In the wake of the success of the all-new off-road-ready Suzuki V-Strom 800DE last year comes the more street-focused 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800. We tested the 800DE extensively, so let’s take a look at what Suzuki engineers changed when they removed the DE designation.
- The 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800 has street-oriented wheels. A 19-inch front wheel replaces the DE’s 21-inch front wheel, and cast aluminum wheels are used rather than the DE’s wire-spoke wheels.
- New pure-street Dunlop D614 tires reinforce the heavy pavement bias of the new V-Strom 800. The new 800 has tubeless tires instead of the DE’s tube-type tires.
- Four-piston radially mounted Nissan front calipers are ready for the heavy-duty braking required for street riding. The DE has traditionally mounted two-piston front calipers, so this is a big step up. The 310mm discs are retained, and the rear braking is unchanged—a 260mm disc and single-piston caliper.
- The Showa suspension is simplified, and the travel shortened. The 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800 has a hair under six inches of wheel travel at both ends, compared to 8.7 inches on the DE. The DE has fully adjustable suspension, while the standard 800’s fork and shock have fixed damping and spring-preload adjustment.
- With the change to the front wheel and suspension comes more aggressive geometry. The V-Strom 800 has 26 degrees of rake, tucked in two degrees compared to the DE. Also, the 800’s wheelbase is 2.2 inches shorter than the DE’s. You’ll want to be careful in the dirt, as the 800’s ground clearance is just 7.3 inches and there is no protective cowling.
- The ergonomics on the new V-Strom 800 are specific to its street mission. With the change in the suspension travel and the front wheel, the seat height is dropped 1.2 inches to 32.5 inches. Additionally, the handlebar is narrowed and the grips farther forward to put the rider in a more aggressive street riding stance. The 800 gets rubber-covered aluminum footpegs, rather than the DE’s more durable steel pegs.
- The 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800 has a list price of $9899. You shouldn’t have to wait long to see it at a dealership. Suzuki made it easy to select a color; this new adventure motorcycle is only available in Metallic Matte Steel Green.
2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800 Specs
ENGINE
Type: Parallel twin
Displacement: 776cc
Bore x stroke: 84.0 x 70mm
Compression ratio: 12.8:1
Fueling: EFI w/ 42mm throttle bodies
Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 vpc
Lubrication: Wet sump
Transmission: 6-speed w/ quickshifter
Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ slip-and-assist functions
Final drive: D.I.D 525 O-ring chain
CHASSIS
Frame: Steel tube backbone
Front suspension; travel: Spring-preload adjustable Showa SFF-BP inverted fork; 5.9 inches
Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted, spring-preload adjustable Showa shock; 5.9 inches
Wheels: Cast aluminum 7-spoke
Tires: Dunlop D614
Front tire: 110/80 x 19
Rear tire: 150/70 x 17
Front brakes: 310mm discs w/ radially mounted Nissin 4-piston calipers
Rear brake: 260mm disc w/ Nissin single-piston caliper
ABS: Standard; adjustable
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
Wheelbase: 59.6 inches
Rake: 26 degrees
Trail: 4.9 inches
Ground clearance: 7.3 inches
Seat height: 32.5 inches
Fuel capacity: 5.3 gallons
Curb weight: 492 pounds
Color: Metallic Matte Steel Green
2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800 Price: $9899 MSRP
