Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1531151
P66 FEATURE I SUZUKI V-STROM 800DE PROJECT BUILD On the stock 800DE, the shock features a remote preload adjust knob (pretty cool), but this knob attaches to the pas - senger footpeg mount, mean- ing we can't simply remove the passenger pegs (pretty uncool). All we would need are two bolts in order to relocate this remote knob, but you won't find many options for this very simple mod (incredibly uncool). Fortunately, we found a solution from the Hessler Rallye Team (HRT) out of Germany. HRT has long spe - cialized in Suzuki V-Strom off- road builds, and has come up with a number of kits and acces- sories for the 800DE, including this coveted bracket to relocate the preload knob. We also found a tail-tidy kit (rear fender elimi- nator, which HRT calls the Des- ert Express Rear 2.0) and Scott's steering stabilizer mount on the HRT website. Obtaining these parts from our Deutschland friends wasn't easy, or cheap, since HRT does not distribute in the USA. Instructions were obscure at best, and were also only in German-language You - Tube videos. Completing these final steps in our build involved some inventive machine work to Adventure Mir- ror Kit version 2.0 from Dou- bletake adds a nice touch to the cockpit. The easily adjust - able mirrors can be quickly tucked away for when the going gets rough. Ergonomic improve- ments continued with new footpegs, and we looked to IMS for an upgrade in this area. For an adventure project, we might have opted for the ADV I or ADV II oversize pegs from IMS, but since our goal here is to up the off-road ante, we wanted some - thing grippy, sturdy and out of the way. So, we went with the moto-style Core Enduro pegs. From this point, we wanted to focus on tightening up the chas- sis, as well as adding a steer- ing stabilizer. This is where the aftermarket got incredibly slim, and our build got more compli - cated. After bumping up our perfor- mance, we focused on adding protection. A major visual and protective transformation came with the addition of crash bars and a skid plate. We had a num - ber of options to choose from in this department and decided on SRC Moto. The upper and lower crash bars bolt up nicely with the skid plate on the 800DE for a clean look, and SRC also threw in the trick-looking head - light guard for the full setup. SRC Moto crash bars come with resin slider guards that clamp on right where the DE will (inevi- tably) hit the ground. Someday. Doubletake mirrors were a no- brainer, as they are on just about any dual-sport or ADV bike. The Gotta protect the glass. (Top left) The 800DE (all Suzukis, actually) responds well to rider input, so having a positive grip on the footpegs is a big plus. We went with IMS Core Enduro footpegs. (Left) After swapping out the handlebar, we made sure to reinstall the weighted bar ends for better road comfort.