NEW BIKES SUZUKI V-STROM 800RE
Q Is a road-biased V-Strom the ideal middleweight?
New V-Strom 800RE offers more grip and touring ability. Is it enough?
THE ALL ‐NE W‐F OR‐L AST‐YEAR V-STROM 800DE is a hugely capable dual-purpose bike that’s found a lot of favour with riders who want real off-road ability from their adventurer, as well as some touring ability.
For 2024 it gets a lower-priced, more road-oriented sibling very similar to the earlier cast-wheel 650/1000 V-Stroms – the 800RE (Road Explorer).
Running a wider and smaller 19in front wheel as well as shorter-travel suspension with less adjustability, a more road ‐focused riding position, better brakes and enhanced weather protection, the RE loses a bit of Dakar chic, but is £1000 less than the DE.
A quick scan of the brochure could paint a picture of a low-rent, entry-level model built simply to tempt riders with a smaller budget. But the DE isn’t perfect either, so there’s the possibility it’s the better bike without the need to compromise itself for the medium-duty trail riding that’s part of the DE’s design brief…
We grabbed ourselves a box-fresh 800RE and set out on a mix of town, country and motorway roads – as well as some two-up miles – to get a definitive answer to all those questions and see if it’s worth £9699 of your hard-earned cash.
Q Is the RE a better tourer?
Yes. The RE’s seating position is more sloped forward than the DE’s. The ’bars are lower, narrower and pushed more forward, and the ’pegs are higher and set further back – leaning you into the bike’s front end compared to the straight ‐backed riding position of the DE.
Combined with its 30mm lower seat, you site more ‘within’ the bike and means you get much better weather protection from the RE’s screen. Your body also has less of a tendency to act like a wind-block.
The larger, wider screen shelters your body well and doesn’t create unpleasant turbulence around your helmet. But frustratingly it can’t be altered while on the go. Or when stopped as Suzuki doesn’t supply the correct hex key in its limited toolkit. That said, on its lowest setting the screen provides more than enough shelter for a 6ft-plus rider.
Handguards are optional on the RE but standard fitment on the DE – it’s a shame as they are missed. And where is cruise control?
Over a variety of riding conditions the RE averaged 47mpg, equating to a tank range of 208 miles, with a best of 62mpg and 275-mile range.
Q What impact does the smaller front wheel have on handling?
There is more to the V-Strom’s transition from a 21in f
