The Suzuki GSX-8S is one of the Hamamatsu company’s most recent models and, above all, one of the most recent to have been designed from scratch. Both the Italian and the Japanese HQ’s style centre in Japan took part in its creation. It is from the collaboration of the two studios that this street fighter took shape.
Great engagement in the ride
To understand its appearance, one must first explain why the GSX-8S was created. The bike is aimed at a varied public that is looking for a versatile and comfortable vehicle, suitable for an everyday use but also capable of a great engagement in a classic country ride. The project is explained by Yoshinori Kohinata, Motorcycle Manager of the Italian Design Centre: “With the Suzuki GSX-8S we wanted to create a highly emotional product, in which the mechanical and engineering part was dominant and clearly visible. It was with these principles in mind that we defined the styling”.
Comparison between teams
Kohinata – who was assisted by the other designers in the motorbike division of the style centre Marco Ruschetti, Arthur Vidal and Romain Oudert – was appointed to define the project in its initial part, where some of the GSX-8S’s styling milestones were clarified. When he began the work, he started drawing many sketches featuring different styling solutions. A strict selection was then carried out among these, leading the Italian team to focus on five different solutions. “Our work here in Italy”, says Kohinata, “allowed us to understand the direction the design had to take. The Japanese style centre, working with the engineering department and other company divisions, then refined our proposal to reach the final model”.
The trapezoid shape
The GSX-8S has a fairly long wheelbase and, for better riding dynamics, the loads are concentrated towards the middle and bottom. “We have enhanced the trapezoid shape of the bike”, Kohinata continues. “The lower base, the one close to the ground, is the biggest, to give a sense of stability. The upper base of the trapezoid, which ideally joins the tail to the handlebars, is shorter to convey a sense of greater agility”.
Double vertical light
The designers also played a lot with colours: the Suzuki GSX-8S has clearly visible mechanics and black or dark covers. Only certain parts are painted: the wheels, the tail, including the frame under the saddle, the front part of the fairing and the LED front light. “Regarding the headlight”, Kohinata says, “it is one of the most characteristic elements of this model: the double vertical light makes this model particularly recognisable in an increasingly crowded landscape and indicates a solution that will also be adopted on other Suzuki models”.
Attention to detail
“In addition”, Kohinata concludes, “we paid great attention to detail. On a motorbike that has to exalt a great riding pleasure, a lot of work has been done on the ergonomics: the riding position allows a good compromise between comfort and sportiness, the narrow tank and the shape of the seat give the rider great freedom of movement, to take curves in the best way possible and to feel as one with the bike”. On the Suzuki GSX-8S, finally, greater attention was paid to detail, because everything is now about style: the aluminium rear fork, the upside-down front fork, the exhaust tailpipe (the shortest in the brand’s history) and even the screws and bolts show an above-average care.
(Full article in A&D no. 265)
