Honda XL750 Transalp vs Suzuki V Strom 800 DE: Price and specifications compared

The V-Strom is brought in via the CKD route, whereas the Transalp is a CBU, attracting higher taxes.

Published on Jun 18, 2025 07:00:00 AM

9,453 Views

Honda has launched the 2025 XL750 Transalp in India. We have put it against its chief rival from Japan – the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE. Here’s how they fare on paper.

Honda XL750 Transalp vs Suzuki V Strom 800 DE: Engine and output

Engine and output
	Honda XL750 Transalp	Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE
Engine	755cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled	776cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled
Power	91.7hp at 9,500rpm	84.3hp
Torque	75Nm at 7,250rpm	74Nm
Gearbox	6-speed	6-speed
Power-to-weight ratio	436hp/tonne	363hp/tonne

The Transalp has a higher output

Both motorcycles have similarly sized engines. The Transalp produces slightly more power, but both are nearly equal in terms of torque. Additionally, both these Japanese bikes feature a typical 270-degree crank, so on the move, they should feel quite similar.

The V-Strom has a lower power-to-weight ratio but offers stronger low-end torque, while the Honda delivers a broader spread of torque across the rev range. It is worth mentioning that the V-Strom has a much higher compression ratio of 12.8:1 and also that the brand recommends 95-octane fuel, whereas the Honda has a lower compression ratio of 11.0:1.

Honda XL750 Transalp vs Suzuki V Strom 800 DE: Weight and dimensions

Weight and dimensions
	Honda XL750 Transalp	Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE
Kerb weight	210 kg	232kg
Seat height	850mm	855mm
Ground clearance	210mm	220mm
Fuel tank capacity	16.7 litres	20 litres
Wheelbase	1560mm	1570mm

The V Strom 800 DE is heavier by 22kg

The V-Strom is considerably heavier than the Transalp. While it does have a larger fuel tank, the 22kg difference in weight is hard to ignore. Both motorcycles feature tall seat heights of over 850mm, but when combined with the V-Strom’s higher kerb weight, it may feel less approachable for shorter riders.

Honda XL750 Transalp vs Suzuki V Strom 800 DE: Suspension, tyres and brakes

Suspension, tyres and brakes
	Honda XL750 Transalp	Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE
Suspension	USD fork / monoshock	USD fork / monoshock
Tyres	90/90-21 / 150/70-R18	90/90-21 / 150/70-R17
Brakes	310mm discs / 256mm disc	Twin discs / disc

The V Strom gets fully adjustable suspension

In our earlier review, we found the Honda Transalp to be softly sprung. For 2025, however, Honda has retuned the suspension – the fork now features reduced damping, while the rear shock has been made slightly stiffer. We look forward to experiencing this revised setup.

Similarly, the V-Strom also felt softly sprung in our review. However, it offers more room for adjustment with its fully adjustable suspension and a remote preload adjuster, which is a handy feature to have on a machine geared towards riding with a pillion and/or luggage.

Both motorcycles come equipped with spoke wheels and tubed tyres. On paper, the Transalp appears to be the more off-road-focused machine, thanks to its 21/18-inch (F/R) wheel setup. But that only tells half the story – the Transalp is actually an accomplished and surefooted handler on the road.

Honda XL750 Transalp vs Suzuki V Strom 800 DE: Features

The V-Strom gets bi-directional quickshifter as standard

For 2025, the Honda now gets an LED headlight shared with the CB750 Hornet. The 5-inch TFT display and switchgear have also been updated, taken from the NX500. These updates are what set the 2025 model apart from the outgoing version.

In terms of features, both bikes offer multiple levels of traction control, rider modes and engine brake control. However, given their price point and touring focus, the addition of cruise control would have been a welcome feature on both.

One feature that the V-Strom 800DE gets as standard is a bidirectional quickshifter, which is a rather pricey accessory on the Transalp 750.