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Old 8th June 2024, 09:39   #46
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Re: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh

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Originally Posted by shyamg28 View Post
Some of the OE accessories have made their way across to the dealers.
Quick clarification to all and mods - this is not my motorcycle. It belongs to a fellow rider.
I took photos for documentation purpose alone.
Sorry for the confusion
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Old 7th July 2024, 19:20   #47
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Re: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh

If one is comparing Suzuki 800 DE vs the Honda Transalp XL 750, one would get impressed with the details provided and technical specs about the 800 DE on the Suzuki Motorcycles India website. In comparison to Suzuki, the Honda Bigwing website's details about the Transalp is almost non existent.

Loved the Suzuki website. Going by the website alone, it appears Suzuki is more serious about its India operations. Actual experience and feel in the showrooms would now need to be experienced.
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Old 12th July 2024, 14:32   #48
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Re: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh

Suzuki is 100% more serious, they provided me test ride from home... all the way from Thane to Navi Mumbai. On the other hand Honda is laid back... if not lazy.
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Old 13th July 2024, 11:09   #49
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Re: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh

How was your test ride experience and are you choosing between the 800DE & Transalp?
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Old 26th August 2024, 15:04   #50
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Re: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh

The 800 RE is a banger of a bike for the Indian market. All reviews say it handles a lot better than the DE and is a much better bike than the DE - It is practical, has tubeless tires and appeals to a much wider audience.

The DE caters to a very small segment of riders who take their bike off road. A majority of the riders in India ride their bike on road/tarmac.

I can't imagine what a nightmare it must be to get a flat on the DE out on the highway. You need the tools, tube and plenty of elbow grease to remove the wheel , pry open the tire, replace the tube and put it all back. Compare this against the tubeless on the RE where all you need is a patch kit and inflator which one can easily carry.

I sincerely wish they get the RE to India. It will be a smashing hit as it caters to a significantly wider audience than the DE.

Does anyone know anyone in Suzuki Motorcycle India to whom we can talk to about the RE?
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Old 17th November 2024, 00:57   #51
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Re: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh

Suzuki V-Strom 800DE - My experience after 6 months of ownership.


My motorcycling journey

I’ve been riding motorcycles since 2006 but the “touring bug” bit me around late 2016. Until then I was mostly commuting & doing small rides on my first generation TVS Apache.

Fast forward to 2017, I upgraded to RE Classic 500. True to its name, a typical slow & torquey classic machine. I found it to be a fun to ride on highways, on twisties and even in the city! Most people may disagree with me about Classic 500 being fun to ride, but I think it all depends on individual’s definition of “fun”. It certainly had its shortcomings, but I thoroughly enjoyed my road trips for the next 3 years.

With time, the desire for a bigger & more powerful motorcycle started growing inside me. I was always fascinated about the Triumph Tiger lineup but back then I knew I can’t afford one. Then I started hearing a lot about RE Interceptor and how ‘owning a twin-cylinder motorcycle’ has become a reality for the Indian consumers without breaking their bank. I did a test ride, and my first reaction was “it can’t be a RE!”. A super refined engine, almost non-existent vibrations, linear power delivery, low end torque - everything felt like perfect for me. So, in September 2019 Orange Crush comes home and the next 4.5 years were even better. I rode more, I rode far, I rode fast, and I became a better rider.

In search of comfort

Interceptor offered me everything that I was looking for, except comfort. The suspension setup was poor, seat was narrow and extremely discomfort. For the first 3+ years, it didn’t bother me much until my better half started pointing it out. She was insisting that I get something more comfortable. So, my hunt for a comfortable motorcycle begun in late 2022. Back then my first choice was V-Strom 650 XT, but the experience was rather disappointing when I reached out to the dealership. The next in the list was Kawasaki Versys 650. I had ridden it extensively in the past. It’s a great machine but somehow, I could not connect with it. Later I started reading articles about RE, Honda and Suzuki developing mid-weight adventure tourers. So, I decided to wait for some more time.

Fast forward to 2024. The new Himalayan 450 was making waves all over. Honda had just launched Transalp XL750 and NX500. Suzuki had launched V-Strom 800DE. I rode all of them before finally choosing the Vee.

Why Suzuki V-Strom 800DE?

Well, honestly speaking I completely ruled Suzuki out of my list after another poor dealership experience when I started enquiring about 800DE. I rode the new Himalayan multiple times both in the city and on highways, but didn’t like it. Something about the Himalayan seemed off to me. Honda Big Wing experience was good. I did an immediate booking of NX500 after a long test ride. It ticked all the boxes for me, including comfort. Then I took a test ride of Transalp for about 45 minutes before leaving the showroom and after coming home, I couldn’t stop talking about how good and superior Transalp was! My wife said, “if you really like it that much, just buy it”. I called up Honda Big Wing and asked about the delivery timelines for Transalp. I was told it would take 3 months for black color, but they can’t commit timeline for the white. Later that week, I stumbled upon a YouTube channel “Open Adventures” where they did this real-world comparison video of Transalp and V-Strom 800 and shared the dealership details for both. Until then, I was under the impression that there is only one Suzuki dealer in Bangalore dealing with big bikes. So, I called this new dealership, and the experience was totally opposite to what I had in the past. They were happy to give me the motorcycle for a full day test ride. I rode it in the morning, at night and with pillion. It didn’t take much time for me to get convinced that it’s better than Transalp in most areas. Next day, I made the booking.

Short summary

After six months and 6165 km of riding, there is only one word to describe the experience – Fantabulous! It’s a solid, reliable motorcycle for touring and once you get a hang of it, even the daily commutes are sweet.

Things that I liked

1. Engine Characteristics – The engine provides enough power to make the long rides fun & engaging without being too intimidating. I feel even a relatively new rider will be able to enjoy this motorcycle from day. It has plenty of low & mid-range torque too making it versatile for both off-road trails and city rides.

2. Practical Driving Modes – I felt the drive modes offered by Suzuki is well-tuned, practical & useful. It offers 3 driving modes, A (Active) being the most powerful followed by B (Basic) and C (Casual). Each mode is tuned differently for throttle response and power delivery, which I can feel while riding in different conditions. Combining these modes with traction control & ABS gives a lot of confidence when handling the motorcycle in wet or bad roads.

3. Suspension Setup – Both the front and rear suspensions are adjustable. I believe the front is fully adjustable preload, compression, and rebound but I have not meddled with the front suspension. I played with the rear preload few times though. I felt the default setup is slightly on the softer side (nowhere near Transalp which is too soft) but for most people it should be alright. I must admit the Himalayan 450 suspension is in a different league altogether.

4. Comfort and Space – Plenty of it! The seating position is upright, which is great for long rides. The single seat is long & wide, well cushioned and offers good space for both the rider and pillion. I feel the seat and suspension setup complement each other making it one of the comfortable tourers available to us.

5. Build Quality – It looks big and well-built. The plastic quality, the paint scheme are good, and the wirings are tucked in nicely. Overall, the fit & finish is excellent. Especially when I compare it with the Transalp 750, V-Strom feels solid and better put together.

6. Mileage – We normally don’t talk about fuel economy when discussing big bikes. But I’m highly impressed with the mileage that I’m getting from the motorcycle of this size and power. I have done 9 long rides in the last 6 months covering close to 3800 km and got a mileage around 22-26 kmpl. It drops to 15-16 kmpl in the city, understandably as I commute during peak traffic hours. Overall, till now I've got an average of 19.8 kmpl which is very impressive.

The dislikes

1. Tubed Tyres and Punctures – This is by far my biggest gripe with the motorcycle. While I knew that tubed tyres are going to cause inconvenience, I never expected to have half a dozen punctures in 6 months. One particularly bad incident nearly ruined my day, and I had to tow the bike to the showroom to fix it. Interestingly all six punctures are on the rear tyre and apparently there is some issue with the rear Dunlop tyres. Suzuki has issued a recall of rear tyres, and they will be replaced with new batch of rear tyres. But we don't know when we will get it. Thankfully, there are aftermarket solutions, and I eventually got Way2Speed tubeless conversion, which is working great.

2. Weight – It’s a big, bulky motorcycle weighing 230+ kilos. Although the weight distribution is fantastic and you don’t find it heavy at all while riding, it’s a pain to move in the parking space. Especially if I am sitting on the bike and trying to move it backwards in a tight spot or on a slightly elevated road, I can't do it without a helping hand.

3. Aesthetics – I would call it ‘designed to function’ or ‘decent looking’ at best. It’s far away being a head turner but for a 13-lakh motorcycle, it clearly lacks the premium look. Personally, I liked the overall styling in comparison to the Transalp (My wife thinks otherwise – looks are subjective, right?) but neither can match the European styling. I wish the engineers could have used a bit more styling flair to match its capabilities.

4. Headlight – As it is with most of the modern-day motorcycles, V-Strom’s stock headlights too leave something to be desired. At slow speeds and in the city, stock headlights do a decent job, but they are pretty much useless on highways or if you are riding fast. I have added Baja Designs Squadron Pro aux lights as a solution.

5. Vibrations – While generally smooth, there’s a noticeable vibration around the 5000 RPM range. I did not experience these vibrations on the test ride bike. I thought it was something to do with my bike but then I heard it from a few other members in our group too. But this vibration doesn’t stay long and once I rev higher, they are gone. I would like to see if it improves after the second service.

6. Exhaust Note and Horn – The stock exhaust note is too quiet for my liking. I’m not someone who likes to have loud exhausts, but a little more bass would have complemented bike’s presence and given it a real character. Transalp, on the other hand, sounds beautiful. Same goes with the horn too. It sounds more like a scooter than an adventure motorcycle.

Final Thoughts

Despite having a few niggles, it’s an excellent motorcycle. In fact, none of the dislikes that I mentioned are deal breakers, for most people. It may not have the flamboyant look, or the other bells & whistles offered by its European counterparts, but it’s very much capable of delivering a blend of performance, comfort, and practicality that makes it truly a versatile motorcycle. I’m certainly looking forward to having many more thousand kilometers of ecstasy with my Rumble Bee! It’s a keeper for sure..
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Old 6th December 2024, 23:15   #52
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Re: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh

@rumblebee_82,

Thanks for sharing your journey—it’s making me seriously reconsider the 800 DE! I had taken a very short test ride at Avanish Suzuki, but it wasn’t enough to get a proper feel for the bike.

Could you please share the dealership details where you got yours?

Thanks in advance!
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Old 19th December 2024, 17:33   #53
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Hey @irideforpeace, glad to hear my experience helped you to short list the Vee. I bought it from Avanish Suzuki only. I directly spoke to the sales manager and asked the vehicle for full day test ride and he arranged for it after completing the formalities. Feel free to DM me, I can share the contact details for him.

Hello @kaushalswarup, thank you for the DM. I don’t have the privilege to reply to your DM.

Since I was riding classic 500 and Interceptor for a long time, handling / weight management of the Vee wasn’t an issue for me. Personally I find it a great motorcycle to live with.
For someone coming from KTM 390 Adventure, I think it’s a significant upgrade in terms of overall performance and comfort. I love the fact that how relaxed I can ride on highways without strain and yet manage to overtake effortlessly whenever required. But you’ll certainly miss the initial rush (throttle response), lightness and manoeuvrability of KTM.
When it comes to comfort, there is no comparison between the two. Vee is spacious & comfortable for both the rider and the pillion. My wife who’s 5’3” and my cousin who’s 6’, both found it to be plush and comfortable on long rides.
Service and maintenance of the Vee is obviously expensive compared to the KTM. The first 2 services cost me around 8.5k each. Repairs, spare parts and accessories are also cheaper on the KTM.
For the tubeless conversion, I had to choose between Outex and Way2Speed. I went with the latter due to availability, better after sales and price. Make no mistake, Outex is a proven solution but it’s difficult to obtain immediately. Also I’m told that Way2Speed conversion can be repaired in case of any minor issues but Outex can’t. It’s been 4 months and I haven’t faced any leakage so far. I had a puncture too and it held up well. The entire process of tubeless conversion was seamless. I removed my wheels and gave it to TopGear Thumpers. First they do the curing and then apply the tape. I left the bike for 5 days with them.
I hope I answered your questions.

Last edited by Rudra Sen : 23rd December 2024 at 12:28.
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Old 17th January 2025, 23:59   #54
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Suzuki V-Strom 800DE @ Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025

Big shoutout to libranof1987 for shooting these pictures & his coverage of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. Thanks for sharing, man!

On display at the Suzuki stall was the V-Storm 800 DE which was launched at a price of Rs 10.30 (ex-showroom):
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh-1.jpeg

The bike measures 2,345 mm in length, 975 mm in width and 1,310 mm in height. The wheelbase is 1,570 mm and the ground clearance is 220 mm. The seat height is set at 855 mm:
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh-2.jpeg

It is powered by a liquid-cooled, 776cc, parallel-twin engine, which is rated for 83 BHP and 78 Nm of torque:
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh-3.jpeg

You get twin disc brakes at the front and inverted telescopic shocks:
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh-4.jpeg

TFT console:
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh-5.jpeg

The spoked wheels are shod with tubed Dunlop Mixtour tyres:
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh-6.jpeg

Here’s the bike in Glass Sparkle Black shade:
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh-7.jpeg

A look at the spec sheet:
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh-8.jpeg

Last edited by Omkar : 18th January 2025 at 00:14.
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Old 23rd January 2025, 17:02   #55
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Re: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh

The Big One Comes Home

It’s often said, “What has to happen will happen,” and how true that is! For over 12 years now, I’ve been exploring the incredible world of motorcycling. The saying, “You meet the best people and see the most beautiful places on a bike,” is something I’ve found to be 100% true. Biking has introduced me to amazing people and taken me to some of the most breathtaking places in our beautiful country.

What started with the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 has evolved over the years to include a variety of motorcycles—each leaving its mark on my journey. From the RE Continental GT 535, the OG Himalayan, and the Dominar, to the RE Hunter and most recently, the KTM 390 Adventure.

The dream of owning a “big bike” has been alive since the beginning. Watching seasoned bikers on fully-laden adventure motorcycles, riding with purpose, had always tugged at my heart. Over the past year, the KTM 390 Adventure has been a revelation. It taught me that more power doesn’t always mean more danger. Instead, it brings the joy of seeing more of this beautiful country with less fatigue and so much more fun!

As the itch for a bigger bike grew stronger, I began the research that every biker in India does—scouring through Team-BHP threads! With my heart set on an ADV bike and my budget capped below ₹15 lakh, the hunt wasn’t too long. The Versys 650, Transalp, Tiger 660, and V-Strom 800DE were the top contenders. After poring over reviews and weighing the pros and cons, the sporty Tiger 660 and the more road-biased Versys fell out of contention, leaving the Transalp and V-Strom 800DE as the prime candidates.

A quick call to Manoj at Avanish Suzuki turned out to be the turning point. They went the extra mile, offering the test ride bike for a full day and night—something I hadn’t expected but greatly appreciated. Honda BigWing Topline was equally helpful, arranging a test ride for the Transalp with a chaperone (kudos to the salesman who was up at 6 AM, riding alongside on an NX500!).

On paper, the Transalp and V-Strom 800DE are quite similar—around 750cc, comparable performance figures, and both firmly planted in the ADV segment. But on the road, they feel vastly different (a purely personal opinion, of course).

The Transalp’s engine is linear, feeling like a bigger version of the 390 Adventure in its performance. It thrives on being revved, delivering a sporty character. However, its suspension leaves much to be desired, detracting from an otherwise excellent engine and spot-on ergonomics.

The V-Strom, on the other hand, was a revelation! The low-end torque delivery, combined with its suspension, chassis, and overall handling, makes it a phenomenal mile-muncher. It glides over bad roads effortlessly, has fully adjustable suspension front and rear, and even features a remote preload adjuster for on-the-fly tuning. The only downsides? A bit of vibration creeps in between 4,750 and 5,750 RPM (the sweet spot for cruising at 110-120 km/h), and the tubed spoke wheels. That said, having lived with Enfields and the KTM 390 Adventure, the vibrations are nothing new. As for the wheels, tubeless conversion kits from Way2Speed or Outex can take care of that issue.

With both my heart and mind satisfied, learning that stocks might run low until April/May and a price hike was expected soon, the decision was made quickly.
And so, “Christmas came early.” I booked the bike on December 25th, did the PDI on the 31st, and took delivery on January 3rd. It was my fastest and most sudden vehicle purchase—and it happened to be for the one bike I’d always dreamed of owning: a big ADV.

With just around 500 km under its belt so far, I’m yet to explore the bike’s full potential. But one thing is certain—it’s going to be a journey filled with countless smiles and endless miles!

Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh-_dsc0494.jpeg

Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh-_dsc1271.jpeg
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Old 24th January 2025, 12:08   #56
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Re: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh

Congratulations Kaushal. The demeanor in which you've phrased your experience says it all. The Stroms are simply one of the most versatile and extremely reliable motors. Having owned the V-Strom 250, it simply spoils you. It's simply one of those thoughts that hides in the back of your brain yet always comes to the fore when prodded, and the 650, 800 and the 1050 DE are always in one's mind.

Ride safe, would love to see this thread topped up with the experiences of your rides and ownership.

Cheers!
VJ
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Old 24th January 2025, 15:25   #57
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Re: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh

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Originally Posted by RumbleBee_82 View Post
I rode the new Himalayan multiple times both in the city and on highways, but didn’t like it. Something about the Himalayan seemed off to me.
3. Suspension Setup – I must admit the Himalayan 450 suspension is in a different league altogether.
Well, congratulations on making your dream come true by acquiring the VStrom 800DE! Wish you happy and safe motoring!
Can I ask you for a little more details here about the H450? Why did you not like it? I know the 450 is not on par with any of the bikes you shortlisted (2 Honda's and 1 Suzuki) in the NVH department. But what else do you think are negatives, must be improved, and may be improved? And what do you think are the pros of the H450?
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Old 24th January 2025, 21:40   #58
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Re: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh

Well, there were quite a few things that I didn’t like about the H450. Starting with its lack of low end torque. My previous 2 bikes were from RE (Classic 500 & Interceptor) and I also have ridden the Himalayan 411 a lot. So my immediate reaction when I was riding it in the city was ‘oops, what happened to the torque!?’. But on the highways it certainly can match up the big boys as it has got that strong mid and top-end performance.

Secondly, as you mentioned the engine refinement was a let down too. Initially I thought may be it’s just me because after tasting the sweetness of twin cylinder engine on my Interceptor, I don’t really get pleased with single cylinders. But then I loved the Triumph Speed and Harley X440 !! So yeah, I couldn’t really connect with the H450. There’s a third reason too but it may sound silly or funny though. I felt the side stand design is weird. Because of it, the bike leans so much but the real danger is the stand is actually lands on your toes! It happened to me couple of times and my toes would have got crushed had I not worn my riding boots..��

On the positive sides, it’s a great VFM machine if touring, off-roading, long rides are the primary usage. As mentioned it has got mid and high-end punch and can easily munch miles without getting too stressed. Suspension setup is pure gold. I loved the default setup, it was perfect.

Last edited by Axe77 : 25th January 2025 at 05:33.
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Old 27th January 2025, 16:46   #59
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Re: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh

May I know why you moved from interceptor to this?
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Old 30th January 2025, 14:35   #60
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Re: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, now launched at Rs.10.30 lakh

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Originally Posted by Ravi@650 View Post
May I know why you moved from interceptor to this?
I just wanted a more comfortable motorcycle, that's all. As mentioned in my review post, I didn't mind the discomfort in the initial years. But over a period of time, I started to feel that more & more, especially with a pillion.
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