Suzuki VStrom 800 de Review

Well Happy Thanksgiving everybody. Here's my review of my V-Strom de Adventure 2023. I'm very impressed with the bike I wrote it this last summer about 2500 miles from Northwestern Colorado on up into Yellowstone Country in Wyoming and then back to Hayden. I had a great ride on a very comfortable motorcycle. It is quite a step up from the KLR 650 that I used to own. I'm going to miss the KLR 650 I had some great times with that bike and had some great adventure rides.

[@davidlane5925]

I completely agree with the KLR on steroids analogy (having previously owned 4 KLR's). I also think that the tube-type spoked wheels are a huge miss (give us tubeless spoked wheels) along with requiring premium unleaded fuel. However, I think that my 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE may be the best motorcycle I've ever owned out of 36 motorcycles. Sweet engine, great adjustable suspension and very comfortable to ride on pavement and explore rugged dirt roads. So far, I've added the taller windshield, heed crash bars and factory center stand. Thanks for posting your review.

[@jimpayneadv]

I'm sure sorry for running late on my replies here. I've just been busy with the winter weather and doing other things and forgot about the replies. I am 100% in agreement with your comment pertaining to the KLR versus the 800 DE. Really looking forward to some good rides this spring and summer where I can actually get some time on the motorcycle. One thing about it it is a very comfortable bike to ride. The KLR was the first adventure bike I ever got and I had some great times with it. Just wish it wasn't so underpowered to make it safer on the roads.

[@seisamigos397]

Good review Jim! Sounds like the perfect bike for the kind of riding you do. I like the same kind of riding. I'm not a technical rider but dirt roads, camping and getting the drone up and capturing video is so much fun. I was out your way last summer in July and it was gorgeous! Enjoy that new companion!!

[@jimpayneadv]

Hello Seis ... I'm glad you enjoyed your ride out here last summer. This fall the colors on the trees were magnificent. I got some really great photos of fall colors, the best I've seen in many years. Days are getting short here and the cold is coming in. Hope winter goes fast. Take care.

[@Romenet310]

Are there factory accessory lights that integrate into the electronics?

[@jimpayneadv]

I would imagine there will be more accessories available as time goes with these new bikes. I am not an expert with this question. I am sure there would be. After markets follow bikes hitting the sales floor pretty quick.

[@gabrielkopp2036]

First off let me say Happy Thanksgiving... I ave the exact same bike..sorry your dealership over charged you..I paid 13,700 total for mine..but I noticed I had adjust the chain twice in the first 300 miles..as far as off road Eastwood makes a bike jack you should look into..I have one and works great.

[@jimpayneadv]

Hello Gabriel. I will have to check out the Eastwood jack. I have not had any chain adjustments yet. I have readjusted my clutch cable and I think it is done stretching now. Thanks for watching.

[@ronindude9640]

I am just wondering what the pillion passanger comfort is like when the panniers are installed. Does anyone have any knowledge on that ?

[@jimpayneadv]

I do not have any knowledge of that sorry. I ride one up.

[@MikeK6046]

I happened to catch your video on the VStrom 800. Based on your review and a few others, this seems like the motorcycle for me (possibly the RE version). Based on trickle-down engineering and manufacturing processes, we live in a great time for various affordable do-it-all (so to speak) middle-weight motorcycles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jimpayneadv]

Hello Mike. Yes we do live in a pretty good age right now to pick up a pretty decent motorcycle for adventure riding. I believe Yamaha got a start on this trend from offering the t7. I will have to say I have been shopping for a new bike quite a while looking for the just right motorcycle. A big thing has sold me with the V-Strom is that I was able to touch the ground with both feet. Also suzuki has done very well with the Vstrom, dr650 and drz400 lines. I am hoping that the Suzuki 800de is as reliable as those bikes. And to talk about a bike that you can travel with in these mid-range prices is awesome. I was able to travel on a hell of a budget with my KLR 650. But it lacked horsepower for highway travel and passing cars. But still I was able to see as much of the country as someone riding a $25,000 plus Harley or BMW and carry the luggage to boot. What I would wonder with the Suzuki 800 RE version ... if the gearing is geared more for highway travel. The 800 DE we have to keep in mind is geared for both off and on road purposes. So it is no Speedster.

[@Scoot7827]

Thank you for the demonstration. Can you comment on your suzuki quick shift experience? Enjoy the rides! 🤜🤛

[@jimpayneadv]

Hello and thanks for watching. I can certainly comment on the Suzuki quick shift experience. This is something when riding the bike spoils you pretty quick. It takes a tremendous amount of work off the clutch and works great. It is one of those options similar to power steering. Once you have it you won't go back to manual. So far the quick shift experience has been awesome. So when you're going down the road you no longer have to clutch your gears other than when you're coming to a stop. The nice thing about it is your left hand no longer gets tired of clutching on Long rides. I like it.

[@Scoot7827]

@jimpayneadv thank you for the reply. I'm glad to hear it's beneficial, as it seems it's almost industry standard as an option or factory installed. We enjoy your videos and input about the bike! Many happy miles, sir!

[@WadeMade]

@@Scoot7827 I have the same bike. I'm really happy with my quickshifter. I have never hit a false nuetral yet. Unlike my KTM, although I would say the quickshift downshifts are not as smooth as some other bikes I have ridden. It will downshift perfectly fine it just takes a lot of push on the lever, at least on my bike.

[@Scoot7827]

Hello! Can you comment/ discuss your experience driving at night? Curious if the low/high is adequate or if an aux light set is preferable. 🍻

[@jimpayneadv]

I have only been out for a short ride at night. Stock leds Lighting I don't believe is adequite for touring or asphault at night, not for spotting deer. Good enough for after dusk to get to camp or riding dirt roads slow at night. To be fair I don't have the hours on it at night to give an accurate answer. Only my first impression.

[@Scoot7827]

@jimpayneadv alright thank you, JP. I think some aux lights would be ideal if I decide with an 800DE. Have a great evening! 🤜🤛

[@JayBee-cr8jm]

@@Scoot7827 I love mine but the headlight is truly terrible.

[@JayBee-cr8jm]

I bought a '22 KLR 650 and a V-Strom 800DE in '23. I haven't ridden the KLR650 since then. There simply is no comparison. It's like comparing a Mercedes-Benz to a garden tractor. The KLR feels 150lbs heavier.

[@jimpayneadv]

I think where the two are similar is the luggage carrying capacity with both bikes being stock;. I had some great rides on the KLR. Now I am looking forward to better rides. Sorry for being late on the reply.

[@JayBee-cr8jm]

@@jimpayneadv No worries.

[@kentuckyadv]

Thanks for the update, Jim. We made the right decision buying the 800DE, we do the same kind of riding. I'm just under 1000 miles on mine and will hopefully get out more in the next few weeks. I may have missed it, but are you running the Suzuki skid plate and tank/engine guards?

[@jimpayneadv]

Hello there ... Yes I am. The Suzuki 800de Adventure model comes standard in one package with the engine guards, aluminum heavy duty skid plate, and the panniers.

[@gabrielkopp2036]

Also I have a wr250r myself...funny we both have the same bikes...

[@jimpayneadv]

The WR250R is a great bike. I purchased mine to ride the trans America trail and they've yet to do so. I have had it up on the Wyoming BDR. Also I have ridden plenty of short rides here in western Colorado. My bike is outfitted with a three gallon IMS tank, 48 rear sprocket, and Giant Loop Coyote saddle bags.

[@gabrielkopp2036]

@@jimpayneadv I purchased my wr250r bran new mine is a 2020 and possibly the lats one ever built..has a build date of 12/2020

[@jimpayneadv]

I have a 2016. Bought used with low milage.

[@kwstaskatevas4635]

It's a very good bike but is heavy and agly.

[@jimpayneadv]

It has some weight. But I think it is a cool looking bike.

[@nativeoutdoors1780]

Yeah I love the look ​@@jimpayneadv