800 Owner Impressions and Observations

4363 Views 55 Replies 24 Participants Last post by Aldinosan, 21 h ago

richlandrick

Discussion Starter · 13 d ago (Edited)

I picked up my new 800 DE yesterday, unloaded it from thr truck, and rode it to the Eastern Gathering and back home in a little more than 24 hours.

The bike got 57 mpg round trip. Filling the tank full reulted in a calculated 240 mile range displayed.

The first 600 miles is limited to 4500 rpm, but of course I hit 5000 plus rpm a few times. The buzz at 5000 rpm reported by one reporter is mostly imagination. I guess he felt like he needed to find some kind fault even if it was mostly imagined.

IMO,

It feels like a V-Strom when you sit on it. It sounds like a V-Strom too.

Power is what you would expect. Between the DL650 and DL1000, character more like the the very refined DL650 than the bruteness of the 1000, just more power everywhere. Fuel mapping appears perfect.

The bike is VERY smooth. With no meaningful vibration the mirrors are rock stable and crystal clear.

Handling is nimble. The bike feels much lighter than it's actul wieght.

The dispaly is beautiful, simple, and super easy to use.

The postage stamp windscreen results in no descernable buffeting, but I suspect that is because it isn't big enough to do much. Still the ride was comfortable.

The seat sucks as much as or almost as much as any V-Strom seat and will need to be replaced to do long distances comfortably.

It looks MUCH better in person than in the advertisements.

Several folks rode it at teh Iron Horse Lodge and I expect they will offer opinions as well.

For me, it's a total winner. I'm looking forward to trying it on fire roads.

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locoblanco

· #2 · 13 d ago

Sounds like Suzuki nailed it. Seat issues are normal, (in my case likely due to rider age).

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Garry h

· #3 · 13 d ago

3

Been out for a 200+ mile demo ride today...So no 4.5k limit

I have a 1050XT and found the 800 much more nimble.. But noticeably down on power
Did fire roads minor roads and major roads ..Screen is crap but thats my only real complaint
Vibes a bit at 5k but i think it's more apparent because it's so smooth under 5k.. Found the seat fine and the suspension is pretty good stock
Bike was a lot better off road than i expected
It does not sound or feel like a proper V twin to me

Overall very impressed have one on order so will be the proud owner next week

Nice Job Suzuki

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TinMan88

· #4 · 13 d ago

richlandrick said:
The dispaly is beautiful, simple, and super easy to use.

Thank God they listened.

Reactions: 4

richlandrick

Discussion Starter · #5 · 13 d ago (Edited)

Garry h said:
Been out for a 200+ mile demo ride today...So no 4.5k limit
I have a 1050XT and found the 800 much more nimble.. But noticeably down on power
Did fire roads minor roads and major roads ..Screen is crap but thats my only real complaint
Vibes a bit at 5k but i think it's more apparent because it's so smooth under 5k.. Found the seat fine and the suspension is pretty good stock
Bike was a lot better off road than i expected
It does not sound or feel like a proper V twin to me
Overall very impressed have one on order so will be the proud owner next week
Nice Job Suzuki

I feel sorry for who ever buys that demo bike.

I heard those exact words, but the other way from a DL650 owner. He said it was "up on power" compared to his DL650. Having owned both, I just see it as in the middle, but power more broadly available than the 650.

One thing most owners are going to start asking is how do you reset the maintence period display. "Next maintenace due in XXX miles" Is the first thing that pops up when the key is turned on.

I think the best way to describe the windscreen is a small accent piece. Something that supports the artistic vision of the designer and produces no particularly negative effects by being there, That is a big improvement over the stock screens of earliy Vees and Wees.

The windscreen mount looks robust enough to support an effective aftermarket screen.

So new seat, windscreen. Expected. And heated grips. Its time to make list of stuff I just realized I need. Probably new jacket, pants, and helmet too.

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Hans471

· #6 · 13 d ago

Its funny, all the negative buzz about this bike before it even came out...mostly from folks who's opinions are not important. From the beginning I said: Wait until you ride one before you pass judgement. Like any machine some will love it, some will find fault. Suzuki isn't stupid, they put a lot of thought into this bike. They also had to hit a price point, as I mentioned before, in order to place it correctly in the market. My Tiger offers a bit more but does so at a price that is thousands more. It seems Suzuki has, as it did with the DL650 and its big brother, given us a very good machine at an affordable price point. I expect it to be reliable and last for a long time.
I predicted they would sell every one they brought in the first year. As more and more people get them and real world reviews keep coming in I am sure that will be the case. I look forward to hearing more about your experiences with this bike as you put more miles on it.
And that seat and windshield thing.....we get that from pretty much any motorcycle ever sold. I guess its just impossible to make "one size fit all". Enjoy!

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Garry h

· #7 · 13 d ago

I did not have a problem with the seat ( 230 miles mainly on back roads )
Unlike the 1050XT
If anyone ever expects to buy a demo bike that has not been ridden to full potential dream on

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TinMan88

· #8 · 13 d ago

Would you describe the suspension action as good... or as good as cartridge units from a suspension guru? This would be SO welcome.

twenty

· #9 · 12 d ago

richlandrick said:
The bike got 57 mpg round trip.

I wonder how that would compare to wee or Vee kept under 5k RPM. please let us know what you're getting when you're riding it normally.

richlandrick

Discussion Starter · #10 · 12 d ago (Edited)

3

twenty said:
I wonder how that would compare to wee or Vee kept under 5k RPM. please let us know what you're getting when you're riding it normally.

4500 rpm is 65 mph in 6th gear. I noticed the fuel economy improve slowly as the trip progressed.

I'm trying hard to be objective and not gush about the bike. That requires effort. The need for a long distance seat and windscreen are just expected IMO. Just like the need for a centerstand.

The factory supplied auxillary power socket is located on the left side of the instrument console and is a USB.

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I found it handy/nicely placed and used it to power my phone in the top ransparent pocket of my tank bag. Which reminded me how important an over the dash mount for the GPS is for safety.

I don't know if many people will opt for fender risers because there is more room between the fender and the tire right out of the box. The mirrors are the same used on the DL1050 and seem to be an improvement over teh past rectangular mirrors.

I got tickled with the kill switch. It reminded me of how long it took humanity to figure out that luggage could benifit from whels. Again, .like the DL1050, this bike has a three way kill/run/start switch.

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Which means you can't leave the kill switch on off while pushing the starter. The act of pushing teh starter button ensures the kill switch is set to run. A small detail, but how many times have we all wonderred why our bike wasn't starting only to find teh kill switch was turned to off?

I was remiss in not mentioninbg that the bike is tall. With a 30" inseam I can touch toes with both feet. I have not yet set the sag.

My wife just told me Givi has some new sot bags that I need to check out for the new bike. She is keeper for sure.

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Gabriel Engel

· #11 · 12 d ago

Great insights Rick, hope to hear more as you get to spend time on it.
I am personally torn between this and the new Transalp, which as of yet isn't coming this side on the pond, so a new 800 might be in my future too. Sadly to date mo test rides schedule at any local Suzuki dealer in my area.

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Klarke

· #12 · 12 d ago

Everyone has compared this bike to the DL 650 or DL 1050 V-Strom motorcycles. This is what Suzuki is trying to market the bike at.

I believe that the bike true lineage is more in line with Suzuki's DRZ400. I also believe that if I was a DRZ 400 I would be a prime candidate for this new Suzuki dl800. IMHO

Keep a good reviews coming, I love reading about them!

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richlandrick

Discussion Starter · #13 · 12 d ago

Klarke said:
Everyone has compared this bike to the DL 650 or DL 1050 V-Strom motorcycles. This is what Suzuki is trying to market the bike at.

I believe that the bike true lineage is more in line with Suzuki's DRZ400. I also believe that if I was a DRZ 400 I would be a prime candidate for this new Suzuki dl800. IMHO

Keep a good reviews coming, I love reading about them!

I had that feeling to some degree as well. I was thinking my dirt bike buddies with aversions to street bikes who once had DRZ400s might find this bike tempting.

Klarke

· #14 · 12 d ago

I think Suzuki marketed the bike this way to increase sales! A DRZ800 is more of a niche market.

I think there's room in the market for Suzuki to manufacture the DE650. They already have all the components.

John V Strom Jr.

· #15 · 12 d ago

How will this bike compare to the Tenere 700? Are they in the same niche?

Klarke

· #16 · 12 d ago (Edited)

John V Strom Jr. said:
How will this bike compare to the Tenere 700? Are they in the same niche?

You have an excellent point! The tenere 700 is a wonderful success story. An dual purpose bike from Japan at a reasonable price point. I think the DRZ400 pails in comparison to the DL 650 in overall sales.

I hope Suzuki's new DE800 is as big of a success story.

The real question is the DE800 an adventure bike or more a dual purpose bike?

richlandrick

Discussion Starter · #17 · 12 d ago (Edited)

It is in my opinion not a dual sport. I woudl not take this bike on single track trails. It is a more off pavement capable adventure bike than the DL650 and DL1050. I woudl not hesitate to do a BDR or the TAT on this bike. I might skip a few rutted/rooted/muddy sections though. And Ihe cost benifit of going up Bear Pass makes no sense to me. But chasing the Oregon Trail and the Lewis and Clark by-way would be easy on this bike. As well as looking for ghost towns at the ends of dirt roads.

Oh, and the transmission is one of the best I have ever expereienced. First to second is as smooth as second to third, etc. A huge improvement over my 2014 DL1000.

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Klarke

· #18 · 12 d ago

richlandrick said:
It is in my opinion not a dual sport. I woudl not take this bike on single track trails. It is a more off pavement capable adventure bike than the DL650 and DL1050. I woudl not hesitate to do a BDR or the TAT on this bike. I might skip a few rutted/rooted/muddy sections though. And Ihe cost benifit of going up Bear Pass makes no sense to me. But chasing the Oregon Trail and the Lewis and Clark by-way would be easy on this bike. As well as looking for ghost towns at the ends of dirt roads.

I agree with your assessment, Suzuki launched the bike with adventure tires. I believe the tenera 700 comes with off-road tires. It seems like Suzuki is competing more with the Honda transalp and not directly with Yamaha tenera.

D.T.

· #19 · 12 d ago

SAWEET!!!

Hans471

· #20 · 12 d ago

"I got tickled with the kill switch. It reminded me of how long it took humanity to figure out that luggage could benifit from whels. Again, .like the DL1050, this bike has a three way kill/run/start switch. "
My Tiger has the same style kill switch. After living with it for a year I have learned to appreciate it as you never have those "why won't it start" moments.
Sure sounds like Suzuki has put a lot into this bike. I have to believe they knew what they were doing.

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