Suzuki V-Strom 800DE specs: can you green lane it?
The Suzuki V-Strom 800DE weighs 230kg wet, has a seat height of 855mm and 220mm of ground clearance, and makes 83hp. Expect about 64 mpg, for a range of around 280 miles from its 20-litre tank.
6/10
Holloway Green Lane Score
A smooth, refined twin that copes well with ruts and stones, its main weakness for green laning is straightforward weight and tubed wheels. Rider ability, terrain, weather and tyre choice still move the real answer more than the bike alone does.
Four separate scores, not one blended number, so you can see what's actually driving it.
Beginner friendliness
3/5
Road usability
3/5
Technical off-road capability
3/5
Green-lane suitability
3/5
Full specs
Price (new, OTR)£10,999
Engine776cc
Power83hp
Torque78Nm
Weight (wet)230kg
Seat height855mm
Fuel tank20L
Real-world range~280 mi
Economy~64 mpg
Wheels (f/r)21" / 17"
Ground clearance220mm
Suspension travel (f/r)220mm / 220mm
ABSYes
Traction controlYes
Ride modesYes
Service interval7,500 miles
Licence requiredA
Stock tyre sizes (f/r)90/90-21 / 150/70-17
Stock tyresDunlop Trailmax Mixtour
Where the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE sits
Wet weight against ground clearance for every bike in the finder that publishes both. Light and tall, top left, is where the easiest green lane bikes sit. Tap a dot to open that bike.
Figures are manufacturer claims. Clearance is measured differently by different makers, so treat small gaps as a draw.
Will your feet reach?
The Suzuki V-Strom 800DE has a 855mm seat. Enter your inside leg for a rough idea of how much foot you'll get down when stopped.
A rough guide only. A wide seat needs more leg than a narrow one, the suspension settles 20 to 40mm under you, and boots add a little. Many bikes offer a low seat or lowering link. Sit on one before you buy.
Range against similar bikes
Real-world range from tank size and typical economy, against the bikes closest to it in weight and type. Out on the lanes, fuel stops are often further apart than on a road ride.
Range only. Hard off-road riding and headwinds use more fuel, so plan fuel stops with margin.
Tyres that fit the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE
It runs a 90/90-21 front and a 150/70-17 rear, on Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour from the factory. 44 tyres in our Tyre Finder are made in at least one of those sizes, ranked by green lane score.
Sizes are for the standard UK model and can change between model years. Check the size on your own tyre sidewall, and ask your dealer before fitting a different size. Our size lists come from maker and retailer listings and can miss sizes, so a tyre shown for one end may still be made in your other size. Check the maker's size chart.
Owners praise the 800DE as a rugged, remarkably refined adventure twin. Riders highlight the 776cc engine and cross balancer system for delivering smooth, vibration-free power and stall-resistant low-rpm torque on climbs. While the 21-inch front wheel tracks well over ruts, owners caution that at 230kg with tubed rims, it is heavy in deep mud and requires tube-repair gear on the trail.
Pros for green laning
Smooth 776cc parallel twin: produces 83hp and 78Nm with a 270-degree crank, providing smooth, tractor-like pull from idle that resists stalling in slick mud.
Fully adjustable Showa suspension: 220mm of travel front and rear with 220mm ground clearance and a 21-inch front wheel handles ruts and stones well.
Gravel traction mode: specifically calibrated off-road traction mode allows optimal rear wheel spin for drive without cutting power abruptly.
Vibration-free road transit: Suzuki's cross balancer system makes tarmac links between distant trail networks exceptionally smooth and fatigue-free.
Cons and limitations
Hefty 230kg kerb weight: considerably heavy for tight, muddy, or deeply rutted UK green lanes, exhausting to haul upright solo.
17-inch rear wheel: limits fitment of hardcore extreme-enduro tyres compared to standard 18-inch rear wheel setups.
Tubed wheel design: requires carry-on tyre levers and spare inner tubes rather than quick tubeless plug kits for roadside puncture repairs.
Low-slung exhaust routing: exhaust header pipes sit exposed beneath the engine, requiring an aftermarket heavy-duty skid plate for rock protection.
Based on manufacturer specifications and independent motorcycle press reviews.
Remember: a rank here assumes reasonable stock tyres and a competent rider in decent conditions. The right tyres, or the wrong weather, can move a lane from easy to genuinely hard regardless of what bike you're on. Check a lane's own difficulty and hazards on the map before you go, don't rely on a bike score alone.
Find where to actually ride it
Browse legal green lanes and byways across England and Wales, filtered by difficulty, on Holloway's map.
