I bought one of these bikes in August 2023. I have had lots of bikes but I haven't loved one like I love this one since the early 80's. I don't give a shit about speed and badassery anymore which means I got no one to impress. That said...this bike is so much fun. Comfy, fast enough, dirtable, streetable. It's the bomb.

GREAT ODINS BEARD I MUST HAVE ONE love that color design too

Assistência de saída baixa rotação é inovação, fica igual embreagem automática top todo terreno aqui BR 🇧🇷

Fantastic to ride. More fun than my Transalp. Plenty of torque low down, the list is endless. Looking forward to the 800RE.

hopefully mine arrives in the next few months! trading my 2017dl650xt on it, just want something more suitable for rougher dirt roads. I am not pretending i can ride sigle track with any bike this size.

Another great review, you were obviously impressed by this bike. I don’t think you mentioned the “controversy” around Suzuki replacing a V-twin model with one with a parallel twin engine. When British manufacturers dominated the market they settled on the 360 degree parallel twin as being the optimal engine and 50 years later we seem to be going back to the parallel twin but now with water cooling and 270 degrees. They obviously provide plenty of bang for your buck but I can’t think of a bike where this type of engine contributes to the looks. Admittedly the way modern bikes are styled your eye isn’t drawn to the engine like it used to be 🇬🇧

@route21garage

11 ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏 Yes, it definitely did exceed my expectations and was a real treat to play with. One of those bikes that pleasantly surprises 👌

@greyfisher3897

10 ай бұрын

Exactly, the Vtwin is not compact, the parallel twin is compact....I would say its evolution from the single cylinder working the best for off road design...Since the ADV market is based on this notion of (off road), although usually these bikes are used on a road of some sort, it only stands to reason that the the twin vertical/parallel evolved out of that. I read somewhere a while back that the new twins are cheaper to manufacture....so that no doubt has at least a part of the reason they are evolving to the specs of the modern day. I personally don't like the look of the Vtwin on a motorcycle, seems incongruous, and as the passage of time is showing I think, not the best engine layout for a motorcycle frame.....takes up too much space...needed for other things like airboxes and batteries. To each his own....I find a lot of people looking at my T7 with awe and wonder at the gas station, engine and all....

I think this is my next bike. I've been a big red fan all my riding life, but this bike is definably better than the Transalp in so many ways. Nothing is being said by any of the journalists tasked with bike news about the audacious price gouge Honda has put on us with the Transalp. In the UK, the Transalp is a thousand pounds cheaper than the V-Strom. We were expecting the Transalp to come in at R170k-R180k. I was at my local dealer launch and when they announced R209 999 as if it was a gift, you could feel the air going out of the event. When Suzuki announced the 800DE at R195 000 it really took the last wind out of the Transalp sails (and sales). I'm really hoping someone will talk about this on a public forum, but I guess no journalist can review bikes if they get blacklisted by Honda.

@route21garage

10 ай бұрын

You are spot on and as an enthusiast rather than a journalist I try focus on why I like a bike or brand, what is good or only ok on a bike. Internationally the pricing may vary from country to country depending on importers. But here in SA it is the same as you described, more tech on the DL and about R25k cheaper, makes for a no-brainer

@andrewspangenberg

10 ай бұрын

I feel for the Honda dealers. The Transalp was supposed ot be their winning ticket in the year ahead and Honda SA shot themselves in the foot. I did a deep dive on this particular issue. both bikes are made in Japan. Both import companies are subsidiaries of the main company. there's no other explanation than Honda thinks the Tranalp name can be banked. I predict once the Suzuki becomes readily available the Transalp price will drop significantly. It will have to, but the egg will there already. All over the face..@@route21garage

That was a thorough and varied review, well done! It appears you can overtake on the inside and the outside?

@route21garage

11 ай бұрын

😂😅 thank you, this is Africa 😉

@simonchilli2088

11 ай бұрын

@@route21garage I know it is. I've watched several of your videos. The Triumph Rocket was very amusing.😅

Really like your reviews, only discovered your channel recently. Your reviews are as good if not better than the established KZread testers. But way better than most. And local too 😊. Also great to see that you actually ride like a real biker (maybe that's just us South Africans?) If money wasn't an option, if you had choose between this bike, the 2023 Tiger 900 Rally Pro or the Husky 901 Expedition, what would you choose? My use would be commuting (mostly highway) and 3 to 5 long trips per year (gravel, twee spoor, etc). Thanks!

@route21garage

5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much 🙏 If money were no option I think the Triumph Tiger

@whza75

5 ай бұрын

Thanks! Confirms my thinking too. I rode all three I mentioned plus the T7 and Transalp. Was very impressed by the Honda too, but it and especially the T7 is too expensive for what you get. The quality of the parts on the Tiger really impressed me and I'm willing to pay more for that. Plus Triumph seems to be a strong brand in SA. Much appreciated!

for 2024 suzuki is gonna make and a 19''frond wheel version

@rsq72

11 ай бұрын

If it also has tubeless and cruise, take my money Suzuki!

@blackskunk54

8 ай бұрын

@@rsq72 No Cruise

👍👍

Why would the GSX-8S be a whooping $2500.00 cheaper, seems odd. How would you compare this to a GS750/850? Great Review thanks

@route21garage

11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much 🙏 I think the extra money vs the GSX-8S would be suspension front and rear, additional electronics with the G mode etc. I agree though that the difference seems huge. Personally I am a GS man as I own one, however this Suzuki seems newer, fresher, cleaner, neater…….it makes the current GS 750&850 shout for a facelift and refresh. So having ridden them virtually back to back I would say 2023 models I would go for this Suzuki and it has a bit more tech in it.

@IRQ1Conflict

10 ай бұрын

Yup. Fully adjustable front and rear suspension costs some bucks.

24:28 any idea what that person in the hi-viz is doing?

@jeandredevilliers9889

11 ай бұрын

begging for money, it's how they do it here in Africa

@whza75

5 ай бұрын

Begging for money

hi there!its torquer than the transalp?

@blackskunk54

8 ай бұрын

Yep, more fun to ride. As soon as you get off, you wanna get back on. Absolute Cracking bike.

24:29 Holy sh!t, look at that guy begging for money in the middle of the road. He can’t be right up stairs. So dangerous.

@route21garage

Ай бұрын

😅😂🤣 that’s why say “TIA” This Is Africa

I just hope the next year model gains more weight…we need an off-road bike that weighs in at 275 kilograms.

@chadkline4268

11 ай бұрын

Oh, quit your whining 😊 my old 1971 BMW R60/5 is 450/lbs. A bike needs weight for highway speeds. Adv is not just off road, it's both on and off road. Less than 200kg, and you'd be complaining that you get blown around on the highway. Some places have wide open plains, and strong crosswinds. An adv can't make everyone happy all of the time, it can only make most people happy most of the time. There are always sport bikes and cruisers if you prefer streets, and always 300/400cc advs and MX bikes if you prefer off-road. These bikes are designed for touring, on+off road. There are no intentions to compete in MX competitions. Motorcycle customers have so many choices today. You can get a KLR 650, or DR, or Himalayan, or any of the 300cc adv bikes if you are more off road focused.