Touring-orientated Suzuki V-Strom 800 RE model on the way

Meet the £9699 Suzuki V-Strom 800 RE, which is a new lower, more street-orientated touring version of the V-Strom 800 DE launched for 2023.

Using the same parallel twin motor as the DE and naked GSX-8S roadster, the RE (road explorer) gets smaller cast alloy wheels, road tyres, shorter travel suspension, a bigger touring screen, revised riding position and more.

Now rolling on a 19in front and 17in rear rim, the RE will arrive in dealers from late October 2023 for £1000 less than the DE version. It joins the £10,699 DE and full luggage equipped £12,199 DE Tour.

With all three using the same motor, the RE shares the same steel frame, five-inch colour TFT dash, SIRS (Suzuki Intelligent Ride System) electronics package including three riding modes, quickshifter and traction control.

This is where the similarities end though, with the existing DE range rolling on a larger 21/17 wire wheel set-up, equipped with tubed semi-knobblies.

The RE wears more road friendly tubeless Dunlops, with front and rear suspension travel reduced from 220mm to 150mm at both ends. No longer intended to ride off-road, the forks are only preload adjustable, with rebound and preload changes possible at the back end.

These spring alterations now mean ground clearance has reduced from 220mm to 185mm, with the seat height dropping from 855mm to a surer footed 825mm.

That said, the DE’s conventional twin calipers have been swapped to more powerful radially mounted, four-pot versions – the likely result being a more secure road steering and stability.

Other changes over the DE look set to improve the RE’s road comfort and touring ability further. There’s a wider, taller screen than the DE’s much-criticised small, off-road version, which is now also three-way height adjustable over 15mm (although only via the use of a hex key).

The RE’s riding position is significantly different too, with handlebars that are 13mm lower, 15mm narrower and 23mm further forward plus new alloy (not steel) footpegs that are 7mm higher and 14mm further back.

Bodywork is mostly the same as the DE, including the 20-litre fuel tank, but the RE does without hand, radiator, and sump guards which, along with the less-adjustable suspension, goes some way to explaining its reduced price.

Finally, the RE’s colour options are different, with three choices of blue, grey/green, or black. A variety of luggage options in plastic (rather than the Tour’s aluminium) are also available and the new bike is expected to be in dealers later this month.

Suzuki V-Strom 800 RE highlights:

• Power: 83.1bhp @ 8500rpm
• Torque: 57.5lb.ft @ 6800rpm
• Engine: 776cc liquid cooled DOHC parallel twin
• Weight: 223kg
• Seat height: 825mm
• OTR price: £9699