Suzuki GSX-8R Makes BSB Racing Debut
The Suzuki GSX-8R has made its official racing debut in the National Sportbike Championship
A new bike since late last year, the Suzuki GSX-8R first appeared in the MotoAmerica Twins Cup where it has already enjoyed success. But last weekend’s British Superbike Showdown round at Oulton Park saw it make its debut in the UK.
Taylor Moreton was the rider aboard the 776cc machine, which was first introduced by Suzuki in the form of a GSX-8S naked bike. The GSX-8R is essentially the same bike but just with an added race fairing on the front-end of the bike.
You can read our road and track 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R review here.
Jak Tyrrell, Suzuki GB marketing manager, said: “It was great to see the 8R in race spec and in the British Superbike paddock this weekend, and I have to thank Brad and the Powerslide team for their hard work to get the bike to this point. They had a real challenge on their hands this weekend and they did an excellent job in rising to meet it.
“The 8R’s been widely praised following its launch earlier this year as a road and track day-friendly machine, and Powerslide have further demonstrated its circuit capabilities by proving its competitiveness in the Sportbike Championship. The bike is also winning races in the US, so hopefully we’ll see some more 8Rs on the grid in 2025.”
The Powerslide Motorcycles GSX-8R swapped the standard KYB suspension that’s on the GSX-8S for Bitubo units, with added power and weight saved courtesy of a Spark exhaust system.
To comply with class regulations it runs a Mectronik ECU, using the standard loom and throttle bodies. The peak power of the bike gets a lift due to new cams from UK-based specialists Kent Cams, with further development work carried out by Moto46 and PCR Performance. Protection comes from GB Racing engine covers, with the whole package wrapped in Pro Fibre bodywork.
“It was great to be back,” added Moreton. This weekend was just about getting the bike to feel like my own and we were looking forward to the race, but then the heavens opened and with no wet track time it was a last minute dash to get the bike changed only for it to dry during the race.
“But our time in FP3 would have put us sixth at the previous test so it shows just how much the bikes and riders have come on this year so to be able to do that lap time, first time out, gives us confidence.”
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
