What we’ve learned after 2629 miles
With the same motor as the GSX‑8S he had last year, you would think the V‑strom would give Simon a strong sense of déjà vu. Not so…
IN A FEW short weeks of ownership, RIDE’S V-strom 800DE has been put through the wringer. Two airport taxi runs to Gatwick and back, plus a haul up to Scotland in the company of BMW’S R1300GS (against which the half-priced Suzuki was anything but overshadowed), in some of the worst weather a modern British winter can conspire.
It says much about the V-strom’s unshowy appearance that a thick coating of farm muck and oxidising agents don’t really impact its look – it’s a great example of the Suzuki’s truly practical nature.
So, here’s what we’ve learned in 2629 hardcore winter miles.
1 It talks the torque
Just about everyone who compares the V-strom with Honda’s Transalp discovers the Suzuki’s motor is more satisfying on and off-road – and I concur. With a longer stroke and power delivery weighted to favour midrange, it delivers efficient mid-speed cornering drive and plenty of overtaking performance. Never scintillating, rarely thrilling, occasionally exciting… but always deeply rewarding. One of the best quickshifters at any price, too.
2 It’s bloody comfy
The seat may be the most comfortable on a modern motorcycle. I rode it back-to-back to Scotland with the GS and the V-strom’s is better. It’s tapered at the tank without being too narrow or shallow, supportively flared at the back, and the foam is resistant but not springy. It’s helped by the riding position – the ’bars are the ideal width and the ’pegs a relaxed distance below the seat. I rode it 500 miles in one go and didn’t need to change sitting position.
3 It’s a long‑distance luggage weapon
In Tour trim, it’s hardly the first bike to carry aluminium panniers and top box (without a matching key; a bit of a pain), but loading it with a 25kg bag for airport taxi duties made me glow because it accepted it so eagerly. The fully-adjustable Showa suspension needs maxing out to avoid unpleasant wallowing – though on the plus side it is one of the few machines at this price with fully-adjustable springs.
4 It’s not all roses
The headlights are poor – Denali spots are on the shopping list – and the screen is ineffective. In a way it’s good as there’s nothing to create buffeting, but over distance, when it’s chilly, a big screen would be nice. The sibling 800RE’S screen is much taller and wider, and fits straight on – another shopping item. No cruise control is always a miss on any bike at any price, and the fact the TC and throttle response settings aren’t bundled into global rider modes makes changing the set-up for wet riding more button-pushes than it should be. Heated grips should be stock, too.
5 It’s a credible bike – whatever you compare it to
Perhaps the final word should go to RIDE photographer Chippy Wood, a man who suffers fools gladly (much to my relief) but calls a duff bike a duff bike whatever its image. He rode the V-strom up a chunk of the A1 in the company of said R1300GS which had a level of trim pushing its price tag over £23,000 – pretty much twice that of the Suzuki. Could I persuade Chippy off the V-strom for the return journey – with all its heated grips and seat, and cruise, and screen? Could I heck: “Nah, it’s alright.
I’ll stick with the Suzuki, thanks.”