Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE First Ride Review: All The Bike You'll Ever Need?

If you follow the motorcycle market, you’ve likely noticed a paradigm shift in the ADV segment. Until recently, most middle-weight ADVs in the market were more suited for touring than for true off-roading. While there were models like the BMW GS and Triumph Tiger, there were no Japanese options. Furthermore, there was nothing around the ₹10 lakh mark. Suddenly, things changed, with Honda launching the XL750 Transalp and Suzuki introducing the V-Strom 800DE. But are they any good? Well, let’s focus on Suzuki today and put the V-Strom to the test. Honestly, I for one can’t wait to see if it can do more than just look cool on city streets. So, let’s put on the gloves and start riding.

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Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE First Ride Review: City & Highway Performance

My first experience with this Japanese ADV began on a ride home from the office during peak traffic. In those slow-speed scenarios that define a typical commute, it felt somewhat lacking. It had the necessary grunt to get moving but felt a bit tame in the mid-range. However, once I hit the open roads, I realised that this engine likes to stretch its legs before unleashing its performance. As you twist the throttle, climb up the gears, and watch the revs and speed build, you’ll come to appreciate how broad and well-spaced its power band is. In traffic, I was merely scratching the surface of its capabilities – the real thrill begins when the engine is done stretching its muscles and the needle passes the 4,000rpm mark.

The motorcycle is powered by a 776cc parallel-twin engine with a 270-degree crank, delivering 84bhp and 78Nm of torque. It is a versatile setup and allows you to choose between three ride modes – Active, Basic, and Comfort (A, B, and C). Additionally, there are four levels of traction control to suit your experience or needs – Mode 1, Mode 2, Mode 3, and Gravel mode. There is also the option to turn off the traction control entirely. Furthermore, you can select the level of ABS intervention and even choose to completely disable the rear ABS.

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On the road, I chose to stick with Active ride mode, which also provides the snappiest throttle response. The bike also features a bi-directional quick-shifter for swift gear shifts, which works rather well, although downshifting can be a bit notchy at low speeds. The engine itself is remarkably smooth – there are hardly any vibrations, thanks in part to a double balancer shaft. Even at high revs, the engine never feels stressed – unless you are doing silly triple-digit speeds – and delivers progressive acceleration. All this ensures a sense of predictability as you continue to wind the throttle. 

Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE First Ride Review: Handling & Off-Road

In terms of handling, the V-Strom continues to impress. Suzuki has designed a motorcycle with an extremely balanced chassis – in fact, it’s so brilliant that you can navigate bumper-to-bumper traffic while standing on the pegs. On twisty roads, it feels nimble and agile. The rear suspension may feel a bit soft while aggressively attacking a corner, but it remains manageable and won’t overwhelm you.

While its on-road performance and handling are commendable, it really excels off the beaten path. Despite its weight, its chassis balance and suspension components inspire confidence as soon as you venture off-road. The suspension hardware includes adjustable telescopic Showa forks up front and a linked mono-shock with a remote preload adjuster at the back.

In off-road settings, the Active or A mode can be quite twitchy on tight trails or technical off-road sections. Here, the Comfort (C) mode works best, allowing you to unleash power gently and maintain traction, unless you intentionally want to slide. For those who enjoy sliding, the Gravel (G) traction allows for a certain amount of slippage before regaining control to prevent any mishaps. The suspension setup is a bit hard for the tarmac but ideal for off-roading. It feels pliant and prevents bottoming out, regardless of how hard you push it.

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The bike is equipped with Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tyres as standard, which perform well across various conditions. They offer decent feedback and enough traction regardless of whether you are riding on gravel beds, loose surfaces, or mud, allowing you to always be in control while having fun. The ground clearance of the bike is also quite impressive. During the test, I was able to tackle tall obstacles without scraping the crash guard.

Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE First Ride Review: Design, Features and Ergonomics

Regardless of how good a bike rides, it won’t find a lot of buyers if it doesn’t appeal to customers in terms of aesthetics. And when you consider the 800DE’s segment and price, aesthetics becomes even more crucial. In simple terms, it must look like a million bucks, which it definitely does. From its eye-catching livery options to the classic Dakar-style front fairing, the V-Strom 800DE looks like it’s ready for adventure even while stationary. During my time with the bike, a lot of people would come to me and ask me where I was coming from and heading to, and all I could reply was, ‘office’. In my opinion, this is a handsome motorcycle. The gold rims, enduro styling, loud paint scheme, and seat design all come together rather beautifully. While the rear overhang might be a bit excessive for a completely sleek design, that’s more of a personal preference.

In terms of features, the biggest highlight is the crisp 5-inch colour TFT display, which is well laid out and quite easy to navigate through menus and change settings, even while riding. The traction control, ABS, and ride modes are selectable on the go. Since long-distance touring is its primary function, it features a height-adjustable windscreen, all-LED lighting, and a USB charging port. However, surprisingly it misses out on cruise control and tubeless rims, which are quite significant for adventure enthusiasts. Even adjusting the windscreen requires unbolting, adjusting, and re-tightening the bolts, which can be a bit cumbersome. So, it’s not without its share of shortcomings.

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Now, let’s talk about ergonomics. If you’re wondering whether riders under six feet would be comfortable on this motorcycle, let me clear any doubts. At 5’6”, I found the motorcycle manageable for my height and frame. The handlebars are at the right height, comfortably reachable in a seated position, and even feel natural when standing for off-road riding. The V-Strom 800DE feels a bit wide near the waist, where the seat meets the tank, but this shouldn’t be an issue for experienced riders. However, I found the footpegs to be a bit narrow and the handguards a bit too flimsy for hardcore off-road use.

Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE First Ride Review: Is It Worth It?

Alright, what’s the final word on the new Suzuki V-Strom 800DE? Firstly, it looks fantastic, and if road presence is what you seek, the ₹10 lakh asking price is worth every penny. Beyond its good looks, it performs well both on and off-road and offers a decent amount of creature comforts for adventure touring. However, it does have its fair share of drawbacks, but I believe it makes up for them in other areas. Its biggest selling point is its versatility – it can tour all day, covering hundreds of kilometres, and with a few tweaks, it can transform into an off-road machine without hesitation. It’s easy to ride, instils confidence in all situations, and helps build your skills for handling bigger bikes in the future. For me, this feisty machine has definitely made it onto my short list of must-have motorcycles.

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It has an extremely well-balanced chassis On twisty roads, it feels nimble and agile.

At 5’6”, I found the motorcycle manageable for my height and frame