At the EICMA in Milan, Suzuki unveiled a completely new V-strom 800DE. The V-Strom 800DE is powered by a completely newly developed 270° parallel twin and will be placed between the V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 1050.
The newest addition to Suzuki’s Adventure Sport segment is called V-Strom 800DE, the bike that was spotted in the wild earlier this year and which we wrote at the time that it should not be seen as a replacement for the V-Strom 650 (which much media was written), but as an extension of the line-up.
It was about time, since the credit crisis more than 10 years ago, the development of new models at Suzuki has been put on the back burner, but since the launch of the new GSX family, life has finally come back to the brewery.
The new adventure tourer is designed according to the “Adventure of a New Era” design concept, Suzuki’s design language of the future, with a nod to the styling of Suzuki crossers of the past.
The premise of ‘Adventure of a New Era’ is to create adventurous-looking motorcycles with a wide range of uses, while the styling remains true to the V-Strom heritage and Suzuki design tradition. The V-Strom 800DE has an attractive, radically new and modern look.
Its sharp new ‘beak’ is higher and further away from the large 21-inch front wheel, visually underlining its ability to go where the tarmac leaves off. Its signature hexagonal LED headlight unit accentuates the slim, light and compact stance of the front, which also immediately catches the eye of the sturdy gold-colored upside-down fork.
The Suzuki V-Strom 800DE seat is designed for optimal comfort on long tours and riding on unpaved roads. The seat gives full freedom of movement, even for the passenger, even when the optional top and side cases are fitted. The short windshield maximizes visibility and protection when riding on country roads and gravel paths. The screen is also adjustable in three positions, in steps of 15 mm.
As standard, the V-Strom 800DE is equipped with handguards, wide footrests with rubber blocks, a luggage carrier with integrated passenger handles, radiator protection and a plastic sump guard.
The V-Strom 800DE is powered by Suzuki’s brand new 776cc double overhead camshaft parallel twin with four valves per cylinder. Maximum power is 84 hp at 8,500 rpm, but a 35 kW version is also available.
The new Euro5 emissions standard twin cylinder has a long bore-to-stroke ratio for the perfect balance between smooth and controllable power delivery at any speed. This engine also offers a powerful torque of 78 Nm at 6,800 rpm. According to Suzuki, about 95% of that torque is already available from around 3,000 rpm.
Suzuki equips the new powerplant with a 270° crankshaft, as its firing interval ensures a smooth ride with plenty of torque and positive traction coupled with a pleasant-sounding rumble. The sound and engine character are comparable to that of a V-twin.
The patented Suzuki Cross Balancer mechanism guarantees a particularly smooth ride, while the power unit can be made lighter and more compact thanks to this system. The two crankshaft-driven balance shafts – mounted at an angle of 90 degrees – eliminate vibration.
The system is unique and reserved for Suzuki motorcycles. The balance shaft level with the crankshaft suppresses primary piston vibrations in cylinder 1 and the balance shaft below the crankshaft does the same for cylinder 2. The crankshaft with the crank pins angled at 270 degrees prevents secondary engine vibration.
The electronic ride-by-wire throttle control improves control and provides reliable throttle response. The character of the new parallel twin can be customized with three riding modes via the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS). There is a choice of driving mode (A)ctive, (B)asic and (C)omfort. The parallel twin is equipped as standard with an up/down quickshifter, which makes shifting with the all-new six-speed gearbox quick and accurate.
The Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS) with slipper function provides light clutch operation and prevents the rear wheel from slipping or bouncing when downshifting. Thanks to the Suzuki Easy Start System, just one push of a button is enough to start the engine. The Low RPM Assist function ensures that the engine speed is slightly increased when the clutch lever is released for smooth starting from a standstill, even on a slope.
The large tank with a capacity of 20 liters makes the V-Strom 800DE ideal for long-distance rides. With an average fuel consumption of 4.4 l/100 km (WMTC), a generous range of more than 400 km is possible between refueling stops.
Every aspect of the chassis of the new Suzuki V-Strom 800DE has been designed for good maneuverability and excellent control in a wide range of riding conditions. Much attention has also been paid to comfort and to minimizing fatigue during long trips.
The modest front-to-rear dimensions allow ideal weight distribution and geometry, both for riding on gravel roads and trails and for long rides on asphalt. At the same time, the slim construction ensures that the seating position is optimized.
The Suzuki V-Strom 800DE features a heavy-duty steel frame, contoured lightweight aluminum swingarm, 21-inch front and 17-inch spoked rear wheel, and SHOWA adjustable front and rear suspension with long-travel 220mm for off-road use. Everything has been specifically designed to provide an optimal package for every ride. The result is a machine that is highly manoeuvrable but also has excellent straight-line stability at all speeds.
The geometry is characterized by a longer wheelbase, a large head tube angle, 220 mm ground clearance and a wide aluminum handlebar. All this ensures maximum stability and manageability.
The spacious seat also allows shorter riders to sit close to the handlebars, which optimizes control over the motorcycle. The seating position also improves stability when riding with a passenger and top and side cases on the V-Strom 800DE.
In terms of brakes, we see double disc brakes with a diameter of 310 mm and a single disc brake of 260 mm at the rear. The ABS is standard adjustable in two modes. In mode 1 there is minimal intervention. That position is therefore ideal for driving on gravel paths. Mode 2 is ideal for normal road conditions. With the Rear ABS Cancel Mode, the ABS on the rear wheel can be turned off for the desired braking control on gravel and other unpaved surfaces.
The V-Strom 800DE is equipped with the proven Suzuki Traction Control System (STCS). This system prevents the rear wheel from slipping and gives more confidence when accelerating when there is less grip. The intervention speed of this system is adjustable via four modes. Each mode affects the extent to which the system allows wheelspin. STCS can also be switched off completely, for example when driving on gravel paths.
In addition to the three road modes (+ OFF), the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE’s traction control also offers a special Gravel mode (G-mode). In this mode, the ignition timing is delayed to allow a limited amount of wheel spin. This keeps the bike manageable and still provides the desired power delivery to explore dirt roads and trails with more confidence.
The V-Strom 800DE is equipped with a 5-inch color TFT display. This clearly readable and high-quality display provides real-time information about the status of the engine. The tachometer also acts as a programmable shift indicator, which flashes when the engine reaches the set speed. The shift indicator can be set in steps of 250 rpm between 4,000 and 9,250 rpm. The functions and settings for the electronic assistance systems are operated using the switches on the left-hand side of the steering wheel.
The TFT screen has an extra function, in which large pop-up messages and warnings can be displayed. The display can automatically or manually switch between the day mode (white) and night mode (black) for optimal readability at any time of the day and in any driving situation. A 5-volt USB socket with a maximum current of 2 amps is housed on the left side of the multifunction dashboard for charging a navigation system or smartphone.
The extensive standard equipment also includes LED lighting. The headlamp plays an essential role in the styling of the front. The superimposed lamps for low and high beam (plus daytime running light function) are a hallmark of Suzuki’s new design language. By using LED technology, the hexagonal lamps have remained extremely compact. The LED tail light has dual function for tail light and brake light. The turn signals are also equipped with LED lighting.
The Suzuki V-Strom 800DE is available in three different color combinations, each with the expression of a ‘futuristic off-road racer’. The yellow-blue combination is iconic, this color – Champion Yellow – forms a beautiful contrast with the dark blue side panels.
Another option is the combination of the gray Glass Mat Gray and yellow accents on the front. Both colors are inspired by Suzuki’s rich motorcycle history. The third color combination consists of the black Glass Sparkle Black and dark blue side panels. This makes the V-Strom 800DE look tough and aggressive.
The new Suzuki V-Strom 800DE is expected to reach dealers in early 2023. The price will be announced later.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.