If there’s one thing Suzuki has become very good at in the last few years, it’s building unpretentious motorcycles which represent really good value for money. And while the new for 2023 V-Strom 800 hasn’t quite ticked all the boxes I’d expect and like it to, it’s still a well-appointed, practical and high-value offering. In my mind, a base-model adventure tourer – regardless of the brand – is the sports tourer for those who want a more upright riding position, less bodywork and a few more options on ways to get from A to B. More practical than a traditional sports-tourer, there’s more luggage options, more wind protection and, while the 19-inch front wheel doesn’t quite offer the same feel and feedback as a 17-incher would, they can generally be pushed through any set of twisties at more or less the same clip as anything else.
Released after its dirt-focused DE sibling (AMCN Vol 72 No 20), the $17,490 (ride away) V-Strom 800 is the platform’s base or road focused model. As well as gaining a 19-inch (cast aluminium) front wheel instead of the DE’s (wirespoked) 21-incher and a more road-oriented brake package, there’s less travel in the suspension, which in turn
