2026 Suzuki GSX-8TT Overview | Rider Journal

Once in a while a motorbike comes alongside and simply hits you. Merely it lights a hearth in your coronary heart and begins the I-gotta-have-it gears spinning in your head. The primary bike to do this to me in an extended whereas is Suzuki’s new GSX-8TT.

When Suzuki unveiled the GSX-8S on the EICMA present in November 2022, it struck me as a trendy middleweight bare bike, a modernized, larger-displacement model of the favored, long-running SV650 (which has been in Suzuki’s lineup in a single type or one other since 1999). The GSX-8S’s engine was an all-new 776cc parallel-Twin with a 270-degree firing order to present it a V-Twin character. That powerplant has change into a flexible workhorse in Suzuki’s lineup, powering a number of V-Strom 800 fashions in addition to a variety of GSX-8 fashions, together with the absolutely faired GSX-8R and a pair of new-for-2026, retro-inspired fashions, the GSX-8T and GSX-8TT.

We’ve beforehand examined the GSX-8S and GSX-8R and located them to be enjoyable, agile, versatile bikes with affordable worth tags. Maybe as a result of I’ve ridden a whole lot of bikes and strategy my evaluations of them as objectively as doable, I are usually a rational, function-over-form form of man, focusing extra on efficiency and practicality than type. The 8S and 8R test the smart containers, and I’d be proud to have both in my storage. However I’m nonetheless human. My coronary heart desires what it desires.

After I noticed a photograph of the GSX-8TT when it was unveiled final summer season, my coronary heart skipped a beat. After I noticed it in particular person a pair months later, I used to be smitten. The TT in Pearl Matte Shadow Inexperienced has gold wheels, and I’m a sucker for gold wheels. (The opposite coloration possibility is Glass Sparkle Black with purple wheels.) It additionally has 1 / 4 fairing impressed by Suzuki’s GS1000S AMA Superbike raced by Wes Cooley within the ’80s, including an simple cool issue. Different fashionable options embody a chin spoiler, bar-end mirrors, a stitched seat, and an “8” badge on the radiator shroud that appears like an 8-ball.

The TT’s GSX-8T stablemate is a unadorned model impressed by the Suzuki T500 from the late ’60s and early ’70s, a motorbike often known as the Titan. The GSX-8T and 8TT have the identical engine, body, and chassis because the GSX-8S, however they’ve a bigger, extra sculpted fuel tank (it holds 4.3 gallons vs. 3.7 on the S). They’re additionally outfitted with a lithium-ion battery – a primary for Suzuki – that’s smaller and lighter than a standard battery and has a lifespan of 10-plus years.

GEAR UP

Suzuki invited a small cadre of motojournalists to its American headquarters in Brea, California, to take a look at the 8T and 8TT. On Sept. 11, a heat, sunny day of remembrance, I rode a V-Strom 1050DE right down to Brea and walked right into a convention room the place examples of each bikes had been parked. Facet by facet, they give the impression of being comparable, however I used to be drawn to the 8TT like a magnet. Its color-matched fairing with coloured accents which might be repeated on the tank seals the deal for me. It provides the bike old-school vibes and an easygoing type.

Using away from Suzuki’s campus on the 8TT, I used to be instantly thrust into dense city site visitors. Quite a lot of options and methods contribute to an easygoing nature that matches its appears. Straightforward Begin and Low RPM Help get issues going. The counterbalanced parallel-Twin revs up easily whereas its stubby exhaust burbles quietly. Shifting is a breeze because of a slip/help clutch and an up/down quickshifter. The Suzuki Clever Experience System consists of three drive (experience) modes that modify throttle response and 4 traction management modes.

The 8TT is a motorbike I simply needed to experience, so I chosen drive mode “A” (most direct) and TC mode “1” (least intervention), then left them there. Pulling away from and slowing down for site visitors lights was easy. Darting out and in of gaps in site visitors felt intuitive. The 8TT weighs 448 lb with a full tank – it’s not a featherweight, nevertheless it isn’t porky both. Its mass is well-balanced, and the bike feels svelte and purposeful. The bubble windscreen is so low that my helmet is all the time effectively above it, and there aren’t any extraneous bits or bobs to distract the attention.

Quickly I used to be on the freeway within the coronary heart of L.A.’s concrete jungle. At 75 mph, the GSX-8TT hums alongside easily with sufficient energy in reserve to make passes or escape bother as wants require. Once we strapped a GSX-8S to Jett Tuning’s rear-wheel dyno, it made 75.9 hp at 8,300 rpm and 53.3 lb-ft at 6,700 rpm. Respectable numbers, and the 8TT is peppy, nevertheless it might use one other 20-25 hp. (Perhaps I’m simply grasping. I re-watched the film Bizarre Science the opposite evening for concerning the hundredth time, and if I used to be making a Frankenstein-style dream bike as a substitute of Kelly LeBrock, I’d give it a minimum of 100 hp on the rear wheel.)

After about 50 miles on the freeway, I-10 abruptly ended and dumped me onto the Pacific Coast Freeway close to the Santa Monica Pier. Quickly I used to be using previous the skeletal stays of homes alongside the coast that burned within the Palisades Fireplace final January. Then I came across a solemn sight: the Waves of Flags memorial on the big entrance garden of Pepperdine College’s campus in Malibu. Every September, the college honors these misplaced within the 9/11 terrorist assaults by displaying almost 3,000 flags – one for every sufferer. The memorial is gorgeous and unhappy and shifting, and yearly it stirs up recollections and feelings from that fateful day in 2001.

West of Pepperdine are the legendary canyon roads of Malibu – Latigo, Encinal, Decker, Mulholland, Yerba Buena, and Deer Creek. These are the roads the place bikes reveal their true nature, their strengths, weaknesses, and quirks.

If there’s one phrase I’d use to explain the GSX-8TT, it’s “clean.” The engine feels velvety, delivers energy in a predictably linear method, and doesn’t impart any annoying vibration within the grips, seat, or pegs. The transmission feels basted in butter, with a lightweight pull to the clutch lever, easy motion on the shifter, and the benefit of an up/down quickshifter. The seating place and experience high quality are agreeable. In stereotypical trend for a Japanese bike, all the things feels composed, purposeful, and exact with no tough edges.

Whereas this bike has a playful facet and lends itself to carefree using, it falls wanting thrilling. That’s to not say the GSX-8TT is all type and no substance, nevertheless it does really feel like a motorbike that follows the foundations and colours contained in the traces. For a sporty, almost-naked bike, I discovered myself wishing it had a naughty facet. Much less reserved and extra rebellious. Much less yacht rock and extra rock ‘n’ roll.

Attacking tight, technical canyon roads in Malibu on the GSX-8TT was a blast – up to some extent. At a 7/10ths tempo, it dutifully obeys the rider’s instructions, tipping into corners simply and holding its line faithfully. However the 8TT doesn’t give the rider clear alerts that it’s prepared for extra. Throttle modulation seems like a rheostat, however within the higher rev vary energy falls flat. The one adjustability on the KYB suspension is rear preload, and the damping is on the tender facet (for a 200-lb rider). The Nissin brakes present predictable stopping energy however lack constant suggestions. And the Dunlop Roadsmart 2 tires provide middling efficiency. Keep throughout the 8TT’s consolation zone, and it does simply advantageous. There’s little to be gained by pushing it farther.

As an on a regular basis streetbike – commuting, cruising round city, getaway rides on Sundays – the GSX-8TT excels. Complementing its smoothness is a user-friendliness that makes it as likable as a Labrador. It simply feels good to experience round on this bike. And once you park it at a motorbike evening or in entrance of a espresso store, you may step off it with delight. Folks will give it (and possibly you) admiring appears. They’ll ask questions. You’ll smile, nod, and say, “Yep, she’s mine.”

Practicality implores me to let you know that the 8TT comes with a USB-C charging port close to the instrument panel, a full-color 5-inch TFT show with adjustable brightness and day/evening modes, and LED lighting throughout. Real Suzuki Equipment embody a solo seat cowl, tank facet protectors, billet clutch and brake levers, and clip-on tankbags and different baggage.

Suzuki has performed an excellent job with its GSX-8 sequence. It provides a variety of choices for these out there for a middleweight streetbike: a contemporary bare bike (8S, $9,249), a totally faired sportbike (8R, $9,699), a retro-inspired bare bike (8T, $10,649), and a retro-inspired semi-naked bike (8TT, $11,149). Apart from the 8R’s clip-on bars and barely sportier (however nonetheless principally nonadjustable) Showa suspension, the variations between them are principally aesthetic. Is the 8TT price an additional $1,900 (a 20% upcharge) over the 8S? That is dependent upon how a lot worth you place on type. My coronary heart says it’s a good premium.

Take a look at extra new bikes in Rider’s 2026 Motorbike Patrons Information