![\"\"](\"https:\/\/motorcyclemojo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/1a-300x199.jpg\")
While many believe the BMW GS pioneered the design, it was in fact Suzuki in 1988 with the release of the DR750S (lovingly referred to as DR Big, and later upgraded as the DR800S). In 2014, the DL1000 revived the beak and added traction control, while it took another year for baby brother to grow a beak of its own along with tubeless spoked tires for the adventure crowd.<\/p>\n
In 2020, the 1000 became the 1050, and in 20 years that\u2019s about all there was to report. That and an adamantly loyal following: try convincing a Stromtrooper that a better bike exists in its class and be prepared for violence. Suzuki\u2019s apparent R&D inertia, however, had led some recent observers to opine that the company was quietly preparing to exit the manufacture of motorcycles altogether.<\/p>\n
It was therefore a welcome big deal to hear from Suzuki late last year that a new, completely redesigned steed was about to be unveiled: The V-Strom 800DE.<\/p>\n
Route 66 with an All-New Engine<\/strong><\/p>\n For me personally, it was an equally big deal when Motorcycle Mojo promptly arranged a long-term test ride. Route 66 was calling, and I could hardly wait to ride the new Strom west and up the Pacific Coast Highway. Let\u2019s get this party started!<\/p>\n The 800DE truly is all-new. Even the \u201cV\u201d has been replaced with what many consider the new workhorse in the industry: a parallel twin. This has raised questions in some circles about the name, but let\u2019s be honest, P-Strom just doesn\u2019t sound as cool.<\/p>\n And to release a V-Strom without a V-twin isn\u2019t new, actually. The original Suzuki V-Strom 250 had a parallel twin. And the newer V-Strom 250SX has but a single-cylinder. Make no mistake, however: the 776 cubic centimetres and 270-degree crank give the new power plant characteristics that will be quite familiar to lovers of the 90-degree V-twin. Offering 83 hp and 57.5 lb-ft of torque, the same engine is now driving the 2023 Suzuki GXS-8S…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The all-new Suzuki V-Strom 800DE heads west. Is there a rider anywhere that did not sit up with interest at the announcement of a new V-Strom? Honestly, it is hardly hyperbole to say that since the first sport-touring model \u2014 the DL1000 \u2014 appeared in 2002, little has changed aside from fairings and farkles. Yes, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":61810,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[366,2548,1853,1841,1852],"tags":[2560,473,256,2561],"yoast_head":"\n