2024 Yamaha Tenere Vs Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE: Choosing the right one for you!

These two middle weight adventure bikes appear to serve the same market, but one may be better for you than the other. In this video I go through the differences that may make one better for you than the other. Check these bikes out for yourself at Macleans Sports here: www.macleanssp...

[@alainrigaud7035]

I had a T7 and sold it for the 800DE;i liked very much the tenere but the height of the seat when you often stop (I'm 1m79) was tiring,the seat was hard too ;I prefer the look of the T7,I like the engine and the praticability of sevicing the bike; I tried the 800DE and found it more suitable for me:seat is comfy,I can flat foot ,engine is as good with a little bit less character;in conclusion ,for me the DE is better for me ,it's an easy going bike and all purpose one

[@PeterLoweOne]

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[@bobbyhancock3347]

Which felt like it had more power?

[@cranedaddy678]

Everybody says the V in V-strom stands for V twin but it's been stated by Suzuki it stands for versatil, and I think Suzuki nailed it with the V-strom 800de. Don't forget there are two other road focused V-strom 800 models, the RE and SE. Peter, thank you for this review! I don't believe I've seen a T7 vs 800de only review yet. If my profile pic didn't give it away, I went with the 800de and couldn't be happier.

[@alphajed7700]

Both are used to be V-twin

[@davealston3881]

Really liked your report on the two bikes. Made so much sense. Thank you for the clear concise views. My mind is made up. V Strom for me !

[@Ram.Saketh]

Hats off to your knowledge (technical and practical stuff) on such a wide range of bikes - it's truly amazing, and that's what makes your videos so interesting to watch and learn from!

[@PeterLoweOne]

Thanks for your kind words and support.

[@Jacklacasse]

Well this vstrom 800de in you're video is mine since last week thank you Macleans

[@PeterLoweOne]

That's awesome! I was told it might be sold soon. That's why I grabbed this video while I could! Congratulations! Great bike! Enjoy it!

[@BlackArroToons]

Helpful Yamaha vs Suzuki comparison, thanks for the video. Looking forward to more 2024 motorcycles and more comparison videos!

[@Marcepan455]

It's worth taking an off-road ride before passing a verdict. The 800de has more suspension travel than the T7 and is fully adjustable front and rear. It also has a lower center of gravity. I tested both and the T7 was bad for off-road driving form me, the 800de was very good. On the road, it is known that the Suzuki is better, it has a more dynamic engine at high speeds and a comfortable seat. For me suzuki combines easier offroad driving and better on road driving. yamaha looks better. I did 3k km on the Suzuki, mainly offroad. I would most like to have Desert X but it is beyond my budget

[@PeterLoweOne]

I love hearing from so many of you who have ridden both and have experiences to share. Thanks for contributing here!

[@kentuckyadv]

I watched your video, and it was great! The comparison between the V-Strom and the Tenere was excellent. After considering my options, I decided to go with the V-Strom as I found it more suitable for two people when my wife wants to join me on an adventure. In the future, I plan to upgrade the tires, skid plate, and add crash guards and bark-busters. My main focus will be riding back and forest service roads, so I didn't need an enduro-style bike or a more dirt-focused adventure bike. My previous ride was a KLR, so either of these two were a step up for me, lol.

[@PeterLoweOne]

That's awesome. I think I would choose the same as you if you're thinking about regularly taking a passenger. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and thanks for watching!

[@bradfuller1667]

The 800DE , overlooked and underrated !

[@PeterLoweOne]

I agree.

[@dwayneneufeld1696]

Being the owner of the 800DE I have heard the Tenere does not have the plush ride and is somewhat rougher over rough terrain. Tiring if you are on the trail all day! Highway power, and 80 mph cruising comfort are excellent on the 800DE with the bigger windscreen. The range is also important on the highway rides and BDRs, so the DE has the advantage again. As the review implied, if the bike will be used to go cross country and off-road camp, IMO, the DE is the bike to have. If you live close to where you want to ride, the Tenere might be the one to go with, but the DE does hide its weight well so... The DE has been a fantastic bike and has a quality feel to it! Very happy with it!

[@PeterLoweOne]

Thanks for sharing your experiences and thoughts!

[@dominichayes9808]

I test rode the 800DE recently and was surprised at how much high frequency buzz there was through the pegs at motorway speeds; my feet would be numb after an hour. At low engine speeds it was buttery smooth and pulled very strongly. I was ready to buy apart from the peg buzz. I also test rode the KTM790 Adv and there was less vibration. I've yet to ride the T7 to compare.

[@digitalcommerceau]

You nailed the comparison!

[@ynotjf]

800DE is more comfortable but weighs 50lbs more (might as well ride an African Twin) T7 is too tall and top heavy; Neither bike has cruise control. Toureg has cruise but cost more. Transalp no cruise but lower center of gravity. A lot of tough choices..

[@PeterLoweOne]

KTM 790 Adventure. Lower seat height, light weight, lower centre of gravity, comes with cruise control. 😉

[@chrishart8548]

On paper the Africa twin is actually lighter at 226kg . The F900GS is definitely worth a look now. Being 219kg

[@davidgrunklee8407]

​@@PeterLoweOnenope....CHINA.

[@umutcakir8686]

Very good review. I wonder what your height and leg length are in cm?

[@gingernaut2550]

I'm a bigger guy, 250-270 depending on where I am in the competitive season. Max rider/ carry capacity is a surpassing hard number to find online. I hear alot of jabber about the T7 being way undersprung, especially for heavier riders, but also hard the archenemy that almost all bikes in the adv space are "optimized for 75-85kg riders". But Noone poops on the 800de for suspension.... I think I'd be happy with either, but I'm leaning towards the Strom simply because I dint want to spend 14 grand on a t7 just to spend 1500-3000 upping the suspension. That said, I WILL flip flop back and forth 2000 more times this winter lol

[@john0270]

have a deposit on a 2024 matte steel green 800de over here in saskatchewan. my 2017 650xt is a good bike, but i miss how my klr handles on gravel and fire roads ect. hope the 800de with the 21 front gives me similar handling.

[@Milan-yw6rm]

I am not skilled to change the flat tube tyres, so none of those bikes are options for me. Thanks for this very good review, and it would be great to see ktm 790 vs. aprilia tuareg :) review.

[@PeterLoweOne]

I talked to the dealer about the KTM 790 immediately after I filmed this video, so stay tuned because we're making plans!

[@vaughndrew852]

V strom 800de was my new bike choice best of the mid weight 50 50 you can't bet it

[@PeterLoweOne]

Thanks for sharing!

[@chrishart8548]

Better than a F900GS ?

[@digitalcommerceau]

I do have the T7, and my mate the 800de. T7 is my still my choice, but i am tall and enjoy off road.

[@ComfyDadShoes]

Still such a difficult choice for me as I approach my 40th birthday. If I got the T7, I wouldn’t need my DR650. If I got the V-Strom, I would definitely need to keep the DR.

[@bfe671]

I plan on buying the 800 and keeping my dirt bike. Nothing wrong with having multiple bikes as long as they serve very different purposes

[@ComfyDadShoes]

@@bfe671 100% agree

[@bobbyhancock3347]

Great comparison videos! Thanks for the hard work!

[@jakefoker4013]

Hallo... i want to drive on road... but afther testing both bikes... My heart will chose the Yamaha... ligther and mutch more alive motor... pure old school feeling . Defenitly, I hate electric throtle...😉

[@josephthornton8560]

That T7 needs me.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Haha. Go get it done!

[@gabrielkopp2036]

Sorry but you are wrong...the v strom 800de is more off road focused other than the tires and i owned a t7 and thos factory tires are also road bias tires as well and the v strom has better suspension.. a 17 in rear wheel means nothing as the klr650,all BMWs and the Honda xr650l all have 17 in rear wheels

[@PeterLoweOne]

I don't think I'm wrong. I laid out my case. The heavier weight, *more* road biased tires, the road biased seat that limits movement. The larger diameter rear wheel *is* more similar to the best off road motocross bikes. I made my case to support my opinion. You made your case to support your opinion. I respect that. There's no right or wrong with this. We each made our case. It's all good. There will be people who agree and disagree with each of us.

[@gabrielkopp2036]

@@PeterLoweOne all I'm saying is the vstrom is built for off road.. I owned a t7 and it's extremely top heavy and I sold it and bought the 800de and even though on paper it's heavy than the t7 it actually feels 30lbs lighter.. and the 800de does not have tubeless tires.. seats and tires can are always changed.. I apologize for the term wrong.. the stock t7 tires are garbage off road all adv bikes come with road focused tires

[@PeterLoweOne]

@@gabrielkopp2036 I never claimed that either of these bikes were ON road bikes. They're adventure bikes. Both made to handle on and off road scenarios. I think you'll find that you and I are more closely aligned than you think. It's my personal opinion that the T7 is the better off road bike for the reasons that I list, and it's your opinion that the V-Strom is the better off-road bike for the reasons that you list. I'm fine with both of our reasoning. I think you have a point, and I think I have a point.

[@evr-mr3cp]

FYI the XR650L has an 18” rear wheel, I’ve owned one. Seriously considering the 800de so I appreciate your feedback on it vs the T7.

[@Jimo368]

Both these bikes have tubes

[@PeterLoweOne]

I was reading the tires during my filming. So either the Canadian edition version for 2024 (this paint scheme) doesn't, or I misread the tire. I'll double check next time I'm there, but I feel like I wouldn't mis-read that.

[@Jimo368]

@@PeterLoweOne The tires can be tubeless and it still has a tubes, the valve stem is a dead giveaway

[@PeterLoweOne]

@@Jimo368 fair enough. I'll double check.

[@chrishart8548]

​@@PeterLoweOneI don't think you can get tubed tyres anymore. I think they just become tubed once a tube is installed.

[@chrishart8548]

A bmw doesn't have tubes and is lighter than the DE being 219kg

[@susanafonseca3950]

Suzuki is the one ❤

[@malcolmnuttall3165]

The Tenere is looking a bit dated,if you put it against the Aprilia Tuareag 660 it's totally outclassed, more tech and HP, it's real rival actually, the V-Strom is better compared to the CF-MOTO 800MT in my humble opinion.

[@PeterLoweOne]

Yeah. It's funny. One will say it's dated and another will say they prefer the classic look etc. I've had people describe the Tenere as a modern day KLR, and some riders like the retro look with the more modern bike. As far as the CF Moto vs. V-Strom, I really like the V-Strom, but I have yet to be able to take a proper close look at the CF-Moto, so I'd like to be able to do that this year.

[@MotoCampAdv]

Honda Transalp xl750 is the best choice for your $$$

[@PeterLoweOne]

I'd love to be able to review that one too. The KTM 790 Adventure is also a pretty great value.

[@gordboyko769]

I like all the specs on the Suzuki… but damn are they ugly colours . All of them are gross. Yellow with gold wheels ? Not sure what they were thinking

[@PeterLoweOne]

I'm only laughing because I drive this: content2.kawasaki.com/ContentStorage/CKM/Products/5379/3d240578-429b-4257-a92b-109bc0afc77d.jpg What's that about yellow with gold wheels? 🤣

[@chrishart8548]

Yellow and blue with gold wheels was Suzuki's big thing back in the 80's look up the TS50X TS125X and TS250X I actually like it. I loved those times when it was all 2 stroke and looked like moto x bikes for the road water cooled and de restricted...the DT125R probably looked the best.

[@thodoris3790]

also the headlight is awful

[@rodnb2600]

2024 Honda Transalp beats both machines hands down!!!

[@PeterLoweOne]

I like the Transalp, but there are still plenty of reasons to buy these over the Transalp too.

[@rodnb2600]

@@PeterLoweOne kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpqTeoeehMydnck

[@chrishart8548]

The 800de is better on the road than the transalp. The suspension Is far superior.

[@rodnb2600]

Zack Courts of Revzilla would completely disagree with you and I take his world over yours!! He actually tests all these machines!!!!

[@chrishart8548]

@@PeterLoweOne I feel like the transalp isn't really a honda. The engine definitely outdoes the chassis. That's usually a yamaha thing. Why an earth has the transalp got 91hp. Even aprilia gave the rs660 100hp and the tureg 80hp. Kawasaki gave the gpz500 60hp and the Kle500 48hp. I didn't understand before but I do know.