By Dustin Nere
In this day and age, we as overland motorcyclists have more options to choose from than ever before. The adventure motorcycle category continues to grow more than any other segment in the industry, offering a wide range of two-wheeled overlanding machines and accessories that will take us anywhere we want to go.
Many of us dream of the next bike, the perfect steed that will carve up the paved twisties and handle rock-infested two-track just the same. So with all the bikes on the market, how does one decide? With the program in its fifth year, we’ve set out to make that choice a little easier and bring you another top-shelf Ultimate Overland Motorcycle build fully kitted and capable to travel the world.
We’ve chosen the 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE for the Ultimate Moto Build 2025 for its versatility, its performance capability both on road and off, its admirable range and, most of all, its world-renowned reliability. Suzuki engineers and manufactures some of, if not the most, reliable motorcycles on the market and has done so for decades. That speaks volumes when you’re looking for a bike to travel in far-off places, and the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE is no exception. If you’re not convinced, Suzuki Motorcycles boasts an extensive global dealer network having business relations in 201 countries, so no matter where you are, you’re sure to find parts and maintenance items within reach.
The V-Strom model first hit the market in 2002 with a 1000cc bike, and later in 2004 with a smaller 650cc version, both of which were largely street bikes or perhaps sport touring motorcycles with very little off-road capability in mind. The V-Strom 800 was first available in 2023 as the first of its moniker to be dirt focused and adventure ready, by far the most off-road- worthy V-Strom ever. It brings “any-road” capability to the mid-sized adventure category with 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance and suspension travel, just to whet your appetite.
A 776cc DOHC parallel twin delivers ample power and a smooth, torque-rich experience providing more power than a 650 with less weight and bulk than a larger engine and does so in an economical and reliable way. The new chassis design provides a low center of gravity resulting in a nimble feel that’s incredibly stable while the fully adjustable inverted forks and rear shock keep the tires planted both on and off road. The beauty of this combination and design delivers a splendid mid-size package that’s manageable for the solo traveler yet accommodating for two-up travel as well.
Most adventure bikes today are packed with tech that can be overbearing and, at times, troublesome. The V-Strom 800DE brings just what we want to the table through the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System, which includes drive mode traction control, Gravel Mode being one we’re most excited about, as well as ABS that can be switched off at the rear, and also a Bi-directional Quick Shift System.
Styling is unmistakenly V-Strom with the Dakar Rally-style beak that was developed by Suzuki. The bike in Champion Yellow immediately had us reminiscing of the historic Suzuki DR-Z800 Dakar Rally race bike campaigned by Belgian Gaston Rahier with the Hessler Rallye Team in 1989. Many of us adventure riders are enamored with rally bikes and the aura of rally racing, and how cool would it be to pay a little homage to such an incredible bike? Granted we’re not going to build a desert race bike and strap lug- gage to it. We want a bike built purposefully for overland travel, but the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE has a touch of rally style and with a little tweaking will have us looking over our shoulder every time we park it and walk away.
One of the most important considerations when outfitting a bike for overland travel is protecting the bike itself. For that we turned to Outback Motortek, who have been manufacturing motorcycle protection and luggage accessories through passion, diligence and precision for more than a decade. Skillfully engineered and manufactured, and extensively crash tested, Outback Motortek produces the burliest, highest-quality products on the market. For the ultimate protection of our Suzuki V-Strom, we chose to install their Protection Combo, which includes a super-stout skid plate and engine crash bars. To mount and support our luggage, we’ve gone with their Pannier Racks and Rear Luggage Rack, which will allow for a whole host of luggage options as well as offer additional protection for the rear portion of the bike.
Creature comforts are also something to incorporate when developing an ultimate overland motorcycle built with long-distance travel in mind. If there was one thing we wished Suzuki would’ve included from the factory on this bike, it would be cruise control. We all know there are those times when you just need to shake out that throttle hand, stretch out that arm, or adjust a jacket zipper.
On this build we’ve partnered with Veridian Cruise, who has developed a plug-and-play cruise control system that provides a factory experience at an affordable price, to install the V-Strom 800 Cruise Kit. This electronic system works seamlessly, just like you would expect from any modern vehicle, with a three-button control offering set, resume and cancel, as well as increase and decrease speed functions, and includes several safety features that automatically disengage the cruise control.
Stock mirrors are typically too rigid and are the first thing to break when we push these bikes to the limits. RAM Mounts Tough-Mirrors solve that issue with their patented ball-mount mirror arms and aerodynamic adventure mirrors, built with rugged materials and a design that will withstand the elements, hits and scrapes, whether we smack a tree branch along the side or drop the bike in a rocky section of trail. Likewise, the RAM Quick-Grip phone mount will hold our phone securely on the bars with the adjustability to place it just where we want it.
To increase the reliability of this already reliable machine, we’re replacing the factory battery with OPTIMA Batteries’ Quad12 ORANGETOP Battery with Hypercore Lithium Technology. These batteries are significantly lighter, are vibration resistant, longer lasting, and come equipped with their Powerlink battery monitoring system. During downtime or off-season, the OPTIMA Batteries D400+ Charger and Maintainer will safely keep the battery in tip-top condition for that next ride.
To help us see and be seen on this bike, we’re adding some bright Aurora DRL auxiliary lights and a Skene P3 tail and brake lighting system, thanks to Cyclops Adventure Sports, a leader in the industry of developing durable, innovative LED vehicle and motorsports lights. The high output, com- pact lights will pierce the night in the event we get caught out after dark, as well as help other drivers take notice of the motorcycle in their surroundings in daylight. The rear lighting system greatly improves safety as any rapid deceleration triggers a brake light flash sequence sure to grab the attention of the drivers behind us.
Through an exclusive partnership with Moto Machines, we’ll add Hepco & Becker’s rugged center stand, burly handlebar guards, a headlight guard, and a side stand foot enlarger. The Epic 3 Tank bag will provide the perfect space to stash all the small things we want to keep handy on a ride. As a family- owned online retailer with a massive selection of in-stock parts, Moto Machines will be a go-to for more accessories as well. Zoleo is a rugged satellite communicator that extends your smart phone messaging coverage to everywhere on Earth. Built-in check-in and SOS buttons, and a dedicated Zoleo SMS number and email, will keep us connected even with a dead phone. And for head-to-toe safety, we’ve chosen the newly redesigned Dakar line by Klim, engineered to dominate the most challenging multi-season dual sport/off-road conditions, and a Klim X1 Alpha helmet will offer superior comfort and protection in the most groundbreaking adventure helmet ever built. We’ll be protected, well-ventilated, and with uninhibited range of motion.
We could go on and on, but we’ll save some of the juicy details for later, this is only the beginning! Stay tuned throughout the year with Overland Expo and the Overland Expo Foundation as this Ultimate Motorcycle Build continues to develop and it only gets more exciting!
About Ultimate Build
As part of the 2025 Ultimate Moto Build, the 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE travels to all Overland Expo events: Overland Expo West, May 16-18 in Flagstaff; Overland Expo Pacific Northwest, June 27-29, Redmond, Oregon; Overland Expo Mountain West, August 22-24, Loveland, Colorado; and Overland Expo East, October 3-5 in Arrington, Virginia.
At the end of the schedule, the vehicle and all of its overlanding components are auctioned off on Bring A Trailer to raise funds for the Overland Expo Foundation, supporting grants to organizations and individuals that support overlanding, protecting access to or improving public lands, providing education that fosters preparedness and a more conscientious community, and promoting responsible exploration for the overlanding community.
For more information, visit overlandexpo.com/ultimate-overland-motorcycle and follow @overlandexpo on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. You can track content with #ultimatebuild2025.
About Overland Expo
Founded in 2009, Overland Expo is the world’s premier event series for do-it-yourself adventure travel enthusiasts. Hundreds of vendors of adventure travel equipment, camping gear, bikes, vehicles, and services convene at every Overland Expo event. Each Expo hosts hundreds of session-hours of classes, including for off-road driving techniques, adventure motorcycling, inspirational programs, roundtable discussions, demonstrations, as well as the Overland Film Festival. Overland Expo is owned and produced by Emerald.
About Emerald
Emerald’s talented and experienced team grows our customers’ businesses 365 days a year through connections, content, and commerce. We expand connections that drive new business opportunities, product discovery, and relationships with over 140 annual events, matchmaking, and lead-gen services. We create content to ensure that our customers are on the cutting edge of their industries and are continually developing their skills. And we power commerce through efficient year-round buying and selling. We do all this by seamlessly integrating in-person and digital platforms and channels. Emerald is immersed in the industries we serve and committed to supporting the communities in which we operate. As true partners, we create experiences that inspire, amaze, and deliver breakthrough results. For more information, please visit emeraldx.com
