Road-biased 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800RE officially revealed

Suzuki has today officially pulled the covers off its latest adventure bike, the 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800RE. It's a more road-biased and sporty take on the V-Strom ethos which is also a slightly cheaper option for those looking for a mid-weight adventure bike.

Like the bike it shares much of its platform with, with new V-Strom launches into the hyper-competitive middle-weight adventure touring sector, where it’s set to compete against bikes like the Honda XL750 Transalp, Triumph Tiger 660, Yamaha Tracer7, and Ducati Multistrada V2.

Unlike the V-Strom 800DE though, the new RE isn’t about taking the trail less travelled, and more about offering riders optimum on-road handling and dynamics, without losing out on comfort, range, or the ability to carry luggage and a passenger.

It seems Suzuki isn’t totally ruling out a spot of light green lane riding on the bike though, as within the press images for the machine we can see it taking on a very light gravel track. Full adventure bike it is not though, and if that is what you’re after, check out this top ten detailing the best middleweight adventure motorcycles you can buy.

2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800RE price, colours and availability

The new V-Strom 800RE will be rolling into UK dealerships in late October 2023 and will have an on-the-road price of £9,699. Compared to the already available V-Strom 800DE the new bike looks to be very good value, undercutting its sibling by £1,000. The V-Strom 800RE will be available in Pearl Vigor Blue, Metallic Matt Steel Green, and Glass Sparkle Black. There will also be a full suite of genuine accessories available including a choice of three-piece aluminium or plastic luggage, heated grips, and a centre stand. 

2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800RE preview

The engine of the bike is the same unit as found in the DE and GSX-8S, meaning you get a 776cc parallel twin with a 270-degree crankshaft for an offset firing order, peak torque of 57lb ft at 6,800rpm and peak power 83bhp at 8,500rpm.

Similarly, the frame of the bike is the same steel mainframe that enables it to retain the healthy 20-litre fuel tank. Given the overall engine dynamics are the same, and overall weight is comparable (at 223kg ready to ride compared to 230kg of the DE) we’d assume this bike could match the 250+ mile tank range its sibling boasts.

Where the chassis of the new model differentiates itself is in its suspension, wheels, tyres and brakes. This bike is suspended by a Showa Sperate Function Fork - Big Piston (SSFF-BP) and a Showa rear shock. Both ends feature preload adjustability, while the rear also allows for rebound damping adjustment. The suspension system is tuned for road touring and offers less travel (150mm), and a slightly firmer, more controlled ride.

The wheels of the new bike are cast items which comprise a 19-inch front and 17 rear. The move opens up the tyre choice of the new model considerably and also allows the use of tubeless tyres. The OEM hoops for the bike are Dunlop D614F and D614 tyres, 110/80R19 front, and 150/70R17 rear.

Another change for the model is the brakes, and while the calipers are still radially-mounted four-piston Nissin items, the discs on the new bike 310mm and are conventional round discs, not the petal ones as found on the DE.

Another significant chassis change for the new Suzuki V-Strom 800RE is to the riding position. The handlebars are lower, set further forward and narrower than its adventure bike sibling, while the footpegs are fractionally higher and more rear-set. The quoted seat height of the new V-Strom 800RE is 825mm, a full 30mm lower than the V-Strom 800DE.

The screen of the new bike is also new and is significantly larger and than before improving the long-distance comfort of the bike. The screen is adjustable via three levels via 15mm increments, although annoyingly it’s not something you can do on the fly as you’ll need to crack out the Allen keys to make the adjustments.

2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800RE electronics and tech

The dash of the new V-Strom 800RE is a full-colour five-inch TFT item, which displays the speedometer, tachometer, riding range, odometer, trips, gear position, water temperature, engine rpm, average fuel consumption, instant fuel consumption, SDMS mode, traction control setting, quickshifter (on/off), and fuel gauge. Unlike some of the other bikes in this sector, the V-Strom doesn’t benefit from Bluetooth connectivity, meaning you’ll be hooking up a standalone sat-nav for using your phone for navigation on longer journeys. You do though get a 5V USB socket located on the dash, and a more heavy-duty 12V outlet (cigarette lighter style) is available as an accessory.

Like the other 800-powered bikes in the Suzuki range, the new V-Strom 800 gains a proper up-and-down quickshifter and blipper, although there is no fancy lean-sensitive cornering ABS or traction control. The ABS system has two settings, low and high, while the traction control has three levels of intervention and the ability to turn the system off altogether. The Suzuki Drive Mode Selector, (SDMS) allows the rider to adjust the engine power mode, traction control and ABS independently, free from the shackles of pre-ordained modes with already programmed levels of electronic intervention. Riding modes available are You do though get full LED lighting all around, including the indicators and a neat-looking DRL.

Joining the Suzuki V-Strom 800RE will be a full range of accessories including multiple luggage options, a taller screen, fog lights, a sump guard, crash bars and a centre stand. Check out the official Suzuki Bikes website for more information.

2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800RE specs

Suzuki V-Strom 800DE