Vstrom 800DE 1st Ride Impressions

[@gasdive]

There's nothing here that would make me trade in my 2016 650 XT. I don't need any more power. I don't want vibrations exactly where I ride. I've already moved my mirrors out a bit. I'd be tempted if it had cruise control, but I'm not going to pay thousands for it when I can add an aftermarket cruise control, and it doesn't have it anyway. I'd like better front suspension, but not that much.

[@lyubengeorgiev1751]

Many thanks for the informative short review! I was really looking forward to hear your opinion on this model and it would be great to see the next test in future.

[@DrVstrom]

Thanks :)

[@ThatThrottle]

Thanks for the review! Great review and lots of detail here for a 30 min test ride. Impressive! In your opinion so far, do you prefer the V-Strom 650 over the 800DE overall? As you mentioned, I'm not loving how the 800DE looks either. I may be biased here but I love my 2023 V-Strom 650! Thanks again!

[@DrVstrom]

I would love to have the engine of the 800, its brakes, suspension and dashboard on my 650 bike.

[@cosmaraul50]

The new 800 DE has more power but also more weight. Don't know if the power/weight is better or not...For asphalt use I think the 650 is just enough. For light off road the 800 is better for sure . Being a 2023 new model is for sure a more modern bike . I'm very happy with my 650 XT 2020 bike 😁

[@DrVstrom]

Thanks very much for your comment. Yes the power weight should be better and felt like it. Yes the 650 is still a great bike. Ride safe

[@ElDudorino123]

Test-rode 2024 V-Strom 800 today. Just took it for a very short ride and put 3 kilometers on it or so. Things I liked: (1) riding position is still comfortable like on my V-Strom 650; (2) definitely felt the extra power compared to 650; (3) didn't notice the extra weight (of 800 compared to 650) people were alluding to. Things I didn't like that much: (1) I had a feeling that I was sitting closer to the steering bars compared to 650; (2) probably related to (1) - the mirrors were too short for me even after adjustment, and I had to bend a little to use them. Stock mirrors on 650 are of a sufficient height for me. But this should not be a huge problem as I am sure there are aftermarket alternatives to stock mirrors. Looking forward to Dr. Vstrom's feedback from his upcoming ride.

[@DrVstrom]

Thank you, my first view should be in a week or so.

[@DrVstrom]

Currently riding it due to the dealer delays. Allow me some time for the completion and the editing. Good information is coming.

[@long_vacation_tour]

Thank you, Doctor Vstrom. I hope you will have a chance to test it off road capabilities.

[@DrVstrom]

I hope so too! Thanks and ride safe.

[@ElDudorino123]

Them 2024 V-Strom 800's started coming to local dealers here. I sat on one yesterday but they would not let me test-ride it. It was +16C yesterday which is very unusual for February since we usually still have snow here this time of the year. The seat and handle bars indeed seemed a little lower than on 650 as was described by those who test-rode it. It seemed like my legs were slightly more bent when in the riding position. The owner/salesman is a very nice guy, and we chatted a little. I told him I really liked everything about my 650 except I wish it had a little bit more power, and I asked what he thought about switching to the 800. He said that the V-twin of 650 is a great engine that has been around for a long time while the parallel twin of 800 was introduced in 2023. By the way, that's what Suzuki mentions about the new engine on their website: "A large-capacity radiator effectively cools the V-STROM 800’s parallel twin. A thermostatically controlled cooling fan helps stabilize coolant temperatures at low speed and stops." I believe this is in agreement with what you said about that engine running hot.

[@DrVstrom]

Thanks for your comment. Yes the engine is fantastic and if you buy the road 800 version it has fantastic road behavior and better brakes than the 800DE. I will probably buy the 800 in couple of months.

[@ElDudorino123]

I am torn apart. I would really feel more convinced if you test-rode it first as we roughly seem to be of the same height and proportions. I asked the owner about lowering the pegs and he said that he thought Suzuki didn't offer them but they were available after market.

[@DrVstrom]

I m 1,87 and the new 800 road is a bit lower

[@ElDudorino123]

I am 188cm with 34 inch inseam. When I sit on 650 my feet easily reach the ground. And 800 is a bit lower, exactly. 650 is extremely comfortable to ride for me even without lowering the pegs, even though I was thinking about it.

[@falchiherve2024]

Now about 5000 km with my 800 de since one month!!! I was the biggest v strom 650 fan in France maybe because i made 100 000 km in 5 years with my 650 And now i sold my 650 baby for that BIG 800 baby And OMG!!! This is à fantastic bike.....very very powerfull beside to the 650....the comfort😂is the same..even better....well how to say that I never thougt it could be possible to do sometging better than the 650 And I was so wrong!!!! That 800 is absolutely better in every corner I cant stop riding it almost fay and night

[@DrVstrom]

Thanks for your feedback. Ride safe

[@theyorkbiker.8214]

Thanks Doc,my hips are hurting climbing on the 1050cc now,im looking forward to collecting my royal enfield.

[@DrVstrom]

Thanks my friend and have a great time on your vacations

[@tkiblawi1]

I'll wait until dr. Vstrom gets one and creates enough videos to back us up. If he gets one, it's a good bike 😊

[@DrVstrom]

Thanks for the comment. Dr Vstrom is waiting to test the Vstrom 800 NON DE version and if its good he ll get it, so stay tuned.

[@ElDudorino123]

Hey, Dr. Vstrom! Hope all is well. As the weather is warming up I am wondering if you are thinking of testing a V-Strom 800 any time soon.

[@DrVstrom]

Yes, great timing. I will ride it in exactly 10 days my friend :) prepare for a really detailed review and many videos

[@ElDudorino123]

Thank you very much for the very detailed and comprehensive review. I started watching your channel last year when I purchased my 2022 V-Strom 650, and I find it very useful and comprehensive. Thank you very much for that. Overall, I really like the bike. The taller seat gives me a comfortable seating position as I am 188 cm tall with pretty long legs. I really like how nimble it is and how it handles the road. I've had a comfortable "trusting feeling" ever since I test rode the bike. One thing I wish the bike had is a little bit more power. So I've been looking around a little bit and V-Strom 800 seemed like a promising option. But after watching your review I am not convinced that V-Strom 800 would be a better fit for me. Oh, yeah, one more thing - I am riding with the stock windshield in the upper position but am experiencing quite a bit of wind buffeting. Could you maybe suggest an upgrade that would work for me as we seem to be of the same height? Thanks a lot!

[@DrVstrom]

Hello, yes the Vstrom 800 is what I m also waiting for to test and depending buy. The Vstrom 650 is a fantastic bike. Regarding the wind protection, I learned to live with it but you should investigate Givi AF if you still feel you wanna change it.

[@ElDudorino123]

Thanks a lot for the quick response. After watching your review, I got an impression that in spite of the extra 10hp's of 800, 650 was still a better overall bike. Are you saying you would like to test 800 more to get a more comprehensive opinion?

[@DrVstrom]

Not the Vstrom 800DE which I already tested in the video and is a more Off road focused bike, But the Vstrom 800 which is new and coming out in a couple of months. It is a more road oriented version with the same wheel setup as the vstrom 650 and being more of a road driver I prefer it.

[@ElDudorino123]

Oh, 800, I see now. I thought you were still talking about the 800DE bike because in the video you were saying you intended to take it for a longer individual ride later on. Can't wait for your review of this bike. Cheers!

[@DrVstrom]

Yes i will test the 800 and probably the 800 DE again.

[@MichaelPsyrras]

One of fhe issues I had when I tested it was the excessive heat that came from the engine towards the back of my feet at the top. Did you notice it? In the E5 T7 it is much lesser.. As you said the engine is a gem!!!!

[@DrVstrom]

Thanks for your comment. To be honest, I did not. It was a hot day on Thessaloniki but I was wearing full motorcycle suit and boots and perhaps I could not feel that.

[@vstromano]

Faut mettre des gants en moto, même en ville et qu'il fait chaud.

[@Trumpets4me]

You only had 30 min's to test ride it, but you provided a lot information in that short time. I personally don't like the looks of it one bit. I won't be selling my 2016 V Strom to get it.

[@DrVstrom]

Thanks, yes I also do not like the looks. Engine, suspension, dashboard, balance, brakes I loved but looks in front and colors .....

[@seanfinlayson3943]

I was drawn to the 800... But, tubed tyres?... Hhmm... That's a no from me. If it had the wheels of the 650, tubeless tyres, I would have bought one. But I made a decision and I hope to collect my new (yellow) 2023 V-strom 650XT this week. I enjoy your video guides and save them all to facilitate cleaning and maintenance of my 650. Keep up the videos and ride safe. 👍

[@DrVstrom]

Thanks, please be aware that as I wrote on the members area it seems Suzuki is launching a road version of the 800 next year.Read the link I shared.

[@mhult5873]

Hi! Thanks for your videos! I also experienced a vibration, at ca 5000 rpm, when testing the bike. It was a tingling in my feet from the foot pegs and it was actually so much vibration that it’s a showstopper for me. It was very noticeable vibrations. Very unfortunate, because IMO the bike was otherwise great and also great looking bike, to boot.

[@DrVstrom]

Thanks for sharing and confirming my find :) . Ride safe

[@mhult5873]

@@DrVstrom Really enjoyed your video! Thanks! I will ride safe and you too, ride safe! =)

[@borilapostolov7474]

I had the chance to ride in city only and I really like it. Wider handlebars are also taller than the 650 which I like. The seat height suprised me but it is not unbearable. Have to get used to the quickshifter though. Menu is really easy to use, maybe the 21 front is a little too big? All in all I like it, can't wait for the longer test plus the offroad. Ride safe too!

[@DrVstrom]

Thanks for sharing

[@DrVstrom]

I still prefer the 19 inch wheel and tubeless tyres.

[@johngriffin618]

@@DrVstrom same. I don't understand putting tubed tires on a motorcycle that weighs the same as the 650 which has tubeless.

[@DrVstrom]

Yes I agree

[@freshairinspector8480]

Suzuki says that the reason was this bike is mainly for offroad.

[@ElDudorino123]

Hi Doctor Vstrom, sorry for being impatient but I hope you can give me a brief verbal advice based on your riding experience with the 800. The owner of our local dealership is retiring and selling off his bikes at a discounted price. V-Strom 800 touring with the MSRP of $10500 he is selling for $10000 out of the door. Tomorrow is the last day the dealership is open and unsold bikes will go back to the manufacturer I guess. I am tempted to buy this bike but I would not if you had found something fundamentally wrong with it. Thanks a lot again for your help and cheers.

[@DrVstrom]

Nothing wrong with it, buy it. I test ridden it and am preparing the video now. If you are in such a hurry because of the dealer buy it, I approve it for what it is offering and for the great deal you are getting. Its a dream machine.

[@ElDudorino123]

Thank you very much for the quick response, Doctor VStrom. I will be at the dealership in a couple of hours and will let you know how it went. Cheers!

[@ElDudorino123]

Just came back from the dealership. Turned out that what they had is the non-touring version that I sat on a month and a half ago or so. Their web-site is confusing and was also showing models available from Suzuki they did not have in stock. So, basically he didn't look at the link I sent and assumed I was asking about the non-touring model I inquired about earlier. I would rather pay more and get exactly what I need than accept compromises. The problem with the touring version is that the closest currently available is 3 hours away in Pennsylvania so unless something appears closer in the near future I will have to negotiate over the phone and then go there to pick it up. I can have my wife take me there and then ride back on it or rent a trailer from Uhaul and tow it home. We'll see. This will also give me time to review the video you're working on. Have a nice weekend and cheers.

[@roadwarrior8560]

Needs to be offered with 17-19 cast wheels with tubeless tyres, also it needs cruise added. No gloves?? surprised.

[@ElDudorino123]

And one more question, Dr. Vstrom. Did you have a chance to test-ride Honda Transalp 750? It is going to be available in the US starting next year but I believe it is available in other countries right now. If you or any other guys reading this rode the bike, could you describe your experience? I am only interested in on-road use, and comfort is one of the highest priority for these old legs, lol.

[@DrVstrom]

Yes the TA is coming to US and regarding the bike it has a fantastic engine but some of the features are not as good as the vstrom. Just wait for the Vstrom 800 test that I will do.

[@ioandragulescu6063]

I also don't like the looks although I will say it looks better seeing it live. There is smth they did, elongated the rear subframe over the back wheel while at the same time making the front end assembly (headlight and dashboard area) smaller and lower. The 650 seems to me much better balanced visually. Maybe with a smoked bigger touring screen ?

[@DrVstrom]

Yes I also am not happy with the front looks. The engine is a dream though.

[@Will-jd2br]

I find that my 22 dl650 had issues with shifting the first 500 miles. After that the gear box smoothed out.

[@DrVstrom]

Did you do the 1st service and after that it got better?

[@ElDudorino123]

Hey Doctor Vstrom, we are starting to get 2024 V-Strom 800's here in the US. My local dealer is apparently expecting one sometime in February. I remember you were planning on taking a look at this motorcycle when you get a chance with the consideration of buying. Do you know when this might actually happen?

[@DrVstrom]

What are your considerations. Here the weather is really cold and I cannot arrange the test ride because of that with the local dealer. The 800 street version is really great though. It has the behavior of the 650 with a more powerful engine and it is easier to maintain. I will see what I can do within February if the weather allows

[@ElDudorino123]

Thank you very much for the quick response. I am really tempted to buy this bike and trade in my 2022 V-Strom 650. This makes me feel a bit like a traitor but these are emotions. My main concern is the reliability of the engine of V-Strom 800. Basically, while the engine on 650 has been a proven workhorse the one on 800 is new and could have potential flaws. Am I missing anything? What are your thoughts? So, it does get cold in Athens after all, huh? I was visiting Greece in 1994 (man, 30 years ago!) staying in the Marathon Gulf area and visited Athens to see the main tourist attractions. It was the month of August I believe and the temperature was above 35C during the day. The area around the hotel was rural and very picturesque. The sea was blue and very clean. Those tourist attractions looked exactly like in my school history textbooks. On a bus ride from Marathon Gulf to Athens I remember at least one Orthodox Church on the left which looked quite similar to our churches back at home in Russia. Hope to visit your country again sometime.

[@DrVstrom]

Hello, I m not in Athens but in the North of Greece, so it gets even colder. Now regarding the engine of the 800 I m not aware of any problem so far so it should be as reliable as the 650. Of course I cannot predict the future but what I can tell you is that if I sell my 650, I will immediately buy the 800 street edition and I have tested, ridden the 800 off road edition 6 times back to back and the engine is really good. Some people complain about the heat of the engine but I did not feel that and in Russia you will not have such a problem. Ride safe

[@ElDudorino123]

Thanks a lot for your feedback. I am originally from Moscow but went to the US for the grad school in 1995 and has been living here ever since. I moved around the country quite a bit having lived in Texas, North Carolina, California and now Upstate New York. I am in the Rochester area on the Southern shore of the great Lake of Ontario now. Summers here can be quite hot and humid. Typically a lot of snow in winter but this winter has been virtually snow-free so far - it snowed a couple of times but the snow was eaten by the rain a few days later. What's the problem with the engine heat? Does it get overheated, or do you just feel the excessive heat around your lower legs? I always wear motorcycle jacket and pants when I ride so burning my legs by accidentally touching the hot engine shouldn't be a problem. Some reviewers are saying that 800 has a slightly lower seat and lower handlebars resulting in a little bit more scooped forward seating position which would be a potential concern for my wrists. But it all depends on how much this is the case.

[@DrVstrom]

They just say they feel the heat. Also compared to the 800DE, the position of the body is slightly different but nothing much. Please note that suzuki is known to make a great job when setting the bike and the rider position so dont worry. I will try again with my dealer and see if i can test ride the new 800. Ride safe.

[@tomford5495]

Hi, good review as just for 30 minutes. Do you think that seat is the same as 650 XT? Could I take my aftermarket comfort 650XT seat an mount it on 800DE? What is you opinion about handlebar? It is higher and wider than 650 XT and more straight. But is it also closer to rider? When I want to have relaxed and easy grab to my handlebars, I need to move my upper body towards handlebar to have satisfactory angle at elbows.

[@DrVstrom]

Seat I don't yet know. Handlebar is great. Regarding how close to the rider, it also depends on the person and the length of their arms. For me it was great. Hope that helps.

[@tomford5495]

@@DrVstrom thanks!

[@KyriakosSoul]

Δοκίμασες φιλε μήπως κ το transalp 750; ή το ktm 790; καποια σύγκριση μεταξύ οποιου από τα 2 δοκιμασες;

[@vincent3341]

Good morning, I watched other tests, one in France and another in Italy, they found the engine overheating in town. Your opinion on this point? I also hope to see a 19" tubeless road version. Thank you for your test.

[@DrVstrom]

Hi, I can tell you that mine did not. But then again 2 things to note. 1st is that I was not stuck in traffic but always moving between them. 2nd, the ventilator also starts in the summer for my 650 in the city. Hope it helps.

[@vincent3341]

@@DrVstrom thanks a lot. I'm in an urban environment and have to go try it to find out. Here in Bordeaux, we are around 40° in summer per period.

[@DrVstrom]

Same thing in Greece in my hometown. WhatI suggest also is a 10w50 when temperatures are high. But yes try it also.Ride safe

[@UnclutchedSprints]

Hi, How tall the is Vstrom 800 in comparison with 650 ? The number says it’s 855mm compared to 835mm, but how it actually is, if a person having 5.5” will be able to ride it comfortably?

[@DrVstrom]

It is taller. I don't know about 5,5 but like I say in the video, I m 187 cm tall and fine. There is a lower seat also to help. Ride safe

[@kostassideris3328]

Πιο πολύ από όλα μου αρέσει η ρίγανη που είναι κρεμασμένη πίσω στο κιόσκι! 😂

[@DrVstrom]

Μπράβο ρε φίλε. Είσαι ο πρώτος που παρατήρησε το βασικό κομμάτι του στουντιο 😂

[@jobyEN]

Suzuki, street version for 2024? Cruise control? Please?!

[@DrVstrom]

Lets wait and see :). Also lower a bit and 19 17 wheel setup with longer screen are confirmed

[@chadkline4268]

So, what happens when a hacker comes by with a frequency generator and winds out your wireless throttle? Is it encypted? 😊

[@DrVstrom]

Same thing that will happen first with your car and other devices if it reaches that extreme level

[@chadkline4268]

@@DrVstrom seems dangerous in that regard.

[@DrVstrom]

Technology especially when at early stages has a certain risk for errors and issues. I agree.

[@glennrees-jones2133]

I really appreciate the help your video's have given me maintenance wise, so on that basis I watched your review, however I have already made my mind up not to buy this bike, it's far too expensive at the moment as it's a new model, so no chance of discount, also would never buy a bike that has tubed tyres! V Strom 650 offers far better value, so won't be selling mine

[@DrVstrom]

Agreed. I m not promoting the bike. Simply testing. I was hoping also for something better in some aspects I have already touched in the review

[@acadenacci]

Mi piacerebbe sapere se il motore scalda le gambe e se la sella è comoda e non dura, grazie.

[@DrVstrom]

Saying hello does not hurt. Regarding your question I was wearing motorcycle suit and boots so I did not feel engine heat. I drove 30 min and saddle was comfortable

[@leric4205]

Sous titres non disponible :(

[@DrVstrom]

Sorry but its youtube to blame that they no longer generate them automatically

[@angelluisrobles743]

please in spanish

[@DrVstrom]

KZbin DOES not offer me subtitles in any language. I contacted them and they don't care. I have to type each word by hand!