P104
COMPARISON I SUZUKI V-STROM 800 & V-STROM 800DE
WRAPUP
We were thrilled to finally spend
some quality time on the Suzuki
V-Strom 800 and V-Strom 800DE
models. The motor is impressive,
and both bikes have great
features for their price points.
The motor's performance, quick-
shift, and electronic adjustability
put the Suzuki V-Strom 800 at or
near the front of the ADV pack
among any other bike close to this
price point if you will primarily ride
on the pavement and do only minor
forays into the dirt (too bad you
can't deactivate the rear ABS). It
is comfortable, capable, and very
fun on the road, and it can explore
maintained dirt roads with ease.
The Suzuki V-Strom 800DE has
more competition in the off-road
capable 21-inch front wheel mid-
sized ADV category. If you prefer
a somewhat lower seat height on
your off-road ADV bike, the V-Strom
800DE will allow your feet to touch
the ground a little easier than most
other bikes. The motor is among
the best in the category at any price
point but with a ready-to-ride weight
of 510 pounds, it is on the heavy side
(about 40 pounds more than a Ya
-
maha Tenere 700 and 60 more than
an Aprilia Tuareg with a small portion
of that extra weight due to more fuel
capacity). It feels a little heavy, and
the suspension is a little mushy com-
pared to those bikes that are similar
in price (and very soft compared to
the more off-road-focused KTM 890
Adventure R, which also has a $4k
higher MSRP). However, with a bit
of fine-tuning of the suspension, the
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE would be on
par with some of those other higher-
cost alternatives.
CN
Both bikes are excellent motorcycles, but the "standard" 800 is tough to beat when you figure in its excellent $9899 MSRP.
