Honda Transalp vs Suzuki V-Strom 800 – Comparison Test | ADV Motorcycle Ride & Review

Two hot new adventure bikes from two of the biggest names in motorcycling: the 2024 Honda Transalp XL750 and the 2023 Suzuki V-Strom DL800. They're both great bikes, but they have different characters. Enjoy!

Ride safer with a motorcycle airbag from Helite! 10% off with the code "dailymotor"

#transalp #vstrom #motorcycle #honda #suzuki

[cranedaddy]

I mostly agree with you.
The two biggest differences are the suspension and power delivery. The 800de is more of a cruiser style power delivery as in the meat of the power band is lower in the rpm range just where you need it for 99% of the time. For example 31:39 you stalled the TA on that hill and also compare how they make a top gear pull on the highway. The 800de was noticeably quicker. For the 800de 15:56 and the Honda 36:29.
Air filter location is under the seat on the 800de and you can remove the snorkels for a free hp or two across the rpm range in just 5 min. You'll be pulling the ferrings and gas tank to get to the air filter on the Honda.
Overall pretty good review man.

[TastesGoodOnTheBun]

Local dealers here are asking MSRP for the Transalp - $9, 999 + taxes and fees and offering the Vstrom 800 DE for $8999 or $10, 100 OTD including all taxes and fees. That's a significant difference in price even considering the 800 DE original was about $1300.00 more MSRP if I remember correctly.

[BjörnStenbom]

I can inform you that v-strom 800 DE with quickshifter is around 700 dollars cheaper than the transalp 750 without quickshifter here in Sweden.

[djessbolan]

After reviewing Tenere, Transalp, and Vstrom - I ended up with 800DE.
This is my take, im not experienced or anything like that, but just a feel from someone who’s 6’6 tall (around 197cm).

Tenere was the most exciting to look at. But more expensive, and more off-road focused.
V-Strom I was struck by its beauty, I really really fell in love with this bike, especially the colors too - champion yellow. Bike was amazingly comfortable, it felt so natural to me and it was literally a perfect fit. And now that I’m riding it, I stay comfortable the whole time, and it inspires confidence.
And transalp sits in the middle somehow, it’s okay looking, still comfortable, but dash less attractive than v stroms. However, I really didn’t like the paint color.

Definitely not regretting my choice, however I might be buying Tenere in few years for more off-road adventures!

[QuinnBoone]

Window tint, loud exhaust, flashy paint, accessories imo are all cop/, attention magnets.
In my case I like stealth and quiet normalcy in my vehicles in general..
The less attention I get, the better I like!

[KirkKreifels]

Such a close call! Pick the one that looks best 😂

[Marcepan]

In my opinion, the 800de is not top heavy, it feels much lighter and more agile than the T7 in offroad.

[terrellgarren]

Good review. Appreciated the emphasis on the riding experience as opposed to the specs. With reviews like this, one can feel fairly confident purchasing a bike without a test ride. I've recently acquired a VSTROM 1050XT and a R1200RT based on YouTube reviews. Both were exactly what I anticipated.

[kevinsterner]

I have a deposit on a Transalp. The main reason I chose it was the weight and how much lighter it feels than the Suzuki. I am trading in my 2017 Africa Twin which is also top heavy.

[emfl]

This was a great review, a practical review for how most if us will be riding. I also appreciate the comparison with lane splitting. I really enjoyed it

[IdealBike]

After riding both bikes and owning a Transalp 750 I can definitely say the Transalp has more power and it feels quicker on the turns (in Europe we have 92 HP on the Transalp). The V-strom has better and more comfortable suspension but it's heavy as hell on the off-roads when you try to move it at lower speeds. The gearbox seems more precise at the V-strom but the Quickshifter works perfectly on the Transalp. So far I'm enjoying my Transalp. Greetings from Romania 👍

[richardcasey]

I’ve had my ‘24 Transalp, for a month now and love it for its light weight and snappy engine performance. I intend to use it 100% on pavement.

[musikerman]

Good review, thanks! I think you nailed the difference well - being a fresh V-strom 800 owner after 650, the bigger weight and size make it better on-road and travelling vehicle, which you pointed out perfectly. In Finland the roads are in such a terrible shape, that you need some of the off-road abilities also riding on sand or tarmac...

[Hookmeister]

I didn’t test ride the V Storm but I’ve owned my Transalp for two months now and LOVE IT! Recently a friend with a KLR 650 and I went riding in a National Forest. I dropped the air pressures down to 20lbs and the bike was amazing. I went through three rather long water crossings 12” to 18”, encountered plenty of dirt, gravel, mud, water holes, etc and was blown away with how well it handled all of it. I also own a DR-Z 400.

[Ridesfar]

Excellent review of both bikes! I went for the Vstrom 800SE as I do mostly road travels. I also have owned two DL1000 Vstroms so I'm a fan. I am keeping my Triumph Tiger 850s as I find it to be a completely different experience with the triple. Both bikes are a major fun factor and I can do some long distance easier on the Vstrom than the Tiger.

[markjones]

Good review man. Appreciate it! Subbed.

[JayBee-crjm]

2:48 . I feel the bike carries its weight very, very low. I had a Tiger 800XC and that bike had a much higher center of gravity. It weighed 474lbs but always feel much heavier than that as well as much heavier than the V-Strom 800DE. My '22 KLR also feels much heavier when coming off the side-stand. I think Suzuki did an exceptional job keeping the weight low.

[CraigSmith]

I wish they offered the TransAlp in the White with Red and Blue here in the U.S. For me personally the matte finish needs to be a thing of the past.

[sphyrnidus]

Thank you for the comparison. I had a 650 and my wife has one too. I got a good deal on the Vstrom 800 so I went with that. Now I'm a tall guy (194 cm) and also not to light weight. The Vstrom suits me fine when riding on roads, but I bottom out the suspension quite often. I have it maxed out and still... I use the bike for travelling an do ride it off-road too. So I'm going to upgrade that. Otherwise, after putting 10k km on it in one 2 month trip, I'm quite impressed with the capabilities of this bike. My wife, who is of course smaller might suit the Honda better as the Vstrom is a little tall for her to ride.

[Bill]

I traded my portly Honda CTX1300 for the TransAlp. I love it! A totally different type of riding for me. I live in Western North Carolina. The bike was made for this area. It handles great in the twisties. I look forward to taking it to the Dragon.