Amazing Forest Tracks, Bogged & Everything In-between | V-Strom 800DE Adventure Ride

#suzuki #adventure #motorcycle
T Big Banana and I tackle some amazing tracks including mud, single track and everything in between.
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My gear
Helmet - www.made2race.com.au/hybrid-h...
Jacket - www.dririder.com.au/ Adventure Vortex 2
Boots - oneal.com/products/sierra-pro...
Suspension - yssaustralia.com.au/
Crash protection - srcadventuremoto.com.au, www.radguard.com.au & www.motorcycleadventure.com.au

[@mcnuggetapple]

You are literally the reason I refuse to let people tell me bigger bikes can’t be capable.

[@onthebackwheel]

They are good fun to hustle around

[@user-lp9dv3dw1h]

The variety of riding you do on the big strom is nothing short of amazing

[@onthebackwheel]

The Big Banana loves it

[@painsrides3616]

Love this bike... and you're right, that exhaust 💕

[@sheafrank4816]

Don't want to get stuck guys.......nah I'm committed. had me dying

[@onthebackwheel]

😆

[@DocMagoo]

Yep, sounds like Curtis

[@leighhill9185]

haha yeah me too! Sounds like something I'd say!

[@iangriffiths9930]

Absolutely love the Suzuki videos! There isn’t really anyone with this bike doing anything like this!! 👍

[@onthebackwheel]

Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed it

[@timothyherweynen6210]

The Strom has a great engine and now it sounds amazing.

[@Matthew-wn8oq]

After the 11:31 point I'd be pitching myself a tent and cracking the beers I had in my backpack and worry bout getting out in the morning 😂

[@onthebackwheel]

A camel back full of beer is a good idea!

[@rickayres9049]

😂👍

[@SquareHelmet]

I just came back from a super hard offroad ride on my Yamaha XT250. Exhausted. Had to pull it out of deep mud so many times... Coming to KZbin to watch someone nice and easy - and see you pulling the bike out of mud, man. I felt like I was there with you. Great videos!

[@onthebackwheel]

Thanks mate, you certainly sleep well after likes like this

[@mkramsauer]

Absolutely flogging the big girl brother 👊. Always look forward to your rides holy crap

[@onthebackwheel]

Cheers mate, had a blast

[@subparadventures2876]

Cracking vid mate putting the work in on the big girl. That pipe sounds great 👍🏻🤙🏼

[@onthebackwheel]

Cheers mate, I think so too

[@rickayres9049]

Awesome stuff Curtis, you’re a clever man with more skill and bigger balls than me 😊. I hope your channel here continues to grow (I know ‘Family is First Always’) but your a champ and I love watching a local guy ripping it 👌🏍️

[@onthebackwheel]

Thanks mate, appreciate it. I wouldn't say clever though 😜

[@robpinter5431]

Sounds SSSSSOOOOO good with that exhaust....

[@onthebackwheel]

It's a game changer

[@rushal4622]

Yes...the pipe makes it!. Music to my ears!.❤

[@onthebackwheel]

So good right

[@bradleyalexander5821]

That was a blast of a ride/along. Good to see an ADV bike pushed to its limits. Thanks from 🇺🇸

[@onthebackwheel]

Good to have you onboard 👊

[@emfl4437]

Another great video. A friendly reminder that Mother's Day is coming up - don't get stranded again 😂. Cheers

[@onthebackwheel]

So go for a ride that day? 😂

[@ride4adventure]

Great riding Curtis. You just go for it and deal with the consequences which keeps making you be a better rider. Plenty to learn from that.

[@onthebackwheel]

💯 mate

[@caillinharris]

That’s some good watching. That bike is very surprising very capable in the right hands. Love the exhaust sound mint.

[@onthebackwheel]

Sounds mean now

[@peterprzywara5258]

great ride well done on the big beast

[@onthebackwheel]

Cheers!

[@djhinormas959]

Oh and it sounds amazing 👏

[@onthebackwheel]

So good

[@itsBKoutdoors]

Inspiring as always mate. Has me looking forward to summer. 🇨🇦

[@onthebackwheel]

It must be tough waiting through the winter. I found even in Illinois I was constantly in the garage tinkering

[@MadDog-65]

After watching 5000 videos on what to buy I always come back to your reviews. I wanted one of these bikes then got lost looking at AT's, checked out some euro trash almost considered converting an MT09 into a tarmac/gravel ride. Back tonight and almost certain the Big Strom will do the trick. Thanks again bloody legend!!

[@onthebackwheel]

Glad I could help mate, she's a good rig!

[@2502stokebloke]

got to agree with ya mate, that sc project exhaust sounds awesome

[@onthebackwheel]

Hell yeah. It's pretty mint

[@sheafrank4816]

Man I look forward to your videos !

[@onthebackwheel]

Thanks mate

[@jordancaleb5790]

Thats a beauty I love the Suzuki Yellow! Sounds awesome too!

[@onthebackwheel]

Really enjoying it

[@BRUNO5979]

The V-Strom sounds so good with that exhaust. Great video.

[@onthebackwheel]

Cheers mate, loving the pipe too

[@andrewtreloar7389]

Awesome ride Curtis and thanks for bringing us along. I miss riding the Glasshouse and Beerburrem. Glad you like the 'magic pudding', they perform well I reckon.

[@onthebackwheel]

Thanks mate. I'm really liking them hey

[@andrewtreloar7389]

@onthebackwheel have been doing a bit of thinking lately Curtis, I think I have settled on a Norden to replace the Tenere. The bro is out west on his atm and reckons its a cracking machine. You need to test one and see if I'm right!

[@glossblack1098]

Great video mate. You ride that big 800 like a little trail bike. I was at Glass House yesterday on a 300 and it’s still really muddy, but fun. Respect.

[@onthebackwheel]

Thanks mate. Bet you would have loved it on the 300

[@randomOAS7]

Looks like fun riding!

[@onthebackwheel]

Very 😁

[@DocMagoo]

After your KLR vid I'd hardly call that bogged!🏍

[@onthebackwheel]

Haha I don't think that one will be topped (I hope not anyway!)

[@stevesanelli90]

Crazy man Curtis now with the best sounding roarty V-Strom still ripping up dirty trails! Wow, that SC Projects exhaust sounds epic🔥 Absolutely transforms the experience I wonder if the next thing on the list is suspension?🤔 Legend!

[@onthebackwheel]

Yep you're right, hand guards and suspension and she's all done

[@grenphelps7455]

Fair play to you mate, you don't half go full on, mucho respect 👌👍

[@onthebackwheel]

Cheers, was a cracking ride

[@liv4adv41]

Sounds awesome mate 🎶 👂👌🏻

[@onthebackwheel]

😁

[@brunobb3356]

it’s amazing, I have the same pine forests and the same sand path in the south west of France 🙂 👍

[@onthebackwheel]

Nice mate!

[@RichardS-qh8mi]

What an epic ride mate - hats off to you, that was proper gnarly! The big Strom blasted that for breakfast, tea and dinner with barely a complaint expect for a good jet wash afterwards! I’ve never seen a big adventure bike tackle anything like even close to that before - if I was Suzuki I’d be banging on your door for some decent sponsorship offers for the huge effort and never give up attitude you put into rides like that. I’m twice your age and will continue to stick to fire roads and light, dry, trails where possible - know I’d have ached for a week after that! Also, good decision making when choosing your lines - a broken leg or worse out there on your own would be very nasty. Now really reconsidering the 800 Strom having seen this trip and the wonderful bark it makes with that SC Projects pipe. Presume that whine was your rear tyre on the black top section going home?

[@onthebackwheel]

Thanks mate. Yep, that's the front and rear tyre. Sound like muddies 😂

[@leighhill9185]

Awesome vid as usual mate, love ya work! Congrats on the new bub, that would definitely be keeping you busy with 2 others already :) I've only got two and it's hard work to get out on the bike lol. Just took my 11 year old out with me on the WR250R this weekend. Once you can get the kids involved, it's easier to get out haha. Gotta take it heaps slower though, especially sitting down over the rough stuff. I'm teaching him to stand up with me and that helps a bit. Good times!

[@onthebackwheel]

Nice mate, can't wait till they can ride 😀. I've only got the 2 kids, the wife wants 3 but I'll need serious convincing 😂

[@leighhill9185]

@@onthebackwheel haha nooooooo yeah two is plenty mate! Haha

[@jonwoodworker]

Nice video, Curtis. Any bike would have difficulty getting through all that Mudd. The exhaust sounds amazing.

[@onthebackwheel]

Loving the pipe too mate

[@aderiley6592]

Bike sounds mint mate 🤙

[@onthebackwheel]

Cheers, I'm loving it

[@djhinormas959]

The big strom loves it boy u can ride her too I got 2014 strom 1000cc and it don't look like this when I'm on the tracks the bits bikes are a completely diffrent game.

[@onthebackwheel]

The big 800de is a fair upgrade in off-road ability, good fun

[@rushal4622]

Reckon a foldable shovel would come handy and can be stashed on board

[@onthebackwheel]

Oh no thanks, I try to pack light. Would come in handy though...

[@orionswitness]

Great riding …just heads up Big Moto Ian has stated on his channel he will be doing a full review on the Honda CRF450RL

[@onthebackwheel]

Nice, I like his stuff. I was meant to have one over a month ago to review but there's been issues sadly

[@orionswitness]

@@onthebackwheel Yes big moto has tested it and gives the thumbs up, and this is in lower powered…USA version almost stock .

[@majoy-osterlundfreeman5425]

Hi bro, you got balls to go out in those trails alone with that heavy bike. Truly great workout 👍

[@onthebackwheel]

Cheers, was a good gym session 😂

[@pinkiewerewolf]

Awesome ride Curtis! I tried to enlarge the screen and zoom in on the critter that dove in the water but I couldn't make out what it was.

[@onthebackwheel]

Neither mate, it was something!

[@Mudjimba23AT]

Bloody wet out there mate great vid 👌

[@onthebackwheel]

Moist

[@Badlander87X]

Great video

[@onthebackwheel]

Thanks mate

[@SKgeostrat]

Nice video. Ground clerarance counts!!!

[@onthebackwheel]

It really does

[@someguy9440]

Curtis you're just a beast on these bikes and your 800DE is really morphing into a proper Mad Max sled. Great video 👍 edit: 23:20 - how many human sacrifices have occurred at the top of that peak o_O

[@onthebackwheel]

Haha it's getting there mate

[@john0270]

Haha your just loving that exhaust! Have a deposit on a 2024, not sure where in the world it is though. Already have the center stand and large windscreen on order, as well as a givi 42l top box.... and motoz tires 😅

[@onthebackwheel]

Nice mate, bet you're keen!

[@ChrisSauer-oe5ve]

Awesome sounding exhaust!!👍 But the Big Heavy Banana is definitely not made for deep mud 🤪

[@onthebackwheel]

No she is not 😂

[@OMOBA666]

Bloody Donnybrook beerwah, such a bog hole after the wet awesome when dry though, great ride bud ,got myself the series 2 ,lot of work to get her off road ready ,bashgaurd and crash protection for sure

[@onthebackwheel]

Gen 2 KLR? Mean machine

[@OMOBA666]

@@onthebackwheelV-Strom its 2012 model but im looking forward to take it places i shouldn't ,few things needed firs for protection

[@onthebackwheel]

@@OMOBA666 enjoy mate!

[@Vegasalieri]

Love your videos, I’m having a blast watching the hard work and the fun you have! I just got an sc-project as well for my 800 DE because of you! Out of curiosity, did you adjust preloads?

[@onthebackwheel]

Good choice mate, I'm loving mine. Yep I found adjusting the preload made a big difference

[@DiveTrainerDan]

Need to bring a shovel and a hatchet to get out of that stuff. Though people might wonder what you are planning if you get asked.

[@onthebackwheel]

Hehe they certainly would

[@scorchcycles]

Nice one, I have the same boots for about 2.5 years and still looks like good. Just very noisy walking around...

[@onthebackwheel]

Good to know. Mine squeak too

[@orionswitness]

I have Tech 7 boots wd 40 sprayed on the buckles and rubbed in with a cloth on the rest of the boots helps

[@minas4everyo]

bro the exhaust sounds awesomeeee!! Very good choice! And the tracks on video so hard but so beutiful! Thnx for the video cheers! and one more thing, check for ohlins spring for rear susp, bro you gonna love it on off road tracks trust me!

[@onthebackwheel]

Thanks mate. I would love to get the suspension done

[@minas4everyo]

@@onthebackwheel you gonna change the suspension?

[@onthebackwheel]

@@minas4everyo looking into it and made inquires, just waiting to hear back

[@minas4everyo]

@@onthebackwheelThat's nice bro! I wait for your news.

[@onthebackwheel]

@@minas4everyo it'll be in a few weeks or so. A local suspension store has the latest dyno and everything, it would be great to see how everything performs and what needs changing

[@retiredwaterdoctor]

You have the skills to make the big girl dance.....they are more capable than those who ride them....with the right skills and the desire to try it...they will go more places than it lokks like they will go.....a bit more ground clearance would be great. Great job....let her dance....as I said, ...keep your feet on the pegs and your right hand cranked.....and hold on. Garth

[@onthebackwheel]

Thanks Garth. Feet on the pegs and right hand cranked, I'll remember that!

[@CaptLawrence]

Man, im amazed i ride the 1050 two up in the mud and bdrs with my wife on the back. I wonder if i would enjoy this bike too.

[@onthebackwheel]

I'd say you would. That extra grunt of the 1050 might be missed 2 up though

[@CaptLawrence]

@onthebackwheel yeah I was inclined to make fun of the pstrom when it came out, but now I see the appeal. The suspension is soft, but that travel and 50 lbs lighter. Well, anyway, I'm glad you're loving it, and you found a new viewer health and happiness to you and your family from America 🇺🇸

[@bosoceansport2068]

How good does she sound now 🙌🏾

[@onthebackwheel]

🔥🔥🔥

[@QuinnBoone]

How often do you check the spokes, chain, suspension where its bottoming out, all the things that get beat up?

[@onthebackwheel]

I check the chain regularly. A gave the chain a massive clean after this sand just because that sandy muck is so hard on the gear

[@saxrulez]

Absolutely sending it Curtis! Great video. Which Motoz tires are those?

[@onthebackwheel]

Cheers mate. Rallz rear and dualventure tube type front

[@J2I3H]

Would be nice if suzuki makes a dr 800 version, stripped down and with a 18" rear wheel.

[@onthebackwheel]

Yes please

[@billcotton1551]

Curtis, you might need to mount a winch on the Strom.

[@onthebackwheel]

😂

[@Happypillz]

Mad respect for taking the strom in that terrain. I just hit 13k on mine and wore out my brake pads.. How are yours doing? Found the OEM pads very pricey. 320 just for the front. Ended up with EBC pads for now.

[@onthebackwheel]

I'll have to have a look, the rear is certainly worn a bit. $320 is outrageous

[@jimmyberggren6283]

Thanx to you im going for a test ride on this bike and consider the Suzuki over the Yamaha T7 😊.

[@onthebackwheel]

No worries. I have done a direct compairosn between the two if you're interested

[@richard3803]

Pretty extreme ride Curtis on 'the big girl'...how do you think the Honda AT would have coped?

[@onthebackwheel]

I think the stock tyres would have given me nightmares

[@johnrovere2286]

That take off was like a klr650 Hahahaha

[@onthebackwheel]

Hahaha 🤣

[@IRQ1Conflict]

Love that bike. But I wouldn't take a bike over 300lbs in that muck. Even then I'd want a friend with me.

[@onthebackwheel]

It's a handful for sure, good fun though!

[@markerdave]

Now you have ridden the V-strom 800de for a while, would you still choose the Tuareg 660 over the V-strom?

[@onthebackwheel]

Yeah, the Tuareg is a beast

[@simulacrae]

I wish you would show us you cleaning the bike after all that muddy riding. :)

[@onthebackwheel]

It took a bloody long time!

[@Angelosts]

I watch almost all your videos and I have a question.... why the vstrom and not the tenere since you are riding so much dirt?

[@onthebackwheel]

I wanted to try something different. It would suit me more, but lots of people have already got one

[@Angelosts]

@@onthebackwheel thanks for the answer, so I assume you select the vstrom not because you spend more time on tarmac but to differentiate your footage. Fair enough...

[@onthebackwheel]

@@Angelosts yes that's right. I'm really enjoying the V-Strom though

[@TRAVERSE_ADV]

Intro cuts the mustard, no need to watch any more! 😅😅 That sound 1000% better!

[@onthebackwheel]

So good right

[@erickmontero6222]

Great riding! What made you choose to buy this as opposed to the competition? Especially with how good the Tuareg was.

[@onthebackwheel]

Cheers. I got it as a point of difference for the channel. I might get the Tuareg next, we'll see

[@ChrisSauer-oe5ve]

@@onthebackwheelTuareg definitely suits your ability to ride 💯💪

[@jossv650]

hi, I'm hesitating between the vstrom 800 and the touareg 660... if you had to compare them, what would your conclusion be?

[@onthebackwheel]

Tuareg 660 for sure. Best ADV bike ATM IMO

[@evr-mr3cp]

I know they are close in weight, but does the Suzuki feeling lighter than the Africa Twin?

[@onthebackwheel]

Yeah a little. Lower center of gravity for sure and changes direction faster

[@BlueThunder69NZ]

What’s the list of your mods on the big banana mate? I’m building one similar for off-roading here in NZ. Nice riding as always 😎

[@onthebackwheel]

Cheers mate. From memory exhaust, tyres, snorkel removal, rad guard, bash plate, crash bars, battery box delete, lithium battery, high seat... Only thing left really is hand guards

[@BlueThunder69NZ]

@@onthebackwheelawesome, sounds like a fun build. Do you think the stock ecu handled the snorkel removal and new muffler ok? I’m doing similar, but with new dna air filter and open airbox lid. Seems like I’ll need an ecu reflash though for those changes, so might just copy you for now 😎

[@onthebackwheel]

@@BlueThunder69NZ its running perfectly, very happy. You might be right still with the DNA kit. There are a couple of dyno shops on KZbin who have done work on the gsx8, could be worth looking at

[@iangriffiths9930]

Hey mate, can I ask how big the difference is between this bike and the Aprilia? I like the Aprilia but just think the 800 will be easier to live with long term? Just keen to understand the pros and cons of each bike please.

[@onthebackwheel]

You would think the 800 will be more reliable in the long term being a Suzuki. It's really over built. In saying that, the Tuareg is a fair bit better off road, lighter and has cruise control. My pick ATM is the Tuareg, it's got it all

[@iangriffiths9930]

@onthebackwheel do you think the Suzuki is closer in off road and on road performance to the Yamaha T7?

[@onthebackwheel]

@@iangriffiths9930 yeah a little

[@RichardS-qh8mi]

@@onthebackwheel interesting perspective, initially I thought the same until after 10 mins on the Tuareg it was so bloody uncomfortable I realised I couldn’t live with for all its obvious advantages/extra kit etc. Didn’t like the bars position felt too high for me which made my arms ache and the seat was hard as concrete on my backside. Shame as I would’ve bought it there and then if that hadn’t been the case.

[@tieoneon1614]

The sh*t u ride thru on brand new big bikes makes me blush, lol.

[@onthebackwheel]

😆😂

[@briandavies3723]

Looks like it could use some weight reduction..

[@onthebackwheel]

She's a big girl. Not really her environment some of this stuff

[@user-nw4fn5qe1g]

RM-800

[@lionelcook8522]

Yeah, love the big adventure bikes until you need to manhandle them. The look on your face said it after you dug it out, been there done that after owning a 1190r and 1090r and went back to a 690r, 60kgs makes a difference. Great video, keep it up.

[@onthebackwheel]

Hehe yep, that 60kg would make all the difference

[@northadventuressouth]

Australia, if Florida was a country.

[@onthebackwheel]

Haha pretty much