The formula of what a middleweight sportbike is has been rewritten. These bikes exemplify the new era. (Jeff Allen/)
Our class of 2024 Middleweight Sportbike Comparison includes the Suzuki GSX-8R, Triumph Daytona 660, and Yamaha YZF-R7. (Jeff Allen/)
The Suzuki GSX-8R shares its engine with the V-Strom 800DE and GSX-8S. (Jeff Allen/)
The Triumph is powered by the lone triple in our trio. (Jeff Allen/)
Yamaha’s CP2 engine makes the least horsepower but stays in the hunt with solid torque delivery. (Jeff Allen/)
Flat torque curves and linear power output is what these machines are all about. (Jeff Allen/)
Sportbikes get that title for a reason, so they must prove their chops out on twisty roads. (Jeff Allen/)
The Yamaha’s engine delivers more than enough performance for fun. (Jeff Allen/)
Top-end power isn’t an issue on the Triumph Daytona 660. (Jeff Allen/)
Suzuki’s GSX-8R makes good power across the rev range. (Jeff Allen/)
The Yamaha R7’s dash feels dated, while the bike lacks electronic rider aids. (Jeff Allen/)
Suzuki’s 5-inch TFT is by far the best of our group, with easy legibility, navigation of menus, and good layout. (Jeff Allen/)
The Daytona 660’s dash sits between the others in terms of functionality and legibility. (Jeff Allen/)
These three machines all utilize more budget-friendly components than race-oriented Supersports. For the consumer that means more affordable motorcycles. (Jeff Allen/)
Yamaha’s R7 is light and agile and feels more like a hardcore sportbike than the other bikes here. (Jeff Allen/)
Triumph just missed the mark with its suspension settings, which all of us thought were overly soft and lacked damping. (Jeff Allen/)
Suzuki’s GSX-8R is so well rounded, offering good handling, great stability, and really good suspension settings. (Jeff Allen/)
The braking packages on these three bikes all do their job well but in the interests of affordability aren’t the high-end systems found on track-focused supersports. (Jeff Allen/)
There is no question that the Yamaha has the most committed sportbike riding position. (Jeff Allen/)
The Daytona 660’s riding position is right in between the other two bikes with mid-height bars, rearset footpegs, and a comfortable seat. (Jeff Allen/)
The Suzuki offers the most comfortable seating position of the three bikes, with upright bars, relaxed footpeg placement, and a comfortable seat. (Jeff Allen/)
All three of these modern middleweight sportbikes have prices that are just past the $9,000 mark. (Jeff Allen/)
They may have many things in common but ultimately these three bikes lean toward three different riders. But there is one that is versatile enough to appeal to the largest range of riders. (Jeff Allen/)
Suzuki’s 2024 GSX-8R is clearly the machine with the best balance between power, poise, refinement, comfort, and technology. (Jeff Allen/)
