MT-07 vs GSX-8S
Discussion
Hi all,
I just recently passed my DAS and despite not initially planning to get a bike, I’m keen to pick one up and enjoy the remainder of the warm months that we have. During my course, I used an MT07 which I really enjoyed but have been considering various other options including the GSX-8S and the Honda Hornet.
I had a sit on a Hornet today and I wasn’t as keen on that as the Yamaha so I think I’m ruling that out for now. Hopefully at the weekend I can visit a couple of dealers to see the Suzuki and Yamaha again in person however I’m interested to see if anybody had any specific pointers or had owned both models?
I’ve previously done motocross a long time ago but really starting from scratch - this will be my first proper road bike.
I just recently passed my DAS and despite not initially planning to get a bike, I’m keen to pick one up and enjoy the remainder of the warm months that we have. During my course, I used an MT07 which I really enjoyed but have been considering various other options including the GSX-8S and the Honda Hornet.
I had a sit on a Hornet today and I wasn’t as keen on that as the Yamaha so I think I’m ruling that out for now. Hopefully at the weekend I can visit a couple of dealers to see the Suzuki and Yamaha again in person however I’m interested to see if anybody had any specific pointers or had owned both models?
I’ve previously done motocross a long time ago but really starting from scratch - this will be my first proper road bike.
Redline88 said:
I should also add - only fun rides for now but maybe a bit of light touring down the line.
There's a couple of YouTube reviews where the GSX-8S has been used for long runs. I think the youngster with MCN, Dan?, took one to the TT as part of his Long Term Test loan of one and more recently EnglishBikerDan and a mate took them to the TT, or was that the GSX-8R version.That's not to say the MT-07 can't tour.
I like being able to see where I am going at night and I don't think either of them has a particularly good headlamp.
I've seen new GSX-8S (the primer/battleship grey colour) discounted down to £6500.
I've only sat on an GSX-S in the showroom, I had the chance to buy a blue one in April 2023 as the dealer had taken two, the white one being registered as their demonstrator. I was considering it as the sold like hot cakes Hornet 750 was sold out til the Aug. or Sept. 2023 shipment. Doubts about the MPG from the South of France launch reviews and the newness of the engine put me off of the GSX-8S. In hindsight I am glad I didn't stump up the £8,100 being asked then for one without the LED indicators.
The MT-07 seems more upright where as the GSX-8S seems longer and lower like an 80s Kawasaki GPZ or the original Katana.
I think the MT-07 would appeal more to my inner hooligan. In the last week I've learnt of the Fantic Cabarello Scrambler 700 or whatever it's called that has the MT-07 engine. It seems that bike could appeal to my inner prat and my inner poseur.
Edited by carinaman on Thursday 31st July 10:44
I had an MT07 as a courtesy bike for a few days a while back.
The paint finish didn't seem great & I really didn't enjoy the creaky plastics, especially the tank. It rode ok, but somehow felt a bit sanitised...
No experience of the Suzuki, but they get rave reviews. If the Hornet is as well screwed together as my previous CB650F, surely it's the one to go for.
The paint finish didn't seem great & I really didn't enjoy the creaky plastics, especially the tank. It rode ok, but somehow felt a bit sanitised...
No experience of the Suzuki, but they get rave reviews. If the Hornet is as well screwed together as my previous CB650F, surely it's the one to go for.
I have a GSX-8S and I'm very happy with it. Well built, comfy, nice dash, 7 year warranty if you get it serviced at a registered Suzuki dealer.
The bike is physically bigger than the MT-07 and has more room for taller riders.
Not sure what year you are looking at as the MT-07 was recently updated but a couple of photos below. I bought my GSX-8S in January 2024 and it's the same colour as the photo below. Never really liked the MT-07 looks although the current version is better.
The bike is physically bigger than the MT-07 and has more room for taller riders.
Not sure what year you are looking at as the MT-07 was recently updated but a couple of photos below. I bought my GSX-8S in January 2024 and it's the same colour as the photo below. Never really liked the MT-07 looks although the current version is better.
Edited by Ecosseven on Thursday 31st July 14:31
I bought my GSX8s back in March, £7000 for a pre reg, bought to use for fun in the Yorkshire Dales and then just use my Street Twin for longer journeys, that didn't last long !
I have done over 3500 miles on it so far including a trip to Holland and a few other reasonably long days of over 300 miles, in September I am going to Italy on it.
It is all day comfy, does 65mpg, light and manoeuvrable, even for me at 68 years old.
The headlight is very bright but the beam seems to be very flat, and does not light the road up very well at night, but it is still better than my Street Twin with an uprated bulb in.
The suspension is OK as long as you remember it is built to a budget, but is no worse and in some cases better than similiar bikes at this price point ( and some more expensive bikes I have ridden ).
Get a decent test ride if you can, you will not be disappointed.
I have only ridden a MT07 for about 60 miles and was disappointed to say the least, they just don't live up to the hype in my opinion but judging by the number you see other people must not share my opinion.
I have done over 3500 miles on it so far including a trip to Holland and a few other reasonably long days of over 300 miles, in September I am going to Italy on it.
It is all day comfy, does 65mpg, light and manoeuvrable, even for me at 68 years old.
The headlight is very bright but the beam seems to be very flat, and does not light the road up very well at night, but it is still better than my Street Twin with an uprated bulb in.
The suspension is OK as long as you remember it is built to a budget, but is no worse and in some cases better than similiar bikes at this price point ( and some more expensive bikes I have ridden ).
Get a decent test ride if you can, you will not be disappointed.
I have only ridden a MT07 for about 60 miles and was disappointed to say the least, they just don't live up to the hype in my opinion but judging by the number you see other people must not share my opinion.
I did my DAS on an MT-07 then bought a GSX-8S after trying various bikes. The GSX is physically bigger, firmer (the MT-07 is quite squishy) and in my opinion a better quality item. The engine character is quite similar, the GSX just has more of everything and a quickshifter as standard.
For me as a larger human being the GSX is the clear winner, but small riders might prefer the lighter weight and smaller dimensions of the Yamaha and be less bothered by it's soft suspension.
For me as a larger human being the GSX is the clear winner, but small riders might prefer the lighter weight and smaller dimensions of the Yamaha and be less bothered by it's soft suspension.
Thanks all for the replies. It sounds like the GSX8S is the general favourite!
I’m going to check both out at the weekend although still waiting for paperwork through from the DVLA so it’ll be limited to in the shop for now.
Looks wise I actually prefer the MT07 but I guess you’re not looking at it when you’re riding it! The soon to be released GSX8T looks amazing - I really quite like the retro look but it’s about £2.5k above the S for what I understand is basically the same bike underneath which is hard to justify, especially for a first bike.
Insurance wise both options are much of a muchness, maybe £100 difference and the Suzuki is actually slightly cheaper than the Yamaha at the moment with some deals they have on.
I’m going to check both out at the weekend although still waiting for paperwork through from the DVLA so it’ll be limited to in the shop for now.
Looks wise I actually prefer the MT07 but I guess you’re not looking at it when you’re riding it! The soon to be released GSX8T looks amazing - I really quite like the retro look but it’s about £2.5k above the S for what I understand is basically the same bike underneath which is hard to justify, especially for a first bike.
Insurance wise both options are much of a muchness, maybe £100 difference and the Suzuki is actually slightly cheaper than the Yamaha at the moment with some deals they have on.
Redline88 said:
Thanks all for the replies. It sounds like the GSX8S is the general favourite!
I m going to check both out at the weekend although still waiting for paperwork through from the DVLA so it ll be limited to in the shop for now.
Looks wise I actually prefer the MT07 but I guess you re not looking at it when you re riding it! The soon to be released GSX8T looks amazing - I really quite like the retro look but it s about £2.5k above the S for what I understand is basically the same bike underneath which is hard to justify, especially for a first bike.
Insurance wise both options are much of a muchness, maybe £100 difference and the Suzuki is actually slightly cheaper than the Yamaha at the moment with some deals they have on.
Definitely get test rides on both bikes once your paperwork comes through. They are excellent first big bikes and should provide many happy miles. Enjoy!I m going to check both out at the weekend although still waiting for paperwork through from the DVLA so it ll be limited to in the shop for now.
Looks wise I actually prefer the MT07 but I guess you re not looking at it when you re riding it! The soon to be released GSX8T looks amazing - I really quite like the retro look but it s about £2.5k above the S for what I understand is basically the same bike underneath which is hard to justify, especially for a first bike.
Insurance wise both options are much of a muchness, maybe £100 difference and the Suzuki is actually slightly cheaper than the Yamaha at the moment with some deals they have on.
Thanks for the input of GSX-8S owners inc. onelastattempt.
We don't know the dimensions of the OP.
I like Duke 790s lots. I rode about four them before they became A2 compatible. I am not sure I'd like to own one though. To me they sound great and the torque is addictive. Size wise they remind me of pre-LC RD250.
With regard to the GSX-8T being too expensive for a first bike, unless going new and PCPing is the way perhaps the OP should look at getting a barely used SV650 as used by many riding schools for around £4K and look to get a GSX-8T once they're less new to the market and deals may be available?
Looking into the GSX-8T and 8TT further it seems they've a bigger tank and Suzuki did a presentation at the launch about how it's their best head lamp ever, which appeals to me, but I don't see them as a £10K bike and at that price it's comparable to discounted XSR900s but I don't know how good the headlamp is on them. I really like the white ones with the red side panels and red vertical stripe on the tank. The colours seem a bit Marlboro McLaren to me.
We don't know the dimensions of the OP.
I like Duke 790s lots. I rode about four them before they became A2 compatible. I am not sure I'd like to own one though. To me they sound great and the torque is addictive. Size wise they remind me of pre-LC RD250.
With regard to the GSX-8T being too expensive for a first bike, unless going new and PCPing is the way perhaps the OP should look at getting a barely used SV650 as used by many riding schools for around £4K and look to get a GSX-8T once they're less new to the market and deals may be available?
Looking into the GSX-8T and 8TT further it seems they've a bigger tank and Suzuki did a presentation at the launch about how it's their best head lamp ever, which appeals to me, but I don't see them as a £10K bike and at that price it's comparable to discounted XSR900s but I don't know how good the headlamp is on them. I really like the white ones with the red side panels and red vertical stripe on the tank. The colours seem a bit Marlboro McLaren to me.
Edited by carinaman on Friday 1st August 11:05
carinaman said:
Thanks for the input of GSX-8S owners inc. onelastattempt.
We don't know the dimensions of the OP.
I like Duke 790s lots. I rode about four them before they became A2 compatible. I am not sure I'd like to own one though. To me they sound great and the torque is addictive. Size wise they remind me of pre-LC RD250.
With regard to the GSX-8T being too expensive for a first bike, unless going new and PCPing is the way perhaps the OP should look at getting a barely used SV650 as used by many riding schools for around £4K and look to get a GSX-8T once they're less new to the market and deals may be available?
Looking into the GSX-8T and 8TT further it seems they've a bigger tank and Suzuki did a presentation at the launch about how it's their best head lamp ever, which appeals to me, but I don't see them as a £10K bike and at that price it's comparable to discounted XSR900s but I don't know how good the headlamp is on them. I really like the white ones with the red side panels and red vertical stripe on the tank. The colours seem a bit Marlboro McLaren to me.
I like the styling of the new GSX-8T and if it were priced at say £500-750 more than the GSX-8S then I think that would be fair. The only differences as far as I can see are a slightly larger tank, different headlamp, different seat unit, and LED indicators. The engine, frame, suspension, clocks, etc are exactly the same as the GSX-8S. You can currently pick up a new GSX-8S for £7k and the GSX-8T is £9,599. I can see big discounts being offered next year.We don't know the dimensions of the OP.
I like Duke 790s lots. I rode about four them before they became A2 compatible. I am not sure I'd like to own one though. To me they sound great and the torque is addictive. Size wise they remind me of pre-LC RD250.
With regard to the GSX-8T being too expensive for a first bike, unless going new and PCPing is the way perhaps the OP should look at getting a barely used SV650 as used by many riding schools for around £4K and look to get a GSX-8T once they're less new to the market and deals may be available?
Looking into the GSX-8T and 8TT further it seems they've a bigger tank and Suzuki did a presentation at the launch about how it's their best head lamp ever, which appeals to me, but I don't see them as a £10K bike and at that price it's comparable to discounted XSR900s but I don't know how good the headlamp is on them. I really like the white ones with the red side panels and red vertical stripe on the tank. The colours seem a bit Marlboro McLaren to me.
Edited by carinaman on Friday 1st August 11:05
Thanks again to all for your replies. I’m 6’2 so something slightly larger isn’t a problem. I did look at the KTM and I do see that it has some strong reviews but I really wasn’t a fan of the styling and I’m also conscious that as a first bike it wouldn’t hurt to have slightly less power that you can access more of the performance of as opposed to holding back or going over the limit.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff