By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
CFMOTO 800NK (MY2023) vs Suzuki GSX-8S (MY2023)
CFMOTO 800NK vs Suzuki GSX-8S: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
Roll the CFMOTO 800NK's throttle open and it's pulling hard down low, then howling for the top. The Suzuki GSX-8S's throttle trails off mid-corner without a lurch.
So which one do you buy?
The 800NK has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
By a nose: 800NK
Once the road starts to bend, the 800NK noses ahead. Your own skill counts for more than a gap this size.
The GSX-8S has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Nose ahead: GSX-8S
For the money you spend after the purchase, the GSX-8S nudges ahead. The gap is too small to plan a budget around.
What makes each one tick
800NK
The 800NK's stiff chassis doesn't wait to be asked into a bend. The brake lever brings 410 lb (186 kg) of bike down through a 320 mm front brake. The KYB legs don't give much. Broken pavement kicks straight up through the thin seat. The front end tucks in like a supermoto's.
GSX-8S
The GSX-8S's factory suspension tune isn't asking you to reach for tools. Only rear preload is adjustable, but the base setup covers a wide range of roads and riding styles without feeling like it needs more. At highway speed, an expansion joint thumps through the stock suspension and the bike's mass keeps it tracking true. There's lean left as bends tighten.
Nils rode the GSX-8S in Austria in 2023 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 800NK has the lower seat: 31.3 in (795 mm) vs 31.9 in (810 mm).
- The 800NK has the lower wet weight: 410 lb (186 kg) vs 445 lb (202 kg).
- The 800NK makes more peak power: 99 hp (74 kW) vs 83 hp (61 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
For all-day comfort, both fall short. Keep the rides short and you'll get on fine with either.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not built for it: 800NK
Leave the 800NK for your second or third bike. It's too much to learn on.
There's no real gap on commuting. Sit on both and let fit and price decide.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
800NK
What owners say
Strengths
- Excellent value for money
- Punchy, characterful parallel-twin engine
- Sharp, sporty handling
- High-quality fit and finish
- Awesome TFT display
Trade-offs
- Overly stiff suspension for lighter riders
- Snatchy low-speed throttle
- Uncomfortable seat and cramped ergonomics
- Wooden brakes lacking initial bite
GSX-8S
Strengths
- Big-bike torque down low
- Refinement above its class
- Precise, progressive front brake
- Planted in fast sweepers
- A seat you can live with
Trade-offs
- Heavy at parking-lot pace
- No reserves up top
- Quickshifter wants muscle
- ABS steps in early
- KYB suspension overwhelmed on rough roads
Known problems to check before you buy
800NK
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
GSX-8S
- Bidirectional quickshifter clunky on downshifts and at low RPM The standard bidirectional quickshifter exhibits an awkward "clunk" on downshifts and lacks adequate auto-blip. Suzuki's manual states the quickshifter is not operable below 2,000 rpm; in practice, owners and dealers report consistent operation only above ≈3,000 rpm. At cruising RPM in higher gears, shifts can feel harsh. Manual clutch operation is markedly smoother for low-rev work.
- "A" ride-mode throttle hyper-responsive at small throttle openings In SDMS A (Active) mode, throttle response past approximately one-quarter turn is described as 1:1 / hyper-responsive, making low-speed and stop-and-go riding feel nervous. SDMS B mode is described as so progressive it feels "unenthusiastic." There is a perceived gap between A and B with no calibration in between; full-throttle behaviour is identical across modes, so the differentiation only matters at part-throttle.
- Black painted tank shows scratches and scuffs more readily than typical The black-tank colourway (and to a lesser extent the other finishes) is reported to scratch easily. Tank pads and protective films are commonly recommended.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
- Wheelbase
- 57.7 in (1465 mm)
Where the spec sheets split
| 800NK | GSX-8S | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.3 in (795 mm) | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Wet weight | 410 lb (186 kg) | 445 lb (202 kg) |
| 800NK | GSX-8S | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 799 cc | 776 cc |
| Power | 99 hp (74 kW) | 83 hp (61 kW) |
| Torque | 60 lb-ft (81 Nm) | 58 lb-ft (78 Nm) |
| 800NK | GSX-8S | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 47 mpg (US) / 5 L/100 km | 56 mpg (US) / 4.2 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.0 US gal (15 L) | 3.7 US gal (14 L) |
| 800NK | GSX-8S | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 320 mm | 310 mm |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 800NK | GSX-8S | |
|---|---|---|
| Traction Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Standard | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
