Can We Rally Race A Suzuki V-Strom 800DE Adventure Bike?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Is it possible to race a modern adventure bike in a desert rally race? That’s the question we asked after watching Paris-Dakar videos from the early ‘90s. So we decided to create a modern version of Suzuki's legendary DR Big Paris-Dakar racer. We spent months building a 2023 V-Strom 800DE for the 2024 NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally, and now it’s time to go racing! Will we make it to the finish?
Ride along with Cycle World as we race 1350 miles through Baja, Mexico.
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Happy I found this video. I'm the guy opening the moto shop in Guerrero Negro. Cool to meet the team and Happy to help you guys while in Guerrero Negro. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Thanks for the help Tim!
wish you all the best !
legend
Awesome.
I actually met Justin at a camp ground in San Ignacio while he was hustling to get to the start line. i noticed the strom immediately and striked up some conversation because i have the stock version. he was kind enough to let me sit on the bike and feel up a fully modified version of my bike. although he was in a hurry he was very kind.
it makes me so happy to see the whole journey on youtube just by chance. great work guys y'all killed it.
Aye!! good to see (well, hear. Maybe see since I'm reading this...) again! Glad you found us!
I like how this video was in the perspective of the rider going into the race as it happened, unlike the other Baja films where they do the "looking back at it" style films. this style gives me the feel of actually being in the team with them.
Awesome bunch of videos.
The build series was a great prequel and then to finish it up with this one, perfect.
Takes me back to the days of reading the magazine as a teen in the seventies, cover to cover, fuelling my biking dreams while showing me all the different adventures you can do on a bike.
Cycle World has been there for me for more than 50+ years, thanks gang and keep them coming.
Great video. I roasted my clutch in the deep sand in Baja on my vstrom while riding down to South America. Of course I didn't have a spare so I had to install a bunch of washers under the clutch springs and limp along until Mazatlan. Good times. The 800 definitely looks like a nice upgrade but my 650 is still plugging along at 122,000 miles :)
Dear Suzuki, please make this bike a factory available option 🙏
Word
I just wonder how much money all these extras would cost? Absolutely Suzuki needs to offer all these options on a factory built bike. Every bike I've ever had you always have to install all the extras before it's yours, it'd be nice to buy a one & done bike wouldn't it! 😆 🤣
Dude they do make this bike...plus Theres already 4 models of the v strom 800, how many more do you want?
Tires, handlebars, and suspension set up is a personal choice but suzuki has 4 versions for different types of riding.
He made a few other changes to the bike for racing specifically, but the bike they sell is remarkably similar to the bike he raced.
@@bradhelfrich6602the front forks are $3500 by themselves.... it's not practical to sell full race bikes when 99% of people don't need it. Another $2200 for the rear.
It's neccessary to customize your bike for how you ride and quite frankly that's half the fun.
@pauliewalnuts240 I'd love to see this very setup. All the fat trimmed, the moto style seat and forks ect... you mentioned the cost of the forks ect.. but by the time you remove the unnecessary farings and such, then account for the economy of scale, the cost of the bike wouldn't vary much from the current price, although the dealerships would blow the price out of the competitive market range because much like when the T7 tennere was introduced they couldn't keep them in stock nationwide
Woah! Nice SUZUKI!
And it was very nice to see that some Honda XR650r is still in BAJA1000! Cheers from XR650r rider! 😉
Where is Larry Roeseler when you need him 😂
@@DakarBluesin a truck!!! 😂
Had this Sunday off, found this video, and had a great morning watching Baja! Think I'll hop on my G310 GS, and take a quiet ride in the Virginia countryside!! Great job-great video!!
Wild race! Glad YT suggested it to me. From the moment it started h til the credits rolled my boys and I were glued to the tv! Congratulations on a successful race!
That's awesome! Love to hear the your boys enjoyed it!
Absolutely epic ride!! The video is awesome, on par with "Dust to Glory" in my opinion. Congratulations to all that participated and supported. Cheers!
Awesome race! The great attitude is why they made it to the finish...
Amazing job Justin. I'm so in awe at your skill levels in producing this great content. Well done!
Phil!!! Thanks man. Great to hear from you.
I really want one of those Suzuki CW Camel stickers.
we are looking to selling them, stay tuned.
@@CWjustindawes My DRZ waits patiently. ;)
I would love to put this on my 8R! Same motor, different application haha. I started on dirt bikes, love offroad at heart!!
Love the intro. Straight to the point.
Congratulations! Excellent filming, guys. Very enjoyable, good fun. Greetings from Hungary, Europe!
I really like the little jump the lady does when telling racers to go, it's adorable
She did that for hundreds of racers for six days straight!
Fantastic production. Please keep them coming.
Lol, the one guy said, "We almost had a Kove." I guess it fell apart before it got there.
Great riding and outstanding video. Thanks for sharing!
Those 270deg twins sound awesome. Suzuki, please produce a Rally DE
This is a great video and you should definitely make more of these.
very cool video guys 😆
Super nice video, I enjoyed it a lot! But I feel like this clutch shouldn't have died. I've been riding hard enduro and do have a feeling for what components should be able to cope with. This hasn't been abused a lot
It's not being stuck that killed the clutch. It was the slipping for miles and miles on the beach as at high speed. I forgot to adjust it after heating it up badly while getting unstuck. It was definitely abused-all my fault.
@@CWjustindawes ok I know what you mean!
I couldn’t even afford a plane ticket to see the event let alone any of the motorcycle stuff this bro is doing
thank you for sharing. this is inspirational.
Great job 😎👍
Onya team beers up , The suzuki is a winner
Thank you!
Featuring Jimmy Lewis 😀
Bike sounds awsome.
That's a big boy on a big bike 🦍
I've always been, even when I was racing in my 20s I was 205lbs. Now almost 50, well, it's much more difficult. But this has spurred me on to get back to that weight and to start racing again. this project was life-changing for me.
Awesome bike 🎉
Είσαι μεγάλο αλάνι Justin
Dakar next??
🦆tape is must on a Journey of that magnitude
Maybe the clutch issue has something to do with the type of oil as some oils cause clutch slip. I know this exists particularly with classic bikes synthetic oil worth a shot in testing to potentially eliminate this possible problem. Or it could be something as simple as the adjusters on the clutch being slightly to tight not allowing the clutch to fully in gauge course depending the type of clutch hydraulic< sticky slave cylinder maybe or the good old tried and tested cable clutch👍 safe to I’m not a fan of hydraulic clutch complete lack of feel particularly biting point it’s pretty much either on or off.
The Yamaha T7 world raid has both the good old tried and tested cable clutch and cable throttle👍
If it ain’t broke don’t make it worse 👍
It came down to my abuse when stuck followed by my lack of awareness and care when the clutch freeplay went away. I was in "race mode" and totally screwed up.
I wuz thinking add a couple teeth at the rear sprocket
What was your air filter set up?
THE bike Suzuki should have made!!! So I own a KTM 890R instead. No no contest compared to the Suzuki.
Yes, two very different bikes off the showroom floor. But, this one... this one is just as good as my KTM project. Maybe one day Suzuki will build a Rally model...
dude i dream about doing this shit
NORRA is probably the easiest way to do it, come join us next year!
Great story!!
My question is why is it that so many of these rally guys are old fat dudes?
Why aren’t there more young fit guys competing?
I'm not old, yet. Fat- you got me there. There were plenty of young and fit racers as well.
It should be tubeless same as transalp
What seat are you guys running?
Seat Concepts
@@CWjustindawes i only see it for the 650 on their website.
@@joshmurray8342 you will have to call as it's a new product.
@@CWjustindawes ahh thank you for the info
So are you not allowed to use a gps?
Nope.. Only the roadbook, compass, and tripmeter.
how much does it weigh?
473 lbs. Stock is 507.
Amazing video and inspiring. I'm 33 now and planning my first rally in 2 years. @cycleworldJust check Justin's ear for Frank Sign please (ear lobe crease)
Thanks for that! I'll check with my doc on my next check up. It might also be from how much I have a helmet on my head, but I take your advice seriously.
The story is not only excellently and professionally told, it also reflects everything I have learned from 30 years of rally raiding! I have been riding a SUZUKI rally raid for 20 years and that is why Justin's project is so close to my heart. You did an excellent job, got the bike to the finish line (which doesn't always work the first time) and showed that the rider and motorcycle coped very well with this insane stress. Respect and congratulations!🔥🔥🔥
❤ this is what we need. Although the efforts are huge, this kind of movies are next level. I would pay to watch something like this.
This is the coolest bike I seen
I'm 70 so I don't think I can compete! Thanks for having me along! It was fun, I needed a salty breeze in my face to make it better, maybe some sand in my teeth?
age doesn't matter, spirit does :)
thanks for a great movie, watched it from England - super effort to all involved
This is PEAK TH-cam right here! Absolutely loved it, and I wish this was what commercial TV was like for the last 50 years, instead of the packaged bites that really are nothing more than a tease. I've been watching your progress with the DR since it came up in my feed, (being a moto freak), and when I saw this come up last night, I got pretty excited. Unfortunately I fell asleep half way through. All day at work I was like, "come on hours, lets go, I got something to watch... Lol. THANK YOU TEAM CYCLE WORLD. 🚲😹🤠✌👍💪🙏👀
Edit - a post below reminded that this does actually remind me of those mini movies you'd get in the cinemas before a movie in the 1980's. Very immersive and personal. Probably just converted a whole new generation to wanting an Adventure bike. I'm personally second guessing my sports tourer purchase now. He he heeee... might have to get a second bike?
thanks for watching!!!
You man speak the gospel
Throwing this up on my TV tonight and watching with the fam!
Awesome to watch the full race while I recover from breaking my ankle. Already completed some off-roading on my 800DE and had some BDR action planned for the summer (e-bike crash put the kibosh on that for a few months). This race vid inspires me to heal up quick and get back out on 2 wheels. 🤘🏼
Suspension, Suspension, Suspension, than weight. Every time I've gotten really hurt is because of a bad suspension. Front of the pack on my 1979 CR250R, exhilarating. Over riding the Suspension, a month of crutches. Destroying a countless number or KTM's on a 2 day Enduro race while on a 1996 DR350. Awesome! Of course, it had head work, and a RM250 Suspension grafted to it.
Awesome video and huge respect!!! I spent 8 years by the border there, took a Tiger 800xcx, KLX250 and CRF450X thru some of those sections closer to Rosarito just to see for myself. The 25hp KLX was the best no lie! Could ride all day without fatigue. The Tiger was sooooo damn physically tiring just to ride for 2 hours, and the 450X was mentally tiring cuz it beckoned u to ride faster/sharper. Most people dont understand that these heavy, high HP ADV bikes aint offroad bikes!
Thanks for the advice. Justin was so stoked to finish, and finish reasonably well, that he didn't really comment on the Pros and Cons of the weight verses the added power from the 800. I have dunes 80 Miles from where I live and don't want to trailer a bike there. Sounds like I'm better off going as light as I can, and putting up with a little discomfort on the highway. Thanks again.
@@tsubadaikhan6332 Its such a conundrum. Im going thru it again, after moving back home to Great Lakes region. Love my small dual sport but now want a ADV bike again cuz there is so many miles of logging roads here.
@@tsubadaikhan6332yeah. I was pumped and a little bit excited. Overall the weight you don't notice until something goes wrong. Then you REALLY notice it. I like making riding and racing harder than it should be, but this build showed that if it's done right, it can work well. Overall though in racing, lighter is always better than more power.
While I was watching the build episode, I kept wondering if the rally tower was built off of the stock windshield support. Whelp, now I know. I wondered about it because my Africa Twin requires an aftermarket brace just to hold up a small gps unit. Great content and thanks for sharing this awesome experience!
The deco is as awesome as the bike!! (We need those stickers!)
we are looking into having stickers, t-shirts, and graphics for sale.
@@CWjustindawes That yellow/blue with the Camel im sure stood out to a lot more people than myself. Looks fricking awesome.
I was thinking the same thing. Justin make it a thing. See if you can get us the files.
Oh and great work on the film btw. Had us engrossed the entire way.
Great video boys. Good hanging out with you at NORRA. Hope to see you again.
this was incredible. thank you for filming and sharing with us.
You built an amazing bike. And you did an amazing job during the race!!! Thank you for taking us on this journey. Very inspiring.
Such great video. Content, filming and editing is excellent. As Cogent we would like to work with you to optimize the suspension. Kind of a time pinch in their for us. We really liked working with you who are the real deal. Thank you for the opportunity.
The suspension action was EXCELLENT, my bad on kung-fu kicking the reservoir.... We are tearing the bike down now and will get the shock back to you for a rebuild! THANK YOU for the help and making a awesome shock!
@@CWjustindawes I look forward to speaking with you about some ideas. We knew the swivel hose setup isn’t a heavy duty situation on a dirt bike. We can all be proud to have accomplished such a thing on short notice (it feels like racing!). I am impressed by your riding and modifications on a new bike. I like racing because it is a test. Thank you.
Don't know if you'll have the fastest race bike, but you certainly are in the running for the best sounding!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!
Well done finishing and learning on a bike that is a new platform.
Im sure you learned a lot, and will make adjustments in the future.
Hell of an accomplishment to get that thing to the starting line, let alone doing well in many stages.
Pat yourself on the back Justin.
Ps, you have inspired me to build my 800DE into a bit more capable bike, and then enter an east coast race that uses sandy forest service roads next March
Its an incredibly under appreciated platform. 11k miles on mine, and its been great, until i got a flat today on the Smoky Mountain 1000 north of Morganton NC.
Im local, and went for a quick ride without tire tools, pump ect ect, like have done many times. Oh well
Thank you! Enjoy the process of the modification to you DR Big!
I crossed the Turkana desert on my Suzuki. I purposely changed the gearing so I would use as little clutch as possible at low speeds. Sand riding hates clutch plates!!!
Jully19 love u guys miss u ampeng miss u ampeng moaaaaaaa nice dance nice atayear so gwapo❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
ive been saying for years they need a ADV class at baja
Absolutely brilliant! Great bike, great riding, great production!
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE Cycle World M1k Edition! Put my order in now!
Awesome Dude. Thank you for putting the Dream back into me. Stay upright. Kiaora.
I’m coming back to this video whenever I need to remember why motorcycles are awesome.
Ultimate compliment! Thank you, seriously. This is what we strive for.
Oh Lord that Sound .... awwww.. such a beautiful bike , well done .. 🤩🤩
Awesome effort. Great video and would like to see you back next year!
Great video and I'm digging what you did to that VStrom! Nice!
Amazing 100% homage to DR BIG Dakar bike
This is such a good video. Thank you for putting this together and showing us your adventure. Thank you for your work, it is truly inspiring; and I can only hope that it will be seen even more in the future. Ps : you inspired me to take my 800DE on an adventure too ;)
for a first timer, YOU really did a GOOD JOB! hats off to you bro!👊
Great ride, thanks for sharing. Kudos for owning your mistakes.
You dudes don't know nothing about winning a race! No cheating, no Saratoga, no mind games, no riding the opponent's hogs, and no last resort uzi! It's like you dudes showed up to one and lose!
totally unprepared... I left the Uzi in the shop... we'll try again next year.
This was a great build and race (I just bought an 800DEA)
So sad to see the clutch explode like that, absolutely wild. Awesome videos, and an even better effort.
That was an awesome watch! However, I can't help wondering why y'all didn't install a chain block. 😅
It's on the list for the version 2.0.
This was totally enjoyable to watch! Thanks for sharing with us 🏍️🙌
Nice to see someone actually build a unique bike again. Not just a bolt on queen.
Great video dude. On so many levels...:)
Congratulations man , that was a hell of a run ! Just finishing that race with an adventure bike is a feat in itself. Were you guys running the stock clutch pack?
yes, it was the stock clutch. It would have been fine, but I really abused it when I was stuck.
Some really great riding. That bike is a beast!
I sold my last bike 7 years ago, videos like this want me to buy another today/.
We hope you do! Let us know if that happens!
Badass video guys! Excellent job with that bike in this race!
Love this vid. Awesome story. Fantastic bike. Well done you. What a great adventure. Thank. You for letting me part of it.
Epic, you're a legend.
Incredible bike and challenge; an emotional roller coaster for the team. Outstanding filming and commentary👍
I just bought a Suzuki V strom 250 and found this video it's awesome built and I hope my next adv is 800DE
Ditto and ditto
It was so cool seeing you guys down there! I don’t think I saw the bike until maybe San Ignacio and instantly was sending pictures to my buddy that I’m trying to convince to run this on a bmw g310gs 😂
Maybe Suzuki and Kawasaki need to build rally Raid motorcycle.
That Suzuki looks awesome!
More of these vids that was awesome loved it!
Ok, I’m inspired now to do a Suzuki off road tagged bike. I ride an 07’ Vstrom 1000 for touring and I have a KLX300r for the dirt, but what’s missing is something for the trans America trail!!!
I've been anticipating this!
waaaaaaaaay to heavy of a bike. but cool video
You guys did a lot better than the Ducati team. Nice job!
To be fair - Alexander Smith was second overall on the DesertX Rally. But, we were the people's champ!!
@@CWjustindawes He did great, as a team they had a 50% DNF rate though.