Suzuki unveils V-Strom 800 DE adventure bike

Alongside the brand-new Suzuki GSX-8S, Suzuki has also taken the wraps off the V-Strom 800 DE adventure bike. The V-Strom is powered by the same 776cc, parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine as in the GSX-8S, but here it makes 83hp at 8,500rpm and 78Nm at 6,800rpm, which is 1hp higher. 

• Rides on 21/17-inch wire-spoke rims

• Has Gravel mode for loose surfaces, rear ABS can be disabled

Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE adventure bike: details

This new middleweight adventure bike borrows a lot of styling cues from its elder sibling, the Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE. The V-Strom 800 DE features the same steel frame as its newly unveiled naked sibling but its subframe has been lengthened and made tougher for coping with the extra load of a pillion as well as luggage. A few more key differences to the GSX-8S are in the form of a new, longer aluminium swingarm and a larger 20-litre fuel tank. 

Suspension duties are handled by an adjustable front fork and a monoshock with remote preload adjustability, both courtesy of Showa. The front and rear suspension travel and the ground clearance figure, all stand at 220mm. Further enhancing its off-road capabilities are 21/17-inch wire-spoke wheels shod with dual-purpose Dunlop Mixtour rubber. Braking is handled by a pair of 310mm discs at the front with four-piston floating calipers and a 260mm disc at the rear with a single-piston caliper. It gets dual-channel ABS as standard, and if needed, the rear ABS can be switched off. 

Electronics is another area where Suzuki has paid special attention to the off-road side of things. This bike gets a dedicated Gravel mode in its traction control parameters, which cuts power gently. Additionally, it gets the same suite of electronic rider aids as the GSX-8S, all controlled via the same 5.0-inch colour TFT dash. 

There is a whole raft of dedicated accessories from Suzuki, including crash protection, a centre stand, a variety of hard luggage options, a USB charging port, a different windscreen, a metal bash plate and auxiliary lamps. The V-Strom 800 DE can be had in three colourways, yellow, grey and black. 

With Suzuki already retailing the V-Strom 650 XT in India at the moment, it remains to be seen if the V-Strom 800 DE will make its way here. 

Would you pick this more modern adventure bike over the relatively simple V-Strom 650 XT? Let us know in the comments section below.