Suzuki V-Strom 800DE Review: As Good As It Looks?

[@scottcui8087]

Vstrom looks much better than the TransAlp IMO

[@mickleblade]

Not in mine tho!

[@carlosandleon]

Nah, the V stroms proportions are just wacky

[@jonwoodworker]

Yes it does.

[@Alex_mkII]

Agreed

[@davidjudd4005]

I can't see it myself, TA for me!

[@yjud8540]

Suzuki could have made this the DR-Big800 successor, it would have sold more with the DR's competitive reputation compared to the Vstrom's tamed reputation. Had mine for over 6 months now, I love every bit of it. Been using it on and off road. Low end usuable power is there for offroad and riding the twisties is easier albeit the 21-in front wheel. Changed mine to tubeless with outex kit (very easy) and is doing great so far. I have to mention that the Quickshifter is wonderful! If you want cruise control, add mccruise as they already have kit for the vstrom. Not heavy in the electronics which keeps it simple yet modern. Comfy seats. Suspension is a charm. Makes you feel an expert offroad. Downside for me: useless front lights (remedy with aux lights), heavy during full stops and not too many accessories in the market. But really, they should have called it the latest DR-BIG800.

[@ioandragulescu6063]

great to see people recommending the MCCruise systems. Had one on my old 650 and it was a great piece of kit.

[@trailrider1980]

Too many spec sheet warriors in this thread. In the last 5-7 years I have owned 7 bikes from multiple brands (suzuki, hondas, yamaha, ktm, kawasaki). From crf250ls to liter bikes and a few adv bikes too. I currently own a vstrom 800 de. It is a fabulous bike, yes it could be lighter, but it is also a great bike. This is the first bike I will keep for over a year and in 6 months of ownership, it already has 7,000 miles. Super reliable. Happy this won't be a buyback as my previous ktm was. Should I have gotten the transalp? I do not know until I buy one or ride one. However, the 800 de have compared pretty well in the comparos. Perhaps, in the future I get a transalp too.

[@OldOne.OO1]

دخلت على قناتك ولم اجد فديوهات تتكلم عن الدرجات الناريه❤

[@JayBee-cr8jm]

I love mine but the headlight sucks and the spokes tarnished weeks after buying it. Best bike I've owned (MUCH better than my Tiger 800XC) but I'd pay an additional $3000 for tubeless wheels, cruise, halogen headlights and SS spokes. This bike does, at times, confuse cheap with affordable.

[@KinglyKitten]

I picked mine up 2 weeks ago and added the MC Cruise kit and so far it seems to work quite well. I love this bike so far

[@jonwoodworker]

You really can't compare the 800DE with the Talp. The 800DE is a true adventure bike with fully adjustable suspension, Honda put rubberbands on the TAlp and called it a day. The 800DE has better torque and fueling which is needed off road. The TAlp makes its power high in the rev range and jerky fueling which makes it a nightmare off road. Chime in TAlp owners with your, but my TAlp is lighter. Lift them both up, there is very very little difference if at all. The TAlp is a fine street tourer/commuter but Honda already has a better one in the NC750X, that frunk is awesome, which the TAlp doesn't have.

[@moreorlesdone1497]

The Vstrom should have some strengths over the Transalp given the price difference. As to offroad, I agree the fueling is not the greatest on the Transalp, but it is still very enjoyable riding in the dirt and not the 'nightmare' you state. However both bikes are mainly built for on-road and that's where they will be ridden mostly.

[@houseofroos]

Totally agree on the tubeless, the 650 xt had tubeless spoked.

[@UncleWally3]

Just as a matter of size and aesthetics, be nice for the RE to use those spoked wheels as well.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

You can convert most spoked wheels to tubeless, with sealing tape and a stem.

[@UncleWally3]

@@exothermal.sprocket Yes, that’s what I’ve done on my Africa Twin, but I also own a 2012 DL650XT and have long admired its simple but high quality spoked tubless wheels and especially the 19” front; easier to find tires and better manners on tarmac.

[@JochenThe1]

There are more colour options, in the EU you get white, yellow, grey and black plus a special white-blue model in Italy.

[@Tales_Of_Moto_Adventures]

I've been testing out the 800DE on a few adventure, it is super capable on trails and tracks. Awesome video mate.

[@TS50ER]

Selling for around ¥1,200,000 in Japan. At a yen to pound exchanged rate of ¥188 to £1, you are looking at: £6382. A new Transalp is around ¥1,300,000. About 100,000 yen ( 500 quid) more expensive.

[@trevb464]

Nice review Bob as always. Not my cup of tea at this moment in time but seriously looking at the 8R! Can't wait to see your ride review of that one. 👍

[@nickb3968]

I rode this back to back with the V-Strom 650.....the 650 was a better bike in terms of riding experience IMO. Smoother engine, broader torque range even though slightly lower in horsepower, better seat and better setup for the road.

[@houseofroos]

I found my 650 to be top heavy. Hard to move around the garage, hard to keep upright at stops. Did you note any diff with the 800 ?

[@nickb3968]

@@houseofroos Yes, IMO the 800 is even more top heavy.....but part of that is because of the nature of a parallel twin vs v-twin....the parallel twin is more "bulbous" up top.

[@johnnyblue4799]

I had a V-Strom 650. Horrible wind buffeting. I chose to ride it w/o a windscreen. Better to be in clean airflow than in turbulence. Other than that it was a good bike. Ugly, but good. How's the wind buffeting on the 800? Being a || twin it should have the rider closer to the windscreen I would guess.

[@nickb3968]

@blue4799 My rides were 20 minutes each and around 35 to 60mph....the wind buffeting didn't strike me as much different between the two, but of course an aftermarket windscreen solves a lot of problems.

[@johnnyblue4799]

@@nickb3968 The aftermarket is a hit and miss. The issue is the long distance between the screen and the rider. It creates a turbulent zone in front of the rider. Above 50mph that was noticeable and causing my head to shake. After about one hour of freeway riding I'd need a break. The only solution for me was to remove the windscreen completely, but of course I didn't try all aftermarket solutions. Thanks for your input.

[@arnoldtm31]

No cruise control. Missed opportunity. Same issue with the Transalp.

[@kjbunnyboiler]

I was hoping we’d see an 800 V twin in this that could launch an updated SV platform

[@dronetest7191]

I was test riding Transalp but decided on the V Strom, as I got better deal, I like the bike, only engine heat gets on my nerves a bit. But now sure how it is on the Transalp. I was test riding in March and now we have August and 20 C more.

[@Isha048]

It's not for me... I like it, but it's too heavy; that's the weight of a 1000 and even 1200 bike, not a 800 one. It's quite expensive compared to other bikes. Thanks for the video.

[@PisgahGravelProject]

Why comment? To tell you all that you don't approve of the 800DE? Cool story bro.

[@Isha048]

@@PisgahGravelProjectFet dent...

[@akiuliano]

Both the Trans and the V are awesome bikes. The V being more expensive. For the same price as the V800de you can get a new 2023 V85TT with heated grips, CC, Tubeless Tires, side panniers, top box, 504 lb curb weight and character. That seems like a bargain.

[@verlinswarey507]

I really like this bike. However,the lack of cruise control and its weight simply takes it off the list for me. It just felt heavy the time I sat on it at the dealer. Which is an absolute shame,because like was stated in the video,it really is a very well put together motorcycle!

[@stevethomas6479]

Nice review had my DE for 3 months got a x Demo 300 miles on the clock £8500 traded my gsx8s in for it great bike can’t wait for the uk summer 🧐🧐

[@greenambles]

Horses for courses as always. As I think you aware, this “styling” not for me but it seems a cap tipped to KTM and Huskie with it’s pointy prismatic looks. I’d add “plastic” as a 3rd “p”. Interesting too how they’ve adapted a 4-slice toaster to create that exhaust. Always handy to be able to grab a hot pop tart midway through one’s adventure ride!

[@steffex]

You missed the colour options for 2024, the green version and the white version.

[@rcvg69420]

I find these quite wonderful. I'm hoping they give it cruise control as standard. It's really the only serious gotcha it's missing. If I didn't already have a GS and was shopping around that 10k range the strom is definitely on the short list. As for DE vs the touring version? Tough call, I'd go DE I think. A 21 inch front can carve corners just fine I don't think you are giving up too much nimbleness over the 19 inch on the touring version but getting a lot of offroad stability. It really is a serious miss not having cruise. I don't think it cannabalizes 1050 sales that much. People aren't making that jump for the cruise control, they make that jump for the power.

[@F3udF1st]

Transalp looks like the Sphinx. I'd have the Pearl Tech White 800DE. The plastic panniers are superior to the aluminium cases too. Can haul more weight, look better, more aerodynamic and are a little cheaper I believe. The DE is cheaper than the Transalp here so it's even easier to choose, if that was ever a question.

[@jamesdumas6602]

I looked at the Suzuki 800 DE, nice looking bike. But, I'm not paying that much for a bike withOUT Cruise Control. I passed up buying a Yamaha T7 because of the same issue. With all these new bikes having computers and fly by wire throttles why can't they (the manufactures) just put CC on the bikes? Once you have a bike with CC you won't buy one without it.

[@patkennedy1]

The pricing for these bikes is all over the place. I paid $15,740 for a new Transalp, ride away (with a year's reg and some extras) whereas the V-Strom is almost $3,000 more in Australia, at about $18,500! I went to test ride the Suzuki, but it was so heavy to lift off the sidestand I didn't bother. I appreciate it has some better specs than the Transalp, but $3k is too much extra, for a bike which is so much heavier. I will be lightening my Honda (already started) as the weight of these bikes is a bit much to me. They are all heavier than my '95 Cagiva Elefant 750, taller and more top-heavy, and feel a bit insecure when manoeuvering in tight situations on uneven ground. The upcoming Kove 800 will be a better weight and scale of adventure bike in this class, but carries the unknowns of Chinese manufacture, as against these Japanese-made models. Hopefully its entry into this market will encourage other makers to trim the weight and size of their offerings. Yes, the Transalp looks a bit funny from front on, but after 10,000 kms its ease of ownership grows on you.

[@Kenicavus]

Waiting on the 800 RE

[@Milan-yw6rm]

Would buy it without much hesitation, but some stupid guy from Suzuki who decided to go with tubed tyres, made me to look further and probably go with KTM 790. I can not understand Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki WHY they didn't put tubeless tyres on T700, TAlp, Vstrom800DE...it is a matter of security and not cost savings!

[@urbanstrencan]

My choice is still Aprilia Tuareg 660😊

[@malcolmpatton7817]

Looking forward to the RE version as tube Tyres is a deal breaker for me.currently have an adventure bike with cast wheels had a puncture recently plugged it no brainer.

[@KarelSlajstubextra]

Thank you for this review, looking into similar bikes, and v-STROM is on the list, so thank you. also, Love your boots, please can you share what these are, brand and where to buy them? Thank you in advance. K

[@prateekchakravorty3969]

Make a video on Himalyan 450 .

[@Davidhall10]

use tire sealant problem solved and mc cruise has a cruise control for it . Here Susuki is way cheaper than the competition

[@PisgahGravelProject]

I hate tubeless. Will never own another set. Terrible for offroad. If the 800de came with tubeless, i wouldnt have purchased one. Period. Spokes leak, tires are made differently-some seat well, some dont. Most guys who want tubeless are lazy, dont know how to work on bikes, or live in areas with little/or no true offroad riding. Like always, im here to give a different view point, and just bc you might not agree with my hot take- it doesnt mean i am wrong

[@maccu1]

the suzuki v-strom comes with quick shift as standard, while yamaha and honda don't have it as standard

[@SBMotoZ]

They’d sell a lot more of these if it had Cruise Control and Tubeless tires, deal breaker for me

[@LiviuXSA]

that ending was a little bit abrupt, wasnt it ^^

[@richard3803]

Thanks for the review...I love the triumph 800 motor in my xca but it gets very HOT so am considering switching to the 800DE. Does the DE run hot? And can you compare the engine characteristics of the triumph and suzuki engines.

[@iliyaslimon5333]

This bike looks awesome But an adv tourer at this price without tubeless rims is the main problem to me🙂

[@ADobbin1]

I'm not a fan of suzuki's colour schemes and I really wish they got rid of the giant tail pipe, at least on their road bikes. Perhaps there is a good reason its like that on the offroad bikes.

[@houseofroos]

Did they improve the suspension compared to the 650? I found my 650 to be soft in front with considerable dive under braking.

[@geecee4746]

The suspension is fantastic

[@mikefarnden2893]

It does look better than previous versions, but that's a pretty low benchmark.

[@urbanambrozic949]

Fugly. But spacious compared to transalp. RE should be propper milemuncher.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

May be a few ponies down on the Transalp..... until you exhaust/intake/ECU-flash it. Then it makes more HP and already was more torquey.

[@davidjudd4005]

but looks like shite lol

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@davidjudd4005 Some people think snakes are beautiful, some people think the only good snake is a dead one. Point is, appearance is relative.

[@jamesmcneilage5158]

If it had cruise I would buy one

[@Davidhall10]

mc cruise makes one for it

[@paulred158]

175cm is 5 foot 7 and a half not 5’9” so which is it ? not being smart but knowing you height and inseam would be good.

[@yahoodlums]

Way better looking than a Transalp or Hornet.

[@aromaticsnail]

Don't they mean P-Strom?

[@cranedaddy678]

I got cash in hand that says my 800de rides circles around you Transalp fairies.

[@jakecroft7408]

This made me chuckle. I rode my suzuki DR200 up the same Enduro nonsense my buddies were doing on their huskys. Reminded me of the same.

[@jakenikolia1453]

why are they even make tires with tube in them anymore, this isnt the 1940's

[@deaczorz]

not sure whats going on but here in the nordics the honda is more expensive

[@KikoBW7]

Looks only a mother could love 😂

[@rleerm]

Those huge exhaust shoeboxes are a no-go for me personally. Ugly and impractical when travelling with luggage. Versys 650 is better value, a better traveller, and better on twisty mountain tarmac. But good to see choices in this segment.

[@damon1957ful]

Have a 8s love the engine, its to tall for me

[@nick4506]

next to the new transalp its a bit lame. and the price too out above KTM how is that even possible suzuki. and in suzukis own lieup it weighs very near the vstrom 1050 with power in spitting distance of the vstrom 650 and price still high. suzuki dusts off the design engineers to do something and make a new engine for the first time in 20 years and they want to charge class leading prices for just keeping up.

[@johnnyblue4799]

I hope it's not as good as it looks, because it's ... fugly. Classic Suzuki looks, like they're designed after a night of abusing the sake.

[@grtbgf]

As good as it looks lol, that should mean that it's awful

[@MrDarcyandTheOlMan-Shorts]

I had to chuckle at the title and opening line. For me, the V Strom is the benchmark for ugliness! I don’t care how good it is, It’s a non starter with those looks. 👍

[@benkelly2190]

Torque wins.

[@stevemorris289]

I think its ugly, way worse than the old V-Strom. No weather protection to speak of and I hate that low exhaust.

[@kalaharimine]

It just looks too tall, too big, too heavy and too expensive - otherwise good.

[@DannyHerron]

The front is horrible as far as looks go. Off road, not very good, on road it pretty good. It’s a street bike pretending to be an adventure bike.

[@allistairneil8968]

Looks like shit so I don't hold any expectations.

[@CriticalRider]

It looks horrible, so I hope for Suzuki that it's better than it looks. Those effin' headlights, my god!

[@leecoleman6608]

It looks great , the headlights even better . It's 2024 .

[@Jb-Raja]

I personally absolutely Hate most modern Dp bikes because of their false beaks and acres of plastic. Plastic ffs. On a so called adventure bike thats supposed to be able to go off road and Absolutely get dropped. Is it just me? I'll take a bit of Abs but keep your fancy non functional beaks and over the top non functional designs.

[@ozzie7523]

It's "ok"...i'd rather a Transalp myself.

[@ZinoAmare]

Bleh Vstrom lol

[@georgeiliopoulos1917]

It doesn't look good.

[@sandwaves5642]

Can't be very good, because it looks 💩‼️

[@projectswithjw]

💯

[@user-kj7uy5lj2x]

Tai asu

[@t3chfr3ak]

Please ditch that ridiculous helmet. Thats the worst piece of junk ever.

[@ZinoAmare]

So it must suck its ugly xD