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An aggressive rider posture adapts the ergonomics on the 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R from open and comfy to quite sporty when required. The Suzuki GSX-8R takes an ironic turn in the evolution of motorcycles. For decades we’ve extolled the virtues of sporty standard-style motorcycles over dramatically more aggressive pure sportbikes‚ but American riders largely turned up their collective nose at naked bikes and ignored them in favor of swoopier sportbikes.   The Honda 599 and 919 came and went seemingly without notice. Same for Kawasaki’s Z750‚ BMW’s F 800 R‚ Yamaha’s FZ8‚ and Aprilia’s Shiver. The only really successful naked bikes were the Ducati Monster and Suzuki SV650.   A set of forged-aluminum handlebar clamps provide a sportier riding position than the naked 8S‚ with the bars 60mm lower and 6mm forward. But now the script has been flipped‚ and sales of pure sportbikes are but a blip on the radar‚ while every manufacturer successfully sells sporty nakeds. A recent example is Suzuki’s GSX-8S that debuted last year. Powered by a new 776cc parallel-Twin also found in the V-Strom 800‚ the 8S proved to be both sporty and utilitarian‚ capable of nearly any type of riding.  Related: Suzuki GSX-8S Review | First Ride  And now here we are with the new GSX-8R‚ which is a slightly sportier version of the 8S‚ but it’s a far cry from something like a GSX-R. You’ll notice the new fairing‚ but you might not notice the new Showa suspension‚ accounting for the $440 price increase over its stablemate’s $8‚999 MSRP.   The GSX-8R is available in Metallic Matte Sword Silver and Pearl Ignite Yellow‚ as well as the Metallic Triton Blue of our test bike. “We wanted‚” says Suzuki‚ “to create a new middle-class standard in the sport segment that achieves high levels of practicality and rider-friendliness.”  Road and Track | Suzuki GSX-8R Review To demonstrate the breadth of capabilities offered by the GSX-8R‚ Suzuki invited us to Palm Desert in California for a ride on rural and mountain roads‚ followed the next day by sessions at a racetrack.   First impressions were favorable‚ as the 8R displays nice fit and finish details that belie its sub-$10K price tag. Three colorways are available‚ and I think they all look great. For my steed‚ I chose the Metallic Triton Blue version that best represents Suzuki’s heritage. Scaling in at 452 lb with its 3.7-gal. tank full‚ it’s easy enough to wheel around but not exactly light. The seat is placed at 31.9 inches.  The GSX-8R carves corners like a sportbike but without the punishing ergonomics of a sportbike. Our street ride took place on a chilly and damp day‚ climbing out of town from 440 feet above sea level on the Palms to Pines Scenic Byway‚ cresting at nearly 5‚000 feet. I was grateful to be aboard the 8R rather than the 8S‚ as its fairing provided welcome shelter from the elements. The windscreen is low but reasonably effective‚ and I was also pleased with the airflow deflection offered by the fairing‚ which kept my legs shielded from the wind.   On a typically sunny California day‚ this road invites horizon-tilting lean angles‚ but damp sections and automobile bottle-ups thwarted sporting maneuvers. It was difficult to determine if the Dunlop Roadsmart 2 tires lacked grip or if it was simply the fault of the cool pavement. I switched the bike’s ride mode from A (active) to B (basic) to help moderate throttle response in conjunction with the traction-control system‚ which can be set independently if desired.   An attractive fairing is the key distinction between the GSX-8R and its naked sibling‚ the GSX-8S. GEAR UP Helmet: Arai Corsair-X Vinales-5 Replica  Jacket: Alpinestars Hoxton V2  Gloves: Alpinestars GPX V2  Boots: Alpinestars Grange  Antilock brakes provide another level of security‚ although the system doesn’t benefit from an IMU‚ so it doesn’t feature a cornering ABS function. Regardless‚ the triple-disc brakes are precise‚ allowing a rider to deftly apply just a hint of application to scrub off 1 or 2 mph while angling into corners. The Nissin radially mounted front calipers deliver a firm lever feel despite not using braided-steel lines.   The most frequently used rider assist on the 8R is the standard quickshifter‚ which allows clutchless upshifts and auto-blipping downshifts. It works reasonably well but not with the seamlessness as experienced with other quickshifters that benefit from data gathered by IMUs.   The muffler and catalytic converter are tucked away under the chassis for a cleaner appearance that exposes the 8R’s aluminum swingarm. After descending the mountain road‚ we were faced with a boring straight one that provided the opportunity to settle in and evaluate the 8R’s cockpit and ergonomics.   The tubular handlebar from the 8S is traded for a pair of clip-ons that are about 2 inches lower and a smidge farther away from a rider. They deliver a sportier riding position but one that’s a mile away from truly aggressive‚ similar in ergos to the GSX-S1000GT sport-tourer. A moderately tight seat-to-footpeg distance might cramp riders long of leg‚ but the seat proved to be comfortable after hour-long stints in the saddle.  Related:  Suzuki GSX-S1000GT Review | Road Test  The 5-inch TFT instrumentation from the 8S is also used on the 8R‚ providing a bright and readable display with a large analog tachometer. It’s a modern but basic system that is easy and intuitive to navigate via switches on the left handlebar.   The GSX-8R uses the same highly readable 5-inch color TFT instrument panel as the 8S. The lower portion can be toggled to display coolant temperature‚ ambient air temperature‚ dual tripmeters‚ fuel consumption‚ and fuel range. Motor’n | Suzuki GSX-8R Review  This was my first chance to sample Suzuki’s first all-new engine‚ and the 776cc parallel-Twin proved to be amiable and sweetly tuned. It uses the Low‐RPM Assist System that automatically increases engine speed as the clutch lever is released for smooth getaways. The patented Suzuki Cross Balancer mechanism‚ consisting of two counterbalancers‚ tames vibration beyond what’s experienced from most parallel-Twins. The 8R’s clutch cover and magneto cover have dark gray finishes that complement the body colors‚ with the Suzuki name revealed in a contrasting machined silver. Note the stubby outlet from the stainless-steel exhaust system that muffles and cleans in a chamber below the chassis. The engine is friendly and vibe-free‚ but what it isn’t is thrilling. It makes accessible and usable power‚ supplying the necessary grunt to elicit satisfaction while performing most street duties‚ but when pointed down a deserted road‚ it feels a little strangled at its top end. Power hounds will wish for more. Suspenders Surprise | Suzuki GSX-8R Review An upgrade from the 8S is the Showa suspension that replaces the Kayaba components. There are two surprises here. First‚ there isn’t any suspension adjustability other than rear preload. Second‚ it’s remarkable how well it works at providing comfortable bump absorption as well as respectable chassis composure.   The 41mm Separate Function Fork-Big Piston inverted fork nicely holds up its end of the bargain with 5.1 inches of travel. The SFF-BP design uses an oil-bathed spring in one fork leg‚ while the other leg uses a big-piston damping circuit‚ which saves a bit of weight while delivering more precise damping characteristics. The link-type rear suspension incorporates a Showa shock that has a single-rate spring rather than the progressive coil on the 8S. It uses a cam-style spring-preload adjuster for easier adjustments than the more basic locking-ring design.  The 41mm Showa SFF-BP inverted fork provides excellent front-end feedback despite its lack of adjustability. Nissin radial-mount brake calipers deliver reassuring feedback via 310mm rotors. As set up‚ I noticed the rear end lacked a bit of rebound damping and consulted with Suzuki engineers. They told me the 8R is sprung for a 165-lb rider‚ so to accommodate for weightier American physiques‚ they added a step of preload on all the test bikes. My geared-up 155-lb mass doesn’t require as much spring‚ so I backed off the preload one position and enjoyed better rebound-damping balance.   The final portion of our street ride was accompanied by sunny skies and dry roads that culminated in a fun descent on Montezuma Grade into Borrego Springs. Finally‚ we could push the 8R like a sportbike‚ leaning into corners briskly enough to skim the pavement with footpegs. Good front-end feedback had me salivating for exploring the bike’s limits at the twisty Chuckwalla Valley Raceway. A position light is placed above the stacked headlights rather than to the sides as on the 8S. A duct below the windscreen was incorporated to reduce turbulence hitting riders. Chucky Cheese | Suzuki GSX-8R Review  When we arrived at Chuckwalla‚ I smiled as I saw a row of GSX-8Rs ready for flogging and fitted with Dunlop Sportmax Q5+ tires. With warm pavement and grippier rubber‚ I donned my leathers and soon began dragging knees.   Streetbike‚ commuter‚ lightweight sport-tourer‚ and trackday toy‚ the GSX-8R can do it all. Sportbike snobs have disdain for motorcycles without aluminum frames‚ but just like the Kawasaki ZX-4RR I tested last year‚ motorcycles with steel frames have nothing to be ashamed of aside from some extra poundage. The 8R demonstrates its GSX-R heritage and provides a capable and secure platform to explore sporting limits.  I didn’t expect a 452-lb sportbike with sport-touring ergos to comport itself so well on the racetrack‚ but it wasn’t the first time I’ve been mistaken‚ as the missus often reminds me. A firm set of trustworthy brakes combines with neutral steering responses for trustworthy composure when leaned over all the way to – and sometimes beyond – the footpegs decking out and grinding on the tarmac.   A close look at the footpegs reveals beveled nubs‚ an indication of the fun that was had on the 8R as well as its racetrack limits. GEAR UP Helmet: Arai Corsair-X Vinales-5 Replica  Suit: Alpinestars Missile Tech Air  Gloves: Racer High Speed  Boots: Sidi Mag-1  It’s only on the straightaways where the 8R comes up a bit short. The 776cc Twin that works so well in the V-Strom 800 and in most street scenarios with the 8S and 8R feels a bit breathless when exploring the upper reaches of the tachometer. Its redline is just shy of 10‚000 rpm‚ but it’s claimed to produce peak power at 8‚500 revs‚ so there’s no advantage to screaming it out. When we dyno’d the identically tuned GSX-8S‚ it spat out 76 hp to its rear wheel at 8‚300 rpm. I discovered the 8R gathers speed better when leaving some revs on the table and shifting at 9‚000 rpm.   The 8R’s speed on a racetrack is limited only by cornering clearance and mundane engine output. Regardless‚ I can attest that if you took a GSX-8R to a trackday‚ you’d be impressed by its composure and sure-footedness while scratching pegs. Chuckwalla has a fairly smooth surface‚ so the rudimentary suspension wasn’t greatly taxed and held up both ends without complaint. Sum Up | Suzuki GSX-8R Review  The GSX-8R isn’t a fire-breathing dragon like its GSX-R siblings‚ but it has plenty of sporting potential. The GSX-8R’s best attribute is that it straddles a wide line in the world of motorcycling – an all-in-one machine. It’s docile and friendly for commuting duties‚ but it’s also fun and engaging when ridden like a sportbike. Strap on some luggage‚ and it can be a reasonably comfy and capable sport-touring rig. Suzuki’s accessory line offers side cases‚ tankbags‚ a taller windscreen‚ and heated grips to help transport you to the next horizon in style and comfort.  Complaints about the 8R are few. I would’ve liked to have seen a mildly hot-rodded motor to up the ante from the 8S‚ and an aluminum frame would’ve trimmed a few pounds from a moderately portly curb weight. An IMU and fuller suspension adjustability would be welcome additions.   But all those things would add to Suzuki’s build costs‚ resulting in a bike that would likely push past $12K. In this era of ever-increasing prices‚ the GSX-8R’s MSRP of $9‚439 hits a sweet spot of value and capabilities that set it apart from similar offerings on the market. To ease the way into 8R ownership‚ Suzuki is offering 1.98% introductory financing for it.   The GSX-8R is designed to appeal to riders across a wide range of ages and levels of experience. Prior to testing the bike‚ the jaded and expert journalists at the launch didn’t seem terribly excited about riding what seemed to be a relatively tame motorcycle. After two days experiencing the GSX-8R on road and track‚ our preconceptions had been banished. It proved to be one of those rare machines that feel greater than the sum of its parts. Check out more new bikes in Rider’s 2024 Motorcycle Buyers Guide  2024 Suzuki GSX-8R Specs  Base Price: $9‚439   Website: SuzukiCycles.com   Warranty: 1 yr.‚ unltd. miles   Engine Type: Liquid-cooled‚ transverse parallel-Twin‚ DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.   Displacement: 776cc   Bore x Stroke: 84.0 x 70.0mm   Horsepower: 82.0 @ 8‚500 rpm (factory claim)   Torque: 57.5 lb-ft @ 6‚800 rpm (factory claim)   Transmission: 6-speed‚ cable-actuated slip/assist wet clutch   Final Drive: Chain   Wheelbase: 57.7 in.   Rake/Trail: 25.0 degrees/4.1 in.   Seat Height: 31.9 in.   Wet Weight: 452 lb (factory claim)   Fuel Capacity: 3.7 gal  See all of Rider‘s Suzuki coverage here. The post 2024 Suzuki GSX-8R Review | First Ride  appeared first on Rider Magazine.

These owners may have wanted a trained guard dog but they got something else entirely. Something a little more fun! This video is filled with dogs who may have had the job of guarding their humans‚ but they are much too silly for that. RELATED: Loving Family Adopts Strawberry the Unicorn Dog and Finally Gives Her the Life She Deserves One of the first dogs in the video takes the cake on silliness when you find him standing on his balcony with the curtains over his head. He may be looking out for bad guys but no one is going to be scared of him. Another dog is looking out the window shaking like a leaf. What is this trained guard dog afraid of? Well‚ it’s a black and white cat of course. The scariest of all creatures. Thieves Can’t Take This Dog’s Couch One of the next dogs is chilling on the couch as the voiceover says‚ “Thieves can easily park a truck in front of the house and take everything they want. Oh except for the couch.” Well‚ at least t guarding something. Another dog is standing in front of a window. When the dog turns around he or she sees a man on the other side. While the dog does bark‚ it also backs away from the window‚ not wanting to get too close. Later in the video‚ two trained guard dogs are found hanging out in the hot tub. Like they are on vacation. Without a care in the world. We go on to see dogs doing all sorts of silly things. A dog acting like a bodyguard‚ a tiny dog with a big old chain leash‚ a dog scared of a snake‚ a dog flat out sleeping on the porch‚ and a dog carrying around a Winnie the Pooh Bear. Let’s Face it‚ Dogs are Silly Dogs are great pets. They might be trained as a guard dog‚ or they might make you laugh at their silliness. Many in the comments feel the same way: “I have two adopted comedians for seven years now and every day I laugh to something new! Dogs are the best buddies of sure! You made my day/night with this video‚ thank you! “ “This is the best compilation of pets being funny The dog standing up holding on to his human was priceless. The Great Dane being a lap dog is so true. Danes are the biggest sissies I have ever known. I do love the Great Danes. I have had five throughout my lifetime. I think I will find another one. “ “None of my dogs no matter how tough or how big they were would ever pass the cats on stairs or in the hall. They looked at me like I was some sort of a magical god when I casually walked over and picked up the cat with no regard to the pointy side so they could pass. Many laughs over the years at that.” If you are ever having a bad day‚ watch videos of dogs and you will turn your day upside down. YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Man Rescues 2 Pit Bulls Nobody Wanted And Later They Return The Favor When Someone Breaks In “Then I commended mirth‚ because a man has no better thing under the sun‚ than to eat‚ and to drink‚ and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labor the days of his life‚ which God gives him under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 8:15 WATCH: These may or may not be trained guard dogs! LISTEN: Shannen Doherty Gives Heartbreaking Cancer Update | Family Needs Prayers After 5 Kids Die in House Fire h/t: Brain Time Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Brain Time The post When You Thought You Were Getting a Trained Guard Dog for Protection‚ but Got This Instead appeared first on GodUpdates.

A New Jersey father is suing a school district for allegedly keeping his daughter’s gender transition a secret from him. According to The Daily Signal‚ the father discovered that New Jersey’s Delaware Valley Regional High School started calling his daughter by a male name and pronouns for at least two months. The father said he was devastated. “If a kid gets a headache in school‚ they have to call the parents to give them Tylenol‚ but they’re going to choose to allow them to identify as something?” he said‚ according to The Daily Signal. “I wanted to friggin’ drive the car into a tree‚” he added. The father remains anonymous to protect his daughter’s identity. New Jersey Father Sues School for Secret Gender Transition of Daughter “I wanted to friggin' drive the car into a tree‚” he said.https://t.co/il5pKWboy1 — The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) January 29‚ 2024 The Daily Signal reports: The father says he only learned of his daughter’s social transition when a neighbor and fellow parent accidentally told him. The neighbor referred to the girl by her male name‚ and the father asked‚ “What the hell are you talking about?” The father removed his daughter from DVRHS and began homeschooling her. He said that LGBT activists in the school system showed her a “fantasyland” version of transgenderism‚ and once he showed his daughter photos and videos of the reality of gender-transition surgeries‚ she began crying. Last month‚ the father met with DVRHS staff to inform them of his daughter’s mental health history‚ but was told that the school district would continue to use a male name and male pronouns for his daughter unless she requested that they stop. The girl’s therapist and doctor both approved of removing her from DVRHS. In comments to The Washington Stand‚ Meg Kilgannon‚ Family Research Council’s senior fellow for education studies‚ said‚ “These cases are becoming more and more common. And while some of the details are the same‚ the overall situation is still shocking.” As long as I'm breathing‚ I will NEVER understand this FALSE notion that educators should have more say-so than parents in ANY area‚ especially THIS one! A New Jersey school helped a student secretly transition genders‚ now the student's father is suing. https://t.co/CXtxDuSFeZ — SueSue (@_SueSue_1) February 1‚ 2024 ALERT: Father sues New Jersey school district for covertly transitioning his daughter‚ using male name/pronouns for months without his knowledge. 2024 will be the year of lawsuits to end this madness.https://t.co/w0akSiiCSw — Colin Wright (@SwipeWright) January 29‚ 2024 The Epoch Times provided details on the impending lawsuit: John has sued the DVRHS Board of Education‚ superintendent Scott McKinney‚ school counselor Ashley Miranda‚ state attorney general Matthew Platkin‚ state acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) Angelica Allen-McMillan‚ and several unnamed school employees and other board members. The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey will adjudicate the case. It calls for compensatory‚ punitive‚ and consequential damages‚ as well as a permanent order against the named defendants for allegedly attempting to gender-transition the girl‚ referred to as Jane. The Epoch Times reached out to all named individuals in the lawsuit. The state attorney general’s office declined to comment. Board member Thomas Loughlin also declined comment. Ms. Miranda‚ Ms. Allen-McMillan‚ and Mr. McKinney didn’t respond.

The Oregon Supreme Court ruled that 10 Republican state senators who staged a six-week walkout over abortion‚ transgender treatments‚ and gun rights are ineligible to run for reelection. The high court upheld the secretary of state’s decision to “disqualify the senators from the ballot under a voter-approved measure aimed at stopping such boycotts‚” according to the Associated Press. Voters approved a measure to amend the state constitution to ban legislators from reelection if they have over 10 unexcused absences. Oregon GOP state senators who staged walkout over abortion can't run for reelection‚ high court says https://t.co/SoNW8mAT7n — John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) February 1‚ 2024 The Associated Press reports: Last year’s boycott lasted six weeks — the longest in state history — and paralyzed the legislative session‚ stalling hundreds of bills. Five lawmakers sued over the secretary of state’s decision — Sens. Tim Knopp‚ Daniel Bonham‚ Suzanne Weber‚ Dennis Linthicum and Lynn Findley. They were among the 10 GOP senators who racked up more than 10 absences. “We obviously disagree with the Supreme Court’s ruling‚” said Knopp‚ the chamber’s minority leader. “But more importantly‚ we are deeply disturbed by the chilling impact this decision will have to crush dissent.” During oral arguments before the Oregon Supreme Court in December‚ attorneys for the senators and the state wrestled over the grammar and syntax of the language that was added to the state constitution after Measure 113 was approved by voters. The amendment says a lawmaker is not allowed to run “for the term following the election after the member’s current term is completed.” Just in: The Oregon Supreme Court has blocked 10 Republican State Senators from running for reelection in 2024 and 2026 due to them walking out to stall bills from passing. pic.twitter.com/5sTUPrfFOR — The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) February 1‚ 2024 The Oregon Supreme Court ruled that 10 GOP state senators cannot run for reelection after they refused to attend Senate sessions for about six weeks out of protest last year in an attempt to stall Democratic-backed bills. https://t.co/s5RU99Ojsy pic.twitter.com/MuolbHBwHE — The Hill (@thehill) February 1‚ 2024 According to The Hill‚ Republicans control a minority of Oregon’s state Senate‚ 12 out of 30 seats. When the GOP state senators walked out‚ the legislative body could not reach a quorum and conduct votes. “The absent lawmakers demanded legislative concessions in exchange for their return‚” the outlet noted. More from The Hill: The constitutional amendment says a lawmaker is not allowed to run “for the term following the election after the member’s current term is completed.” The lawmakers argued that would let them run again‚ as the election is held before the end of their terms‚ with the secretary of state and ultimately the state Supreme Court disagreeing. The ballot referendum passed by a wide margin after similar GOP walkouts in 2019‚ 2020 and 2021.