All Comparisons – Comparison Test Kawasaki Z750, Suzuki GSR 750 and Yamaha FZ8: the roadster war – Suzuki GSR 750: the original copy!

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Comparison test Kawasaki Z750, Suzuki GSR 750 and Yamaha FZ8: the roadster war

All Comparisons - Comparison Test Kawasaki Z750, Suzuki GSR 750 and Yamaha FZ8: the roadster war - Suzuki GSR 750: the original copy!

Slowly but surely, the Japanese resistance is organizing in order to push the Z750 out of its throne: already threatened by the Yamaha FZ8, the Zed must now counter the offensive of the Suzuki GSR 750. A fight refereed by MNC: comparative test.

Suzuki GSR 750: the original copy !

Fortunately for her (and for Suzuki dealers!), If the GSR 750 does not cause turmoil in static, it is quite different in action, starting with the bluffing balance of its chassis: the Suz ‘immediately makes you want to have fun on his handlebars, when his rivals suffer from several dynamic defects ranging from annoying to crippling.

Well helped by a weight contained at 210 kg all full (211 kg for the FZ8 and no less than 226 kg for the Z750!) And above all a shorter wheelbase of 10 mm (1450 mm against 1460 on the Yam ‘and the Kawa ), the GSR 750 twirls in curves when its rivals are reluctant to throw themselves into it. Blame it on a front axle that is both dry and imprecise on the Zed, and the fork’s insufficiently retained hydraulically on the FZ8.

True "rocking horse" in sporty driving, the suspensions of the Yamaha settle too much noticeably under the effect of the transfers of masses – with the braking as with the acceleration – to hope to follow the rhythm of the Suzuki. Especially since this one is the only one to accept to dive in curves while standing on the brakes or to correct its trajectory with a simple pressure on the inner toe-clip. !

In addition, the cruel lack of ground clearance of the FZ8 (140 mm against 145 mm for the GSR 750 and 155 mm for the Z750) requires applying to draw large arabesques to avoid putting too much angle at the entrance curves and "scratch the bitumen" until the exit !

Despite its more sporty chassis and its braking more precise and enduring than that of its two adversaries, the roadster with three tuning forks ultimately encourages a smooth driving without brutality. A real paradox, knowing that the FZ8 is presented as a "Naked sportswoman with a strong temperament".

On the other hand, if its flexible suspensions (and not adjustable, apart from the preload at the rear) serve it at the time of the arson, they give it the advantage on bumpy roads, especially as its base (pilot and passenger) is undoubtedly the softest. As long as you get used to the particular ergonomics imposed by its flat handlebars and its 17-liter tank which strongly spreads the knees, the FZ8 is the most pleasant in the long run..

Sport or comfort: why choose ?

Despite a promising thickness, the seat of the GSR 750 ends up tanning the buttocks over the miles, while the chopping block placed on the Kawa requires the self-sacrifice of a fakir after fifteen meters! A characteristic reinforced by the dryness of its mono-shock absorber and its lack of progressiveness on small bumps.

The Z750 thus reacts too strongly to irregularities and also tends to freeze when attempting to dive with the rope without completely releasing the right lever. Unlike the GSR 750, improvisation is not its strong point and requires more physical commitment. Too bad that the suspensions of the Verte are not more responsive to the trigger settings than it is however the only one to offer…

Benefiting from a suspension tuning that is neither too flexible nor too firm, the Suzuki demonstrates that it is possible to reconcile performance with a certain form of comfort (we are still talking about roadsters!), Without necessarily having recourse to decent equipment. of the World Superbike: a real success, especially as its lively and precise front axle sets a benchmark in tight bends.

In return, it requires a hint of extra attention at very high speeds or when a bump gets in the way of a hairy full-angle re-acceleration….

Despite its braking lacking bite and lack of consistency in the attack, the GSR 750 proves to be a real weapon in the winding, well helped by an engine available at all speed ranges and which easily takes the ascendancy on the blocks of the Z750 and the FZ8.

Beyond 6000 rpm, the GSR 750 immediately leaps forward, leaving the Yamaha far behind it which ends up taking advantage of the different format of its intake ducts (longer by 25 mm on the inner cylinders) and especially of its superior displacement of 31 cc to get the best out of the Kawasaki in the laps.

This good health, the Suzuki owes largely to the dimensions "super square" of its engine taken from the GSX-R 750 vintage 2005: 72×46 mm against 68×53.6 mm for the FZ8 and 68.4×50.9 mm for the Z750 . With its shorter stroke, the GSR 750 logically takes turns faster, where the mechanics of the FZ8 and – especially – of the Z750 show more inertia.

On the other hand, despite similar revivals, the block of the Kawa is the most "sensational" at low revs: fairly linear in its revving, the GSR 750 also suffers from the too muffled sound of its exhaust.

On this specific level, the Z750 offers the most muffled and the strongest presence, while the hoarse vocalizations and the backslash of the FZ8 at deceleration are frankly pleasant. !

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