Going back to the future is a recipe for success in the motorcycle industry which is wooing us with more and more modern classics.
Just about every motorbike manufacturer has launched an up-to-date take on a blast from the past. Our experience with the Kawasaki Z900RS and our new Royal Enfield franchise confirms the past can happily live in the present.
Suzuki is the latest to get in on the middleweight act, having already revived the Katana, with the new GSX-8T and 8TT. Both are on our demo fleet but I rode the latter as I am confident it will be the most popular.
Both share the engine and frame from the award-winning naked GSX-8S and faired GSX-8R sportsbike but Suzuki has done a good job evoking memories of 1960s and 70s bikes.
The 8T was inspired by classics, like the iconic T500, whereas the 8TT pays homage to faired race bikes such as the Yoshimura GS1000 AMA superbike.
The 8TT really looks the part in classy Pearl Matt Shadow Green with gold wheels and gold and bronze stripes and this Glass Sparkle Black version with red wheels and red and gold decals.
A new fuel tank, seat unit and radiator shrouds give these new retro bikes a distinct character which the 8TT builds further with a nose cowl and under cowl to enhance its racing lines.
The headlight cowl is not big but deflects the wind well to minimise body and head buffeting.
Handlebar-end mirrors look brilliant and give surprising good rear views.
The flat race bike-inspired seat gives decent cushioning and, at 815mm high, is manageable for shorter riders. The riding stance feels so natural that it does not feel like a 203kg bike.
The free-revving 776cc parallel-twin engine is a delight with loads of low-down grunt, thanks to 78Nm of torque peaking at 6,800rpm. Peak power of 82.9PS arrives at 8,500rpm.
The result is a bike that can be relaxing to ride on long journeys and rewarding on cross-country rides with enough top-end power to have some fun and a smooth, strong linear power delivery from 3,000rpm even in sixth gear.
Suzuki claims 67mpg, which I suspect is achievable, although it is hard not to let it rev with that lovely throbbing exhaust note.
Twin 310mm front discs and a 240mm rear disc have a powerful bite to bring the bike to a halt without drama.
Both 8T and 8TT share the KYB front forks and rear monoshock from the 8S, rather than the 8R’s uprated Showa suspension.
There is no fork adjustment and you can only tweak the preload at the back but the chassis set-up is spot-on. It is supple enough for a plush ride on poor roads but also gives lots of feel and feedback for sharp, confidence-inspiring handling. I wonder how many riders play with suspension settings and why would you with such a fine all-round balance?
Rider aids are easily accessed via intuitive switchgear and displayed on the colour TFT screen along with rev counter, speedo, gear position indicator and clock.
It has three traction control settings, plus off, and three riding modes – sporty, normal and a softer throttle response in rain and slippery conditions.
A standard USB Type-C fast-charging socket is useful to charge a phone and run sat-nav.
The GSX-8T and 8TT bring a new retro spirit to the Suzuki street bike range. They take the best bits of the 8S and enhance the styling, character and appeal.
Nostalgia sells but it comes at a price with the GSX-8TT £9,999. I think that is the one to go for at £400 more than the 8T.
Suzuki is nailing the middleweight motorbike market with the GSX-8 models. A lot of riders will happily pay good money for these new models to turn back the clock with a trip down memory lane.
Find out more on our website at:
orwell.co.uk/suzuki/new-suzuki-motorcycle-range/street/gsx-8t
orwell.co.uk/suzuki/new-suzuki-motorcycle-range/street/gsx-8tt
