Suzuki GSX-8T & 8TT: A call to the 60s and 70s iconic retro bikes

Suzuki has unveiled two drop-dead gorgeous and divinely ravishing neo-retro motorcycles, the GSX-8T priced Rs. 11.2 lakh approximately in the UK) and the GX-8TT (priced Rs.11.65 lakh approximately in the UK). They will share most parts, features and other underpinnings with the GSX8R available in India.

According to the pricing mentioned before, their price will be quite close to the GSX-8R, considering the 8R is around Rs. 9.25 lakh in India (ex-showroom Delhi) and Rs.10.49 lakh in the UK, which has all three models, the 8T, 8TT and 8R.

Their design is inspired by the iconic 1960s and 1970s naked roadsters, like the memorable Suzuki T500.

At the core of the bike is a 776cc, twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine from the Suzuki GSX-8R and the V-Strom 800DE, making 83 hp and 78 Nm of torque. The bi-directional quick-shifter is also carried over from the 8R, and gearing is not much different from that of the 8R. While the 8T looks like a fusion of a roadster from the 1970s giving a neo-retro roadster vibe, the 8TT looks like a café racer with a belly pan, and a slick little bikini fairing perfectly perching atop the LED headlight.

The 8TT’s seat also has a slightly more premium finish. Surprisingly both the 8T and the 8TT have an equally upright riding position. The body work features a tubular steel frame, non-adjustable KYB suspension (except preload in the rear), Nissin brakes and Dunlop RoadSport 2 tires in the same size- 120/70-ZR17 / 180/55-ZR17 (Front/Rear) are from the 8R, and both bikes have the same seat height of 810mm and ground clearance of 145mm as the 8R.

The only difference being that the 8T and the 8TT have a larger fuel tank than the 8R. a 16.5-liter fuel tank, compared to the 8R’s 14-liter fuel tank. Moreover, the 8T weighs 201 kg and the 8TT weighs 203 kg 2 kilos heavier due the belly-pan and the bikini fairing, 2 and 4 kilos less than the 8R. Ground clearance and seat height in the 8T and the 8TT is same as that of the 8R.
They get the lower weight and larger fuel tank by removing the full fairing from the 8R. Suzuki has managed to lower the weight and increase fuel tank capacity by removing full fairing from the 8 R.

Both bikes come with a lithium-ion battery as standard. The suite of electronic rider aids, including switchable traction control, non-switchable ABS, and three riding modes-A, B and C, and the switchgear and TFT dash is also from the 8R. USB-C ports are also available on both the 8T and the 8TT.

The Suzuki GSX-8T arrives in three colors - matte black, matte green and a metallic gold, while the GSX-8TT has option of two dual-tone shades of - black/red (gloss) and green/yellow (matte).

Will Suzuki bring these charming, appealing, and magnificent motorcycles to India? It remains to be seen. We sure hope they come to India, they sure are quite pretty.