2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE | First Look Review

2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE
2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE in Glass Matte Mechanical Gray

At the EICMA show in Milan, Italy, Suzuki unveiled an all-new 776cc DOHC parallel-Twin engine that will power two new models – the 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE (and Adventure variant) and the 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S.

2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE

Filling the gap between the venerable V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 1050 models, the V-Strom 800DE is aimed at riders who want a middleweight adventure bike that is fully capable both on-road and off-road. It has a 21-inch front wheel, spoked rims front and rear, and the longest suspension travel and most ground clearance of any V-Strom model.

Related Story: 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 and V-Strom 1050DE | First Look Review

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2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE
2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE Adventure in Glass Sparkle Black

Like other V-Strom models, the V-Strom 800DE has angular bodywork with a pronounced beak that’s inspired by Suzuki’s ’80s-era DR-Big dual-sport. Like the GSX-S1000, mono-focus LED headlights are vertically stacked with a position light, and the V-Strom 800DE is topped by a small, height-adjustable windscreen.

2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE

The new 776cc parallel-Twin engine uses a 270-degree firing order for strong torque character and is equipped with Suzuki’s Cross Balancer system to minimize vibration. Throttle-by-wire enables the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector with different engine maps.

The V-Strom 800DE is equipped with the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (S.I.R.S.) that includes traction control with a trail-oriented Gravel mode, ABS with two levels of sensitivity plus the ability to switch off ABS at the rear wheel, a bi-directional quickshifter, and Suzuki’s Easy Start and Low RPM Assist systems.

2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE

Related Story: Suzuki Announces 2023 Lineup of Sport, Street, and Adventure Bikes

A tubular-steel mainframe, a bolt-on tubular-steel subframe, and cast aluminum swingarm are designed to be both light and strong. The compact parallel-Twin allows the chassis to be slender between the knees and to position the rider’s weight farther forward for optimal control. The fuel tank has a 5.3-gal capacity.

2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE

Fully adjustable Showa suspension includes an inverted fork and a rear shock with 8.7 inches of travel front and rear, and ground clearance in 8.75 inches. Dual 310mm floating front discs are squeezed by 2-piston Nissin calipers and a single 265mm rear disc is squeezed by a 1-piston Nissin caliper. The clutch and front brake levers are adjustable for reach, and the shift lever and rear brake pedal are also adjustable.

2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE

The 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels require tubes and roll on Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour tires in 90/90-21 and 150/70-R17 sizes.

In the cockpit, the V-Strom 800DE has a wide, tapered handlebar with handguards, a full-color 5-inch TFT display, a USB port, and a windscreen that has three levels of adjustment in 0.6-inch increments (hex key is required). A lightweight resin luggage rack has built-in passenger grab handles and accommodates Suzuki’s accessory top box. A mesh radiator guard and a skid plate are standard equipment. The bike comes in with a curb weight of 507 lb.

2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE
2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE in Champion Yellow No. 2

Check out Rider‘s 2023 Motorcycle Buyers Guide

The 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE will be available in two colorways: Champion Yellow No. 2 with gold rims or Glass Matte Mechanical Gray with black rims. The 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE Adventure, which features black-anodized 37-liter side cases, side protection bars, and a large aluminum skid plate, will be available in Glass Sparkle Black with gold rims. A full line of dedicated accessories will also be available.

The 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE and V-Strom 800DE Adventure are expected to hit dealers in May. The 800DE will start at $11,349, and the 800DE Adventure will start at $12,999.

Read our 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE First Ride Review

For more information or to find a Suzuki dealer near you, visit SuzukiCycles.com.

21 COMMENTS

  1. Seriously, Suzuki should have introduced this engine 10 years ago in that Stromer and added a sport naked with the same. Would have helped treir bottom line immensely . But I really like this new bike and hope Suzuki sees global success with it and it’s expected variants !

  2. Without the V-Twin engine can Suzuki still call this a “V” Strom? It’s a Parallel Twin, so how about the “P-Strom?’

    Oh, wait. “Pastrami?”

    Nevermind.

    • Nick, digging deeper into the technical specifications of the bike, we found that the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System utilizes an interconnected information Controller Area Network (CAN). While it doesn’t specifically list cruise control as a feature, the specs say: this CAN bus wiring lets the vehicle be lighter and simpler and provides a way for the advanced components – such as the cruise control – to have faster data transmission with the ECM.

  3. Who buys a 500+ lb. off road bike? I don’t lift that much in the gym where its ergonomically easier. That’s heavier than a lot of ADV class bikes and almost all of the Dual Sport class.

    • “Who buys a 500+ lb offroad bike?” Only everyone out there on a BMW 1250GS…Pity it’s only 4 lbs lighter than my 2018 V-Strom 1000. About 3-4″ more ground clearance and suspension travel, which is nice, but this is heavy for offroad..

  4. The older I get the more I wish I had kept one of my three dr650s. Love the weight, not enough oomph for me. I never go off road just like the bike for fast backroad riding.

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