@chrishart8548 no, I've tested both over the last week. The v strom 650 is a great motor but the cp2 even though the bhp and torque figures are compatible, feels more gutsy and has more get up and go, but they are both great. I actually felt the suzuki was better put together, especially the mirrors. If you still like to get going and enjoy the twisties then the Tracer 7 cp2 is the way to go, if you want a little more stability and comfort go with the v strom, but it's close in all areas
i own this bike and have done almost 6000km on this. the bike definitly settled in around 4/5000 km. vibrations got less and the exhaust started producing a bit more rumble. The worst thing for me was the created wind noice from the screen. i fixed this with a givi airflow. im in a nice quite bubble on the highway. it did create some turbulence on the top end of my helmet with my 190cm lenght. if ur smaller it will fix everything. right now i just lean forward a little bit and its gone. This problem only happens when going over 100 km/hr great machine and a accurate review!
@@apz5817 i do. I commute 1 hr one way trip twice a week without troubles. Did a trip with a friend for about 400km in one Day some highway and twisties. No problem what so ever. I would recommend changing the screen tough for longer trips on the highway. Im also loking at handle bar rises, but the machine itself is great allround. Hope it helps.
@@903lew it doesnt bother me to much. When the outside temperature get to 30c + it became very noticable. But ye the heat is there and i can understand it being a dealbraker for some. It wasnt so bad that i couldnt ride anymore Since its my first bike i dont know any better and dont care that much about it. It doesnt hinder me riding or enjoying the bike.
This was going to be my next bike, but after a test ride I found the vibes at motorway speeds just too much through the bats. It would have driven me crazy. I ended up with 2nd hand BMW R1250R, I know, but just fell in love with it
@@chrishart8548 Too right, and to be honest I prefer a "naked" bike as I am more likely to keep my licence. I think that bikes like the R1250gs or even the RS with that wind protection, I might find it too easy to "cruise" that little bit too fast!
It's very helpful! This is the link for anyone interested. Works out at £1.49 for one (I'm not on commission 🤣) www.amazon.co.uk/Throttle-Assist-Control-Handlebar-Motorbike/dp/B08XK9MSTL/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=310N5LT8OUYE1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.l3KC4jvqPfQo1AlsrS4I14zeyeyDzTvBfEVpRIkXVWN1K70ZUEO1a9R2Qyx9lX-ihDsYbnWWk1RvapPL6Gis-43O4VD5GCmxPiItY4ts9LYNMXE-DjDdI10huJzsMJl4rFcVNtF7VFSSKW4UB4lRIMMrGWPHi9oCOXkxGMiB86MG73CecltQ4xTjkk4pRHpmfdnsc2yd-aWY6asRkHIVDA.U-GKxN4eWCWlDhTSZHSZNUVgc6P2pQzWnrTxfqPfXAU&dib_tag=se&keywords=cruise+control+for+motorcycle+throttle&qid=1723816915&sprefix=cruise+contril%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-8
I own the DE 800 4000 miles it’s done love the bike Kate your the first person that’s described how I felt on it a while back vague ,magic carpet & so on it worried me at the time I now have road tyres on it through warranty it’s changed the feel of it completely Your words were what I used in my local bike shop at the 😅😅
Keeping it real and if need be pointing out differences between short and long term rides on a specific bike. Cannot wait to see more video's from this years ABRF Kate and Mikes ride.
Thanks a lot dear! Excelent review and honest opinion as usual. This is why I love you. I have a 650 xt and also test rode the de version. That swinging is not unbearable but it is a higher bike in the front and it kinda gets filled with air above 140km/h... The re on the other side is more price affordable and easier lighter bike to ride and live with. Even one of the best guys dedicated to the vstrom got his new bike in the re version. Have you checked it? Dr. v-strom. And also i find the windshield better on the re. Have a safe ride,love!
I bought one a week ago now, have just under 500 miles ridden so far, such an AMAZING parallel twin engine with low down grunt and torque, truly amazing. Regards. Peter Scotland
Great review 🙏💚 but Its not a V twin, thats the problem for me so I bought the 650 XT instead. Both are fantastic bikes. fuel consption average is 64.5 mpg which im happy with.
Another top video Kate. During my bike riding journey over the decades there are very few bikes that I would flatly dislike, many that I did like but only a few that I would buy. This Suzuki could fall into the latter following a test ride, a great all rounder. A jack of most trades if you like. I've had the sports screamers that were great for speed but were somewhat tiresome on a bimble or in traffic, large singles that were brilliant in urban areas but vibey on open faster roads and small commuters that were a total hoot around town. As an only bike this might just tick that box. Many thanks for sharing.
Bought a Demo one in same colour as you're riding, yes need to look at puig screen as you mentioned as buffering a bit bad even on top setting, but apart from that really like it .
I think the 'clocks' tft effort looks cheap and everything just feels a bit cheap, the engine power and brakes are a good improvement over the 650. Nobody's taking these 800's off road and why would you? The 'roads' we are riding on are an off road challenge in themselves these days.
I bought the little cruise control contraption back in March and it saved my riding. Only 1,50 but worth 100,00 to me. It does take a short while getting used to, but now I never want to ride without it anymore, especially long highway stretches.
I bought this bike 3 weeks ago. I love this bike. You can ride it fast and also very smooth in the city, the riding modes help a lot. Yes there is a lot of heat from the right side especially in a very hot day, which we have a lot here in Athens,Greece. I haven't noticed any vibration that bother me till now but I am still in break in period (700km as of now). The only thing I don't like about this bike is the handlebar position. I feel like it should be a bit higher and a bit closer to me in order to keep a comfortable touring position for hours Fortunately this can be fixed with handlebar risers. Either than that, can't complain about anything else. Thanks for the great videos!
Πατριώτη και εγώ είμαι ανάμεσα σε αυτή και την τρανσαλπ την οποία βρήκα πολύ ανετη για το ύψος μου και θα είναι ανετη και για τον συνεπιβάτη απλά έχει σαμπρέλα. Δε ξέρω εσύ τι ύψος έχεις,κουμπώνεις καλά πάνω της;
@@apz5817 1.80 ειμαι. Το τρανσαλπ ειναι πιο ανετο σαν θεση οδηγησης, εχω κατσει μονο αλλα με το που ανεβηκα το ενιωσα φουλ ανετο. Συμφωνω φουλ μαζι σου για την σαμπρελα, 11Κ μηχανη ρε παιδια ελεος δλδ τσιγγουνια. Ηταν ενας απο τους λογους που πηγα στο Vstrom 800, συν οτι τι να τον κανω το 21 τροχο μπροστα, ηξερα οτι μονο ασφαλτος με νοιαζει. Οπως εγραψα για μενα θελει σηκωμα το τιμονι και λιγο πιο κοντα. Αντε πες το λιγο πιο κοντα προσωπικη προτιμηση αλλα το πιο ψηλα οπωσδηποτε. Μετα απο 40 λεπτα αρχιζω να ζοριζομαι λιγο. Θα σου ελεγα οπωσδηποτε test ride να το δεις. Εγω την πατησα γιατι το πηρα για κανα τεταρτο και δεν το ειδα τοτε το θεμα με την θεση οδηγησης
@@apz5817 και γω αναμεσα στα δυο ειμαι.αλλα μαλλον θα καταληξω στο τρανσαλπ για τους εξης λογου:φοβαμαι αυτη ζεστη που ολοι λενε ,θελω να μπαινω λιγο χωμα και τελος μερεσει περισσοτερο εμφανισιακα.
As always great review. You becoming one are my favorite reviewers. I owned a 650(wee-strom) and it was a great bike. I'm curious, have you ridden the triumph 900 gt? How does the rider triangle compare?
Kate I own a little VStrom 650 and love it, it's great having a little V twin, how does that compare with the parallel one your riding. I'm never off road as when I tried found out my skill couldn't live up to my intentions.
Really hope to see RE on some of the offroad stuff, I'm considering the 800 but im on the verge if DE or RE would be better choise for me since i do plan on traveling Balkan.
Veridian Cruise offers an after market cruise control for this bike at $309 (USD). If you ride roads with significant inclines and descents this is important. Simple throttle locks are not an effective substitute there.
Thanks, you did it again ❤ Excellent video as usual. As I'm the owner of 650xt planning to upgrade to something a little bigger, what are your thoughts..800re or standard 1050. I have watched both of your videos on these two models but I'm interested in your personal opinion. By the way I don't do any off-road driving. Thanks 🙏 Regards from Serbia 🇷🇸
“Clitus I’m bored” (Flash Gordon quote). Maybe it is me but these bikes are becoming a bit of a grey ( = not stealth black) mass to me. Parallel twins, mostly with adventure ambitions, little or no personality, “proving” how innovative they are by showing off all sorts of display gimmicks. The same vehicle with a different grille has become standard for cars and motorcycles seem to move in the same direction. Won’t happen? What about CF Moto, KTM, Husqvarna then? By chance I looked into a 2000 bike catalog today. What a difference.
Kate please can you have a try to ride Kawasaki versys 1000 SE GT. No one of the usual suspects have done an review on the latest version. I would be intrigued of your view on the bike.
Hi Kate, i think im right in that your North West based? If so im struggling to find a delaership that has the 800RE in for test ride. Are you connected to any so i can reach out to them and arrange a run on one ? Thanks Kev
Hallo! Ich hab dich jetzt schon das eine oder andere Video ein deutsches Wort sprechen gehört. Jetzt muss ich mal fragen. Sprichst du deutsch? Übrigens … wieder mal ein tolles Video! ✌️
@@UsernameKate Hab mich über deine Antwort auf Deutsch wirklich sehr gefreut. Wünsche dir allseits eine gute und sichere Fahrt! You are a real asset with the topic of motorcycles here on UA-cam. Keep it up! ✌️😃👍
@@gk73man51 could be 1 tooth less on the counter sprocket on the DE. Vs the others. Some will add a tooth by fitting an RE sprocket. If they do ride off road they may go down another tooth. Either way I think people get a bit to exited other a 5mph different at the same rpm and do a whole video on it like it's some panacea.
I can’t comment about this engine, but the 650 v twin punches above its weight. A peach of an engine !
Even better the the yamaha CP2 ?
@chrishart8548 no, I've tested both over the last week. The v strom 650 is a great motor but the cp2 even though the bhp and torque figures are compatible, feels more gutsy and has more get up and go, but they are both great. I actually felt the suzuki was better put together, especially the mirrors. If you still like to get going and enjoy the twisties then the Tracer 7 cp2 is the way to go, if you want a little more stability and comfort go with the v strom, but it's close in all areas
i own this bike and have done almost 6000km on this. the bike definitly settled in around 4/5000 km. vibrations got less and the exhaust started producing a bit more rumble.
The worst thing for me was the created wind noice from the screen. i fixed this with a givi airflow. im in a nice quite bubble on the highway. it did create some turbulence on the top end of my helmet with my 190cm lenght. if ur smaller it will fix everything. right now i just lean forward a little bit and its gone. This problem only happens when going over 100 km/hr
great machine and a accurate review!
My friend do you find it comfortable at long trips at 190cm? I'm also 1,88 and thinking about the bike
@@apz5817 i do. I commute 1 hr one way trip twice a week without troubles. Did a trip with a friend for about 400km in one Day some highway and twisties. No problem what so ever.
I would recommend changing the screen tough for longer trips on the highway. Im also loking at handle bar rises, but the machine itself is great allround.
Hope it helps.
How’d you find the leg heat? Test rode one and it was quite warm and not in the most comfortable of ways.
@@903lew it doesnt bother me to much. When the outside temperature get to 30c + it became very noticable. But ye the heat is there and i can understand it being a dealbraker for some.
It wasnt so bad that i couldnt ride anymore
Since its my first bike i dont know any better and dont care that much about it. It doesnt hinder me riding or enjoying the bike.
This was going to be my next bike, but after a test ride I found the vibes at motorway speeds just too much through the bats. It would have driven me crazy. I ended up with 2nd hand BMW R1250R, I know, but just fell in love with it
The R1250r is such good value used vs the R1250GS version. They just seem to get overlooked.
@@chrishart8548 Too right, and to be honest I prefer a "naked" bike as I am more likely to keep my licence. I think that bikes like the R1250gs or even the RS with that wind protection, I might find it too easy to "cruise" that little bit too fast!
Tell Mike thank you for the 'cruise control' tip.
Thats really clever
It's very helpful! This is the link for anyone interested. Works out at £1.49 for one (I'm not on commission 🤣) www.amazon.co.uk/Throttle-Assist-Control-Handlebar-Motorbike/dp/B08XK9MSTL/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=310N5LT8OUYE1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.l3KC4jvqPfQo1AlsrS4I14zeyeyDzTvBfEVpRIkXVWN1K70ZUEO1a9R2Qyx9lX-ihDsYbnWWk1RvapPL6Gis-43O4VD5GCmxPiItY4ts9LYNMXE-DjDdI10huJzsMJl4rFcVNtF7VFSSKW4UB4lRIMMrGWPHi9oCOXkxGMiB86MG73CecltQ4xTjkk4pRHpmfdnsc2yd-aWY6asRkHIVDA.U-GKxN4eWCWlDhTSZHSZNUVgc6P2pQzWnrTxfqPfXAU&dib_tag=se&keywords=cruise+control+for+motorcycle+throttle&qid=1723816915&sprefix=cruise+contril%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-8
I own the DE 800 4000 miles it’s done love the bike
Kate your the first person that’s described how I felt on it a while back vague ,magic carpet & so on it worried me at the time I now have road tyres on it through warranty it’s changed the feel of it completely
Your words were what I used in my local bike shop at the 😅😅
Keeping it real and if need be pointing out differences between short and long term rides on a specific bike.
Cannot wait to see more video's from this years ABRF Kate and Mikes ride.
Thanks for the updated review Kate. As always very thorough. Cheers.
Thanks a lot dear! Excelent review and honest opinion as usual. This is why I love you. I have a 650 xt and also test rode the de version. That swinging is not unbearable but it is a higher bike in the front and it kinda gets filled with air above 140km/h... The re on the other side is more price affordable and easier lighter bike to ride and live with. Even one of the best guys dedicated to the vstrom got his new bike in the re version. Have you checked it? Dr. v-strom. And also i find the windshield better on the re. Have a safe ride,love!
I bought one a week ago now, have just under 500 miles ridden so far, such an AMAZING parallel twin engine with low down grunt and torque, truly amazing.
Regards.
Peter
Scotland
Great review 🙏💚 but Its not a V twin, thats the problem for me so I bought the 650 XT instead. Both are fantastic bikes. fuel consption average is 64.5 mpg which im happy with.
Another top video Kate. During my bike riding journey over the decades there are very few bikes that I would flatly dislike, many that I did like but only a few that I would buy. This Suzuki could fall into the latter following a test ride, a great all rounder. A jack of most trades if you like. I've had the sports screamers that were great for speed but were somewhat tiresome on a bimble or in traffic, large singles that were brilliant in urban areas but vibey on open faster roads and small commuters that were a total hoot around town. As an only bike this might just tick that box. Many thanks for sharing.
Bought a Demo one in same colour as you're riding, yes need to look at puig screen as you mentioned as buffering a bit bad even on top setting, but apart from that really like it .
I love the DE in yellow and blue. It does feel as heavy as it claims
I think the 'clocks' tft effort looks cheap and everything just feels a bit cheap,
the engine power and brakes are a good improvement over the 650.
Nobody's taking these 800's off road and why would you? The 'roads' we are riding on are an off road challenge in themselves these days.
I bought the little cruise control contraption back in March and it saved my riding. Only 1,50 but worth 100,00 to me. It does take a short while getting used to, but now I never want to ride without it anymore, especially long highway stretches.
Cracking things aren't they!
Good review. Clear, consise, easy to listen to, acknowledges research gaps. Very good.
Another great vid. Kate - please can you provide the link to the cruise control thing you referred to please. Cheers 👍
I have the same little gizmo on the throttle. Helps my hand massively. Didn’t fancy the cruise control attachments. 😊
I bought this bike 3 weeks ago.
I love this bike.
You can ride it fast and also very smooth in the city, the riding modes help a lot.
Yes there is a lot of heat from the right side especially in a very hot day, which we have a lot here in Athens,Greece.
I haven't noticed any vibration that bother me till now but I am still in break in period (700km as of now).
The only thing I don't like about this bike is the handlebar position.
I feel like it should be a bit higher and a bit closer to me in order to keep a comfortable touring position for hours
Fortunately this can be fixed with handlebar risers.
Either than that, can't complain about anything else.
Thanks for the great videos!
Πατριώτη και εγώ είμαι ανάμεσα σε αυτή και την τρανσαλπ την οποία βρήκα πολύ ανετη για το ύψος μου και θα είναι ανετη και για τον συνεπιβάτη απλά έχει σαμπρέλα. Δε ξέρω εσύ τι ύψος έχεις,κουμπώνεις καλά πάνω της;
@@apz5817 1.80 ειμαι. Το τρανσαλπ ειναι πιο ανετο σαν θεση οδηγησης, εχω κατσει μονο αλλα με το που ανεβηκα το ενιωσα φουλ ανετο.
Συμφωνω φουλ μαζι σου για την σαμπρελα, 11Κ μηχανη ρε παιδια ελεος δλδ τσιγγουνια. Ηταν ενας απο τους λογους που πηγα στο Vstrom 800, συν οτι τι να τον κανω το 21 τροχο μπροστα, ηξερα οτι μονο ασφαλτος με νοιαζει.
Οπως εγραψα για μενα θελει σηκωμα το τιμονι και λιγο πιο κοντα. Αντε πες το λιγο πιο κοντα προσωπικη προτιμηση αλλα το πιο ψηλα οπωσδηποτε. Μετα απο 40 λεπτα αρχιζω να ζοριζομαι λιγο.
Θα σου ελεγα οπωσδηποτε test ride να το δεις. Εγω την πατησα γιατι το πηρα για κανα τεταρτο και δεν το ειδα τοτε το θεμα με την θεση οδηγησης
@@apz5817 και γω αναμεσα στα δυο ειμαι.αλλα μαλλον θα καταληξω στο τρανσαλπ για τους εξης λογου:φοβαμαι αυτη ζεστη που ολοι λενε ,θελω να μπαινω λιγο χωμα και τελος μερεσει περισσοτερο εμφανισιακα.
I like how this bike has a bigger gas tank than the 8r.
As always great review. You becoming one are my favorite reviewers.
I owned a 650(wee-strom) and it was a great bike. I'm curious, have you ridden the triumph 900 gt? How does the rider triangle compare?
Kate I own a little VStrom 650 and love it, it's great having a little V twin, how does that compare with the parallel one your riding. I'm never off road as when I tried found out my skill couldn't live up to my intentions.
I prefer the 800 engine but the 650 is still a pretty solid engine!
@@UsernameKate The 800 is unproven, wait a few years and see how it stacks up against the legendary 650 v twin.
Yup cant go wrong with tried and tested! Saves a lot of heart ache :)
Really hope to see RE on some of the offroad stuff, I'm considering the 800 but im on the verge if DE or RE would be better choise for me since i do plan on traveling Balkan.
Veridian Cruise offers an after market cruise control for this bike at $309 (USD). If you ride roads with significant inclines and descents this is important. Simple throttle locks are not an effective substitute there.
No but for £1.49, it's a more viable option for a lot of people and I'd prefer to be in control of my own throttle on anything steep personally 😊
Thanks, you did it again ❤ Excellent video as usual. As I'm the owner of 650xt planning to upgrade to something a little bigger, what are your thoughts..800re or standard 1050. I have watched both of your videos on these two models but I'm interested in your personal opinion. By the way I don't do any off-road driving. Thanks 🙏
Regards from Serbia 🇷🇸
“Clitus I’m bored” (Flash Gordon quote). Maybe it is me but these bikes are becoming a bit of a grey ( = not stealth black) mass to me. Parallel twins, mostly with adventure ambitions, little or no personality, “proving” how innovative they are by showing off all sorts of display gimmicks. The same vehicle with a different grille has become standard for cars and motorcycles seem to move in the same direction. Won’t happen? What about CF Moto, KTM, Husqvarna then? By chance I looked into a 2000 bike catalog today. What a difference.
Sounds a great bike, I've never heard anyone say they don't like it Vstroms have never been the best lookers though have they (subjective I know)
Yea I think a lot of the modern suzukis are misses in the looks department but like you say, tis all subjective 😊
I think I would pick this over the 8r except for the higher seat.
Really great review. Thanks.
Kate please can you have a try to ride Kawasaki versys 1000 SE GT. No one of the usual suspects have done an review on the latest version. I would be intrigued of your view on the bike.
Hi Kate I’ve currently got a street twin , first big bike but looking to get something bigger , any suggestions? Love your videos .
Would you go for the low seat if this was your bike?
Hi Kate, i think im right in that your North West based? If so im struggling to find a delaership that has the 800RE in for test ride. Are you connected to any so i can reach out to them and arrange a run on one ? Thanks Kev
Little Limbed Larry But Big Personality!
What jacket are you wearing?
Hallo!
Ich hab dich jetzt schon das eine oder andere Video ein deutsches Wort sprechen gehört. Jetzt muss ich mal fragen. Sprichst du deutsch?
Übrigens … wieder mal ein tolles Video! ✌️
Nur zur Hochschulbildung. ich bin nicht sehr gut. Und vielen dank!
@@UsernameKate Hab mich über deine Antwort auf Deutsch wirklich sehr gefreut. Wünsche dir allseits eine gute und sichere Fahrt! You are a real asset with the topic of motorcycles here on UA-cam. Keep it up! ✌️😃👍
🙏
Morning 🌄
Pozdrowienia 🇵🇱 🖐️ ,czy te wibracje sa męczące przy predkosci 140km ?
How does it compare to the 1050?
Very good video!
Which one Shoei model is your helmet? Thanks🙏
It is an x sprit 3 😁
😍
👍👍
At 230 kg, how are you going to pick it up if laid down?
technique
It’s a shame it lacks cruise control.
Terrible high frequency vibration at 5.5k and catalic converter heat that turns right leg into grilled chicken.
Anyone get me a link to the cruise control thingy that Kate is using on the throttle?
Sounds ideal for my arthritic old wrist 😊
www.amazon.co.uk/Throttle-Assist-Control-Handlebar-Motorbike/dp/B08XK9MSTL/ref=mp_s_a_1_8?crid=310N5LT8OUYE1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.l3KC4jvqPfQo1AlsrS4I14zeyeyDzTvBfEVpRIkXVWN1K70ZUEO1a9R2Qyx9lX-ihDsYbnWWk1RvapPL6Gis-43O4VD5GCmxPiItY4ts9LYNMXE-DjDdI10huJzsMJl4rFcVNtF7VFSSKW4UB4lRIMMrGWPHi9oCOXkxGMiB86MG73CecltQ4xTjkk4pRHpmfdnsc2yd-aWY6asRkHIVDA.U-GKxN4eWCWlDhTSZHSZNUVgc6P2pQzWnrTxfqPfXAU&dib_tag=se&keywords=cruise+control+for+motorcycle+throttle&qid=1723816915&sprefix=cruise+contril%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-8 😊
@@UsernameKate thanks so much 👍
Is it the GSXS/R Engine just with different gearing?
I doubt if the gearing is any different. Is the GSXS/R still 84hp.
@@chrishart8548 with it being a crosser styled bike I assumed the ratios might be a bit lower that’s all.
@@gk73man51 could be 1 tooth less on the counter sprocket on the DE. Vs the others. Some will add a tooth by fitting an RE sprocket. If they do ride off road they may go down another tooth. Either way I think people get a bit to exited other a 5mph different at the same rpm and do a whole video on it like it's some panacea.
Sprockets differ. 47t(8S/R) vs 50t (D/RE)
@@ProphetAndLoss that might just compensate for the larger diameter tyre on the adventure models with the 150/70/17.
my name is also Miguel, strp, strip, stro
Where are you based in United Kingdom
Bolton, Lancashire.
Crankaroo? 😂
New RE classic 350 relaunched
So newer worse and more expensive than the V strom 650.
I prefer this engine to that of the 650 😊
I think the 800 looks a lot better. The big halogen stacked headlight and old clocks with needles look ancient old the 650 vs the new bike.
Maybe the heat from the engine could have been caused by the fan cutting in to cool the engine when filtering
❤