Suzuki has unveiled a base model of their new parallel-twin adventurer, with road riding the main focus.
Suzuki has released a more road-orientated version of their new parallel-twin adventurer, with subtle tweaks designed to offer maximum comfort and performance for long-distance touring and high-speed riding.
The first thing to go was the tall, narrow 21-inch front wheel, with the roady model getting a 19-inch front, with the 7-spoke cast aluminium items fitted with more road-orientated D614 tyres from Dunlop. Both the front and 17-inch rear are tubeless, with the wider footprint of the smaller front wheel offering more confidence and grip on the road. Braking has also been improved, with a set of dual four-piston Nissin radially-mounted calipers sure to offer much stronger stopping power than the front stoppers on the off-road version.
Thanks to the smaller front wheel and a shorter stroke for the Showa SFF-BP suspension (down to 150mm from 220mm), the saddle of the roady V-Strom is significantly lower at 825mm compared to 855mm, while a slightly changed riding stance thanks to narrower handlebars set further forward should make for more control through the twisties. The slightly shorter wheelbase due to the smaller front wheel and less travel of the suspension (1515mm down from 1570mm) should also make the already quick-steering V-Strom even sharper in the turns. The suspension is, however, less adjustable than the 800DE, with preload only at the front and preload and damping only at the rear.
Changes have also been made to the styling, with a tougher, more solid look to the beak, while a taller screen should reduce fatigue over longer trips on the road. Finally, you’ll need to option accessory handguards if you want them, and the pegs are designed more for comfort on the road than grip in the dirt. Weight is also down, dropping 7kg to 207kg wet.
The rest stays the same between the two models, with the 776cc parallel-twin featuring a 270-degree crank that produces an off-set firing order for more character and performance lower in the rev range. Producing 80hp and 78Nm, the motor is super-smooth thanks to the cross-balancer system, making the powerplant perfect for clicking off kays or carving down backroads. And the new model also gets the advanced electronic rider assist systems from the 800DE, with the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector, Suzuki Traction Control System, Suzuki’s Bi-Directional Quick Shift system, a two-mode antilock braking system and the Ride-by-Wire Electronic Throttle System, LED lighting and a colour TFT LCD multifunction instrument panel all standard.
Expect models in dealers early in 2024 with a price of $17,999 + ORC making it $1000 cheaper than the 800DE.
