Suzuki GSX-8R and V-Strom 800DE Showcased At Bharat Mobility Expo 2024

 Both the middleweight motorcycles are set for launch in India this year.

At the ongoing Bharat Mobility Expo 2024, Suzuki Motorcycle India officially showcased the new Suzuki GSX-8R and V-Strom 800DE. Both the middleweight motorcycles are powered by the same 776 cc parallel-twin engine with the same bore and stroke size as well. With these debut at the mobility show, both models now have a strong chance of launching in the country within this year. 

2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE

The Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE debuted in February 2023 along with the GSX-8S.  Both motorcycles ushered in Suzuki’s new tubular steel frame chassis. Powering the adventure motorcycle is a new 776 cc, parallel-twin engine that produces 83 bhp and 78 Nm. With a 270-degree crank, the V-Strom 800DE will have a typical V-twin style rumble, and the same engine in this state of tune is also available with the GSX-8R. 

The new chassis of the V-Strom 800DE is also significantly off-road oriented. With a 21/17-inch wheel combination, the V-Strom 800DE benefits from 220 mm of ground clearance, that is further aided by long-travel SFF-BP USF fork and monoshock. 

In terms of electronics as well, the 800DE is far ahead in comparison to the V-Strom 650 XT (that was on sale here before). From ride-by-wire to three different power modes, and three levels of traction control, and  2 ABS models, along with low RPM assist, and Suzuki Easy Start system - the V-Strom 800DE also sounds very approachable. 

2024 Suzuki GSX-8R

The full-faired Suzuki GSX-8R was showcased for the first time last year at EICMA motorcycle show in Italy. Based on the same all-new tubular steel frame with a separate aluminium subframe that also underpins its naked counterpart, the GSX-8S. The GSX-8R deviates with an all-new full-fairing design with a windscreen integrating the new double-stacked headlight arrangement. 

Moreover, the GSX-8R also sports a separate aluminum handlebar bolted to a triple clamp to give a sportier, forward-riding position. Suspension duties are taken care of by SFF-BP USD fork and unlike the naked, the GSX-8R gets Showa-sourced preload-adjustable monoshock. The electronic feature list is also the same in the sports motorcycles and the same as what is found in the ADV. 

Price

Suzuki has yet to ascertain an exact launch date (at the time of writing this article) for both the V-Strom 800DE and the GSX-8R. When it comes to its competition, the Kawasaki-duo of Ninja 650 and Versys 650 priced at ₹7.16 lakh and ₹7.77 lakh, respectively, will be its closest rival. However, given the bigger engine at play, the Suzuki motorcycles are expected to command a premium price tag over the Kawasaki motorcycles at somewhere between ₹10-12 lakh.