My pillion likes the 800

[deecat]

Now I have the 800RE  run in ,the wife had her first go on the back on Sunday.
We rode for four hours before stopping and found the bike works very well two up covering 200 miles during the day, so we can look at getting a week away later this year.

I can compare it to our previous 1000, 650 and 1050 V-stroms and I am happy that I changed.
Even fully fuelled the 800 feels a lot less top heavy than any of them.

For me the only slight issue is the slight vibes at around the 70mph mark in top. On checking the GSX-8S runs 17/47 teeth sprockets while the V-strom runs 17/50 teeth so I am going to try out the smaller rear sprocket to drop the revs down at 70 mph ish.

[nigel s]

deecat ,
I have a feeling the 800 RE will be my next bike, not quite done with my 650 yet mind ,so it is good to hear you are getting on with it.    Keep the reports coming, ta.

[deecat]

I am quite happy to experiment with things on a bike to try to improve it for me ,so I fitted a 46t rear sprocket as the 47 one I wanted was not in stock.
The chain is to long at 126 links ,so I have ordered a standard GSX-8-S at 120 links  as I always like to keep the standard parts, so I decided to take out the swingarm which all went very easy making it better to work on than some of my previous bikes.

All the bearings have been greased along with the rear spindle,which was dry and are ready for reassembly when I get the chain along with a new front sprocket.

As I am getting older the weight of bikes have become more of an issue due to most of my riding being two up and on paper the weight of the 800 from my 1050 or 650 did not seem that much but to ride it you would think it is lighter than it is which has been a good change for us as I thought that I might have to go down the retro route,but I am happy to stick with the V-strom virtues of comfortable two up mile muncher.

[nigel s]

It is nice to see the swinging arm come off without having to remove the exhaust......plus one for the 800

[Sir Trev]

Quote removed


I have to take one of the exhausts of my T100 off just to adjust the chain! Plus, although the peashooters look lovely they're so low slung they also make oiling the chain a very time consuming faff.

I'm still waiting for a delivery date for my 800RE. So looking forward to the change.

[vickpump]

Hi Deecat,
Thanks for the report.
I also think the 800RE will be my next steed replacing the 650.
I had a test ride on a Transalp 750(don't judge me!!!!) and the 800DE this week. Transalp is a "nice" bike but the motor on the 800 is in a different league. I'm hoping to test ride on the RE next week.
How do you find the suspension on very bad surfaces?
Is it feasible to up the front sprocket by one tooth to make the gearing higher. It was straight forward and effective on my 650.
Look forward to any further 800RE updates from you. Enjoy!!!!

[crump]

I'm liking a lot what I'm hearing about the 800.....just need to convince the wife it's a good use of our pension pots

[deecat]

Vickpump,
We have found the suspension to be fine when two up and I am also happy with it when sole.
I would say its pretty much on par with the 1050 and better than the 650.We use the bike mostly on A and B roads.
When changing the gearing I did not think that a bigger front sprocket would fit and I do not remember seeing one for sale.
I had a bit of an issue at a constant 70mph ish with vibration but now its not there until 80-85mph .
This does nock off the pick up at slow speed a little bit ,but if need be I just use a lower gear for a moment.
I has also slightly increased my MPG ,I can understand the DE  needing the lower gearing for Off road but as the GSX-8S uses the same ratio that I am using I would have thought Suzuki would have kept the same for both road bikes. When I am two up is the time that I spend trying to keep more constant speeds for the wife, on my own it is a different story and I hardly notice the vibes.

[Barbel Mick]

vickpump, I've posted a bit of a write up about my/our feelings after changing from the 650 to the 800 earlier this evening.

[vickpump]

Decathlon and Mick,
Thank you both for your replies and informative reports. I'm sure there are many among us hunger for info on all the new 800 range who appreciate your perspective.
Hoping to get a test ride on the 800RE next week.