Bharat Mobility Expo: Suzuki V-Strom 800DE, GSX-8R Unveiled in India

Bharat Mobility Expo: At the Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, the eagerly awaited Bharat Mobility Expo 2024 officially opened its doors to the public today. Numerous automakers previously announced that they are going to showcase and unveil a wide range of new products. The goal of this three-day spectacle, which runs until February 3, is to demonstrate the strength of the Indian automobile sector internationally. Over 28 of the top OEMs, including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, Mahindra, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Hero MotoCorp, Suzuki, Bajaj, TVS, Ashok Leyland, and VECV, are participating in the Expo. Suzuki has taken this opportunity to debut its two awaited models in India, the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE and the GSX-8R. Here's all you need to know about their design, features, and specs.

Also Read: Suzuki V-Strom 800 DE Marks Global Debut at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show

Suzuki V-Strom 800DE

Starting with the V-Strom 800DE, the vertically stacked LED headlight of the bike gives it a distinct appearance. The visor is both transparent and blacked out, creating a dual-tone aesthetic. The bike also gets a secondary fender beneath it, a wide handlebar with knuckle guards, and a single-piece seat.

Coming to the engine specs, the V-Strom 800DE from Suzuki gains a new 776cc DOHC parallel-twin engine that belts out 78Nm of peak torque at 6,800rpm and 82bhp of maximum power at 8,500rpm. In addition, the engine has four valves per cylinder and a 270-degree crankshaft, which the bike manufacturer claims will aid in providing traction along with bottom-end torque for off-road activities. The V-Strom 800DE features wire-spoked 21-inch front wheels and 17-inch rear wheels with Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour rubber. 

A fully adjustable Showa suspension system with 220mm of ground clearance and 220mm of travel on both ends is another characteristic of the V-Strom 800 DE. The motorcycle combines a steel frame chassis with an aluminum swingarm and a compact profile for better handling. Feature-wise, it boasts a customised 5-inch colour TFT LCD multifunction instrument panel, LED lighting, the Suzuki Traction Control System with G (Gravel) mode and rear ABS cancel mode options, the bi-directional quick shifter, the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (SDMS), a low rpm assist, and a ride-by-wire electronic throttle system.

Also Read: 2023 Hero Karizma XMR vs Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 Comparison Review: Is This the Return of the Legend?

Suzuki GSX-8R

Moving on to the next model, the Suzuki GSX-8R is a middleweight sports bike, underpinned by the same 776cc engine platform as the GSX-8S and the V-Strom 800. The pointed fascia of the model gives it a sporty appearance. Sharp body panels, a transparent visor, and ducts on either side of the headlights make up the front end. The new GSX-8R is equipped with vertically stacked projector LEDs for lighting. Given that it is more focused on sports touring than a comprehensive supersport, the GSX-8R appears somewhat more laid back. In addition to the handlebar being high, the rider triangle is also upright.

Although the engine's exact specs are unknown, it is anticipated that the model will perform similarly to the GSR-8S, putting out about 83bhp of maximum power and 78Nm of peak torque while being coupled to a 6-speed gearbox. The bike also has features like easy start, ABS, ride-by-wire, low rpm assist, traction control, and a bi-directional quickshifter. The Suzuki GSX-8R's gear comprises a steel frame with Showa SFF-BP forks and a connected rear shock. Its brakes consist of one 240mm rear disc and two 310mm front discs. These are mounted on 17-inch cast aluminum wheels fitted with Dunlop RoadSport 2 tyres.