SUZUKI
DL800DE For EICMA 2022 there were two brands on adventure riders ’ minds . Suzuki and Honda . Both had leaked less than subtle “ spy shots ” of new bikes ahead of the show , so expectations were high . Neither brand disappointed . Suzuki was first up with not one , but two completely new motorcycles for 2023 - the DL800DE V-Strom and the GSX-8S . Considering the last all-new bike from Suzuki debuted in the last century , this was a big deal . “ Adventure is its Purpose ” is the tagline Suzuki has given the new V-Strom 800 , and they really mean business . Everything is new - nothing is held over from the 2022 DL650 . At its heart is a new parallel-twin engine ; a 776cc parallel-twin with 270-degree crankshaft producing 62kW ( 84.3hp ) and 78Nm . That 270 ° crank should give the new V-Strom a familiar v-twin-like feel , and , we imagine , a great sound out of an aftermarket pipe down the line . Surprisingly for a Suzuki , the 800DE packs a lot of useful tech and like the soon to arrive V-Strom 1050DE , it gets a quick-shifter and switchable ABS as standard equipment . Fuel range is always important for ADV bikes and the new V-Strom carries on Suzuki ’ s longstanding tradition of plonking a big ol ’ 20-litre fuel tank in front of the 855mm high seat . The new parallel-twin engine has a claimed consumption of 22.7km / l which would put the theoretical range at an impressive 450km give or take .
The new V-Strom 800DE should be more than capable to take on the rest of the middleweight adventure class with the chassis sporting 220 mm ground clearance , 220mm of suspension travel at both ends , and the critical component to be taken seriously for any off-road riding - a 21-inch front wheel . Both tyres are of the tubed variety , indicating Suzuki has tried to keep pricing competitive with their new bike . If the V-Strom 800DE has an Achilles heel , it ’ s the weight . Suzuki claims a kerb weight of 230kg for the DL800 , that ’ s about 24kg heavier than the benchmark for the class . That said , the DL800 looks to have a strong subframe for carrying luggage or a pillion . And let ’ s face it , if you were shopping for the most outright performance in an adventure bike you wouldn ’ t be looking at a Suzuki anyway , would you ? Styling follows the same DR-Big lines as the DL1050 range , but with sharper lines that seem to follow the original bikes better - probably thanks to the all-new ground up design of the V-Strom 800DE . The V-Strom 800DE is due in New Zealand in July 2023 , with a choice of three liveries : Champion Yellow No . 2 , Glass Mat Mechanical Grey , or Glass Sparkle Black . Pricing is yet to be confirmed .
SUZUKI GSX-8S Unveiled alongside the new V-Strom 800DE is the new GSX-8S naked middleweight which was also strongly rumoured to be unveiled at EICMA . Like the new ‘ Strom , it utilises Suzuki ’ s new 776cc parallel twin engine but somehow loses 1kW to the V-Strom with a peak of 61kW ( 83hp ).
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