Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050
V-Strom specific discussion => V-Strom specific discussion => Topic started by: Keepitlit on April 18, 2024, 21:46:51
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Had my 1050 18 months now but just recently had my head turned by the 800DE ,has anyone done the change from 1050 to 800 and regretted it.Got talking to a dealer yesterday and was enquiring about the second hand 800DE the dealership had and the dealership bloke told me that the 800 is a better engine than the 1050 and is more lively, obviously he's after the sale and may want to sway my decision with this statement. With that in mind my fellow vstromers what's the collective opinions on this,also have an upcoming trip to Scotland from Shropshire and know the 1050 just eats miles .
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Take the 800 for a long test ride, and then ride your 1050 home on a long route. Then you can compare the two and decide if it's just change for changes sake, or is it really a better bike for you. Personally I think your 1050 is the better bike , but only worry about what you think. Either way enjoy yourself making the choice, it can sometimes become a bit stressful making these decisions.
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I think the 800RE might be a better bike if you do mostly road riding, tubeless cast wheels would be a big factor for me, easy plug and go puncture repairs if you're unfortunate enough to get a puncture, and they always happen at the worst time :dl_smiley_banghead:
your 1050 will have great grunt and brakes etc but I'm not sure if they still have the same clutch 'judder' as the previous versions had, I suspect they do after a certain amount of miles it being the same engine.
A long test ride and comparison with your own bike then is good advice.
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id take a test ride tbo
I was close to buying one but after having a t7 had to admit it was still going to be too big and heavy to take advantage of its really pretyy decent of road manners and very decent suspension
engine wise it pulls really really well right from down low and is pleanty fast enough but will be revving substantially higher at 80mph
I think what swayed me was I really don't have the skillset to manage a loaded de800 on uk trails and I stick with my tricked up crf for that job
the weather protection on the de is pretty much non existant and for that reason it doesn't make the best tourer for me ..being tall the screen would have to be comically tall to be of any use on the road and liablility off road
the tubeless tyrs I could live with but it would probaly benifit from a centrestand being so heavy as balencing that on a ugly stick and replacing the rear wheeel would be scetchy to say the least
if the plan is to use it maby aboad doing the endless firetacks in spain and portugal the 800 is light years better than the 1050 tbo I'm no off road god but I'm not a total mug and was quite impressed by it
ultimatly I wanted a primerily a road tourer and I think for that the 1050de offers more of that side while retaining a bit of composure for the odd firetrack and jeep track ....add in cruise control better cockpit and less radical suspension travel with better front brakes I think ..against it is of course its mass and weight
then I guess there was the value side of it with 1050des to be had for sub 10k with full luggage
as road based bike I like the 1050 better than the 800
but I guess its obvius but the 800 does feel pretty dam good on some of the moss tracks I took it down and has way way better suspension than the t7
but taking down a duel carriagway and a few miles of motorway was not a very pleasent thing to do
be intersesting to see how you get on with it ...I tried the r version as well and that was tbo just too small for me ..I'm quite tall long legs ..the 800de was much btter for me seat wise but it leaned a lot towards the off road ..I tried the transalp as well and that has a decent fairing but the suspension isn't any where near as good ..the alps engine was a bit slow to pick up low down and the took off like scalded cat and was strong all the way up ..faster than the Suzuki but faster in the wrong place for me but at least Honda gave the rider some protection to travel with which for me is the 800s biggest drawback
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I think, that besides the different in power, the V motor feel vs that of the twin / parallel motor would to some riders be a deal breaker. Also the 1050's cruise control would be sadly missed, if doing a lot of long distance riding.
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I sold my 1050xt and bought a BMW R1250GSA. Despite being a BMW fan, I really missed the Strom and have since moved back to the new 1050. As a real world motorcycle I just find it perfect. It cost me a bit to realise that though, so as said, try both back to back and take your time over the decision. Good luck 👍
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Thanks blokes for all your valuable comments and knowledge really appreciate it, decision made I'm going to stick with my 21plate 1050 ,also I have the 1050 just to my liking with a few extra bits and pieces I've added to enhance comfort and carrying capacity.