Suzuki V-Strom 800 D.E. Djebel - version italienne 2024 — Specifications

Does a retro aesthetic alone suffice to revive the soul of a bygone trail bike? That’s the question posed by this V-Strom 800 D.E. “Djebel,” a special series created by Suzuki Italy. The name isn't chosen at random: it crackles like a wind of sand and directly references the DRs of the 80s, those basic and indestructible machines that devoured dirt roads without a second thought. Suzuki Italy has therefore dressed its mid-size trail bike in a rather elegant blue and white livery, far more inspiring than the standard colors, and equipped it with features that proclaim its ambitions.

Underneath this vintage décor, the mechanics remain those of the base D.E., and that’s not a bad thing. The 776 cm3 parallel-twin delivers its 84 horsepower with a beautiful linearity, and its 78.5 Nm of torque is available from the mid-range, a valuable asset when the pavement becomes scarce. The chassis, with its Showa inverted fork with 220 mm of travel and a single shock absorber of the same stroke, promises a significant absorption capacity. Note the complete electronic equipment with its riding modes, traction control, and rear wheel deactivatable ABS, a must for committed outings. The real change is the Dunlop Trailmax Raid tires mounted on spoked rims, a choice clearly oriented towards gripping on trails, much more than the original mixed tires.

But that’s where the shoe pinches a little, and where the comparison with the original “Djebel” spirit becomes severe. The ancestor DR had a large tank, an engine guard, an integrated tool kit. Here, the tank remains at 20 liters, correct but not extraordinary for long-distance adventure, and the engine guard is absent. The most notable addition is a titanium Akrapovic exhaust, which lightens the machine by 1.2 kg and surely crackles very well, but we would have exchanged this luxury for a belly pan. With its 229 kg all fueled up, this V-Strom is not light, and its wide handlebars can be cumbersome in tight trails.

So, who is the target audience? The globetrotter who wants a unique look and off-road capabilities superior to a classic trail bike, without aiming for the extreme. At 13,900 euros, it positions itself as an object of passion, a stylized tribute rather than a real raid machine. It is more authentically “adventure” than a Tracer 9 GT, but less radical and prepared than a true competitor like the KTM 890 Adventure R. It’s a beautiful motorcycle, versatile and well-equipped, that plays with motorcycle memory. It makes you dream of the past, but it rides with the compromises of the present.