Suzuki surprised the motorcycles press late last year when it revealed an all-new parallel-twin platform that was to power an off-road focussed middleweight adventure bike, entering a category that is increasingly competitive and dominated by the likes of the Yamaha Tenere 700 and KTM 890 Adventure.
The Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, the first of its kind to draw power from a parallel-twin rather than a V-twin engine (the V stands for Versatile, according to Suzuki), therefore has big shoes to fill and stiff competition from established rivals.
Does it have what it takes? INFO MOTO recently crossed the ditch to trial the new V-Strom 800DE on- and off-road in some of the most demanding conditions New Zealand has to offer. Watch the video here…
What we like:
- Great motor
- Good value
- Versatile chassis
Room for improvement:
- Should have cruise control
- Windscreen hard to adjust
- Tubeless tyres please
2023 Suzuki V-Strom price and specs
Suzuki has launched its new V-Strom 800DE, a new middleweight adventure bike landing around the same time as the new Honda XL750 Transalp, priced from $18,590 rideaway.
While the parallel-twin-powered V-Strom 800DE is likely to eventually succeed its V-twin-motivated V-Strom 650XT sibling, both will remain on sale in 2023 with the latter offered in both LAMS and full-power configurations from $14,990.
The new V-Strom 800DE was unveiled at the EICMA motorcycle show last year alongside the new GSX-8S, with both bikes drawing power from a new 62kW/78Nm 776cc parallel-twin motor, signalling the discontinuation of the brand’s ageing V-twin powerplant.
The bike takes on familiar, yet refreshed styling, with dirt-focussed components like a 21-inch front hoop, Showa suspension (220mm travel), wide tapered handlebars and switchable ABS (rear only).
Other key features include hand adjustable preload for the rear suspension, twin 310mm front brake discs, a 20-litre fuel tank and Dunlop Trailmax dual-purpose tyres on the 21- and 17-inch wire spoked wheels (front-to-rear).
The bike also benefits from a special ‘Gravel’ traction control mode, a 5.0-inch TFT screen, full LED lighting, three-way adjustable windscreen, a USB port as well as an up/down quickshifter fitted as standard.
As well as the current middleweight adventure bike heavy hitters like the Yamaha Tenere 700 and KTM 890 Adventure, the new Suzuki V-Strom 800DE will surely compete with the incoming Honda Transalp which similarly features a new parallel twin (755cc) engine making 67.5kW and 75Nm.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
