10 Things We Love About The New Suzuki V

Suzuki finally enters the middleweight adventure segment with an exciting new motorcycle

Suzuki unveiled the highly anticipated V-Strom 800DE at the EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan in November 2022. It is a brand-new addition to Suzuki's 20-year-old V-Strom lineage. The V-Strom series has already sold over 450,000 units worldwide. The DL650, introduced in 2004, is still particularly popular. However, the new 800DE is one for Suzuki's future. Through the launch of this new model, the brand attempts to follow a trend, rather than set one. It propels the Japanese marquee into the popular mid-weight adventure segment.

The V-Strom 800DE, along with its adventure variant, is well positioned between the larger V-Strom 1050DE and the smaller 650X in the series. It is set to compete with other existing mid-weight adventure motorcycles in the market, such as Yamaha Ténéré 700, BMW F 850 GS, KTM 890 Adventure, Aprilia Tuareg 660, and the all-new Honda Transalp 750. With most motorcycle giants already contesting this category, the competition is tough. While Suzuki eases into the competition, it will contest strongly.

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"V" in the new V-Strom 800DE does not refer to the V-Twin configuration that adorned previous models in the series. "V" actually stands for Versatile. Suzuki claims it to be the most capable of V-Stroms ever to hit both on and off-road. Adventure touring leads riders to various landscapes. Hardcore adventurists especially love to uncover hidden gems. This thirst for exploration often takes them to rugged terrains. The iconic V-Strom 650, and the powerful V-Strom 1050 will both struggle on such unpaved pathways. The 800DE overcomes this limitation and is also a better machine on asphalt. It is ideal for adventure seekers who ride 80% on the road and the remaining time on a gravel trail. Suzuki describes it as "Born to explore". It is a complete adventure motorcycle suitable for all occasions.

The V-Strom 800DE has a new 776 cc Parallel Twin Engine. It is a necessary transition from the long-used V-Twin Engine. Suzuki shares this engine with the simultaneously launched GSX-8S. The parallel twin is trending across adventure and naked motorcycles. It produces an impressive 84 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 57.5 pound feet of torque at 6,800 rpm. This is better than the V-Strom 650, and its close competitors Yamaha Ténéré 700 and Aprilia Tuareg 660. The 800DE still maintains the V-Strom characteristics for the loyal fans. It uses a 270-degree crankshaft, that delivers power with a familiar throb of the V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 1050. It pulls from low down and runs out of breath at the top, just like the 650. But it is smoother due to a patented dual-balancer-shaft arrangement.

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Suzuki uses a new two-piece frame, made of tubular steel, as the 800DE's backbone. The simultaneously launched GSX-8S uses the same frame too. Steel increases the frame's strength and rigidness. It provides excellent straight-line stability, essential to tour at high speeds. 800DE's frame shares weight with the engine, to make the motorcycle geometrically suitable for off-road. As this combination allows better absorption of torque and vibration. Suzuki claims an aluminum frame would be wider and taller. While the steel frame assists to curb the motorcycle's weight down to 507 lbs. The chassis also consists of a detachable narrow sub-frame, that gives a slim seat profile and helps riders control the motorcycle with their legs. These features allow motorcyclists to transfer their weight, as they navigate difficult terrains and sharp turns.

Suzuki exclusively develops front and rare suspension components on the 800DE. This consists of an 8.7-inch front fork and a single-shock rear suspension of the same diameter. The 8.75 inches compact chassis net further complements these. This combination results in the longest suspension travel and ground clearance for any V-Strom yet. This makes the machine suitable for unpaved roads. Further, the SHOWA-supplied inverted style fork has an adjustable spring preload. It also supports compression and rebound damping force adjustments. These suspension specs are higher than some of 800DE's competitors. The riders are also able to tune these components based on personal riding preferences. For any adventure freak, this suspension system is a boon. As it provides flexibility to overcome any road conditions.

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The Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (S.I.R.S.) is yet another component in the 800DE that supports optimization. It consists of 5 riding modes enabled through the ride by wire technology. The most exciting of these is the "Gravel Mode". As the name suggests, it aids riders to navigate gravel roads. It provides an additional traction control setting that delays the ignition in its parallel twin engine. This generates some slip on rugged terrains. Mode 1 and Mode 2 suit good and average road conditions. While Mode 3 is for poor or slippery roads. Experienced riders looking to showcase their advanced techniques, or go for a little race, can opt to disable all traction controls including the rear ABS. This will give the pro-riders more control over throttle response and power delivery.

The first thing that anyone notices about a new motorcycle is its aesthetics. When a motorcycle enthusiast enters a showroom, the visual appeal of a motorcycle motivates him to inquire more. The 800DE comes in three color variations, all capable to grab attention and encourage inquiry. These variants are Glass Matte Mechanical Gray (QT7), Champion Yellow No. 2 (YU1) and Glass Sparkle Black (YVB). The aesthetics of the motorcycle takes inspiration from Suzuki DR750S "Big". This model is popular in Suzuki's history since Paris-Dakar legend Gaston Rahier pioneered the race versions in the 80s Dakar rallies. The 800DS blends this historic design with a modern LED headlight setup similar to the GSX 8S and GSX S1000. The overall design also emphasizes adventure, as it looks more rugged than the V-Strom 650. Both young riders and veterans will love this design.

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A motorcycle that has adventure-oriented features, but does not feel comfortable on the road is no good. The 800DE realizes this and crafts its design ergonomically. A straight-out adventure tourer and off-roader would have a contradicting ergonomic design. But the 800DE supplements both. Unlike other off-roaders, it does not have a high seat. The seat comes in at 33.7 inches, compared to 34.7 inches in its competitors KTM 890 Adventure R and Yamaha Ténéré 700. The engine also has a short length. These characteristics allow riders to sit further forward than on other adventure tourers. This gives them better control on tough terrains and corners. Finally, ergonomics in the 800DE ensures a lot of fun, as it makes it suitable for riders to stand and ride.

Like other components, the 800DE provides electronic aids according to current trends. It consists of a 5-inch TFT color dash similar to the 1050DE and GSX-S1000. The TFT LCD comes with adjustable brightness and a crisp display. This enables riders with easy access to information. But it does more than that. Its switchgear has a rocker and mode buttons for riders to provide inputs across 22 different categories. Riders are able to navigate between the 5 driving modes through these. The DE800 also comes with a quick-shifter for seamless and clutchless upshifts during acceleration, which is accessible through the TFT. Apart from these high specs, what does a modern explorer on a long tour need? The answer is a USB port to charge their phones and power their GPS units. And yes, the 800DE covers that too, with a slot that provides 5.0 VDC at a maximum current of 2.0A.

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The 800DE offers its riders quality accessories that enhance the touring and off-roading experience. The Adventure variant of the 800DE offers two bash guards, two side cases, and a strong alloy skid plate for better protection on rugged terrains. It also has quick-release black-anodized 37L aluminum panniers that give the riders the freedom to explore the wild instantaneously. Fog lights and alloy or plastic cases are available for some extra dollars. For those who travel long journeys, a brand-new set of aluminum luggage is purchasable too. The 800 DE's base variant also does not disappoint. It offers more accessories than its rivals. These include spoked rims and hand guards.

The middleweight adventure category is a populated market. With various options available, Suzuki offers the 800DE at a competitive price. Its base variant starts at $11,349. That is about $1200 cheaper than the base variant of the KTM 890. It is also more affordable than BMW F 850 GS at $12,595, and Aprilia's Tuareg 660 at $12,299. Yahama prices the Ténéré 700 cheaper in the segment at only $10,499. But riders must compromise in power in comparison to the 800DE. While the adventure variant of KTM 890 cost $13,949, the 800DE Adventure comes at only $12,999. For that price, riders get the exclusive Glass Sparkle Black model.

Ayush Dhungel is a researcher with over 6 years of professional experience writing for international research institutions. He is a motorcycle enthusiast, and loves riding especially in the himalayan region. His writings are a blend of expetise and passion.