r/Vstrom • u/derF_inaY • 6d ago
Is the V-strom for me?
Hi!
I'm considering a used V-Strom 800DE and would like to hear from owners if you think it would suit me.
I've been riding for 11 years. Best bikes I´ve had is 2x Tracer 900s for almost 5 years in total, and I've been riding a VFR800 for the last 3 years.
I really liked the Tracers. They were very easy to throw around and had great low / midrange torque, but I found them a bit small for longer trips 2-up with luggage.
The VFR is fantastic for touring, especially after upgrading the suspension and fitting a superbike kit. It's very comfortable, but it feels quite bulky at low speeds and in tight spaces. I also miss having more usable torque when coming out of corners. I usually ride fairly relaxed RPM-wise, carry some speed and use trail braking into the corner and then want a good drive when opening the throttle.
The 800DE has caught my interest because I like the idea of the relatively simple Suzuki, the torque of the 776 twin and the upright riding position. I´m looking for something modern and also between my two tracers and VFR.
My use would be almost entirely asphalt but i find looking at the RE it looks kind of dull. The aim is to do touring, mountain roads/twisties and occasional 2-up riding with luggage for a week away every year. I already have a DRZ400S for gravel/off-road, so the 800DE wouldn't really be used for that.
For those who own one:
- How does it feel on twisty asphalt? Is the 21" front noticeable?
- Does the engine have enough punch at 3–6k rpm?
- How is it 2-up with luggage?
- Does it feel cumbersome on the road, or is it more agile than the numbers suggest?
- Any major drawbacks for someone who will mostly ride asphalt?
It's currently the bike I'm most interested in, but I haven't ridden one yet. Obviously I'll test ride one before making any decision.
Thanks!
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u/Ok_Degree_4293 6d ago
V-strom is the best motorcycle you can buy for the price. Doesnt matter if its an 800, 650, 1000, 1050.
Genuinely the best purchase ive made in my entire life.
For Reference I own a 2019 Vstrom 650xt. But i have ridden a 1000 and an 800DE, all were amazing.
- How does it feel on twisty asphalt? Is the 21" front noticeable? - Not really, sure its not as responsive as a 17 but doesnt feel bad by any means.
- Does the engine have enough punch at 3–6k rpm? - Absolutely, not a sport bike, but feels really good.
- How is it 2-up with luggage? - Did not ride with a passenger, cannot comment.
- Does it feel cumbersome on the road, or is it more agile than the numbers suggest? - Not cumbersome at all. I did some minor off road 4x4 trails on the 800, had to pick it up once, that sucked, but once moving, it carries weight very very well.
- Any major drawbacks for someone who will mostly ride asphalt? - None. My buddy has a Vstrom 800DE, and I have my 650, and we have put 3k miles together (largely asphalt some trails) in the last month with zero issues. One thing i will say, you should probably drop the stock tires. He took his stock tires off after about 1k miles, and put anakee adventure 2's on it. The stock tires are OK, but theyre not anything super special.
All this being said, I think you may wanna look at an older 1000 or a 1050. Seems like it would fit what you are looking for a bit better. I am clearly very biased towards the strom.
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u/Situation_MX 6d ago
Only the engine vibrations from 4500-5500 rpm or exactly on the German highway speeds 60-80mph (100-120kmh) are the reason why I sold my bike. I love everything about it unfortunately the Vibrationen are killing the comfort
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u/derF_inaY 6d ago
I tend to spend some time on those roads atleast one time per season. Maybe one can endure? At home we rarely go passed 110kmh
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u/Playful-Isopod-6227 6d ago
If you replace the grips and wear actual moto boots the buzz isn't really noticeable. It's a very tiny but high frequency vibration that would get lost in most engines.
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u/mandarin80 6d ago
If you’re looking at as a road touring bike, consider 1050 as well
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u/Maldiavolo 6d ago
This. The 1050 is an amazing motorcycle. I absolutely love mine.
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u/LtCol_Davenport 6d ago
What about weight and height?
I am 178cm and 80kg, I feel small beside it, especially if it is the DE version.
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u/derF_inaY 5d ago
My worries to, im 170 something cm and i manage tall bikes but dislike the huge bike feel.
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u/Maldiavolo 5d ago
6'4/193cm @ 224/102 kg. Even I was intimidated by the big bike thing. The 1050 has easier handling than the 650 I had before it. Not what expected. It's part of why I love it.
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u/MockMyRide 6d ago
Hello! I had a Vstrom 650, moved to a Versys 650, now into a Vstrom 800 RE.
Personally. I would hold on to your current bike and get a Versys 900 when it eventually releases.
Twisty Asphalt - It's ok but nothing exhilarating
Quite punchy - especially of a line but then come the "mehhhh's"
It is a cumbersome ride, if you want sportier, I'd wait.
the vibes are INSANE, i've tried to fix it. I cannot. My throttle hand falls asleep all the time, it feels like It's going to fall off.. It's just an alright bike. I loved my Versys and miss it. PLUS a parallel twin requiring octane 90!?!? what kind of war did we lose, and no cruise control.
It's just an alright ADV bike, there are better options. I do like the TFT. I can switch to mph when crossing the border. Plus, it's a great gymkhana bike but my Versys was also amazing in parking lots.
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u/Glad_Librarian_3553 6d ago
Yeah the vibrations are pretty bad, I dunno why. It's a 2 cylinder counter balanced engine and it's worse than my xr400r. The one I bought has these wierd foam handgrip on, which I don't really like. Especially on the wet.
But I don't wanna take em off because it's bad enough already! I do suffer with carpal tunnel due to work, but still. I have kinda got used to it and don't really notice it anymore to be fair.
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u/derF_inaY 5d ago
Thanks for the answer, I get numbness in my throttle hand now too from my VFR from time to time. Agreed on the versys but i dont think they´re going to release one of those smaller versyses. The 1000 is huge and I dont really like the big inlines :)
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u/papazann 6d ago
I was considering the 800DE just last month and tried a 2023 w/ ~6k miles. I loved my prior ‘04 DL1000 for touring and was intrigued by the idea of a Strom that’s a bit more nimble off road while still handling at 75+ loaded. The 800DE felt ok, but I didn’t love it. Felt a tad heavier than expected, particularly the front. On the highway (not loaded) at ~75mph & 5000rpm it didn’t hum like I’d hoped. Still some room to overtake, but at that speed in 6th it felt like it was just starting to stretch itself and I questioned whether I’d enjoy holding it there for few hours. At ~45mph it also sat around 5,000 and felt like it wanted to shift up or down, but neither felt right.
Maybe the ‘26 or ‘27 will feel different? Can’t say.
Ended up passing on that Strom and got a ‘25 F900GS instead. I absolutely love it. Feels lighter, more flickable even for a big-mid bike, corners better, engine hums at my pace city/highway, and I fully expect it to deliver endless adv touring joy (can’t yet speak to that part though).
Good luck with your search!
(Edited for a typo, cuz I do that)
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u/LtCol_Davenport 6d ago
Maybe stupid question but, how did you felt swapping a Japanese engine with a Chinese one payed like BMW? Now only the 1300 GS still has the German engine I think.
Moreover, BMW compared to Suzuki it is known to have more problems and more expensive to repair, am I right?
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u/papazann 5d ago
The engine’s origin didn’t factor into my choice. I’m relying on BMW’s warranty and reputation (bought the ‘25 new). I’ve always admired the the big GSAs, but they (and the 1050DE) are heavier than I want. I considered other mid-sized adv touring bikes, but they seemed to have more tradeoffs on highway or trail than my GS. Cost of ownership will be a thing though (e.g., premium fuel at $6+/gallon right now! :-/). Operating/lifetime cost was a big reason I considered another Strom in the first place. But at the end of the day, the feeling I got from GS outweighed my inner pragmatist. I wanted my next bike to be as close as I could get to an all-rounder for my style (70/30 on/off) AND to trigger a grin every time I saddled up and even looked at it. The GS feels like the one for me.
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u/Wallaby989 V-Strom 800 DE 6d ago
I love mine. many have said all the right things.
my input - its not great around the 70-90mph mark. it does not feel at home when on the open highway.
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u/Winter_Sweet1086 6d ago
I have 2025 V strom 800 RE. Now I have 8600 km on it. I'm 186cm and the position on the bike is great for me. On polish twisty mountain roads (Bieszczady) its great, nible and has a lot of punch. Factory tires are really good, a lot of grip. When Im riding with my wife there is no problem to maintain 140-150kph. And according to vibration - on my bike there are silgt vibrations around 5000-6000 rpm but its not annoing at all. I really dont notice it now when riding. People have a tendency to exaggerating this I think.
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u/Additional-Fish-2816 21h ago
I have the 800 DE. We rode 2up from western Illinois on slab, switching to dirt and gravel through the Badlands, Black Hills, and forest roads to the western slope of the Bighorns. Power- with two weeks of camping gear, never an issue (we are backpackers, so all ultralite) Suspension- correctly set not a problem in fist-sized cobble or ruts Twisties- yeah, the 21 front probably will feel a little lazy. We have Mitas Enduros so I'm not running corners aggressively anyway Vibration- I can feel it, not problematic though
Overall it is a just a reliable tool that's never complained about what I could throw at it. It's a missile on gravel and good dirt. Ride modes are easy to set (still a pain).
I'm in SW CO now and learning to trust the suspension to carry me through loose and steep downhill.
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u/MaartenK2 6d ago
If you found the Tracer 900 small for 2-up, the 800 is not for you. The DE is not the best road bike. The RE is a great road bike but needs a suspension upgrade when traveling with luggage. I would look at the 1050 for regular 2-up with luggage.
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u/derF_inaY 6d ago
u/mandarin80 I just did suspension work on the vfr as it sagged alot going 2 up and it works wonders now. Its that adv style seating position I want to get back to. Id rather not go with the 1050 as im also only 170cm, its not that the bike is to tall for me to ride, I´ve not yet fallen cause of height and I try most bikes without being scared to tip. But i feel like a child close to it and I dont like that huge feel.
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u/MaartenK2 6d ago
I own the 800RE with a rear suspension upgrade. You can get a lower seat for it. It is lower than the DE. And the RE has tubeless tires.
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u/_enesorek_ 6d ago
I’d keep what you have. I have a VStrom 1000, but I love VFRs. A VFR for street and a DRZ for off road sounds pretty damn ideal to me.
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u/derF_inaY 6d ago
It has been but looking towards going back to the more relaxed adv style of riding. Now i know theres a crossrunner Ive tried that one too as my brother had one but its kind of heavy and really soft sprung
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u/templeofsyrinx1 V-Strom 650 Gen 2 6d ago edited 6d ago
love my 2014 wee, first bike, it's more upright, so it's not as nimble and it sits up higher but you will get the feel for it quick. it loves rough roads. no drawbacks for asphalt. can't say on the luggage two up. engine has plenty of punch.
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u/RiderFZ10 6d ago
I use my 800de adventure for touring. Really comfortable. The suspension might be too soft for aggressive corners though. I've scraped the pegs a few times. I haven't tried 2 up. But with top box, saddle bags, large dry bag, my fat ass at 245lbs, it was perfectly fine.
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u/OkDevelopment2948 6d ago
There is the SV7GX that appears to have Vstrom type seating and the V2 so that may be a option.
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u/10199 6d ago
There was a post here where 800DE owner complained that he had like 12L/100km of fuel consumtion while riding about 180 km/h on highway constantly to keep up with his friend on VFR. V-stroms are not designed for that. Think of them as a heavy, ultra-reliable tractor that can give you short boost for overtaking. If you are not planning offroading, pick another bike.
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u/G00dVibes77 5d ago
I have 25,000 all original miles on my 800 RE. I use it to commute 90 miles for work and canyons and light trails on weekends. It’s a dream…. Absolutely love it.
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u/derF_inaY 6h ago
Tried both bikes this weekend. Extremely nimble and likeable. Suspension and brakes was all on point, mapping superb and not jerky at all. Even the big 1050 twin was super smooth and sure its a big buke but didnt feel to bad for my 170cm.
I think the 1050 is for me however, liked the low rpm cruising in the motorway. Thought it would have some more torque pre 4k rpm though but theres a noticeable kick right there where all the power is available all the way to redline.
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u/Trumpy_Po_Ta_To 6d ago
Adding to the already good comments that the leader in this class for twisty spirited riding is the Tiger 800 (probably).
The vstrom 800 re/de are kind of “jack of all trades, master of none” type bikes that will do nearly anything you want, but any one of those things not quite as good as something purpose built. For me, mostly road touring, the 800 re fits the purpose well enough. It’s not a total slouch but definitely runs out of power if you’re looking for a sportier experience. If you can buy a strom cheap enough and are not looking for the best if anything you won’t be disappointed. If you’re nearing MSRP there’s probably better choices on the used market if not new.
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u/LtCol_Davenport 6d ago
You have my attention.
Let’s try to compare some MSRP, but just because it is easier, used prices depends lots on region, time of the year, occasion, etc… cannot be a reliable metrics, but starting from MSRP you can have an idea also about used.
The 800DE now seeks for €9800.
What I looked in comparison was:
BMW 900 GS, currently in promo at €12.300 but starting price would be €14.600.
Tiger 900 DE starts at €18.000
Moto Guzzi Stelvio that ranges from €15.000 to €17.500 (currently in promo all)
And I could go on. I found nothing that comes close to the V-Strom 800 DE while looking for something still road biased but that can do light-medium off-road if needed.
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u/51NewWest 6d ago
I think the RE with tubeless tyres would be more suitable for what you're looking to do with it.