10 Suzuki motorcycles perfect for riders who want speed without sacrificing comfort

Suzuki motorcycles occupy a unique niche in their respective segments. They tend to be more value-oriented bikes that strike a balance between performance, everyday usability and comfort. Sure, some models may lack fancy features or feel a little dated compared to their rivals, but they’re still more than capable of doing what they promise to be.

Perhaps this combination of comfort, affordability and performance is why this brand is popular among riders who can’t distinguish between a tank top and a riding jacket. Jokes aside, few motorcycles strike this balance between functionality and performance as well as a Suzuki, and these ten motorcycles prove it. Spoiler alert: the list includes a cruiser, a tourer, and a two-wheeled rocket.

SuzukiSV650

Power: 73 hp at 8,500 rpm

The SV650 gets a bad rap these days for being an MSF specialty or for being too outdated, but it still performs quite well for novice to intermediate riders. Credit goes to its 90-degree V-twin, a rarity in the segment, which produces more than 70 horsepower and nearly 50 pound-feet of torque. This performance, combined with an agile trellis frame, should translate into a lively but comfortable middleweight naked for most riders. Unlike the more expensive Suzuki motorcycles on the list, you wouldn’t mind throwing this bike around considering its legendary reliability.

Performance Specifications

Suzuki GSX-8S

Power: 82 hp at 8,500 rpm

Since this is going to get repetitive, consider the GSX-8S as the base model of the GSX-8, which promises to tick all the boxes for a middleweight naked motorcycle. It features upright ergonomics and an accessible seat height, while the parallel-twin engine delivers decent performance with an emphasis on mid-range versatility. If you want a simple, bare-bones model without the bells and whistles, the GSX-8S is hard to beat, as long as you look past the transformer-like design.

Performance Specifications

Suzuki GSX-8TT

Power: 82 hp at 8,500 rpm

Suzuki

Take the GSX-8S and wrap it in retro clothing, and you get the GSX-8TT. It’s a beautiful neo-retro motorcycle inspired by the iconic GS1000S, complete with an angular headlight cowl, old-school color accents and bar end mirrors. Plus, it’s essentially the same as the GSX-8S, so you can still enjoy the parallel-twin performance. Suzuki has done a good job of developing the idea of ​​a performance-first retro motorcycle here.

Performance Specifications

Suzuki GSX-8R

Power: 82 hp at 8,500 rpm

Suzuki

The final GSX-8 model on this list is the 8R, which takes the engine and frame of the GSX-8S and adds a sporty flair. It features a sporty fairing that looks arguably better than the naked model, while also offering some wind protection during highway rides. Then there’s the Showa suspension, which is said to balance city and track driving conditions. You also get a slightly sporty driving position that should be nice in the corners, but comfortable enough for city driving. When you put it all together, the GSX-8R comes across as an excellent sports bike that you can live with every day.

Performance Specifications

Suzuki V-Strom 1050

Power: 106 hp at 8,500 rpm

Suzuki

Suzuki produces some excellent adventure motorcycles, but if you’re looking for performance and comfort, nothing beats the V-Strom 1050 and its variants. This adventure bike features a powerful V-twin engine with over 100 horsepower, enough to keep most riders entertained. The ADV combines this performance with long-distance comfort, with a wind tunnel-tested windshield, reclining seats and a neutral riding triangle to suit most riders. Considering its sub-$16,000 price tag, the V-Strom 1050 is also one of the best value-for-money options in this segment.

Performance Specifications

Suzuki GSX-S750

Power: 114 hp

Suzuki

The Suzuki GSX-S750 offers unparalleled 750cc inline-four performance in a versatile and comfortable package. It’s powered by the legendary GSX-R750 K5 inline-four engine, known for its torquey midrange and blistering top end. Unlike its supersport sibling, this bike combines upright ergonomics and a naked design, making it easier to live with on the road. Despite being at the end of its production run, the GSX-S750 is still hard to beat with its sheer comfort and wild inline-four performance.

Performance Specifications

Suzuki Boulevard M109R BOSS

Power: 123 hp at 6,200 rpm

Suzuki

Few Japanese cruisers can match the Suzuki Boulevard M109R BOSS for its road presence, thanks to its black finish, sweeping turns and tall stance. But this blacked-out special Suzuki (yes, that’s the full form) is more than just style. The relaxed ergonomics should be comfortable for most riders, while the powerful V-twin engine promises to turn every stoplight into a drag strip launch. It is a rare Japanese combination of speed, style and cruiser comfort.

Performance Specifications

Suzuki GSX-S1000

Power: 150 hp at 11,000 rpm

Suzuki

If you’re looking for superbike-level performance without all the chiropractor bills, look no further than the GSX-S1000. This modern naked bike features a proven K5-derived inline four engine that’s all about mid-range torque and a blistering top end. And even though it’s been detuned for this Naked Bike, it still makes 150 horsepower, perhaps more than enough for most. As is the theme with other Suzuki nakeds on this list, the GSX-S1000 isn’t the flashiest of them all, but it delivers value for money without sacrificing comfort.

Performance Specifications

Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+

Power: 152 hp at 11,000 rpm

Suzuki

The GSX-S1000 sounds excellent on paper, but on the highway all the wind would be enough to make you wish you’d spent that money wisely. Fortunately, long-distance sensitivity and comfort don’t have to come at the expense of superbike-level performance. Meet the GSX-S1000GX+, which is essentially a sport-touring version of the GSX-S1000, with an ADV-style fairing, an adjustable windshield and hard luggage. It also has an electronic suspension, which can handle both relaxed cruising and sporty cornering without any problems.

Performance Specifications

Suzuki Hayabusa

Power: 187 hp at 9,700 rpm

Suzuki

From 1999 to the present, even in its third-generation avatar, the Hayabusa has been designed and known for one thing: speed. The spherical fairing is designed in a wind tunnel to cut through the air, while the long wheelbase is there for stability at high speeds. Then there’s the big-bore inline-four engine, which takes it to an electronically limited top speed that still respects the gentleman’s agreement.

What you may not know is how comfortable the Busa is. Thanks to its large proportions, owners claim it has very sport-tourer-like ergonomics that are comfortable in the saddle for hours on end. In addition, the wind-cut fairing should keep the wind out of your face. This high level of comfort is why many still call the Peregrine Falcon a sports tourer and not a hyperbike.

Performance Specifications