New V-Strom 800DE

[mr_diver]

3 calls within 30 mins from dealers offering to take my deposit-

I said contact me via email and SMS - Did not tick the box to reserve one! 

[grumps]

Grumps.....sorry but not all R's were Boxers.

OK, but in modern times R = Boxer.

[mr_diver]

OK, but in modern times R = Rubbish.

there you go corrected it for you 

[2112]

It's an interesting engine set up and should be quite sprightly. I would be amazed if that is the best colour option they do mind...

[grumps]

Wonder why you say that Mr Diver?
I am aware that BMW build is not as good as it used to be, but who’s is these days?

[Tigerjohn]

Tenere, new V Strom, new Transalp.....all 21" front tyres, tubed and with proper off road capability. But, here in the UK at least, most won't ever leave the tarmac. Chelsea tractors with two wheels? Probably.
Let's hope we see more realistic soft versions with 19" front tyres, cast wheels and real world usefulness. Then we'd really be spoilt for choice. BTW, I've got a Tenere 700...lovely machine but I wouldn't want to take it on a rough trail - too heavy, too tall. If only it had a 19" front tyre, cast wheels and tubeless tyres..... it would make the perfect adventure tourer. I'm glad I kept my V Strom 650 too.

[Mr Nick]

Why even bother with a 19" front then? Make it 17" and you open up even more road tyres.

[NeilM]

I don't have an issue with the looks but it is the ground clearance and 21" front wheel that has me saying no.

I appreciate that these are both required in the American and Australian markets, but we just don't have the gravel roads that they do, so you just end up with a big tall trailie looking road bike. That said the AT sells well in the UK.

I'll wait for the non DE version and see what I think, but it will have to be awfully good to persuade me away from my 650.

[Mark Shelley]

There is actually a good argument for a 21” wheel on our potholed roads.

[mr_diver]

Too right - I'm a Honda fan. I'm not likely to buy a new one, even if the new Transalp looks that good.

[porter]

The Honda does look nicer, more adventure bike than off road bike like the Suzuki. Bit more power and less weight too, if the kerb weighs are to be believed. But no tubeless tyre option and two pot sliding brake calipers will put me off big time.
Also if the hornet is 7k why will the transalp be the rumoured 10k? Both have the same engine and frame. The hornet comes with a tank, seat, clocks, lights, wheels, brakes etc just like any bike. Why will the transalp's cost so much more? It's that adventure bike tax again isn't it.

[Brockett]

grumps:- you ask "who's build is as good as it used to be"?  I say Moto Guzzi. Now then, just take a minute to think about that. Hmmmm! 

[Rusty Nuts]

"Damned with faint praise"? 

[pichulec]

Shouldn't even be called v-strom. No, thank you I will stay with my old, trusty 05 plate 1000 🙂

[crump]

Does seem strange to call it a Vstrom, it's a completely new platform, give it a new name.
I quite like the look of it actually, it seems to be aimed at a more adventure style market, a bit more off road focused.
It's going to be up against the new Transalp and the 700 Tenere. Looks like prices for all 3 are going to be similar.
From what I'm reading, they're all going to be 2-3000 quid more than the naked they're based on.....why? Fashion?

[Rixington43]

Some of it will no doubt be fashion tax but there also things like spoked wheels, longer suspension, additional plastics plus smaller things like hand guards etc which will legitimately add to the base price of the 'adventure' model.

[porter]

Adventure bikes are the most popular at the moment so they command a higher price.  Sure they have more suspension, spoke wheels etc but it shouldn't take 3 grand to turn a hornet 750 or a gsx8s into a transalp or vstrom.
But its similar on all platforms that share the same engine, frame ie r1250 and gs1250, f900r and gs850 and mt07 and t7.
Hell even tyres for an adventure bike are expensive. My brother can buy tyres for his 08 fireblade cheaper than I can for a vstrom! I think it's time to head back to a sports tourer.

[Brockett]

The price of everything is based on "what the market will bear" and motorcycles are just the same. Speaking only for myself I think the adventure style has caught on due to the rider position it provides. Lots of old blokes, no longer able to lay on the tank grasping clips-ons with their feet far back. I think the strom would sell as well if they gave it a lower seat and seventeen inch cast aluminium wheels. Maybe lower the frame / footrests , a tad so as to provide better knee angle. Of course, keep the adventure model for those tall boys who want to get out and play in the dirt, but for the rest of us, an unclassified road with grit and grass down the middle,  is the closest we're getting to adventure riding.

[Mr Nick]

Shouldn't even be called v-strom. No, thank you I will stay with my old, trusty 05 plate 1000 🙂

But you don't actually have a V-Strom... 

[pichulec]

I do :P I don't consider rebadged bike as a different bike :P