Suzuki V-Strom 800DE vs. the competition

Suzuki recently launched its entry into the touring bike category in the form of the V-Strom 800DE.

Proving that it is equipped for almost any adventure, the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE is equipped with a 776 cubic centimeter (cc) engine mated to a six-speed constant mesh transmission system that puts out as much as 83 horsepower (hp) and 78 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque.

Some of its notable features include its oil-damped, inverted telescopic front shock absorbers, oil-damped, link-type rear suspension, disc brakes (front and back), and chunky all-weather tires.

Plus with a fuel tank capacity of 20 liters, one needs to worry about fueling up compared to other go-anywhere motorcycles.

It is priced at P699,000.

However, are the abovementioned features enough to make the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE a standout among other Japanese adventure bikes? Let’s find out.

Yamaha Tenere 700

Punching within the same weight class is the Yamaha Tenere 700.

Looking like a proper touring motorcycle, the Yamaha Tenere 700 sports a rally-bred face with four LED headlights and a tall windshield. Also notable are its long-travel upsidedown forks that contribute to the motorbike’s tall and towering stance.

To its side, one can take a better view of the underbody protection that safeguards the components of the Yamaha Tenere 700 should one encounters a crash.

At the rear is a slim tail that is a precursor to the athletic and agile nature of the Yamaha Tenere 700.

Power comes from a 689cc powerplant mated to a six-speed constant mesh gearbox. This setup makes a maximum of 72 horses and 68Nm of pulling power.

Like the aforementioned Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, the Yamaha Tenere 700 also uses disc brakes for reliable stopping power. Housing the said brakes are 21-inch wheels at the front and 18-inch wheels at the rear. Both wheels are shod in tires designed to tackle almost any terrain.

Other notable features include its compact, rally-style instrument panel and cockpit, switchable anti-lock braking system, and its 16-liter fuel tank.

The Yamaha Tenere is priced at P669,000.

Honda Transalp XL750

Also contending in the same category is the Honda Transalp XL750.

While the two previous machines donned plenty of sharp angles and straight lines, the Honda Transalp XL750 decided to take on a more elegant approach in terms of design and wore more curves and contours that make it look more refined compared to its competitors.

It packs a slim and somewhat inconspicuous headlamp, sporty lines on its side profile, and a narrow tail that allows it to easily maneuver not only on mountain trails but also on urban landscapes.

In between the thighs of its riders is a 755cc engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Together, the powertrain makes approximately 90hp and 74.6Nm of torque.

For brakes, the Honda Transalp XL750 gets “wave” discs while its packs a Showa front fork with 200 millimeters (mm) of travel and a Pro-Link rear suspension with 190mm of travel. It rides on 21-inch front wheels and 18-inch rear wheels wrapped in off-road tires.

Notable features come in the form of its aerodynamic fairings, easy-to-understand instrument cluster, and 16.9-liter fuel tank.

The Honda Transalp XL750 has a sticker price of P598,000.

Photos from Ruben Manahan IV, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Honda

Also read: 

Suzuki unveils V-Strom 800DE, GSX-8S

Triple treat: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE's 3 colors

Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE: Pros and cons