Earlier this year I was excited to head to New Zealand for the Australasian media launch of Suzuki’s new V-Strom 800 DE — you know, the all-new V-Strom that’s now actually a ‘P-Strom’ thanks to the 776cc parallel twin engine that drives the bike. Our launch report review of the 800 was published in AAB issue 21.
Now, just in case you haven’t been paying attention, the 800 is all-new from front to back and top to bottom, with long-travel Showa suspension and a 21-inch front wheel. While the Maori weather gods unleashed a little fury upon us and we spent much of the Kiwi test day riding in the rain, it was clear the new 800 was a good thing. So much so that I couldn’t wait to ride it again back home in Oz on a longer hit–out.
As soon as we could wrangle it, myself and the Darcinator hatched a plan with Suzuki Australia to secure two new 800s to put them through their paces on a multi-day ride through central NSW and the upper Hunter Valley, on the type of tour V-Strommers would hit any weekend of the year.
In due course we fronted at Bikebiz Suzuki in Parramatta and climbed aboard our steeds: two sparkling new 800 DEs resplendent in Suzuki’s Champion Yellow colour scheme. Grey and black colour options are also available, but we’d take the RM Yellow option every day of the week. The yellow colour with blue highlights and gold rims absolutely pops.
The next morning we parked the 800s by the oceanfront of Sydney’s northern beaches for a photo shoot before they got dirty. Then we loaded the bikes up with tank bags and soft rear luggage for
