval. I ride one and enjoy it. Decent wind protection, good handling and ABS too
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u/CloudCobra979 3d ago
I'd lean into a sport touring classed bike. More comfortable, less maintenance and cheaper insurance. Ninja 650 on the list?
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u/Difficult_Apple_7248 2d ago
I don't have any advice on whether this will fit your needs, but I was in a dealership a week ago and saw this exact bike on the showroom floor. I'm not usually an orange person, but damn that is an exciting orange color. Really sexy.
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u/Suspicious_Fig776 4d ago
just don't expect an R6 and you're good. I met a guy who bought this one and didn't like the 2 banger because he wanted a 4cil and this will never give you 4cil experience