2023 Suzuki V-STROM 800DE On & Off-Road Review, Australian/NZ Launch!

[@mudgutsiv]

I'm 183cm in height and 85 kg, so it is a very relevant test! I want a 800DE to supplement my DR650, it has all I need, the 1050 is overkill.

[@jonwoodworker]

Long live the DR650. I am also looking to add the 800DE to complement my DR650. I'm waiting for Big Rock Moto's full review.

[@TheAshfishman]

Rode a demo model a week ago. What a machine! Waiting for a test ride Transalp to get to Christchurch but that would have to be something truly special to get my bucks.

[@florme6494]

Bikes have become extremely expensive.

[@pedropin2]

just tested it today and was quite surprised with the engine, suspension and overall comfort. the only thing bad I noticed was the heat dissipating from the engine: it was 30º C and the engine at 90º C and it was becoming very uncomfortable, kinda like a boxer engine or a Guzzi... did anyone noticed that?

[@MrEricmopar]

The 800DE does use tubed rims, which I have to wonder about. The other V Stroms and competition mostly use Tubeless spoked wheels now. You can use a tube with a tubeless wheel but not the other way around.

[@chadkline4268]

No, it's the other way around 😊 you can't use a tube on a tubeless wheel. The wheel is not designed to protect a tube, and the valve hole is bigger and would start cutting into the tube. Highly ill advised. See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6DUYn6Fe6xoY9U

[@ChristosTsaousidis]

@@chadkline4268 so that means that an upgrade to tubeless is possible for the DE800?

[@chadkline4268]

@@ChristosTsaousidis yes, you can buy kits and buy tubeless tires. Originally, tubeless tires needed to seat deeper into a rim, but today, tubed and tubeless use about the same depth. Tubeless tires are more expensive because tough tire is made of a porous rubber, so tubeless requires a special vapor barrier in the rubber to prevent air from leaking. You can buy tubeless air valves to fit the tubed wheel, they come in different sizes. I think the tubeless wheel has a 10mm hole, and tubed has an 8mm hole. Essentially, you just smear silicone over the inside of the tube wheel to seal the spokes, and wrap that with a layer of tape, and insert a tubeless air valve, or keep using tubes. In the past, I know tubeless tires were much more difficult to remove, and today, I think they are much more difficult to inflate without a tube, because the tire needs to seal before it can inflate. Without a tube, you need an instant amount of a high volume of high pressure air. You can just keep the tube setup as is and add Slime also. Really, changing a tube is not a big deal, and a tube will get you out of situation a tubeless won't: bent rim, large punctures, and sidewall puncture. I think maximum puncture for tubeless plugs is about 1cm. And with a good tube, you're always good as new. If you go off road, it's really better to have tubes IMHO. You have better chance of not being stranded with tubes.

[@ChristosTsaousidis]

@@chadkline4268 of course...but what if you get a puncture at 140km/h ? You're screwed then

[@chadkline4268]

@@ChristosTsaousidis you can put Slime in inner tubes if that's a concern. It will self seal holes up to 3mm. Nails, staples, etc.

[@Milton-gc8jr]

Fantastic review!

[@gxr1cky62]

L’ho provata sabato, ottima moto

[@johnshropshire3399]

800de for me 👍👍

[@robertjacobson1608]

Wish they went tubeless and cruise control. I'd be buying one. But now gotta wait for rumoured Yamaha tender 900

[@Badlander87X]

Around 10k for a 800de in ireland and 14.950 for the 1050DE

[@Gorilladome4664]

What is up with that outer, somewhat isolated black frame? Is all it does is attache the skid plate? Seems like unnecessary wight on a heavy bike? thoughts?

[@PerspectiveBeyond]

Not sure if this is the right term but that outer frame is not a "stress element", meaning that the bike would be just as happy without it. I'm pretty sure it is added to provide anchor points for the skid plate and the crash bars. I'd rather have it with a proper skid plate than to have the engine and exhaust pipe exposed. However I can see the point of it being extra weight if one intends to use the bike exclusively on road.

[@brucekendall52]

Thanks.

[@thodoris3790]

this dah plate,is from suzuki?

[@mhult5873]

Did you experience any vibrations when riding the bike? E.g. at highway speeds? I experienced vibration, at ca 5000 rpm, when testing the bike. It was a tingling in my feets from the foot pegs and it was actually so much vibration that it’s a showstopper for me. It was very noticeable vibrations with my boots. Could be not a problem for other people, but for me it was. At the highways where I live it´s around 110 KPH, I believe right in the "vibration rpm" of ca 5000-5500 RPM? Very unfortunate, because IMO the bike was otherwise great. And also great looking bike, to boot.

[@fcalin21]

Maybe from the unbalanced wheels?

[@BikeReviewcomau]

As said above, the wheels may have been unbalanced. Even riding at over 110km/h, the 800DE cruised along without any over the top vibrations.

[@mhult5873]

@@BikeReviewcomau Thank you for your reply! Glad to hear you like the 800DE =) It could be in some cases, I agree. However the individual bike I tried had the vibration @ ca 5000 rpm regardless of which gear, meaning the wheels had different speeds.

[@mhult5873]

@@fcalin21 Hi! Thank you for your reply. Sorry for very late reply, I missed to write a reply to you. It could unbalanced wheels for some bikes, I agree. However I have heard +5 more people experiencing vibrations at certain rpm-interval. The individual bike I tried had the vibration @ ca 5000 rpm regardless of which gear, meaning the wheels had different speeds.

[@fcalin21]

@@mhult5873 I find it incredible that Suzuki went so far and still they did not eliminate vibrations.

[@baarni]

Great! Now I don’t know what to choose… I’m 187cm and 84kg 🤔

[@acadenacci]

Mi piacerebbe sapere se scalda, grazie.

[@butidonthaveaname6543]

Wheres the shots of the off road section? Were you pretending the nice gravel road was off road?

[@thodoris3790]

there is a big question?this one or the transalp?or the tuareg?for a guy that will go 80% road(fast riding and easy travel) and 20% (easy) off road.???

[@freddywales8578]

Triumph tiger rally pro

[@fcalin21]

@@4my4mykaren Honda feels bigger offroad.

[@reksubbn3961]

Your helmet cam is too low. I want to see where i am going. Frustrating.

[@MrKing1961]

Tube tires like the 80's Junk😰

[@fitzfarm8694]

I must have missed the off road part of the review...

[@fcalin21]

Same .

[@chadkline4268]

Center stand? Nope 😢

[@terrellgarren7125]

Based on that review, it must have been an all expenses covered trip.

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Hi Terrell, well, considering Zane is a full time professional motorcycle journalist, of course it was paid! And he was paid! Your point is? If a bike is deemed good, then the review is corrupt? LOL...

[@Gorilladome4664]

@@BikeReviewcomau Hi Karen, well, considering....What do you mean what was his point? The bike has some negative issues that are worth discussing...unless you have been paid not to which is very evident here. No value with this review, could have just read the specs.