[hillsy]

Jut curious, but does it have a cable clutch or hydraulic clutch?

800 has a cable clutch. It's super light though.

 

[cblais19]

I'd say fairly light, the slip/assist clutches on some Triumph's and Kawis are lighter, some almost toy like with how easy they pull.

Has anybody found compatible hand guards? Wondering if the BB 1050 ones will work, the bar end bolt on the 800DE is pretty beefy

 

[richlandrick]

My base model came with handguards. For my use the stock guards are fine.

Or are you refering to metal guards like bark busters?

 

[cblais19]

Yeah, ones that’ll actually take a tip over and protect levers.

 

[richlandrick]

Yeah, ones that’ll actually take a tip over and protect levers.

I haven't seen any yet.

 

[D.T.]

I see the clutch cover is a separate dealio? Can you skip draining the coolant to change the clutch springs, plates, etc?

 

[Jockey]

If these are a typical wet clutch, there shoukd be no coolant anywhere near the clutch or the basket. If so you have bigger problems!

 

[Rolex]

If these are a typical wet clutch, there shoukd be no coolant anywhere near the clutch or the basket. If so you have bigger problems!

On the current motors the clutch cover is also the water pump cover so the coolant must be dropped to remove the cover.

 

[Rolex]

What about carrying a pillion and a shit load of holiday gear ??

I loved my 650 but was forced onto the 1000 for those reasons.

 

[Oliver1979]

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.

Sounds perfect although I'm not convinced yet on looks. Has yet to arrive in my country, can't wait to see it in the flesh and go for a test ride. Trying to sell a BMW f850 and I may sell the DR too and purchase the 800de. The 650 as a purely road bike and the 800 for on/off road will pair well.

 

[hillsy]

Sounds perfect although I'm not convinced yet on looks. Has yet to arrive in my country, can't wait to see it in the flesh and go for a test ride.

It looks far better in the flesh than in the photos. And even if you don't fully agree with that - you can't see much of it when you are in the saddle.

 

[locoblanco]

- you can't see much of it when you are in the saddle.

That's always been my philosophy. Are you going to ride it or wash and polish it in the garage?

 

[richlandrick]

I find it odd, but the bike has drawn many comments about how good looking it is. Espeacially to people who raced Suzuki bikes in the past.

 

[Drastik313]

If anyone is looking at the Atlas Throttle Lock as a faux cruise control for the 800de,..

I sent some pictures of my throttle housing/ throttle grip to Atlas and they said it looks like the bottom kit will work.

I haven't ordered one yet, I'll probably prioritize it after my first 4hr trip.

 

[Primetimeandy]

I'm hoping that someone comes up with an electronic solution to aftermarket cruise. It's an electronic throttle right?

Mccruise make an aftermarket cruise control for GSX-R1000 throttle by wire, hopefully a similar mod can be made for the DL800DE.

 

[Rolex]

I'm hoping that someone comes up with an electronic solution to aftermarket cruise. It's an electronic throttle right?

Mccruise make an aftermarket cruise control for GSX-R1000 throttle by wire, hopefully a similar mod can be made for the DL800DE.

+1

I have the MC cruise on my 1000 & would want it again if I moved to the 800

 

[Jockey]

After 200 miles:

Vibe at 5,000 not bad at all. Maybe I'm use ti Harleys and motox bikes, but doesn't bother me at all.

Low beam headlight sucks, can't see whit while turning.

High beam great, but you get a really bright rectangle pattern thrown, thats it.

Seat after an hour without an airhawk it gets a little rough, but thats a personal thing.

at 6' plus, I recommend bar risers and footpeg lowering. Haven't found anything yet, so may fab my own for foot pegs.

Suspension is pretty good and just need to spend seat time and tweak it.

Shifter and rear brake leave a little to be desired, but ok.

 

[V-Tom]

After 200 miles:
...

Low beam headlight sucks, can't see whit while turning.

High beam great, but you get a really bright rectangle pattern thrown, thats it.
...

I can't speak do experience on the DL800 but all four of my Stroms (and every Strom I ever had contact with) had headlights aimed way too low whne they were first ridden. I wouldn't be surprised if this was true for the DL800.

..Tom

 

[Due51]

Here’s another review. I think the guy does a good job hitting some key points when comparing this to other midsized ADV bikes.

https://youtu.be/ErXSjH7FC_A

 

[hillsy]

at 6' plus, I recommend bar risers and footpeg lowering. Haven't found anything yet, so may fab my own for foot pegs.

Lowering the pegs was something I was thinking as well. I took a good look at the 800 set up and it's different to the other Stroms in that the peg mounts can't simply be lowered with the same plate style kit.