The fact that Suzuki was going to expand her 800 platform with two new models, the GSX-8T and the GSX-8TT had already leaked, but where everyone thought that the T was the internal code for the GT it turns out to be just the type descriptions. No touring variant on the GSX-8R, but two models in retro look.
To be honest, we are not yet over, whether it has been such a smart move by Suzuki. The new now announced GSX-8T and GSX-8TTT have quite cool looks, but the retro segment has long been back on its return. For Europeans it is still somewhat, although also at Triumph, Ducati and Moto Morini, sales are no longer what they have ever been.
At Suzuki they apparently think differently about that. Whether they hope to be able to swim against the current. Based on the internal codes, it seemed to be a new GSX-8GT with the GSX-8T leaked via homologation documents (the GSX-S1000GT has the internal code GSX-S1000T), which in our eyes would have been a much more logical choice.
Otherwise, take the sales figures: opposite the 87 units that were sold from the YZF-R7 this year, 193 units of the Ninja 650 are. How many GSX-8Rs have been sold this year is not known, in the RDC data the numbers of the 8S and the 8R are added together.
Well, having said that. The new GSX-8T and GSX-8TTT are two almost identical retro-classic café racer style engines, which can not be compared with any existing Suzuki model in terms of looks. Under the skin they are equal to the GSX-8S/R, but in a totally new package with a new round LED headlight, a new tank, bar-end mirrors, luxury saddles, an aluminum exhaust cover and a new GSX-8 emblem. According to Suzuki, the ‘Eight-Bal’ logo symbolizes the decisive move in billiards.
The GSX-8T and GSX-8TTT are available from August. The GSX-8T is available in three colors: Qsy-Candy Burnt Gold, QVP-Metallic Mat Steel Green and YvK-Metallic Mat Black No.2. The GSX-8TT is available in two colors: Qu5-Pearl Mat Shadow Green and YVB-Glass Sparkle Black. How much they should cost is not yet known.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.