Just purchased the Steel Green one in the US! Should be able to pick it up soon and put some miles on it. Great review and looking forward to this new ride. This will be my 3rd Vstrom (2 previous DL1000 bikes) and I had high mileage and total reliability on both.
Hi, what about the difference between 1.000 and 800? What did you miss and what gained in the change? The 1.000 has a wonderful engine and it's very comfortable. Thx
@simonemazzei8099 , the DL100 was a great bike. The difference I notice is weight. I have plenty enough power but at almost 72 yrs young now, I needed something lighter. It handles well and I can push it around the garage easier. Also, less money!
@@markfisher2683, there was a Black one but it had the tour package included. I wanted to add my own accessories so I went with the Sea Green. I really like it!
Great to see Suzuki bringing out this version. I love the 800DE just don’t need the off road focus. The RE version looks like it will suit my riding. Thanks for detailed review too.
A very good review, I really like your humble and personable style and the fact you picked up on a few points that other reviewers missed. I have to wonder why these press launch rides have to set such a fast pace, often forcing the riders up to their maximum skill level just to keep up and not allowing them a chance for a proper appraisal of the bike itself, beyond its ability to keep them alive. All very well for the ride leader to show off on roads he knows so well but a bit inconsiderate to the rest of you. Anyway, I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger on the DE as this RE has addressed pretty much all the issues I had with it. A test ride is on the cards soon, hopefully.
Appreciate that, thank you. Hope you like the bike. Personally, I love a fast test ride - but I have 100% respect for everyone's opinion because everyone rides differently and has different priorities. So if someone on the launch doesn't ride like a wannabe racer, their opinion is just as valid - more, probably. Also it's worth pointing out no-one is forcing anyone to ride out of their comfort zone on a launch! The system is simple - we ride as a group, the lead rider sets a pace, there's a tail rider, and we stop at every junction to bring the group together. No-one gets left behind, no-one is required to ride in any other way than is comfortable for them - including the faster riders. So I appreciate getting a boogie-on because it's where I like riding and feel comfortable doing it. So nice one Suzuki! I get bored easily! But equally, anyone who doesn't want to pull the pin is just as accommodated. Honestly, it's a very civil and considerate environment. Hard work, mind you... :-)
If the lead rider rides slow, the pack will be riding close to each other which defeats the purpose of letting the media to ride their own pace to understand the bike better. No hard rule to get all the rider to ride fast. But if you ain’t pushing, you wont unleash the bike’s potential. As typically the majority lot of bikes ride well at slower speed
Just ridden it for half an hour around Athens and i have to admit i loved it. Forget the looks, it's absolutely versatile, nice riding position ,smooth engine, good brakes, adequate air cover. Being a Suzuki i expect it to be reliable too. It feels like a vstrom 650 but with the extra power you need and, compared to the 1050, you actually don't miss anything at low and medium revs, while you save yourself a decent amount of money! I definitely want to buy one!
I have a 2022 Vstrom 650 and I am thinking to upgrade to the 800 for the extra power. I am 188cm and the riding position on 650 is perfect for me. I took 800 for a short test ride at a dealer and noticed the slightly more forward leaning position and that my legs were bent in the knees a bit more but nothing major. Also, my other potential concern is the reliability of the engine on 800 as the one V-twin on 650 has been a workhorse for years. If you could, I would really appreciate your thoughts on that. Thanks a lot!
@@ElDudorino123 test rides give you just a small taste so any conclusion seems premature. Personally i liked it. I think we should wait for a year perhaps,so that if there are reliability issues they shall be revealed. Suzuki's reliability is legendary of course,but you never loose when you give a new model some time to prove itself.
NICE REVIEW!!! IMO, even if a person has to add $1K to $2K in accessories to get the bike right for them, it's still a heck of a lot cheaper (and would be 90% +/ - as good) compared to other adventures on the market which can cost almost twice as much.
Appreciate the video. I'll be keeping my DE but that RE is pretty sweet for it's intended use. I'll also have anxiety for the next 72 hours minimum after watching you drive that road lol!
N106 in that area is a must, so good I got 2 speeding tickets...which got filed in the bin 😂 P.S; Dig out Graham Jarvis IN(on an enduro bike)the B&B Hotel on the N106, near Ales...class
Nice review. Personally I prefer alloys and not too bothered about cruise. I have this on other bikes and rarely use. I'm disappointed that the ride Ng position isn't as relaxed as the DE though.
I'd consider it only with cruise. Adding Oxford heated grips and cases - with cruise - would be all that's needed for the 500-1000-mile rides I take a few times a year. Smart RE config for great all-rounder. Yes, Suzuki, cruise control AT LEAST as an option.
as for cruse control I dough I would ever use it, have it on my car and have not used it for years. Looking for a new bike but not sure what I am going to get. Thinking of something like the RE might be nice and a second bike for off road, but how is the RE on dirt and gravel roads as I do find my self on them quite a bit. Do not need a lot of speed but torque is what I like. The other thing is miles per tank of gas, I just want to hit the road and not worry about having to find gas stations, for at least 400 KM but 500 is my dream. Also at almost 75 do not want a to tall of a bike. I have been getting a new bike every year and this year two, would be nice to find one that is a keeper for a couple of years. One more thing I like to carry a lot so now using Trekker 33-64 hard bags. so need a bike that can handle them as they are quite heavy.
I still have my Suzuki DR650..I will be getting one of these but when I do...I won't be selling my DR65O..Suzuki for life (should be there motto...these things last forever).
Suzuki needs to give us the XT version of this bike. Spoked tubeless wheels, a belly pan and handguards. And more inspiring color schemes. Maybe next year…
appreciate your points.. like the idea of the changes suzuki gave made to adjust to more road riding. concerned about corning clearance...seat height in relation to foot pegs. glad they have set the pegs back a bit to help with leg relief.. as I find this extremely important for comfort..and back welfare after long hours of touring.. sad about no cruise and centre stand all long distance tourers need.. cheers gerry
@18:12 weeeell, a small but dedicated company down under would counter you on that statement :) And it should be much easier to fit one on the 800 than on my old 2019 650, because of the throttle by wire and all. And I think it would cost around 600 or so.
I value your opinion, Simon, and would appreciate you reflecting upon the riding feel, engine, brakes and quality of the Tiger Sport 850 versus this 800RE. This bike seems more like the Tiger 660.
Thanks Julie! Initially I was thinking of the Tiger 600 as well ... but the spec and price are closer to the Tiger 850... it's sort of in between those two, really. If you consider how vibey the 850 Sport can be, it makes it very close :-) I always feel the inline triple of the Triumph feels way more powerful than it actually is, maybe because it revs harder... but the 850 is a cracking road bike - I've had a great time riding it around... Wales, funnily enough, and the Peak District. It feels like a bigger, taller bike (in my mind) than the RE, and Triumph's perceived finish quality is pretty good (not talking about actual build or finish quality - just the impression it gives you). The Tiger 850 is definitely *wider* than the RE - three cylinders instead of two - and that extra width between the legs can be just as awkward as a taller seat height. I think the bars are wider too, and the Tiger retains more of the adventure bike feel of the Tiger 900. For that reason I think it's probably just about the more attractive bike, for me... The Tiger 660 is a fab little rev box - it's a proper pocket tall-rounder on the road, and I love how it sort of owns that category. It's basic, simple, effective. I think, in 25-30 years' time, the Tiger 660 will be quite collectable (if you want to wait that long and if we can still buy petrol etc).
@@writestuffmedia Thanks, Simon. You're insights are appreciated. Dagnammit, Triumph. You go and give the Tiger 900 more power and low down torque, a better screen and less vibes, right when I'm ready to pull the trigger on an 850. Simon, you need to rein in your British brethren! PS. You are the only moto journalist who can hold a sensible conversation at 8000 RPM. 😀
Thank you for the review Was the vibration on the handlebars and foot pegs still there now that Suzuki removed the mounting rails for the crash bars and sump guard that is present on the 800DE when you had tested the GSX 8S,you noticed it was smoother due to not having the rails is it possible the GSX 8S was revving lower at same speeds,the rear sprocket might be smaller since GSX has 525 x 118L chain and the DE and RE has 525 x 126L chain. Thanks again
Blimey, don't know how you managed to talk with any coherence and ride at that pace! Sounded like a lot of noise from that screen. Decent price but there's big competition out there. I would still take the Tiger 850
As usual great review! Having a bad back a key criteria for me is comfort over poor asphalt, potholes, etc. On the road, would you recommend the DE and their higher specs suspensions for comfort? Or do these suspensions only make sense off-road?
Really really good question. That's making me think a bit... I think, broadly speaking, no - I'm thinking hard about the experience of riding both and trying to recall which is *smoother* over bumps - and I'm not sure there is a significant difference in ride quality between the DE and RE... I mean, yes, there's a very different riding dynamic in terms of handling, as I talked about... but when it comes to pure comfort and rider quality, ummm... gosh that's tough. I mean, riding position will play a bigger part, imo. The DE is more spacious and upright, the RE more leaned over the front a bit.... now, pure upright riding positions (like the DE) for me put a lot of bodyweight directly through the spine; a slight forward lean (like the RE) spreads the load points to wrists and feet a bit more. But in terms of suspension... I think you've beaten me. I'd need a back to back test (sorry, bad choice of words :-)) to compare. My gut feeling is fewer bumps get through to the RE rider, but it'd be really, really, really marginal.
Thanks Simon! Nice feedback, the fact it is difficult to answer says a lot in itself…I’ll be testing both DE and RE (SE in France actually) on the many potholes we have in Marseille this Saturday! Will send feedback, might be relevant to others as well
@@writestuffmediaok so i tried both bikes, DE and RE, this morning. I would say that the DE felt better at absorbing potholes and most road bumps than the RE, and have plenty available in marseille…But…as you stated, the riding position of the DE does not really allow to spread the some weight through feet/wrists, while the RE a bit more. Discussing with Suzuki guys they suggested to mount a handlebar that is lower, why not? So in conclusion, no clear winner for my back, makes me wonder if a different bike with slightly more forward position and decent suspensions could fit the bill, anything comes to mind?
@@skandou012 Let me have a think. That's a really good topic to speak to a chiropractor about - get them on a series of different bikes and talk about the one that's best for posture, bad backs, shoulder injuries etc. I can see a future video in that!
Thank you Tony. A lot of people have included the Transalp in their thinking about the RE - to me, the Honda sits between the DE and the RE. The Honda's seat isn't, to my mind (or backside) as comfy as the RE (or DE for that matter) - but it's a more road-biased bike in other ways - weight balance, gearing, engine character. But it still has a 21in front and tubed rims. I think I could ride the Honda quicker on the road than the DE, but the RE would whup it on tarmac, I reckon. For the same rider. And if that matters (which it doesn't, to be honest).
I own a RE, and know the transalp. The Honda has a lazy behavior compared to the Suzuki, but the wind protection is way superior. Less vibrations on the Honda too. For highways the Honda is best suited, and for fast riding on open road, the Suzuki has more torque, more breaks and a better chassis. Additional lights are mandatory on the Suzuki, it has to be integrated in the final cost.
Great bike and i like the cast wheels,,be quite a nice bike to say that it ticks quite a few boxes including the price ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️👍 from northern Ireland
You CAN retrofit C/C...given the bike price + the C/C,still cheaper than a Trumpet...was waiting for this, Hargreaves and Mossy are the best for banter! The seat is what I'd change, but the Hessler 1 piece flat seat is over €500,ouch...and they've a small,nicer rack! Certainly on the must see list at the NEC,ticks most of my boxes,i just wonder what Honda will counter with...or there's the 2024 MT09 which is a Husqvarna looking flat tracker for around the aame money?
Well. you can actually retrofit _real_ cruise control, but it's a very involved process with a lot of wire cutting. But I'm glad that Suzuki are getting the message that we want these bikes with CC.
They want you to buy the new GSX1000T that's being launched at Eicma next week. Although for this bike, it's still a silly omission imo. However very few (any?) of the competitors have it in this category but you can bet that when one manufacturer wakes up & commits, they'll all be tripping over themselves to add it.
Meh, riding in straight lines on high speed roads isn't the height of exploration I guess...but Suzuki is clearly just gatekeeping cruise control for their top of the range models. At this point there must be a gentlemen's agreement not to include it in sub-£10k bikes because whoever adds it will just dominate the segment and cannibalise sales of more expensive machines.
@@GeshmaalHaven't looked at McCruise's website for a while, but they will do one for this bike, especially with at least 4 models pencilled in for this motor...under £500
Bit of a tangent Simon, (niggling me) but your long termer gsx-8s showing a miserable 41 mpg in reports (these twins laud efficiency as their raison d'etre), is that a good reflection of likely mpg, or do you ride it very hard?
Hi Graham, yes, as I answered above, bit of a mea culpa. I live in a part of the world where I can ride my bikes pretty much flat out for around 12 miles in every direction to actually reach civilisation (or a speed camera). So I do tend to ride a bit enthusiastically, ahem. I like big handfuls, what can I say? :-) But yes, that's completely unrepresentative of normal use and therefore entirely no use other than to show what you'd get from tank if you did a track day! MCN's long term 8R is getting 60+mpg. I suppose that gives a better idea of what it *can* do in the opposite direction. If it's any help, next week I'm riding the 8R for a tankful as 'normally' as I can, to correct the readings. It'll be written about in RiDE magazine next month.
@@writestuffmedia That's a really informative reply it's much appreciated , and I'm jealous of your location. Look forward to reading the upcoming update on the 8 in Ride. Many thanks.
Hello. How would you describe or suggest the RE is to mild offroading, i mean, not in the direct comparison to DE , but in general - can the cast wheel and tubless tires can handle some bit of off roading, on not the roughest terrain .. i'm a bit crossed between getting DE or RE hence the question
Thanks for this review, this is a bike on my radar for my next choice, but, Did you only get 130miles out of a tank because you were pushing on or because the economy is that poor? Would like to try one for my commute but don’t wanna be filling up twice a week haha!
I've got to put my hands up here - I'm guilty of riding in a *very* fuel inefficient manner most of the time. I'm sorry, I was born that way - but I find it really really hard to ride slowly enough to get a *normal* fuel figure. I've always been ham-fisted with the throttle and I like riding, er, enthusiastically! So apologies - Suzuki's p-twin is pretty efficient and I'm certain with a 20-litre tank we could get 160-180, more, easily, from the tank.
Haha! Thanks for the honest feedback, I do get everyone’s use cases are different but even 200 miles from a 20 litre tank wouldn’t be convenient for me as I’d use it mainly for my commute to work and I can’t be arsed with faffing about at filling stations twice a week.
I really don't understand why all this mid weight adventure/road bikes comparisons all forgot the BWM F800GS 2023/24. Is there something that is escaping me?!
I saw a video on the same bike a very well known you tuber and he said about 80 to 85 mph there is a small percentage of vibration , to me is no big deal! cheers! 😊
But a V85TT is still a Grand more expensive than a V-Strom 800 RE fitted with aftermarket C/C...are I'd rather have Suzuki's renowned reliability! Taureg isn't in the same class of machine!
@@williamrae9954 my V85Tt serviced by myself has done 25000. Trouble free miles, has shaft drive, a 23lutre 300mile tank and nobody pays the asking price? Imo looks better than the Vstrom. Braised me? Ok of course, but all facts are true.
@@rog5150V85TT looks great and the shaft is fantastic feature but this is very oudated bike. I liked almost nothing in that. But yes, u're right - cruise controll should be a must (this is just a matter of few dollars more in reallity). All these bikes are too budget nowadays.
For under 10k, it's not bad. First thing I'd do is take my sawzall and get rid of the beak..I'm guessing it will run around 119 mph. That's way faster than I'd be willing to go. Great review of the Suzuki 👍. Definitely not what I'm going for though. Pretty sure yamaha hasn't made any announcements on the 2024 Mt 10 yet. Hoping to see you review it soo
If this had come out 2.5 years ago, I probably wouldn't have gone for my Tiger 850 as I wasn't as familiar with Triumphs as I was with Suzukis (used to own a GSXR).
Doesn't the bike seem to be a little (I mean a lot) overpriced for what you get compared to the naked bikes? If you put a screen on the 8S for £100, what would you be lacking? The Tiger Sport 660 is much cheaper and probably has better handling. You could buy a MT09 for the same price and save up for a screen. I genuinely don't get the point of the bike, at all. Excellent vlog, thanks. I've just got a Hornet. The one you didn't like in the group test. It's fabulous, and so much better than the Suzuki and Yam. The 790 is a cut above, no question. But, will it start on a broody winter morning????
At first glance you think "nice bike". But when you look at the details, you start to wonder what Suzuki was trying to achieve. We already have a typical road motorcycle with this engine from Suzuki. We also have an adventure motorcycle - DE. There is so much room for improvement in DE; excessive heat from the engine, vibrations, front shock absorber diving, tubes thrown out of the wheels, no wind protection, very heavy weight. The RE position is not comfortable for long-distance travel and prefers people with short stature. The RE is not a cheaper bike than DE. It is more expensive if we take into account the wheels without spokes, a lower quality fork, no engine protection (poor as standard, but still), no hand protection.
Yes, I agree about the DE's roomier riding position. I should have mentioned it. But equally, I think Suzuki are just broadening the 800 platform's appeal - so it's an 800 version for people who want the practicality of the V-Strom without the 21in front, tubed rims, tall seat height... but want a better riding position and more wind protection and more luggage-ability than the GSX-8S. So it sits between the two and makes sense from that point of view.
I can't understand why European riders desire cruise control. Yes for a car, but bikers should really be on the type of road (such as these roads in France) where it makes no sense. STOP asking manufacturers for more electronic controls that takes away skill and enjoyment and adds more to the cost.
When I go for a day ride, I usually head out through slower twisty B roads, and come back at the end of the day on the highway. The CC is useful for that part of the ride, when you're tired and just want to get home. Plus it's good for radar zones.
TFT's have been pretty crap for a while, but the brightness and clarity has been getting more refined in recent years. Before that, the analogue displays were far more legible in all light, dust, etc.
It’s a hard sell when the basic 900 Yamaha Tracer comes with cruise control, a 6 axis IMU, comes in at just shy of £10k. It has so much more performance and is lighter.
@@Steve-motorcycles you might be able to get a deal somewhere, but a 2024 Tracer 9 is listed at £11,010 otr - which is £1400 more than the RE - now, for that £1400 you get that insanely wonderful inline triple which I put in my top 2 of best current motorcycle engines, a seriously serious chassis, fully adj suspension, hand guards, adjustable screen... I *think* you get cruise... But it's £1400 more (list - deals are deals). So it's not in the same class, really, to my mind.
Well, I was interested until the no cruise control. With the amount of speed cameras point to point cameras on the roads now you need it . Deal breaker ,I will look elsewhere
Agree for the same reasons! Cruise control certainly helps in speed sensitive areas, to concentrate on safety rather than constantly checking my speedo.
If you’d want to have the crashbars on the bike, or the skidplate, LED lights, you have to buy the accessory shackle costing 339 euro’s. Imo the DE is still the best buy. Also it’s seat hight is lower, and for a tall rider as I am, the height of the DE was one of the reasons i chose that bike. But maybe I’m biased because I own the DE 😂.
Actually, that's a really good point I didn't think about, but I heard someone else mention it at the launch - that for every rider who appreciates the lower seat height of the RE, there'll be a rider for whom the riding position is just a bit *too* cramped... I think I fall into that category too.
@@writestuffmedia im in the market for a DE or a RE. im around 190cm tall. i dont do any off road riding so the RE model fits my style better, but i am unsure if i am to tall for it. What would your recommendation be? Love the reviews, you guys at Bikesocial are my go to review channel!
Very nice review but, yes there is but which is always the Triumph name crips in. Come on Simon we love you and appreciate your professionalism but for the sake of keeping things right this is Suzuki’s slot of veiw🤭
Nice review. It seems like a really decent solid bike but I find it quite uninspiring visually. The design & colours are a bit bland imo. However I haven't seen it in reality yet or ridden it so I could well change my mind I guess.
If it was the cfmoto it would come with cruise, adjustable wind-shield, luggage, heated seat, full adjustable front\ rear suspension, crash-bars, 15 more bhp and £500 back. Suzuki left a lot off their parts list.
Yes it was, but I've refined my thoughts a bit since then. I've done big miles on both the V-Strom 800 DE and the GSX-8S since those videos, and I can say this: The parallel twin DOES have more vibes than you'd expect given its balancers - I would say it's more than rival parallel twins. The vibes are fairly high-pitched and feel roughly twice engine speed - not the quite pleasant, lumpy 270° vibration of a p-twin pretending to be a v-twin. Most of the time they aren't aggravating or even very noticeable (at least to me - everyone is different) but I *do* notice them on long motorway rides, mainly through the pegs, getting stronger around 5000rpm, sort of 'peaking' at 6000rpm, then fading out as the revs get higher (although 6000rpm in top is, like, over 80mph I think). When I rode the 800 DE to Wales recently, there was very little motorway and dual carriageway - it was mostly country roads - and I didn't notice vibration once the entire trip. In fact I remember being a bit surprised (and relieved) that it didn't bother me. But when I rode the GSX-8S down the motorway to an airport recently, I could feel vibes through the pegs - worse if I rode with my soles flat on the pegs - if I rode on tip-toes, it was better. To be honest, I found the seat actually bothered me the most - the GSX-8S isn't built to sit on a motorway! I don't know if this helps. The RE felt the same - you can feel the vibes, they are strongest (to me) at motorway cruising speeds, but they aren't a particular problem for me. Ultimately you have to experience it for yourself. My gut feeling is it's a non-issue for most riders. I've ridden bikes that vibrate more and no-one's really complained about them (although it's hard to say, sometimes - I'm not party to every owner's forum!). And I've ridden bikes I had no problem with that other riders give back as unridable!
@@writestuffmedia Thank you very much for taking time to answer explain. This was very helpful and I'm sure will help many others. I bought the 800DE a couple months ago and I definitely notice the vibes. Was thinking of switching to RE if that issue was resolved but it looks like it's there to stay on these engines. Still not horrible as you said but good to know what your getting into. Thanks again!
@@writestuffmedia It's a tad strange why this is the case with the Suzuki engine, when other bikes like Yamaha's CP2 is very smooth up until at least 5/8 revs, and it's using a single counterbalance shaft. KTM runs twin shafts, and while it's been a while since I've been on one, I don't remember feeling buzz as a stand out aspect of the ride. Maybe it's the nature of running a much less oversquare bore/stroke ratio? What is the Honda 750 Hornet like for vibration, as it is nearly the same engine displacement? I know that is more oversquare compared to the Suzuki. Sometimes also, I think the factory develops an engine to be quite smooth, and after emissions equipment is bolted on and the ECU faddled with to pass compliance, the engines pick up unwanted frequencies that weren't there in the factory design. Not all vibration comes from the moving internal engine parts, some of it comes from combustion processes that are less than perfect, and "compliant" exhaust systems that modify the pressure waves to unfortunate outcomes. I had a 2011 FZ1 Yamaha that was quite buzzy in factory form, and after a full exhaust and ECU reflash, it lost at least 70% of felt vibration, it was remarkable the difference that made.
Well, when Suzuki planned the bike four years ago, a) it wasn't standard as this price point (and still isn't) and b) it just didn't figure as important to meet their intended price target for the bike. Honda's Transalp hasn't got cruise, the Tiger 850 Sport hasn't, Tiger 660 hasn't, the old V-Strom 650 hasn't etc
@@writestuffmedia price point...well add 350 and offer it as an option.... It's a lack of forethought by their planning dept. Blind Freddie could have seen that cruise was filtering down from the heavyweight models four years ago.
This is the Vstrom 800 I wanted. Don’t go properly off-road, don’t like tubes, don’t mind slightly more basic suspension. Will have to give this a go.
+1
Ditto my exact sentiment and ride habits.
Yep. I wondered if we'd get a roadie version
+2
Totally agree. If they'd have launched this earlier I may not have bought the Honda NT1100 🤔
I've watched Simon on many Bennetts BikeSocial videos, but never appreciated until now that he is a VERY skilled rider. Well done!
Fastest review of the RE yet. So it handles then. Fantastic touring bike, love it. Thanks for your experience.
Just purchased the Steel Green one in the US! Should be able to pick it up soon and put some miles on it. Great review and looking forward to this new ride. This will be my 3rd Vstrom (2 previous DL1000 bikes) and I had high mileage and total reliability on both.
Enjoy! Good going. On my 3rd 'Strom mmyself
Hi, what about the difference between 1.000 and 800?
What did you miss and what gained in the change?
The 1.000 has a wonderful engine and it's very comfortable.
Thx
@simonemazzei8099 , the DL100 was a great bike. The difference I notice is weight. I have plenty enough power but at almost 72 yrs young now, I needed something lighter. It handles well and I can push it around the garage easier. Also, less money!
Was that the only color offered?
@@markfisher2683, there was a Black one but it had the tour package included. I wanted to add my own accessories so I went with the Sea Green. I really like it!
Great to see Suzuki bringing out this version. I love the 800DE just don’t need the off road focus. The RE version looks like it will suit my riding. Thanks for detailed review too.
That last 5 minutes or so was probably the most well presented review/summation I’ve seen.
A very good review, I really like your humble and personable style and the fact you picked up on a few points that other reviewers missed. I have to wonder why these press launch rides have to set such a fast pace, often forcing the riders up to their maximum skill level just to keep up and not allowing them a chance for a proper appraisal of the bike itself, beyond its ability to keep them alive. All very well for the ride leader to show off on roads he knows so well but a bit inconsiderate to the rest of you. Anyway, I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger on the DE as this RE has addressed pretty much all the issues I had with it. A test ride is on the cards soon, hopefully.
Appreciate that, thank you. Hope you like the bike.
Personally, I love a fast test ride - but I have 100% respect for everyone's opinion because everyone rides differently and has different priorities. So if someone on the launch doesn't ride like a wannabe racer, their opinion is just as valid - more, probably.
Also it's worth pointing out no-one is forcing anyone to ride out of their comfort zone on a launch! The system is simple - we ride as a group, the lead rider sets a pace, there's a tail rider, and we stop at every junction to bring the group together. No-one gets left behind, no-one is required to ride in any other way than is comfortable for them - including the faster riders. So I appreciate getting a boogie-on because it's where I like riding and feel comfortable doing it. So nice one Suzuki! I get bored easily! But equally, anyone who doesn't want to pull the pin is just as accommodated. Honestly, it's a very civil and considerate environment. Hard work, mind you... :-)
That was in KPH, wasn't really that fast,80kph is only 50mph,no quicker than a ride myself
I reset the clocks to mph 😁
@@writestuffmedia 😄
If the lead rider rides slow, the pack will be riding close to each other which defeats the purpose of letting the media to ride their own pace to understand the bike better.
No hard rule to get all the rider to ride fast. But if you ain’t pushing, you wont unleash the bike’s potential. As typically the majority lot of bikes ride well at slower speed
Just ridden it for half an hour around Athens and i have to admit i loved it. Forget the looks, it's absolutely versatile, nice riding position ,smooth engine, good brakes, adequate air cover. Being a Suzuki i expect it to be reliable too. It feels like a vstrom 650 but with the extra power you need and, compared to the 1050, you actually don't miss anything at low and medium revs, while you save yourself a decent amount of money! I definitely want to buy one!
I have a 2022 Vstrom 650 and I am thinking to upgrade to the 800 for the extra power. I am 188cm and the riding position on 650 is perfect for me. I took 800 for a short test ride at a dealer and noticed the slightly more forward leaning position and that my legs were bent in the knees a bit more but nothing major. Also, my other potential concern is the reliability of the engine on 800 as the one V-twin on 650 has been a workhorse for years. If you could, I would really appreciate your thoughts on that. Thanks a lot!
@@ElDudorino123 test rides give you just a small taste so any conclusion seems premature. Personally i liked it. I think we should wait for a year perhaps,so that if there are reliability issues they shall be revealed. Suzuki's reliability is legendary of course,but you never loose when you give a new model some time to prove itself.
Thanks a lot for the feedback.
I don't know how one could speak so calmly while maintaining such a blistering pace! I was nervous just watching.
NICE REVIEW!!! IMO, even if a person has to add $1K to $2K in accessories to get the bike right for them, it's still a heck of a lot cheaper (and would be 90% +/ - as good) compared to other adventures on the market which can cost almost twice as much.
Thanks! Yeah, accessories skew the prices and sometimes it's hard to compare like with like.
Appreciate the video. I'll be keeping my DE but that RE is pretty sweet for it's intended use.
I'll also have anxiety for the next 72 hours minimum after watching you drive that road lol!
N106 in that area is a must, so good I got 2 speeding tickets...which got filed in the bin 😂
P.S; Dig out Graham Jarvis IN(on an enduro bike)the B&B Hotel on the N106, near Ales...class
Nice review. Personally I prefer alloys and not too bothered about cruise. I have this on other bikes and rarely use.
I'm disappointed that the ride Ng position isn't as relaxed as the DE though.
Should be fixable with a pair of risers surely?
Nice sensible bike. I’ll consider one next time a swap is due. Never had a Suzuki before and like this model a lot 👍🏻
Welcome to reliability 😊
Welcome to precision engineering.
Hello Simon, tks for those nice coments ans see you very very for another great riding ;)
Loved that! Been reading your reviews for years and value your opinion, you've convinced me to buy the RE. Cheers Simon!
I'd consider it only with cruise. Adding Oxford heated grips and cases - with cruise - would be all that's needed for the 500-1000-mile rides I take a few times a year. Smart RE config for great all-rounder. Yes, Suzuki, cruise control AT LEAST as an option.
Fitting an Atlas throttle lock would work, at least until Suzuki see sense and add proper cruise control.
as for cruse control I dough I would ever use it, have it on my car and have not used it for years. Looking for a new bike but not sure what I am going to get. Thinking of something like the RE might be nice and a second bike for off road, but how is the RE on dirt and gravel roads as I do find my self on them quite a bit. Do not need a lot of speed but torque is what I like. The other thing is miles per tank of gas, I just want to hit the road and not worry about having to find gas stations, for at least 400 KM but 500 is my dream. Also at almost 75 do not want a to tall of a bike. I have been getting a new bike every year and this year two, would be nice to find one that is a keeper for a couple of years. One more thing I like to carry a lot so now using Trekker 33-64 hard bags. so need a bike that can handle them as they are quite heavy.
I still have my Suzuki DR650..I will be getting one of these but when I do...I won't be selling my DR65O..Suzuki for life (should be there motto...these things last forever).
Suzuki needs to give us the XT version of this bike. Spoked tubeless wheels, a belly pan and handguards. And more inspiring color schemes. Maybe next year…
Isn't that exactly what the 800DE is? 😁
@@writestuffmedia No, since I’m talking about tubeless wheels, not tubes.
@@writestuffmedia
This has 19/17 wheels
Great review Simon !
Nice review and great riding!
The best first impression video I've seen. Way to ride it aggressively! It really demonstrated well, what I won't be able to do with it. lol
Would of been cool to see the camera on the Suzuki test rider ripping it at his max ability.
appreciate your points..
like the idea of the changes suzuki gave made to adjust to more road riding.
concerned about corning clearance...seat height in relation to foot pegs.
glad they have set the pegs back a bit to help with leg relief..
as I find this extremely important for comfort..and back welfare after long hours of touring..
sad about no cruise and centre stand all long distance tourers need..
cheers
gerry
@18:12 weeeell, a small but dedicated company down under would counter you on that statement :) And it should be much easier to fit one on the 800 than on my old 2019 650, because of the throttle by wire and all. And I think it would cost around 600 or so.
I value your opinion, Simon, and would appreciate you reflecting upon the riding feel, engine, brakes and quality of the Tiger Sport 850 versus this 800RE. This bike seems more like the Tiger 660.
Tigers love fuel. Consumes a lot. Tiger sport 850 dash is awful 🤮
Thanks Julie! Initially I was thinking of the Tiger 600 as well ... but the spec and price are closer to the Tiger 850... it's sort of in between those two, really. If you consider how vibey the 850 Sport can be, it makes it very close :-)
I always feel the inline triple of the Triumph feels way more powerful than it actually is, maybe because it revs harder... but the 850 is a cracking road bike - I've had a great time riding it around... Wales, funnily enough, and the Peak District. It feels like a bigger, taller bike (in my mind) than the RE, and Triumph's perceived finish quality is pretty good (not talking about actual build or finish quality - just the impression it gives you). The Tiger 850 is definitely *wider* than the RE - three cylinders instead of two - and that extra width between the legs can be just as awkward as a taller seat height. I think the bars are wider too, and the Tiger retains more of the adventure bike feel of the Tiger 900. For that reason I think it's probably just about the more attractive bike, for me...
The Tiger 660 is a fab little rev box - it's a proper pocket tall-rounder on the road, and I love how it sort of owns that category. It's basic, simple, effective. I think, in 25-30 years' time, the Tiger 660 will be quite collectable (if you want to wait that long and if we can still buy petrol etc).
@@writestuffmedia Thanks, Simon. You're insights are appreciated. Dagnammit, Triumph. You go and give the Tiger 900 more power and low down torque, a better screen and less vibes, right when I'm ready to pull the trigger on an 850. Simon, you need to rein in your British brethren! PS. You are the only moto journalist who can hold a sensible conversation at 8000 RPM. 😀
Thanks for the ride, impressive! Thanks for the video.
Thank you for the review
Was the vibration on the handlebars and foot pegs still there now that Suzuki removed the mounting rails for the crash bars and sump guard that is present on the 800DE
when you had tested the GSX 8S,you noticed it was smoother due to not having the rails
is it possible the GSX 8S was revving lower at same speeds,the rear sprocket might be smaller since GSX has 525 x 118L chain and the DE and RE has 525 x 126L chain.
Thanks again
One of the most exciting bike reviews to watch. Almost like a moto GP race!!
Blimey, don't know how you managed to talk with any coherence and ride at that pace! Sounded like a lot of noise from that screen.
Decent price but there's big competition out there. I would still take the Tiger 850
How about a mechanical bolt on cruise control?
Personally i think it's a great all round bike. And good value.
Ride safe.
As usual great review! Having a bad back a key criteria for me is comfort over poor asphalt, potholes, etc. On the road, would you recommend the DE and their higher specs suspensions for comfort? Or do these suspensions only make sense off-road?
Really really good question. That's making me think a bit...
I think, broadly speaking, no - I'm thinking hard about the experience of riding both and trying to recall which is *smoother* over bumps - and I'm not sure there is a significant difference in ride quality between the DE and RE... I mean, yes, there's a very different riding dynamic in terms of handling, as I talked about... but when it comes to pure comfort and rider quality, ummm... gosh that's tough. I mean, riding position will play a bigger part, imo. The DE is more spacious and upright, the RE more leaned over the front a bit.... now, pure upright riding positions (like the DE) for me put a lot of bodyweight directly through the spine; a slight forward lean (like the RE) spreads the load points to wrists and feet a bit more.
But in terms of suspension... I think you've beaten me. I'd need a back to back test (sorry, bad choice of words :-)) to compare. My gut feeling is fewer bumps get through to the RE rider, but it'd be really, really, really marginal.
Thanks Simon! Nice feedback, the fact it is difficult to answer says a lot in itself…I’ll be testing both DE and RE (SE in France actually) on the many potholes we have in Marseille this Saturday! Will send feedback, might be relevant to others as well
@@writestuffmediaok so i tried both bikes, DE and RE, this morning. I would say that the DE felt better at absorbing potholes and most road bumps than the RE, and have plenty available in marseille…But…as you stated, the riding position of the DE does not really allow to spread the some weight through feet/wrists, while the RE a bit more. Discussing with Suzuki guys they suggested to mount a handlebar that is lower, why not? So in conclusion, no clear winner for my back, makes me wonder if a different bike with slightly more forward position and decent suspensions could fit the bill, anything comes to mind?
@@skandou012 Let me have a think. That's a really good topic to speak to a chiropractor about - get them on a series of different bikes and talk about the one that's best for posture, bad backs, shoulder injuries etc. I can see a future video in that!
@@writestuffmediaindeed, it will help quite a lot of us! Next test for me: 790 adventure 2023
Basically more freewind 650 like mine thsn dr650..my next bike.. hopefully 😊
Fantastic in-depth review there Simon 👍
In comparison to the new Honda transalp 750 how do you think it compares?
Great work always👍👍🙋🏻♂️🫡
Thank you Tony. A lot of people have included the Transalp in their thinking about the RE - to me, the Honda sits between the DE and the RE. The Honda's seat isn't, to my mind (or backside) as comfy as the RE (or DE for that matter) - but it's a more road-biased bike in other ways - weight balance, gearing, engine character. But it still has a 21in front and tubed rims. I think I could ride the Honda quicker on the road than the DE, but the RE would whup it on tarmac, I reckon. For the same rider. And if that matters (which it doesn't, to be honest).
I own a RE, and know the transalp. The Honda has a lazy behavior compared to the Suzuki, but the wind protection is way superior. Less vibrations on the Honda too. For highways the Honda is best suited, and for fast riding on open road, the Suzuki has more torque, more breaks and a better chassis. Additional lights are mandatory on the Suzuki, it has to be integrated in the final cost.
Like most bikes, the base model is what I want. I prefer a blank canvas that I can tune to my exact ridding style and needs.
Great bike and i like the cast wheels,,be quite a nice bike to say that it ticks quite a few boxes including the price ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️👍 from northern Ireland
You CAN retrofit C/C...given the bike price + the C/C,still cheaper than a Trumpet...was waiting for this, Hargreaves and Mossy are the best for banter! The seat is what I'd change, but the Hessler 1 piece flat seat is over €500,ouch...and they've a small,nicer rack! Certainly on the must see list at the NEC,ticks most of my boxes,i just wonder what Honda will counter with...or there's the 2024 MT09 which is a Husqvarna looking flat tracker for around the aame money?
Mossy was on this launch. Bless him, he's brilliant value, until he's had a jar too many and the volume goes up 🙂
Well. you can actually retrofit _real_ cruise control, but it's a very involved process with a lot of wire cutting. But I'm glad that Suzuki are getting the message that we want these bikes with CC.
your take is meaningful to me
No cruise on a bike that's a Road Explorer. No deal.
They want you to buy the new GSX1000T that's being launched at Eicma next week. Although for this bike, it's still a silly omission imo. However very few (any?) of the competitors have it in this category but you can bet that when one manufacturer wakes up & commits, they'll all be tripping over themselves to add it.
Meh, riding in straight lines on high speed roads isn't the height of exploration I guess...but Suzuki is clearly just gatekeeping cruise control for their top of the range models. At this point there must be a gentlemen's agreement not to include it in sub-£10k bikes because whoever adds it will just dominate the segment and cannibalise sales of more expensive machines.
@@GeshmaalHaven't looked at McCruise's website for a while, but they will do one for this bike, especially with at least 4 models pencilled in for this motor...under £500
Impressive review. Also, an Impressive bike for touring in tropical countries
Bummer that only ONE COLOR is available in the states. Cool bike though, regardless! Thanks for the review!
Arai was looking nice, Si.
Don't like the bike but enjoyed the review. Ta.
Bit of a tangent Simon, (niggling me) but your long termer gsx-8s showing a miserable 41 mpg in reports (these twins laud efficiency as their raison d'etre), is that a good reflection of likely mpg, or do you ride it very hard?
Hi Graham, yes, as I answered above, bit of a mea culpa. I live in a part of the world where I can ride my bikes pretty much flat out for around 12 miles in every direction to actually reach civilisation (or a speed camera). So I do tend to ride a bit enthusiastically, ahem. I like big handfuls, what can I say? :-)
But yes, that's completely unrepresentative of normal use and therefore entirely no use other than to show what you'd get from tank if you did a track day!
MCN's long term 8R is getting 60+mpg. I suppose that gives a better idea of what it *can* do in the opposite direction.
If it's any help, next week I'm riding the 8R for a tankful as 'normally' as I can, to correct the readings. It'll be written about in RiDE magazine next month.
@@writestuffmedia That's a really informative reply it's much appreciated , and I'm jealous of your location.
Look forward to reading the upcoming update on the 8 in Ride. Many thanks.
Hello. How would you describe or suggest the RE is to mild offroading, i mean, not in the direct comparison to DE , but in general - can the cast wheel and tubless tires can handle some bit of off roading, on not the roughest terrain .. i'm a bit crossed between getting DE or RE hence the question
Thanks for this review, this is a bike on my radar for my next choice, but, Did you only get 130miles out of a tank because you were pushing on or because the economy is that poor? Would like to try one for my commute but don’t wanna be filling up twice a week haha!
I've got to put my hands up here - I'm guilty of riding in a *very* fuel inefficient manner most of the time. I'm sorry, I was born that way - but I find it really really hard to ride slowly enough to get a *normal* fuel figure. I've always been ham-fisted with the throttle and I like riding, er, enthusiastically! So apologies - Suzuki's p-twin is pretty efficient and I'm certain with a 20-litre tank we could get 160-180, more, easily, from the tank.
Haha! Thanks for the honest feedback, I do get everyone’s use cases are different but even 200 miles from a 20 litre tank wouldn’t be convenient for me as I’d use it mainly for my commute to work and I can’t be arsed with faffing about at filling stations twice a week.
It does look nice
so, re or transalp 750 ? would love your thoughts
Good review.
Is the engine braking adjustable like the transalp 750 🤔👍
Is the Suzuki V-Strom 800RE engine feel buzy at 79 Km?
Which is more of a plush comfortable ride for distances?
Hi Simon
Any vibration after 130 km???
Which would be best for two up riding with luggage? DE, RE or Transalp?
RE
I really don't understand why all this mid weight adventure/road bikes comparisons all forgot the BWM F800GS 2023/24. Is there something that is escaping me?!
Its probably because these bikes are all about 10k. They also aren't including the ktm890.
Great presentation style 👏👏👏
looks good , nice video . is there vibration at speed?
I saw a video on the same bike a very well known you tuber and he said about 80 to 85 mph there is a small percentage of vibration , to me is no big deal! cheers! 😊
My V85TT has cruise, so has the Aprilia 660....
But a V85TT is still a Grand more expensive than a V-Strom 800 RE fitted with aftermarket C/C...are I'd rather have Suzuki's renowned reliability! Taureg isn't in the same class of machine!
@@williamrae9954 my V85Tt serviced by myself has done 25000. Trouble free miles, has shaft drive, a 23lutre 300mile tank and nobody pays the asking price? Imo looks better than the Vstrom. Braised me? Ok of course, but all facts are true.
@@rog5150V85TT looks great and the shaft is fantastic feature but this is very oudated bike. I liked almost nothing in that.
But yes, u're right - cruise controll should be a must (this is just a matter of few dollars more in reallity).
All these bikes are too budget nowadays.
you can retrofit cruise control
For under 10k, it's not bad. First thing I'd do is take my sawzall and get rid of the beak..I'm guessing it will run around 119 mph. That's way faster than I'd be willing to go. Great review of the Suzuki 👍. Definitely not what I'm going for though. Pretty sure yamaha hasn't made any announcements on the 2024 Mt 10 yet. Hoping to see you review it soo
If this had come out 2.5 years ago, I probably wouldn't have gone for my Tiger 850 as I wasn't as familiar with Triumphs as I was with Suzukis (used to own a GSXR).
Doesn't the bike seem to be a little (I mean a lot) overpriced for what you get compared to the naked bikes? If you put a screen on the 8S for £100, what would you be lacking? The Tiger Sport 660 is much cheaper and probably has better handling. You could buy a MT09 for the same price and save up for a screen. I genuinely don't get the point of the bike, at all. Excellent vlog, thanks. I've just got a Hornet. The one you didn't like in the group test. It's fabulous, and so much better than the Suzuki and Yam. The 790 is a cut above, no question. But, will it start on a broody winter morning????
Have you seen the 2024 MT09 'flat tracker' release a few hours ago? Bet that's over £10k? Yamaha prices are creeping up!
For bigger riders those naked bikes feels like toys n cramped. But yeah the price increase is meh
What is the average fuel consumption at a speed of 125km
This is THEE bike consumer's have been asking for. Bigger than the 650 and smaller than the 1050. Kinda of a know Brainerd for Suzuki.
At first glance you think "nice bike". But when you look at the details, you start to wonder what Suzuki was trying to achieve. We already have a typical road motorcycle with this engine from Suzuki. We also have an adventure motorcycle - DE.
There is so much room for improvement in DE; excessive heat from the engine, vibrations, front shock absorber diving, tubes thrown out of the wheels, no wind protection, very heavy weight.
The RE position is not comfortable for long-distance travel and prefers people with short stature.
The RE is not a cheaper bike than DE. It is more expensive if we take into account the wheels without spokes, a lower quality fork, no engine protection (poor as standard, but still), no hand protection.
Yes, I agree about the DE's roomier riding position. I should have mentioned it.
But equally, I think Suzuki are just broadening the 800 platform's appeal - so it's an 800 version for people who want the practicality of the V-Strom without the 21in front, tubed rims, tall seat height... but want a better riding position and more wind protection and more luggage-ability than the GSX-8S. So it sits between the two and makes sense from that point of view.
Is this much faster than the still available 650?
still no cruse control .. guess they are waiting for the future "update" for that .. shame .. the ONLY electronics i want ...
This SPECED UP or tiger 900 GT PRO and why?
I can't understand why European riders desire cruise control. Yes for a car, but bikers should really be on the type of road (such as these roads in France) where it makes no sense. STOP asking manufacturers for more electronic controls that takes away skill and enjoyment and adds more to the cost.
Highways - always highways.
When I go for a day ride, I usually head out through slower twisty B roads, and come back at the end of the day on the highway. The CC is useful for that part of the ride, when you're tired and just want to get home. Plus it's good for radar zones.
I totally agree to your point.. minimum electronics.. but, dire need of spokes with tubeless tyres..
Cruise control is when you're traveling to give it right hand a break
I have a cruise control fitted between my ears....
On a bike that size, I like the 19 inch front wheel. We need to stop pretending that 400 pound bikes are dirt bikes.
Interested to see how the RE compares to the Transalp.
Not interesting. All differences are clear from first second.
Do you mean DE against Transalp?😊
Similar engines and displacement, but model specifics would have to be compared.
That is a GOOD looking bike. But it's so strange to see plain silver forks in this day and age 😳
This looks like a nice bike but they've gone backwards with these digital displays. I prefer at least the analog tach of the 650XT.
TFT's have been pretty crap for a while, but the brightness and clarity has been getting more refined in recent years. Before that, the analogue displays were far more legible in all light, dust, etc.
Super 👍🏻
It’s a hard sell when the basic 900 Yamaha Tracer comes with cruise control, a 6 axis IMU, comes in at just shy of £10k. It has so much more performance and is lighter.
Tracer is way more expensive, it's TOURING bike.
@@podunkman2709 fact is, a basic 900 Tracer in under 10k and comes with all the previously mentioned.
@@Steve-motorcycles you might be able to get a deal somewhere, but a 2024 Tracer 9 is listed at £11,010 otr - which is £1400 more than the RE - now, for that £1400 you get that insanely wonderful inline triple which I put in my top 2 of best current motorcycle engines, a seriously serious chassis, fully adj suspension, hand guards, adjustable screen... I *think* you get cruise...
But it's £1400 more (list - deals are deals). So it's not in the same class, really, to my mind.
Where Tracer 9 is cheaper? Give me a link and I'll buy it 🙂
Think I would rather stick to the 2019 v strom 1000 if I'm honest
Not bloody hanging around eh 😅
The hairy fellow never fails to deliver a first class review.
Excellent review c.f others
Well, I was interested until the no cruise control. With the amount of speed cameras point to point cameras on the roads now you need it . Deal breaker ,I will look elsewhere
Agree for the same reasons!
Cruise control certainly helps in speed sensitive areas, to concentrate on safety rather than constantly checking my speedo.
very scary riding 😍😍👍👍
If you’d want to have the crashbars on the bike, or the skidplate, LED lights, you have to buy the accessory shackle costing 339 euro’s. Imo the DE is still the best buy.
Also it’s seat hight is lower, and for a tall rider as I am, the height of the DE was one of the reasons i chose that bike.
But maybe I’m biased because I own the DE 😂.
Actually, that's a really good point I didn't think about, but I heard someone else mention it at the launch - that for every rider who appreciates the lower seat height of the RE, there'll be a rider for whom the riding position is just a bit *too* cramped... I think I fall into that category too.
@@writestuffmedia im in the market for a DE or a RE. im around 190cm tall. i dont do any off road riding so the RE model fits my style better, but i am unsure if i am to tall for it.
What would your recommendation be?
Love the reviews, you guys at Bikesocial are my go to review channel!
Canadian company now doing a cruse control. U can't rember unfortunately the company name.
Veridian Cruise
Shame the guide rider got carried away with the pace.
Did you say it has cruise control?
Would've bought it in a heartbeat if it had cruise control..such a shame.
Very nice review but, yes there is but which is always the Triumph name crips in. Come on Simon we love you and appreciate your professionalism but for the sake of keeping things right this is Suzuki’s slot of veiw🤭
Nice review. It seems like a really decent solid bike but I find it quite uninspiring visually. The design & colours are a bit bland imo. However I haven't seen it in reality yet or ridden it so I could well change my mind I guess.
Seat looks more comfortable than the gsxs1000gt.
Don’t like the price
You need cruise control ? why not be a pillion rider 😂😂
Oh the new cfmoto
If it was the cfmoto it would come with cruise, adjustable wind-shield, luggage, heated seat, full adjustable front\ rear suspension, crash-bars, 15 more bhp and £500 back. Suzuki left a lot off their parts list.
Not a KTM
Aye, it didn't break down.@@jimperry4420
CC is a dealbreaker for me, otherwise sounds perfect.
Was the Vibration at 5000+ RPM you mentioned about the 800 DE here: ruclips.net/video/hYGIQ94eEZE/видео.html still present on this RE model?
Yes it was, but I've refined my thoughts a bit since then. I've done big miles on both the V-Strom 800 DE and the GSX-8S since those videos, and I can say this:
The parallel twin DOES have more vibes than you'd expect given its balancers - I would say it's more than rival parallel twins. The vibes are fairly high-pitched and feel roughly twice engine speed - not the quite pleasant, lumpy 270° vibration of a p-twin pretending to be a v-twin. Most of the time they aren't aggravating or even very noticeable (at least to me - everyone is different) but I *do* notice them on long motorway rides, mainly through the pegs, getting stronger around 5000rpm, sort of 'peaking' at 6000rpm, then fading out as the revs get higher (although 6000rpm in top is, like, over 80mph I think). When I rode the 800 DE to Wales recently, there was very little motorway and dual carriageway - it was mostly country roads - and I didn't notice vibration once the entire trip. In fact I remember being a bit surprised (and relieved) that it didn't bother me.
But when I rode the GSX-8S down the motorway to an airport recently, I could feel vibes through the pegs - worse if I rode with my soles flat on the pegs - if I rode on tip-toes, it was better. To be honest, I found the seat actually bothered me the most - the GSX-8S isn't built to sit on a motorway!
I don't know if this helps. The RE felt the same - you can feel the vibes, they are strongest (to me) at motorway cruising speeds, but they aren't a particular problem for me.
Ultimately you have to experience it for yourself. My gut feeling is it's a non-issue for most riders. I've ridden bikes that vibrate more and no-one's really complained about them (although it's hard to say, sometimes - I'm not party to every owner's forum!). And I've ridden bikes I had no problem with that other riders give back as unridable!
@@writestuffmedia Thank you very much for taking time to answer explain. This was very helpful and I'm sure will help many others. I bought the 800DE a couple months ago and I definitely notice the vibes. Was thinking of switching to RE if that issue was resolved but it looks like it's there to stay on these engines. Still not horrible as you said but good to know what your getting into. Thanks again!
@@writestuffmedia It's a tad strange why this is the case with the Suzuki engine, when other bikes like Yamaha's CP2 is very smooth up until at least 5/8 revs, and it's using a single counterbalance shaft. KTM runs twin shafts, and while it's been a while since I've been on one, I don't remember feeling buzz as a stand out aspect of the ride. Maybe it's the nature of running a much less oversquare bore/stroke ratio? What is the Honda 750 Hornet like for vibration, as it is nearly the same engine displacement? I know that is more oversquare compared to the Suzuki.
Sometimes also, I think the factory develops an engine to be quite smooth, and after emissions equipment is bolted on and the ECU faddled with to pass compliance, the engines pick up unwanted frequencies that weren't there in the factory design. Not all vibration comes from the moving internal engine parts, some of it comes from combustion processes that are less than perfect, and "compliant" exhaust systems that modify the pressure waves to unfortunate outcomes. I had a 2011 FZ1 Yamaha that was quite buzzy in factory form, and after a full exhaust and ECU reflash, it lost at least 70% of felt vibration, it was remarkable the difference that made.
Looks like you're flying in to blow up the death star
Sod the bike! Where's that road!
is it worth paying more for a 1050?
Cruise control is an idiotic omission.
Well, when Suzuki planned the bike four years ago, a) it wasn't standard as this price point (and still isn't) and b) it just didn't figure as important to meet their intended price target for the bike. Honda's Transalp hasn't got cruise, the Tiger 850 Sport hasn't, Tiger 660 hasn't, the old V-Strom 650 hasn't etc
@@writestuffmedia price point...well add 350 and offer it as an option.... It's a lack of forethought by their planning dept. Blind Freddie could have seen that cruise was filtering down from the heavyweight models four years ago.
triumph also does that. otherwise no one would buy 900 gt
Lazy parallels are the most reliable. Suzuki aren't daft
A bunch of fancy electronics and NO cruise control??????
Talking and railing 😅😮