Which middleweight bike should I go for: the GSX-R 800, Daytona 660, or the CBR650R? I understand that the CBR is currently discontinued and has a very long waiting period. My main priorities are engine sound and after-sales service. Which one would you recommend?
Between the two available bikes in India currently, the Suzuki GSX-8R and Triumph Daytona 660, we'd recommend the Suzuki. It has a superb, torquey engine, good handling without sacrificing comfort, is built well, and Suzuki's big bike after-sales experience is quite straightforward and not terribly expensive either. The one area where the GSX-8R doesn't score very highly is that it has a rather mellow exhaust note.
That's exactly where the Daytona 660 comes in with its wonderful triple howl and intake sound. If a wailing exhaust note is a non-negotiable factor for you, then it's hard to beat the Daytona at this price point. Do bear in mind that the 660cc Daytona doesn't have the same chassis poise or high-quality factor as the GSX-8R, and of the two, feels like the more budget-friendly option. Triumph's aftersales service has also become quite expensive of late.
That leaves you with the Honda CBR650R. If you want to buy a CBR, you'll have to wait until Honda brings the next batch of allotted units to India, which is an uncertain and rather long timeline. In general, Honda big bikes are pretty reasonable to maintain and are very reliable too, so from an ownership standpoint, you are making a safe bet. The CBR650R is a mellow sportbike with an inline-four engine, and of all three, it will have the best exhaust note. Do bear in mind that to initially purchase, the CBR650R will actually be the most expensive.
Try getting a test ride of all three bikes before you make your decision.

Suzuki GSX-8R
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Posted on: 17 Jun 2026
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