10 Suzuki Motorcycles Perfect For Riders Who Want Speed Without Sacrificing Comfort

Suzuki motorcycles occupy a unique niche in their respective segments. They are usually more value-oriented bikes that strike a balance between performance, everyday practicality, and comfort. Sure, some models may miss out on fancy features or feel a bit outdated compared to their rivals, but they are still plenty capable for what they promise to be.

Perhaps this combination of comfort, affordability, and performance is why this brand is popular among riders who can’t differentiate between a tank top and a riding jacket. Jokes aside, few motorcycles strike this balance of practicality and performance quite like a Suzuki, and these ten bikes prove it. Spoiler alert: the list includes a cruiser, a tourer, and a missile on two wheels.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Suzuki Cycles.

Suzuki SV650

Power Output: 73 HP @ 8,500 RPM

The SV650 gets a bad rep for being an MSF special or too outdated today, but it still performs decently well for beginner to intermediate riders. The credit goes to its 90-degree V-twin, a rarity in the segment, which produces over 70 horsepower and close to 50 pound-feet of torque. This performance, paired with an agile trellis frame, should translate to a lively yet comfortable middleweight naked for most bikers. Unlike the more expensive Suzuki motorcycles on the list, you wouldn’t mind thrashing this bike around, given its legendary reliability.

Performance Specs

Suzuki GSX-8S

Power Output: 82 HP @ 8,500 RPM

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

Performance Specs

Suzuki GSX-8TT

Power Output: 82 HP @ 8,500 RPM

Take the GSX-8S and wrap it in retro clothing, and you get the GSX-8TT. It’s a gorgeous neo-retro motorcycle inspired by the iconic GS1000S, complete with an angular headlight cowl, old-school color highlights, and bar-end mirrors. Underneath all that, it’s essentially the same as the GSX-8S, so you still get to enjoy the parallel-twin performance. Suzuki has nailed the idea of a performance-first retro motorcycle here.

Performance Specs

Suzuki GSX-8R

Power Output: 82 HP @ 8,500 RPM

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

Performance Specs

Suzuki V-Strom 1050

Power Output: 106 HP @ 8,500 RPM

Suzuki produces some excellent adventure motorcycles, but if performance and comfort are what you’re after, 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, featuring a wind-tunnel-tested windscreen, adjustable seats, and a neutral riding triangle for most riders. Given its price tag of under $16k, the V-Strom 1050 is also one of the best bang-for-your-buck options in the segment.

Performance Specs

Suzuki GSX-S750

Power Output: 114 HP

The Suzuki GSX-S750 offers unmatched 750cc inline-four performance in a versatile and comfortable package. It is powered by the legendary GSX-R750 K5 inline-four engine, known for its torque-rich midrange and searing top end. Unlike its supersport sibling, it combines this engine with 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 naked comfort and wild inline-four performance.

Performance Specs

Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S.

Power Output: 123 HP @ 6,200 RPM

Few Japanese cruisers can rival the Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. for its road presence, thanks to its blacked-out finish, sweeping curves, and long stance. But this blacked-out special Suzuki (yep, that’s the full form) is more than just style. Its relaxed ergonomics should be comfortable for most riders, while its powerful V-twin engine promises to turn every stoplight into a drag strip launch. It’s a rare Japanese combo of speed, style, and cruiser comfort.

Performance Specs

Suzuki GSX-S1000

Power Output: 150 HP @ 11,000 RPM

If you’re looking for superbike-level performance without all the chiropractor bills, look no further than the GSX-S1000. This modern naked motorcycle packs a tried-and-tested K5-derived inline-four engine that’s all about mid-range torque and a searing top-end. And while it’s detuned for this naked bike, it still pumps out 150 horsepower, arguably more than enough for most. As is the theme with other Suzuki nakeds on this list, the GSX-S1000 is not the flashiest of the lot, but it delivers bang-for-buck performance without sacrificing comfort.

Performance Specs

Suzuki GSX-S1000GX+

Power Output: 152 HP @ 11,000 RPM

The GSX-S1000 sounds excellent on paper, but on the highway, all the wind blast would be enough to make you wish you had spent that money sensibly. Fortunately, sensibility and long-distance comfort need not come at the cost of superbike-level performance. Enter the GSX-S1000GX+, which is essentially a sport touring version of the GSX-S1000, with an ADV-like fairing, an adjustable windscreen, and hard luggage. It also features electronic suspension, which should handle both relaxed touring and sporty cornering without any hassle.

Performance Specs

Suzuki Hayabusa

Power Output: 187 HP @ 9,700 RPM

From 1999 to the present, even in its third-generation avatar, the Hayabusa is designed and known for one thing: speed. Its bulbous fairing is designed in a wind tunnel to slice through air, while the long wheelbase is there for high-speed stability. Then there’s the big-bore inline-four engine to power 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 a very sports-tourer-like ergonomics that is comfortable for hours in the saddle. Plus, the wind-slicing fairing should keep the windblast off your face. This high level of comfort is why many still refer to the peregrine falcon as a sports tourer, not a hyperbike that it is.

Performance Specs