This Stunning New Suzuki Motorcycle Shows Just How Awesome a Fairing Can Look

Early in my motorcycling days (mid-2010s), I considered myself such a motorcycling “purist” that I thought anyone who happened to have, say, a windshield or full-face helmet wasn’t really riding.

Fast forward a decade and boy was I a jackass have things changed. 

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I now rock a Sena Outrush R modular helmet that I absolutely love, and while my own bike is as naked as they come, I’ve ridden enough more accessorized bikes to come around those too.

Still, if I were to ever spring for a bike with a fairing and some wind protection, I’d want it to be pretty streamlined and cool and perhaps a bit retro styled.

You know, something like Suzuki’s new GSX-8TT, which even naked bike disciples will have to admit looks like an absolute banger.

Fraternal twins

Right off the bat, I should note that I’m equally drawn to the naked and unafraid GSX-8T I wrote about just the other day. 

Beyond paint schemes and fairing (complete with a small windshield), the two bikes share much DNA, as the offspring of the GSX-8S.

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But whereas that bike’s styling is (somewhat off-puttingly) futuristic, these new motos draw inspiration from the distant past, specifically Suzuki’s T-500, which dates back to 1968.

Even so, the 8T and 8TT assume very different attitudes. While the former comes off like a muscular retro roadster, the latter flashes real racing flair.

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That’s thanks largely to the fairing, which recalls earlier Suzukis such as the GS1000S Wes Cooley Replica, and the classic-looking pair of vertical stripes gracing both the fairing and tank.

With both colorways of the GSX-8TT, you also get some pop on the alloy rims: the Pearl Matte Shadow Green edition has bronze ones while the Glass Sparkle Black version rocks a deep red.

Performance to match

Like both its sibling and its “parent,” the GSX-8TT gets an engine that’s way more loaded than you might expect from its throwback looks.

It’s Suzuki’s latest-generation 776cc 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC parallel twin, which makes 80hp at 8,500rpm and 57lb-ft of torque at 6,800rpm. That’s more than enough juice to dart through traffic and rip through twisties.

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Even more modern touches are the full-color 5-inch TFT screen and Suzuki’s Intelligent Ride System (SIRS). It delivers not only ride-by-wire, traction control and multiple ride modes but also Bi-directional Quick Shifting without engaging the clutch or throttle.

Further easing the ride are a KYB inverted fork and KYB link-type mono-shock rear suspension, both of which offer 5.1 inches of travel.

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Throw in a seat height of 32 inches and a weight of 445 pounds, and you’ve got a bike that’s especially approachable for beginners.

Of course, as good as this thing looks, they might have to throw some elbows at the dealership to fight off the veteran riders, some of whom might suddenly love the idea of a fairing.

Availability and pricing

The Suzuki GSX-8TT should hit dealerships by late summer. US pricing has not yet been announced, but it starts at £9,999 in the UK, roughly $13,595. The US version could land in that range, hopefully a bit less.

Suzuki Cycles

Suzuki GSX-8TT

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