I have never met/viewed a more honest RUclips professional. This cat is thorough to a fault, I like that. Meticulously talks us through the details. Again I like that. Massive 🎩-Tip…..👊😎
I couldn't work out the deal I wanted on an Africa Twin and picked up a 800de a couple months ago. I did the first section of the COBDR and the alt route of the 2nd section, first time on dirt besides nice gravel county roads. I love it so far. I have the base model, added a skid plate, factory crash bars and taller windscreen, rackless tusk bags, and Motoz Tractionator/dual venture tires. I also weigh 200lbs. I called Cogent suspension because I saw someone on the Stromtrooper forum had gotten a spring from them, they didn't have it listed on the website though. They machined a spacer and sent me a spring, received at my door in 2 days from the time I ordered with overnight shipping. I got a 700lb rear spring which is so much better but you may want a 750, just tell them your current sag with how much weight you are with gear and luggage. I can't say enough good things about Cogents customer service. I used the tusk spring compressor tool to swap them out. I also had to disconnect the ends of the suspension links at the bottom of the shock and use a floor jack to lift the rear wheel so the swing arm was parallel with the floor to get enough clearance to drop out the shock. Still only took about an hour to swap it out, a lot of that time was figuring out how to drop the shock out of the bike so I hope that helps.
Thanks for the update. As a 250lbs fella it is definitely under sprung. That's going to be my project for 2025. New tires have made a world of difference on the bike and I have definitely loved putting the first 2k on the bike.
Thank for the update and review. I have mine made tubeless as my chances of getting a leak are far greater than bending a rim. I put on bars that can carry the MoskoMoto BCP which I like better than the LR luggage (used to have those) Extra lights by H&B. I use the Carpe-Iter tablet for navigation with their handlebar controller. Next up is the suspension which will be the Hyperpro kit. Hyperpro is made in the Netherlands where I live. I put on 16k km on the bike so far and will head for Morocco in December. The heat on the right hand side is indeed horrible on hot days.. My wife will be on her Vstrom 650, which also rode from Ushuaia to Alaska in 2022/2023 covering 55k km in 8 months. These bikes are very durable indeed.
Can you say a little more about how you converted the wheels to tubeless. Tubed wheels are the only thing that's stopping me from buying a DE. At the age of 71 the last thing I need is to be fixing a flat in an Australian dessert when it's 40C!
Yeah still listening! This v-strom is the closest to the adventure touring bike I have in mind when trading my nineT over. But really what I'm waiting for is the Ténéré 900 with that amazing cp3 engine, with up-down quickshifter and ride by wire. I just hope they make it more touring than enduro orientated
Hessler Rally Team in Germany offers rider weight adjusted springs for the DE. Haven’t tried it myself but would be great to see an install video of that. (Considering buying a 800DE next year).Thanks for great content!
I’ve got the sister to this bike, the GSX-8S. I haven’t noticed the heat in the 15 months I’ve owned it but also haven’t been north of 95 degree heat with it. Wish this v-strom didn’t have the vibrations at ~5,500 rpm. Not a deal breaker but annoying at higher speeds. Overall nice bike and I’m sure I’d be happy with this v-strom. Good luck on the trip.
I'm 250 pounds and I used to ride a Honda XR 250, as you know it needs to be upgraded to be adequate. Don't know if these suspensions still have oil in them, but changing the density of the oil by a little bit improved the performance dramatically. I abused that bike for about 3 years doing hardcore offroad as well as some on road touring even 2up and there was no complaint. May not be the "ideal" way of doing it, but it worked. For reference I used brake fluid which was more dense than the original. I'd do it again if I ever get another dual sport.
Thanks, Ian. What a great review on a biker taking on a BDR you don’t have to see too many people reviewing a Suzuki these days thanks very much. I have not written one, but I like the comparison between the Hondas. It’s nice to know about the suspension and all the accessories. Thank you very much looking forward to your BDR ride
Yes, the suspension is soft. I've been thinking about either something from Hessler Rally Team or Cogent Dynamics. Cogent is local to us here in western NC, and I've wanted to try them out. Unfortunately, Cogent Dynamics was affected by the hurricane and were closed due to no power, internet or water. Used the bike to take friends and family aid here in NC after i was able to get my road cleared (2.5days😮) Rough terrain+big heavy bike+66pounds of dog food+1case of water+human food= i dropped the bike a ton of times, pushed in the right side crash bar, bent the rear luggage rack, the oem hard cases were already scratched and dented though😊 All of my riding routes on gravel are currently closed, and wont reopen anytime soon. I live close to the national forest, if I head north there's 100miles of gravel in a concentrated area , which is rare. In that area there area several landslides, thousands of trees down on the roads, 6or7bridges just in that little area are either gone, or damaged badly. Dozens of big sections of missing roadbed where it slid down the mountain. Its just gone. The VStrom did good though. Just had to take it easy and the heavy loads were typically less than 20miles. Once the weight was off it was better, but even as a 145pound rider-the bike is sprung soft
It’s a nice bike but Suzuki designed the suspension as an Adventure Bike - cushy highway comfort. Most people would complain about the harshness of the springs if it was sprung the way you suggest. If you want to tackle off road rides on a Suzuki, I would much rather recommend/prefer a DR650 or DRZ. Of course, a 700 Gas Gas is also suitable!
For me tubeless is always better but the valve needs to be in the center of the rim. You can always go back to a tube witch I always carry wirh me if you have any of the issues that are mentioned. Or am I missing something else? Great video. Great build.😊
Adding soft luggage to a system that uses metal racks does not change the likelihood that you will break your leg or ankle very much. You have to go to a system that is rackless if you really want to protect your Leg You need to go to a rackless system in the event of a crash so that your leg does not get stuck between the rack and the bike.
Got new springs for my weight from Hessler Rally out of Germany. Did the Dempster Hyw and it really changed the bike. We rode fast and worked well..never bottomed out..
While I love bikes and all and preparing them for adventure trips is really interesting, what I'd really like to know is how you keep fit considering the sheer amount of ice cream you must consume and what your favorite flavors are. Thanks for the video. Be safe and have fun. All the best!
Those Tusk racks fit just like my Bumot ones. Definitely glad I didnt get the factory racks now after seeing how yours rode so high. (I also wish Tusk had racks for this bike 10 months ago, but you can't win them all)
From my research, so far the suspension solutions for the 800DE are Andreani for fork cartridges and springs, and Hyperpro for a rear shock replacement (and spring).
GREAT info; thanks for yet another round of well-produced content. My big question here is about the ‘under-sprung’ issue with this 800 and most Japanese middleweight ADVs; is this a big enough issue for larger riders(>250lbs) to steer clear of these if they don’t want to spend more $$ on upgraded suspension?? I now feel like I should’ve given the 1050 greater consideration…
I upgraded my Transalp spring rates to 114 rear, 75 front. Cost $1200 by a professional suspension shop. Don't just go to an all purpose service shop, go to a suspension only shop and get them to do the work. When I picked up my TA it was dialled in for me and I never lifted a finger.
I'm about 90% sold on this bike, so it's great to see content like this. Im something like 260 lbs and intend to motocamp so will need to address the suspension. I saw in your post that you blew seals on your rear shock on the BDR; sounds like something that would be far less likely if the bike was property suspended.
@E_Clampus_Vitus Yeah, it'd be interesting to get a glimpse of the design and testing process to understand why they chose the suspension settings they went with. They were maybe aiming to provide good compliance and road feel for lighter riders riding it on bitumen: assessed that was the most common real-world use case amongst prospective buyers.
@@Rob-fy9iw Here in the states, we don’t get the package options they do in Europe. I’m looking at Tenere. In Europe, you can buy the “Extreme” or the “World Raid”. These have many of the options I’m looking for including upgraded suspension. Here in the states, we must buy the base model motorcycle and then modify it completely and put the parts we don’t want in the landfill. It’s wasteful on so many levels. People working diligently in Japan to install parts that I need to immediately replace after purchase. I don’t mind doing some mods but this system is just whacky.
The remote preload adjuster only compresses the spring partially, maybe around 1/5 of the available thread on a shock. You could try setting preload with a wrench at your garage to the lowest preload you may need (like when you are wearing your gear but without luggege) and to use the preload adjuster after that to compensate for luggege.
In a previous vid you commented that the suspension needed work and that was without luggage. I'm surprised upgrading the suspension was not at the top of your list when preparating for this trip. Please consider getting the suspension tuned...you almost certainly would have enjoyed the offroad performance more. Also, anyone considering purchasing this bike would IMO be interested to know just how much better it performs off road with the appropriate suspension mods.
Cogent has a good solution for the suspension. A heavier spring along with 2 collars. You can of course replace the splurge on their custom shock, but that is much more expensive.
Great video cheers. Honda CRF300 rally , Honda Transalp , Suzuki Vstrom, Honda CB500, why can’t the Japanese show a bit of respect to western markets . Selling too soft stock suspension , when they know most males in USA , Australia , UK …weigh over 80kg and a fair few over 100kg plus . Just ship a percentage fitted with heavy duty springs , add a few extra bucks to that optioned model .
Regarding the recall campaign, My dealer has provided me with a new Dunlop mixtour rear. I handed them the old recalled with 5500 miles on it. (I stopped riding it after the 1st notice, of course.) They have to drill a hole and provide a photo to the manufacturer. I was supplied a new axle nut as well. Happy riding everyone! 🤜🤛
I enjoy your reviews and feel you and dork in the road maybe chase on two wheels give honest opinions. However I have 2 things. First if aftermarket cruise is so cheap why the hell can't the manufacturers just put it on!!! You said yourself it is cheap. Also I realize you have to disclose for legal reason but when given something I don't feel you should say it is rather inexpensive or reasonably price. What we pay for motorcycles already is TDH!!! Then have to add things to make it more usable and I know I am not alone when I say there just is not that much money to go around. Please keep the reviews coming will be in the market for a new one come spring
Good review, I will admit the tube type tires would be a show stopper for me. Good luck on the north California BRD, you will pass by house in Modoc county. Be sure to stop at the Fort Bidwell hotel for lunch.
Ian, you just get stronger springs, front and back. Adam Riemann has a really good video on that. Check it out. I'm pretty sure Camel ADV has the springs you need or ythey know where to get them.
”Is it better” is a question that can’t really be answered anymore when talking about bikes. They’re all good enough, they all have their good points and their bad points. I hate heat so I’d prolly not go for the Vstrom but other people aren’t so bothered. Someone else needs more power than the Tenere can provide and yet another person just loves Honda switchgear. The great thing about today is that there are so many great bikes out there both new and used.
Waiting for a Japanese manufacturer to make a bike that rivals the weight and bhp of my old 890 but don't think it's ever gonna happen. Africa twins only making 100bhp?! Love the look of the Suzuki tho and great review!
The heat is real, when not wearing my touring pants. In jeans it is noticeable but fine for me when moving. I also think the heat thrown has reduced over time, at around 7,000km now - all I can say is I really noticed when the bike was brand new but don’t really notice it now. Similar story with the reported vibes around 4,800rpm - I feel like those have diminished as well, although those never bothered me too much.
I'm curious whether out of the 3 bikes you mention, it's a case of: if you like, it buy it. Looking forward to your test synopsis to see if one of those 3 really stands out
I have this bike but it has two serious problems. One is the lack of tubeless tires and the other is vibration at 5-6k rpm. Both exclude it as a tourist (I had an unpleasant experience with a cracked, non-punctured inner tube on the highway). I also drove it off-road and it seemed to handle well until I drove the Tuareg 660. A huge difference. Generally speaking, the motorcycle stands with its legs apart, on the one hand it has good road properties and on the other hand it has those damned tube tires. On the other hand, it seems to be able to handle off-road use, but it is heavy and the 17-inch wheel doesn't fit either. As if they couldn't decide. Tubeless conversion systems are illegal and could invalidate your insurance payout in the event of an accident.
Hopefully VMX (KKE Racing) will make a set of tubeless wheels for the Suzuki Vstrom 800 DE, like they do for the T7 and TransAlp. While it is an additional expense of $1600 added to the bike, it is well worth it...
Everybody adds hand guards it seems. If (when) you drop the bike, your hands never stay on the bars to the ground. And the bike might bend the handlebars with or without the guards. Riding tight single track, yeah, I totally get it. Or if you need to protect full length levers and their mounts, sure. If you run shorty levers and don't ride tight single track, what are the benefits in that case? Thanks!
Are there any poly inserts for the rear coil ? Or perhaps some raw stock of poly that you can shim in between a few coils to cover for the sag? I have an 800xc tiger that. Without camping gear it's great. I dont want to over spring it. But fully loaded i loose too much preload. This is where air shocks are nice. Minus the stiction that the seem to be prone to have.
The DE with the metallic steel green and the yellow looks great. Sucks that Suzuki put that green color on their RE bikes here in the US. It does not look good by itself and it cheapens the look of the bike. Wish we had the blue like others get outside of the states.
Hi Ian, how do you prevent the Carpuride from powering down after stalling or turning off the bike? I have the same device (but the 5" version) hooked up via a Healtech Thunderbox and every time I stall the bike or turn it off for a second, the Carpuride device powers down and it takes forever to boot back up and see my Android Auto map. Thanks in advance.
Video, as usually, is GREAT. The fact that there is a company ( Varidian, or Varidian...) which can earn 💰💰on others' STUPIDITY is, also fine, but seriously - how stingy and dumb, Honda and Suzuki must be - not to include the CC ??!! - If as an extra kit it, only costs ~ 300$ for customers - how much would it cost them !! - 50 ? And if people want tubeless wheels - make a version with THAT - for f.... sake ! - but NO - they DON'T ! 🤢🤢
Same with the Tenere. If you live in Europe you can buy amazing set ups. In the US you must buy a base model and upgrade. And then, what do we do with parts we replaced? Landfill.
I'm just wondering if you have looked into where the heat is actually coming from. I didn't know if it's from the radiator, the exhaust. or the engine itself and is there something you can do to shield or redirect the heat so it isn't an issue. My dealer has one of these at a big discount, but is still waiting on the recall to be taken care of. I've looked at the Honda TransAlp also, but I just don't like the matte finish at all.
Thanks for the video. Please include the Aprilia Tuareg 660 in the comparison. It's very capable offroad and very capable/agile on-road as well. Thank you.
@@E_Clampus_Vitus It's 26kg lighter compared to the Suzuki and has with excellent suspensions. Aprilia is investing a lot in improving the dealer network.
@@alessandroroca8113 Looks like Yamaha is about to drop the XT 700 T ‘Legend’. Im going to have to wait and see this. 🍿 That Tuareg is amazing. It’s still towards the top of my list of considering buying..
I have an 800de and I drove a Tuareg 660. Differences: In off road Tuareg driving is much lighter, easier, better and more pleasant. On the road it's the other way, the Suzuki drives better, has a much more powerful engine, and a more comfortable seat (what if the lack of tubeless wheels disqualifies it)
These are the two I considered for a long time now and between them I'm going to get the Suzuki. For me the Tiger electronics and steep fork rake are a deal breaker. Due to the steep fork rake, the front wheel wants to tuck, especially in sand. You have to adjust the suspension preload I believe in order to try and compensate for the steep fork rake. For offroad I have heard several people say you have to completely disable traction control because it intervenes too much. When changing rider modes, turning traction and ABS off, you have to come to a complete stop, and when you start the bike up it resets everything to default. Also with the Tiger you need a dealer to reset the wrench light that comes on when it's time to change the oil. The Suzuki's handling is forgiving and easy to ride which translates to safer to me. Gravel mode is not too intrusive and will allow the rear tire to slide. You can change riding modes on the fly, the traction control and rider mode stays put, but it does put ABS back on when you start up again. Kind of a bummer but better than the Tiger in that area. Plus the TFT with the rider modes right there makes it so easy to operate/toggle modes than the Tiger. With the Suzuki you get Suzuki simplicity and reliability. Pretty much all the shortcomings of the Suzuki can be fixed, where as the the issues mentioned above with the Tiger not so much.
Man why do you want to punish your self with the PeeStrom on the BDR, just take the Gasgas (now that you have seen the light) and you will have a much better experience.
so he put so much shit on that bike that he actually could buy something better for that money with most of it alread yinstalled or working better and dont need to replace it....
I love how you articulate costs of products by using « affordably » priced and not the word « cheap ». Using ´cheap’ has such negative connotations and too many people confuse the word cheap with inferior quality.
Stay tuned for the 2,000 mile trip on the Northern California BDR!
➕V-Strom 800DE Bike Build➕
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⚡ Heidenau K60 Ranger Tires: imp.i104546.net/q4rNvn
⚡ Rabaconda Tire Changer: tinyurl.com/2j22c76t
⚡ Cyclops Aux Light Kit: tinyurl.com/8e73mvam
⚡ Carpuride Nav Tablet (use code BIGROCKMOTO for 30% off):
tinyurl.com/bdmjxacc
⚡ Puig Clip-on Wind Visor (med): imp.i104546.net/ORazYN
⚡ Lone Rider Motobags: bit.ly/4gP8oy5
⚡ Lone Rider Overlander 48 Duffle: bit.ly/3YgUgq9
⚡ Tusk Pannier Racks: tinyurl.com/yrutapc2
⚡ Tusk SideStand Foot: tinyurl.com/mb8y2xen
⚡ Rigg Gear Hurricane Tank Bag: tinyurl.com/5x592t72
⚡ SAE Power Outlet: amzn.to/3XU0RoR
⚡ Veridian Cruise Control: tinyurl.com/mr3f6rst
⚡ Motool Slacker Suspension Sag Tool: tinyurl.com/2fsdjtv8
⚡ Tusk Wheel Balance Stand: tinyurl.com/yyzpej72
⚡Google Doc Build List:
tinyurl.com/5e5hemcn
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⚡ Chigee: tinyurl.com/486mm38k
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⚡ Lone Rider: bit.ly/4erYJeC
⚡ Insta360: tinyurl.com/whtd6ubt
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Tell it you are sorry to see it go, load it on a trailer, and sell it at the flea market, then buy an 890 Adventure R???
I have never met/viewed a more honest RUclips professional. This cat is thorough to a fault, I like that. Meticulously talks us through the details. Again I like that. Massive 🎩-Tip…..👊😎
I couldn't work out the deal I wanted on an Africa Twin and picked up a 800de a couple months ago. I did the first section of the COBDR and the alt route of the 2nd section, first time on dirt besides nice gravel county roads. I love it so far. I have the base model, added a skid plate, factory crash bars and taller windscreen, rackless tusk bags, and Motoz Tractionator/dual venture tires. I also weigh 200lbs. I called Cogent suspension because I saw someone on the Stromtrooper forum had gotten a spring from them, they didn't have it listed on the website though. They machined a spacer and sent me a spring, received at my door in 2 days from the time I ordered with overnight shipping. I got a 700lb rear spring which is so much better but you may want a 750, just tell them your current sag with how much weight you are with gear and luggage. I can't say enough good things about Cogents customer service. I used the tusk spring compressor tool to swap them out. I also had to disconnect the ends of the suspension links at the bottom of the shock and use a floor jack to lift the rear wheel so the swing arm was parallel with the floor to get enough clearance to drop out the shock. Still only took about an hour to swap it out, a lot of that time was figuring out how to drop the shock out of the bike so I hope that helps.
Yes Sir! I'm absolutely tuned in for more V-Strom 800 content and updates! 🚀
More to come!
Thanks for the update. As a 250lbs fella it is definitely under sprung. That's going to be my project for 2025. New tires have made a world of difference on the bike and I have definitely loved putting the first 2k on the bike.
Right on
Great video. Keep the 800DE content rolling.
Thanks! Will do!
Day's have gotten cool up here with cold nights - forecasting a hard freeze for a couple nights - that engine heat is now a bonus.
Thank for the update and review. I have mine made tubeless as my chances of getting a leak are far greater than bending a rim. I put on bars that can carry the MoskoMoto BCP which I like better than the LR luggage (used to have those) Extra lights by H&B. I use the Carpe-Iter tablet for navigation with their handlebar controller. Next up is the suspension which will be the Hyperpro kit. Hyperpro is made in the Netherlands where I live. I put on 16k km on the bike so far and will head for Morocco in December. The heat on the right hand side is indeed horrible on hot days.. My wife will be on her Vstrom 650, which also rode from Ushuaia to Alaska in 2022/2023 covering 55k km in 8 months. These bikes are very durable indeed.
Great feedback thank you
Can you say a little more about how you converted the wheels to tubeless. Tubed wheels are the only thing that's stopping me from buying a DE. At the age of 71 the last thing I need is to be fixing a flat in an Australian dessert when it's 40C!
Yeah still listening! This v-strom is the closest to the adventure touring bike I have in mind when trading my nineT over. But really what I'm waiting for is the Ténéré 900 with that amazing cp3 engine, with up-down quickshifter and ride by wire. I just hope they make it more touring than enduro orientated
Hessler Rally Team in Germany offers rider weight adjusted springs for the DE. Haven’t tried it myself but would be great to see an install video of that. (Considering buying a 800DE next year).Thanks for great content!
I’ve got the sister to this bike, the GSX-8S. I haven’t noticed the heat in the 15 months I’ve owned it but also haven’t been north of 95 degree heat with it. Wish this v-strom didn’t have the vibrations at ~5,500 rpm. Not a deal breaker but annoying at higher speeds. Overall nice bike and I’m sure I’d be happy with this v-strom. Good luck on the trip.
I really appreciate the details about the bikes and/or gear. It's very helpful when making decisions to purchase. Thanks Ian.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the discount code just ordered the 7" Carpuride!
Your excited! Maybe I am more!! Good fun .
I just scored the Carpuride tablet. Looking forward to checking that out! Thanks!
I'm 250 pounds and I used to ride a Honda XR 250, as you know it needs to be upgraded to be adequate.
Don't know if these suspensions still have oil in them, but changing the density of the oil by a little bit improved the performance dramatically. I abused that bike for about 3 years doing hardcore offroad as well as some on road touring even 2up and there was no complaint.
May not be the "ideal" way of doing it, but it worked. For reference I used brake fluid which was more dense than the original. I'd do it again if I ever get another dual sport.
Thanks, Ian. What a great review on a biker taking on a BDR you don’t have to see too many people reviewing a Suzuki these days thanks very much. I have not written one, but I like the comparison between the Hondas. It’s nice to know about the suspension and all the accessories.
Thank you very much looking forward to your BDR ride
My pleasure!
Yes, the suspension is soft. I've been thinking about either something from Hessler Rally Team or Cogent Dynamics.
Cogent is local to us here in western NC, and I've wanted to try them out.
Unfortunately, Cogent Dynamics was affected by the hurricane and were closed due to no power, internet or water.
Used the bike to take friends and family aid here in NC after i was able to get my road cleared (2.5days😮)
Rough terrain+big heavy bike+66pounds of dog food+1case of water+human food= i dropped the bike a ton of times, pushed in the right side crash bar, bent the rear luggage rack, the oem hard cases were already scratched and dented though😊
All of my riding routes on gravel are currently closed, and wont reopen anytime soon.
I live close to the national forest, if I head north there's 100miles of gravel in a concentrated area , which is rare. In that area there area several landslides, thousands of trees down on the roads, 6or7bridges just in that little area are either gone, or damaged badly.
Dozens of big sections of missing roadbed where it slid down the mountain. Its just gone.
The VStrom did good though. Just had to take it easy and the heavy loads were typically less than 20miles. Once the weight was off it was better, but even as a 145pound rider-the bike is sprung soft
It’s a nice bike but Suzuki designed the suspension as an Adventure Bike - cushy highway comfort. Most people would complain about the harshness of the springs if it was sprung the way you suggest. If you want to tackle off road rides on a Suzuki, I would much rather recommend/prefer a DR650 or DRZ. Of course, a 700 Gas Gas is also suitable!
Nice job looking forward to Future episodes.
Thanks!
For me tubeless is always better but the valve needs to be in the center of the rim. You can always go back to a tube witch I always carry wirh me if you have any of the issues that are mentioned. Or am I missing something else?
Great video. Great build.😊
well stated...
Adding soft luggage to a system that uses metal racks does not change the likelihood that you will break your leg or ankle very much. You have to go to a system that is rackless if you really want to protect your Leg You need to go to a rackless system in the event of a crash so that your leg does not get stuck between the rack and the bike.
Love the strom
Got new springs for my weight from Hessler Rally out of Germany. Did the Dempster Hyw and it really changed the bike. We rode fast and worked well..never bottomed out..
While I love bikes and all and preparing them for adventure trips is really interesting, what I'd really like to know is how you keep fit considering the sheer amount of ice cream you must consume and what your favorite flavors are. Thanks for the video. Be safe and have fun. All the best!
Noted!
Those Tusk racks fit just like my Bumot ones. Definitely glad I didnt get the factory racks now after seeing how yours rode so high. (I also wish Tusk had racks for this bike 10 months ago, but you can't win them all)
From my research, so far the suspension solutions for the 800DE are Andreani for fork cartridges and springs, and Hyperpro for a rear shock replacement (and spring).
GREAT info; thanks for yet another round of well-produced content. My big question here is about the ‘under-sprung’ issue with this 800 and most Japanese middleweight ADVs; is this a big enough issue for larger riders(>250lbs) to steer clear of these if they don’t want to spend more $$ on upgraded suspension?? I now feel like I should’ve given the 1050 greater consideration…
I upgraded my Transalp spring rates to 114 rear, 75 front. Cost $1200 by a professional suspension shop. Don't just go to an all purpose service shop, go to a suspension only shop and get them to do the work. When I picked up my TA it was dialled in for me and I never lifted a finger.
I'm about 90% sold on this bike, so it's great to see content like this. Im something like 260 lbs and intend to motocamp so will need to address the suspension.
I saw in your post that you blew seals on your rear shock on the BDR; sounds like something that would be far less likely if the bike was property suspended.
It’s kinda ridiculous we can’t buy bikes that are even close to being set up for us. 🤷
@E_Clampus_Vitus Yeah, it'd be interesting to get a glimpse of the design and testing process to understand why they chose the suspension settings they went with. They were maybe aiming to provide good compliance and road feel for lighter riders riding it on bitumen: assessed that was the most common real-world use case amongst prospective buyers.
@@Rob-fy9iw Here in the states, we don’t get the package options they do in Europe.
I’m looking at Tenere. In Europe, you can buy the “Extreme” or the “World Raid”. These have many of the options I’m looking for including upgraded suspension.
Here in the states, we must buy the base model motorcycle and then modify it completely and put the parts we don’t want in the landfill. It’s wasteful on so many levels. People working diligently in Japan to install parts that I need to immediately replace after purchase.
I don’t mind doing some mods but this system is just whacky.
The remote preload adjuster only compresses the spring partially, maybe around 1/5 of the available thread on a shock. You could try setting preload with a wrench at your garage to the lowest preload you may need (like when you are wearing your gear but without luggege) and to use the preload adjuster after that to compensate for luggege.
Thanks, Ian. Don't forget to include the Tuareg in that comparison.
easy. tuareg wins. :)
In a previous vid you commented that the suspension needed work and that was without luggage. I'm surprised upgrading the suspension was not at the top of your list when preparating for this trip. Please consider getting the suspension tuned...you almost certainly would have enjoyed the offroad performance more. Also, anyone considering purchasing this bike would IMO be interested to know just how much better it performs off road with the appropriate suspension mods.
Cogent has a good solution for the suspension. A heavier spring along with 2 collars. You can of course replace the splurge on their custom shock, but that is much more expensive.
Great video cheers. Honda CRF300 rally , Honda Transalp , Suzuki Vstrom, Honda CB500, why can’t the Japanese show a bit of respect to western markets .
Selling too soft stock suspension , when they know most males in USA , Australia , UK …weigh over 80kg and a fair few over 100kg plus .
Just ship a percentage fitted with heavy duty springs , add a few extra bucks to that optioned model .
I currently ride a 2019 v strom 1000. Id say its just about perfect for me, just wish it had cruise and a bigger tank
Regarding the recall campaign, My dealer has provided me with a new Dunlop mixtour rear.
I handed them the old recalled with 5500 miles on it. (I stopped riding it after the 1st notice, of course.)
They have to drill a hole and provide a photo to the manufacturer.
I was supplied a new axle nut as well.
Happy riding everyone!
🤜🤛
You videos and explanations are great watching from thailand i have africa twin 1000l
I enjoy your reviews and feel you and dork in the road maybe chase on two wheels give honest opinions. However I have 2 things. First if aftermarket cruise is so cheap why the hell can't the manufacturers just put it on!!! You said yourself it is cheap. Also I realize you have to disclose for legal reason but when given something I don't feel you should say it is rather inexpensive or reasonably price. What we pay for motorcycles already is TDH!!! Then have to add things to make it more usable and I know I am not alone when I say there just is not that much money to go around. Please keep the reviews coming will be in the market for a new one come spring
Good review, I will admit the tube type tires would be a show stopper for me. Good luck on the north California BRD, you will pass by house in Modoc county. Be sure to stop at the Fort Bidwell hotel for lunch.
Ian, you just get stronger springs, front and back. Adam Riemann has a really good video on that. Check it out. I'm pretty sure Camel ADV has the springs you need or ythey know where to get them.
”Is it better” is a question that can’t really be answered anymore when talking about bikes. They’re all good enough, they all have their good points and their bad points. I hate heat so I’d prolly not go for the Vstrom but other people aren’t so bothered. Someone else needs more power than the Tenere can provide and yet another person just loves Honda switchgear.
The great thing about today is that there are so many great bikes out there both new and used.
Waiting for a Japanese manufacturer to make a bike that rivals the weight and bhp of my old 890 but don't think it's ever gonna happen. Africa twins only making 100bhp?! Love the look of the Suzuki tho and great review!
OnTheBackWheel has had the 800DE for a year or so, and i can't recall him ever complaining about the heat.
The heat is real, when not wearing my touring pants. In jeans it is noticeable but fine for me when moving. I also think the heat thrown has reduced over time, at around 7,000km now - all I can say is I really noticed when the bike was brand new but don’t really notice it now. Similar story with the reported vibes around 4,800rpm - I feel like those have diminished as well, although those never bothered me too much.
I thought the NorCal BDR movie was already released. I went to the screening of it at a theater in Sacramento. I think that was in February.
Thank you Ian for your objective vids. I better not watch this one, just pulled the trigger on a T7!
Don't worry, the T7 is a fantastic bike. It is superior in many ways to both the TransAlp and Suzuki Vstrom 800 de
I'm curious whether out of the 3 bikes you mention, it's a case of: if you like, it buy it. Looking forward to your test synopsis to see if one of those 3 really stands out
Love the colour of this one I have 2023 black one but this one you have looks nice I don't think this colour is available here in Australia
Looking forward if and when you have a chance to review the CFMoto 450 iBex.
I have this bike but it has two serious problems. One is the lack of tubeless tires and the other is vibration at 5-6k rpm. Both exclude it as a tourist (I had an unpleasant experience with a cracked, non-punctured inner tube on the highway). I also drove it off-road and it seemed to handle well until I drove the Tuareg 660. A huge difference.
Generally speaking, the motorcycle stands with its legs apart, on the one hand it has good road properties and on the other hand it has those damned tube tires. On the other hand, it seems to be able to handle off-road use, but it is heavy and the 17-inch wheel doesn't fit either. As if they couldn't decide. Tubeless conversion systems are illegal and could invalidate your insurance payout in the event of an accident.
Hopefully VMX (KKE Racing) will make a set of tubeless wheels for the Suzuki Vstrom 800 DE, like they do for the T7 and TransAlp. While it is an additional expense of $1600 added to the bike, it is well worth it...
Everybody adds hand guards it seems. If (when) you drop the bike, your hands never stay on the bars to the ground. And the bike might bend the handlebars with or without the guards.
Riding tight single track, yeah, I totally get it. Or if you need to protect full length levers and their mounts, sure.
If you run shorty levers and don't ride tight single track, what are the benefits in that case?
Thanks!
Are there any poly inserts for the rear coil ? Or perhaps some raw stock of poly that you can shim in between a few coils to cover for the sag?
I have an 800xc tiger that. Without camping gear it's great. I dont want to over spring it. But fully loaded i loose too much preload.
This is where air shocks are nice. Minus the stiction that the seem to be prone to have.
Hi! When will you review the KOVE 800x Pro? Thanks
So what’s the ticket? Bike + upgrades?
That mount will vibrate alot, theres 3d print to remove the "ram" ball, and atached directly to bike bar, or at least use a short ram extender
The DE with the metallic steel green and the yellow looks great. Sucks that Suzuki put that green color on their RE bikes here in the US. It does not look good by itself and it cheapens the look of the bike. Wish we had the blue like others get outside of the states.
I just don’t see the appeal of the V Storm but to each his own.
Okay Ian, let's talk about the declining quality of ice cream I've been buying lately, ha!
When is the Ducati desert x RALLY reveiw coming? 😁
Hi Ian, how do you prevent the Carpuride from powering down after stalling or turning off the bike? I have the same device (but the 5" version) hooked up via a Healtech Thunderbox and every time I stall the bike or turn it off for a second, the Carpuride device powers down and it takes forever to boot back up and see my Android Auto map. Thanks in advance.
On paper appears, comparable in weight/features to a 2018/19 Africa twin base. Would love to hear your thoughts after your BDR. Trip.
You bought a KTM 350?? I just did the same!
Video, as usually, is GREAT. The fact that there is a company ( Varidian, or Varidian...) which can earn 💰💰on others' STUPIDITY is, also fine, but seriously - how stingy and dumb, Honda and Suzuki must be - not to include the CC ??!! - If as an extra kit it, only costs ~ 300$ for customers - how much would it cost them !! - 50 ?
And if people want tubeless wheels - make a version with THAT - for f.... sake ! - but NO - they DON'T ! 🤢🤢
i believe it is so they can upsell customers to the higher models (1050DE vstrom, Africa Twin etc).
Same with the Tenere. If you live in Europe you can buy amazing set ups. In the US you must buy a base model and upgrade. And then, what do we do with parts we replaced? Landfill.
I’m wondering how much weight can be taken off the 800 DE. It’s a cool looking bike but 50 lbs over the T7 puts it near AT heft.
I'm just wondering if you have looked into where the heat is actually coming from. I didn't know if it's from the radiator, the exhaust. or the engine itself and is there something you can do to shield or redirect the heat so it isn't an issue. My dealer has one of these at a big discount, but is still waiting on the recall to be taken care of. I've looked at the Honda TransAlp also, but I just don't like the matte finish at all.
suggestion for the sag: bring less than the 90liters of gear
Sag with no luggage is still too much.
@@BigRockMoto diet :)
@@BigRockMoto see @txmarine7557's reply? that might be a good solution
can you run tracks if you dnt have phone service with this gps? i really like the size
Thanks for the video. Please include the Aprilia Tuareg 660 in the comparison. It's very capable offroad and very capable/agile on-road as well. Thank you.
How is getting parts for that bike? It looks amazing to me. If that bike was a Honda or Yamaha, I’d buy it in a second.
@@E_Clampus_Vitus It's 26kg lighter compared to the Suzuki and has with excellent suspensions. Aprilia is investing a lot in improving the dealer network.
@@alessandroroca8113 Looks like Yamaha is about to drop the XT 700 T ‘Legend’. Im going to have to wait and see this. 🍿
That Tuareg is amazing. It’s still towards the top of my list of considering buying..
I have an 800de and I drove a Tuareg 660. Differences:
In off road Tuareg driving is much lighter, easier, better and more pleasant.
On the road it's the other way, the Suzuki drives better, has a much more powerful engine, and a more comfortable seat (what if the lack of tubeless wheels disqualifies it)
Would be nice to see your foot position on the ground while sitting on the seat.
Does Öhlins make a rear sping for the 800DE?
If you’re parking the bike in summer or warm weather due to heat, how can it beat out the other bikes? Sounds like a deal breaker to me.
Coool 👍👍👍👍👍
I would have picked up a Vstrom if it had tubeless wheels and less heat on the riders legs.
When will the manufacturers realize that American ADV riders need a bike setup for about 200lb riders? We are fat, make your bikes for us!
As heavy as that bike is I would prefer the 1290 SAR, cause no need to upgrade anything on the new KTM 1290 SAR but your bank account a tad.
This bike is less expensive and has a reputation of being very reliable. KTM has a great performance reputation but also unreliable.
Can you do one on the f900gsa? I know you did the 900gs but the gsa would be interesting.
yes
How would you compare this motorcycle to the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro? I really like both but am undecided on which one to get.
Tiger would win off and on road. Much better suspension and features on the T9 but you pay almost 5k more for the brit bike.
These are the two I considered for a long time now and between them I'm going to get the Suzuki. For me the Tiger electronics and steep fork rake are a deal breaker. Due to the steep fork rake, the front wheel wants to tuck, especially in sand. You have to adjust the suspension preload I believe in order to try and compensate for the steep fork rake. For offroad I have heard several people say you have to completely disable traction control because it intervenes too much. When changing rider modes, turning traction and ABS off, you have to come to a complete stop, and when you start the bike up it resets everything to default. Also with the Tiger you need a dealer to reset the wrench light that comes on when it's time to change the oil.
The Suzuki's handling is forgiving and easy to ride which translates to safer to me. Gravel mode is not too intrusive and will allow the rear tire to slide. You can change riding modes on the fly, the traction control and rider mode stays put, but it does put ABS back on when you start up again. Kind of a bummer but better than the Tiger in that area. Plus the TFT with the rider modes right there makes it so easy to operate/toggle modes than the Tiger. With the Suzuki you get Suzuki simplicity and reliability. Pretty much all the shortcomings of the Suzuki can be fixed, where as the the issues mentioned above with the Tiger not so much.
Does the carpuride drain the phone battery quickly?🤔
Yes
@@BigRockMotomine not; I know some people had the same problem, contacted Carpuride and they facilitated a software upgrade that solved it
FYI, code at carpuride is not recognized…..
sorry, correct code BIGROCKMOTO
Man why do you want to punish your self with the PeeStrom on the BDR, just take the Gasgas (now that you have seen the light) and you will have a much better experience.
Always fan how Americans pronounce "routes" 😊
Aww no haircut. Stick with the haircut
Way too heavy for any off-road adventures!
Maybe too heavy for your skills🤷♂️
so he put so much shit on that bike that he actually could buy something better for that money with most of it alread yinstalled or working better and dont need to replace it....
I love how you articulate costs of products by using « affordably » priced and not the word « cheap ». Using ´cheap’ has such negative connotations and too many people confuse the word cheap with inferior quality.