Why I Bought The Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE

In this video, I tell you the reasons I bought the new Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE.

0:00 Intro
0:26 Comfort
1:30 Fuel range
1:56 Pillion comfort
2:16 Off-road capability
2:55 Low cost and reliability
3:25 Weight
3:53 Alternatives I looked at
4:48 Good things I've learned since I bought it
6:18 Bad things I've learned
7:46 What's to come

[trailrider]

Happy vstrom 800 de owner here. Also had a bad experience with ktm. The vstrom has been flawless, 7000 miles of joy.

[UncleWally]

Cumulatively on three V-Strom DL650’s I rode well over 230 000 trouble free kilometers. I can’t see the new 800DE being any less reliable. I still own other more expensive and “better” bikes but the old V-Strom will always hold a special place in my memories . . .

[fuglbird]

I'm 66 and got a used SV650 in May. It's 30 kg lighter and 125 mm shorter than big brother. After 2800 km I'm quite happy with it.

[falchiherve]

25 000km on mine on south of a Best i have ever had!!

[stoatsngroatsuk]

It’s a great bike, I bought one despite the minor issues many people are concerned about. Vibes/CC/heat etc, but it doesn’t cause me issues - I love it 😀🙏

[martinpotts]

Having watch numerous reviews on this bike I have to say this one, without the usual BS of paid reviewers and the pseudo knowledge of many would be content producers, this one absolutely nailed it for me - concise, up sides and down sides to short term ownership so far and as it happens, as I am heading this way from a distavorous couple of years with Aprilia, this review ticks of all of the boxes I was hoping it would. Test ride later today so let's see if that gives me the extra push to buy. Thanks

[zudosmg]

Also a happy 800DE owner. Traded my 19/MT09 for it. Its been a great bike and definitely what I was after. I just installed a Full Arrow exhaust/Sprint AF/Stage 2 AB Mod/Tune/Crash Bars/Skid Plate/Center Stand and rear hard cases over the winter here on Vancouver Island. I just started getting it out in April here to test all the mods. That thing is a beast now. If your itching for something on cruise control the Kaoko Throttle Lock works well enough and is very easy to install/use. I will most likely upgrade to an electronic one if they make it down the road.

I road the new Vstrom 1050 the same day and actually chose the 800 for the engine. It felt better to me, spun up faster, the P-twin is more forgiving in higher gears and low revs where I found the 1050 is more sluggish and you have to drop the gear.

Hope you enjoy yours!

[etruscanadv]

I tried the 800 de last week. Lovely engine, a lot of torque and very quiet. However, the vibration through the footpegs after 5000 rpm, the lack of cruise control, tubeless wheels, and the engine heat made me opt to keep my KTM 790. The engine heat for me was the major issue, it was much more than my 790.

[carlosvejar]

I got the RE and I thoroughly enjoy it

[mattbaran]

I do have SE version, and love it so far. Enjoy your new bike and ride safe

[sheafrank]

It's true that the bike is amazing!. I can ride to work enjoying a sunrise. Then lean in on a merge for some thrill . Then go.mudding after work all in one day .

[johannilsson]

Good choice! Congratulations! Haha low power?! I come from a Zzr 1400 and i have more fun on my v-strom 800 de because the storm has the “right” power delivered exactly when you want it. I whas stunned by the engine on my first test ride and i still am . I have grown up from bikes where you only can use the the power looking at the spec sheet!

[pw]

Can't really beat an Adventure bike for all round abilities, and a comfortable seating position, and Japanese for peace of mind and reliability. I have a Tenere 700, always looking at other bikes and have test ridden a few, but so far I've always been glad to get back on the Yamaha. I'm sure the Suzuki is also an excellent bike, just not sure about the looks personally. I will also never buy another KTM, how are they still in business ? Their reputation for reliability has never been great, but it seems to be getting worse rather than better.

[kkiwi]

"Relatively low powered bike" - back in the day two of the most powerful/largest capacity bikes were the Kawasaki 750 H2 (70hp) and Z1 900 (85hp) 😮 😅

[TheDennzio]

Yep sounds like it’s up my alley after selling the Honda RR.

[MikeK]

Great motorcycle (great performance to cost factor).

[RideFree]

I had the DL 650 . Didn't come with rad guard .after i saw where something had hit the top of radiator i ordered a rad guard straight away . Was a good bike . no issues

[nickthebig]

great video, thank you, you helped me a lot to choose motorcycles. Thank you again .

[klausgromenauer]

Now I know why you didn't like the GT. This bike is enormously different. Hope you enjoy it a lot.

[kkhalifah]

I don't even have any serious off-road pretences, so I tend to dislike 21" wheels preferring 19" ones for their better on-road manners. So, the 800RE would have definitely been my choice if it had come out 3 years ago before I bought my Tiger 850. Mid capacity ADVs are perfect for the daily commute, long-distance tours and the occasional jaunts on dirt/gravel roads.... not to mention climbing up and down the kerbs in the city.