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Suzuki just announced the first wave of its 2026 models, and there were some surprises.
Many of the brand’s stalwart steeds and newer offerings are returning, from the GSX-R600 and GSX-R750 to the GSX-8S and GSX-8R. Even the DR650S remains in the lineup. It was business as usual for the Hamamatsu house. Or so it seemed.
Suzuki still knows how to throw a curveball or two, one of which was the 2026 SV650. After more than a quarter century of producing the model, the firm still hasn’t cast it aside. That’s particularly surprising given the arrival of the GSX-8T and GSX-8TT, two bikes that seemingly encroach on the SV’s territory. That’s where curveball number two lands.
When the 8T and 8TT broke cover in early July, they did so without MSRPs. It’s a tactic we’ve come to expect from Suzuki. Instead of releasing pricing during the unveiling, the Japanese marque quietly slid that information into its first-wave rollout, with the GSX-8T and GSX-8TT bearing price tags of $10,649 and $11,149, respectively.
For context, the 8T costs $1,400 more than its modern-styled counterpart, the GSX-8S ($9,249). It’s a similar story with the 8TT, which adds $1,450 to the GSX-8R’s $9,699 price tag. Those markups are to be expected, as most manufacturers place a premium on retro-leaning standards (see Kawasaki's Z900 and Z900RS for more evidence). The real surprise here isn’t the styling surcharge. It’s how that pricing stacks up against the opposition.
With its 776 cc parallel twin, the GSX-8 series resides somewhere between the 650/700 cc and 900 cc segments. Based on the 82 horsepower (at 8,500 rpm) and 57.5 foot-pounds of torque (at 6,500 rpm) the engine reportedly produces, the GSXs rank closer to the 700 cc end of the spectrum. Their prices, on the other hand, do not. The 8T and 8TT aren’t just more expensive than Yamaha’s XSR700, they’re also costlier than the XSR900. That’s unexpected, especially when considering the XSR900 benefits from an additional cylinder and 35 extra ponies.
A more favorable comparison (for Suzuki, anyway) lies with Kawasaki’s Z900RS lineup, which includes the Z900RS and Z900RS Cafe. At $12,649, the former commands $2,000 more than the GSX-8T. Kawi prices the latter at $12,899, or $1,750 more than Suzuki’s GSX-8TT. Here’s the thing: Z900RS owners can point to the model’s inline-four engine and 110 horsepower (at 8,500 rpm) as justification for the price difference.
The 8T and 8TT’s direct rival may not hail from Japan at all. That distinction belongs to the Ducati Scrambler, instead. At least that what its 803 cc L-twin, 73 horsepower (at 8,250 rpm), and 48.1 foot-pounds of torque (at 7,000 rpm) suggest. Ducati’s pricing model isn’t far off, either, with the Scrambler Dark Icon carrying a $9,995 asking price and the Icon going for $11,195.
Still, it’s surprising to find similarly specced Suzukis and Ducatis in the same price range. That’s because the Japanese OEM has historically undercut its Italian competition. Look no further than the aforementioned SV650 and its rivalry with Ducati Monsters of yore. Price creep isn’t anything new for Suzuki, which, in February, tacked an $8,999 MSRP onto the eagerly awaited DR-Z4S and DR-Z4SM. At this point, maybe such pricing shouldn’t come as a surprise.
| 2026 Suzuki GSX-8T and GSX-8TT | |
|---|---|
| Price (MSRP) |
GSX-8T: $10,649 GSX-8TT: $11,149 |
| Engine | 776 cc, liquid-cooled, eight-valve, parallel twin |
|
Transmission, final drive |
Six-speed, chain |
| Claimed horsepower | 82 @ 8,500 rpm |
| Claimed torque | 57.5 foot-pounds @ 6,500 rpm |
| Frame | Steel-tube double backbone |
| Front suspension | KYB 41 mm fork; 5.1 inches of travel |
| Rear suspension | KYB shock, adjustable for spring preload; 5.1 inches of travel |
| Front brake | Nissin four-piston calipers, 310 mm discs with ABS |
| Rear brake | Nissin single-piston caliper, 240 mm disc with ABS |
| Rake, trail | 25 degrees, 4.1 inches |
| Wheelbase | 57.7 inches |
| Seat height | 32.0 inches |
| Fuel capacity | 4.3 gallons |
| Tires | Dunlop Sportmax Roadsport 2-X; 120/70ZR17 front, 180/55ZR17 rear |
| Claimed weight | 443 pounds (8T); 445 pounds (8TT) |
| Available | Summer 2025 |
| Warranty | 12 months, unlimited miles |
| More info |
GSX-8T: suzukicycles.com GSX-8TT: suzukicycles.com |
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