Source: Bike Bound
Dual Explorer to Desert Express: Hessler Rallye Team’s V-Strom 800DE!
With the 2023 Dakar Rally in full swing, many of us are wondering whether we need a rally-bred adventure bike in the stable. At the EIMCA show in Milan, Suzuki unveiled one of the most buzz-worthy new models of 2023, the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE and its Adventure variant. These new Stroms will be powered by an all-new 776cc DOHC parallel twin, and they promise to be very strong performers both on the road and in the dirt:
“Filling the gap between the venerable V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 1050 models, the V-Strom 800DE is aimed at riders who want a middleweight adventure bike that is fully capable both on-road and off-road. It has a 21-inch front wheel, spoked rims front and rear, and the longest suspension travel and most ground clearance of any V-Strom model.” –Rider
2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE
The V-Strom 800DE harks back clearly to Suzuki’s Paris Dakar Rally bikes of old, the legendary “Bikes of Thunder” like the DR Big and the DR Zeta.
DR-Z800 raced by Gaston Rahier / Hessler Rallye Team in the ’89 Paris Dakar Rally. Photo: Asphalt & Rubber
If there’s one man in the world who knows the most about Suzuki rally bikes, both historic and modern, it’s Stefan Hessler of Hessler Rallye Team. Hessler, an engineer, raced his first international rally raid in 1995 and never stopped.
Photo: Actiongraphers
Since then, he’s continued to race and win many rallies, built the world’s foremost online shop for Suzuki adventure bikes, and in the highly specialized HRT workshop, he and his team continue to build some of the baddest Suzuki rally bikes on the planet, like the V-Strom 1050RR “Yellow Rally Monster” we previously featured.
Photo: Actiongraphers
In 2017, Suzuki themselves tasked Hessler with building a higher performance V-Strom, and V-Strom engineers actually visited the HRT workshop to learn more about how Hessler builds his rally / adventure specials:
“We already had close ties with Suzuki and proposed to Japan that they build a more off-road capable V-Strom. We got the order from Suzuki to build our V-Strom 1000 DESERT EXPRESS prototype.”
Fast forward to 2023, and Hessler’s team has leveled their expertise on the V-Strom 800DE. According to Suzuki, the “DE” stands for “Dual Explorer,” but it’s long meant something else to HRT: “Desert Express.”
In order to take the DE’s performance to new levels, Hessler Rallye Team has developed three V-Strom 800 Desert Express kits: the Desert Express Adventure (DE-ADV), Desert Express Rally Adventure (DE-ADVR), and Desert Express Rally Pro (DE-PRO). Below, Stefan gives us the full breakdown on the new V-Strom 800 Desert Express.
V-Strom 800 Desert Express: In the Builder’s Words…
Suzuki has opened a new era with the new V-Strom 800DE, and we’re in!
At Suzuki, the DE stands for “Dual Explorer” — but at Hessler Rallye Team, DE has stood since 2017 for our V-Strom special models — the “Desert Express.”
…for everyone who is looking forward to a successor to the DR BIG
…for everyone who feels connected to the DESERT EXPRESS legend
…for everyone who wants a sporty V-Strom
For all of you is the V-Strom 800 Desert Express.
Developed…
…by the Hessler Rallye Team
…with years of experience
…and last but not least, with passion
Hessler Rallye Team had the perfect support from Rubberdust Design for the decor.
The motorcycle can now be purchased from Hessler Rallye Team by pre-order. (Delivery subject to availability of the basic motorcycle / from early summer 2023.)
We’re offering the V-Strom 800 Desert Express as a special model in 3 levels:
Kitbike: Desert Express Adventure (DE-ADV)
Kitbike: Desert Express Rally Adventure (DE-ADVR)
Kitbike: Desert Express Rally Pro (DE-PRO)
And of course you can also buy ALL the parts from our kit individually at www.v-strom-shop.com!
Kitbike: DESERT EXPRESS ADVENTURE (DE-ADV)
Vehicle Fully Assembled: Suzuki base motorcycle + €1750
This kit includes:
Decal set with decals for nose, tank, side panels, fork, swingarm, and rims
Windscreen HRT Rallye Windscreen 2.08
ZETA handguards and spoilers with HRT LED Kit (e-marked)
Rear conversion HRT with original V-Strom rear light and LED mini indicators
HRT Luggage Rack
HRT silencer by MIVV — minimum weight and maximum performance — with ABE (Approval)
HRT heat protection for manifold pipe
Kitbike: DESERT EXPRESS RALLY ADVENTURE (DE-ADVR)
Vehicle Fully Assembled: SUZUKI base motorcycle + 3400€
This kit includes:
Decal set with decals for nose, tank, side panels, fork, swingarm, and rims
Windscreen HRT Rallye Windscreen 2.08
ZETA handguards and spoilers with HRT LED Kit (e-marked)
Rear conversion HRT with original V-Strom rear light and LED mini indicators
HRT Luggage rack
HRT silencer by MIVV — minimum weight and maximum performance — with ABE (Approval)
HRT heat protection for manifold pipe
+ Seat HRT DESERT EXPRESS made by SW Motech
+ Rear side panel (narrow) type DESERT EXPRESS
+ WILBERS High End fully adjustable shock absorber (rebound, low speed compression, high speed compression, hydraulic spring preload) with individual tuning and original spring travel
Kitbike: DESERT EXPRESS RALLY PRO (DE-PRO)
Vehicle fully assembled: SUZUKI basic motorcycle + 4700€
This kit includes:
Decal set with decals for nose, tank, side panels, fork, swingarm, and rims
Windscreen HRT Rallye Windscreen 2.08
ZETA handguards and spoilers with HRT LED Kit (e-marked)
Rear conversion HRT with original V-Strom rear light and LED mini indicators
HRT Lug.Rack luggage rack plate
HRT silencer by MIVV – minimum weight and maximum performance – with ABE (Approval)
HRT heat protection for manifold pipe
+ Seat HRT DESERT EXPRESS made by SW Motech
+ Rear side panel (narrow) type DESERT EXPRESS
++ WILBERS High End fully adjustable shock absorber (rebound, low speed compression, high speed compression, hydraulic spring preload) with individual tuning and 20mm more spring travel
++ Revised telescopic fork with individual tuning and 20mm more travel
++ Wheels with front wheel rim EXCEL 2.15×21″ tubeless for tires 90/90-21″ and rear wheel rim EXCEL 4.25×18″ tubeless for tires 150/70-18″
++ HRT Engine Protector in Dual Compound (Carbon/Aluminum)
ATTENTION: Tire profile as desired / tire not included in the set.
More Options:
HRT top triple tree with riser for enduro handlebars
Lithium-ion battery to save weight
Removal of main stand and passenger pegs to save weight (if required)
Vehicle weight reduced by 12kg = 218kg
In Development:
HRT tank rally protection bar
Color variants: CLASSIC ORANGE and CLASSIC BLUE
Follow the Builder
Home: www.hessler-motorsport.de
Blog: v-stromdesert-express.blogspot.com
Shop: www.v-strom-shop.com | www.dr-big-shop.de
Previous Build: V-Strom 1050RR
Rally Monster: Suzuki V-Strom 1050RR “Desert Express”
