What actually does …: Suzuki DR 800 S test
Doctor Big is alive
Haven’t heard of the thickest series single-cylinder in the world for a long time. But don’t worry: The Riesenhuber is doing well and has stayed the same over the years.
My dearest brother You are absolutely right ?? As usual: It’s time to lose a few bars over your oh-so-revered DR 800 S again. The last test was oven years ago. And not only you are wondering: What is she actually doing, the fat one?
Well ?? she lives. Still in the Suzuki program. Except for a few tiny design modifications and a price increase of 690 marks, nothing has changed since 1994. That’s why it has become so quiet about the largest single-cylinder that ever went into series production.
Your letter, however, moved us: It is in fact unacceptable for such a remarkable motorcycle to be hushed up just because it has not had a facelift for years. Incidentally, a fate that the DR shares with a number of colleagues. And last but not least, it is thanks to your application that these god-forgotten creatures now have a forum in MOTORRAD. Under the heading: What actually does…?
You will probably remember: the DR passed its last aptitude test on the Stuttgart / Genoa track, where it had to defend its reputation as a talented travel enduro against the BMW F 650, Honda Transalp and Yamaha XTZ 660. It did not come off badly: very good wind protection, comfortable seating position, enormous payload, long tidy, usable luggage rack. However, she did not become the undisputed ruler of the competition. And please, don’t start again with how many characters such a DR compared to these? what else do you call her? Oh yes ?? Has "nipples".
The pithy blow of the huge piston is of course a rarity. Something is really happening. Feels like nothing or nobody can harm this engine. And thanks to two balance shafts, it runs surprisingly with little vibration. The emphasis is on "poor". At higher speeds, which are often applied due to the short overall gear ratio, there is a lot of tingling in the framework. But that’s part of it, I totally agree with you.
However, to this day I cannot understand what turns you on about this performance development. Yeah, maybe I’m spoiled. Maybe I lack the necessary amount of empathy. Nevertheless, I stick to it: the part does not come off that intoxicating. For my taste, you have to change gear too often on winding roads.
Have you ever been to the Odenwald? Maybe there are roads there. Small, small, small. This time the DR had to prove itself there. And again the monster amazed with its handiness. You think: the load is about to hit the embankment, but it slips around the corners as if it had nothing to do with this 226 kilogram total weight. You can let it rip unchecked. Quickly gets used to the slight swinging of the rear end and at some point probably also to the deep dive and significant twisting of the fork when braking.
The long suspension travel not only brings advantages, it makes up for every crater, no matter how deep, but on the other hand is responsible for a relatively indirect driving experience. In addition, they drive the seat height to dizzying heights. Okay, okay: The DR is an enduro and does away with the tar world? one should hardly think it possible? actually something. But hand on heart, brother: Who needs 240 or 220 millimeters of suspension travel for normal enduro hiking? A slightly better padded bench would make more sense. In the long run, the soft foam will sit through.
AT.I can see that we don’t seem to agree this time either. Let’s leave it and stay until the next time: The Suzuki DR 800 S is a pretty good travel enduro, can cope with highways, mountain roads, easy terrain and passengers, it has a lot more character than I do, and it would be a It would be a shame if this motorcycle didn’t exist.
Model history
The DR Big started out as a 50 hp 750 series. At the end of 1987 at the Paris Salon. The world had never seen such a thick production single-cylinder before. But not only the gigantic displacement caused a sensation at the time, the daring design with a 29-liter petrol barrel and duck bill also heated people’s minds. In 1990, Suzuki thickened the stew: 727 cubic centimeters became 779, and the stroke had to be increased from 84 to 90 millimeters. From then on, the fat company traded under the name DR Big 800 S. The big breakthrough was still denied. Suzuki was already twitching and wanted to stop production, but decided at the last minute for a general overhaul. In 1991, the DR presented itself in the form we know it to this day: two rear silencers instead of one, 24-liter tank in a plastic jacket, 223 kilograms combat weight. Incidentally, the giant single lost its nickname Big in 1994, but among insiders it remains forever: the good old Doctor Big. The DR 800 S in MOTORRAD: Test 18/1991. Comparative test 20/1991. Concept comparison 18/1992. Comparative test 9 and 19/1994. Used purchase 26/1997.
Related articles
-
Enduro comparison test: Suzuki DR 350 SE, DR 650 SE
Enduro comparison test: Suzuki DR 350 SE , DR 650 SE Big versus small Does the small DR 350 SE manage to hang the powerful DR 650 SE off the beaten…
-
Comparison test KTM 1050 Adventure, Suzuki V-Strom 1000 and Triumph Tiger 800 XRx
KTM 1050 Adventure, Suzuki V-Strom 1000 and Triumph Tiger 800 XRx Middle-class travel enduros in comparison Higher, further, faster and technology until…
-
Suzuki V-Strom 650 and Suzuki V-Strom 1000 in comparison test
Suzuki V-Strom 650 and Suzuki V-Strom 1000 in comparison test V2 travel enduro in a duel The two V2 travel enduros Suzuki V-Strom 650 and Suzuki V-Strom…
-
High-speed test Suzuki GSX-R 1300 Hayabusa
High-speed test Suzuki GSX-R 1300 Hayabusa 312 It is moving forward, without a doubt! The Suzuki GSX-R 1300 Hayabusa should also enable ordinary people…
-
Top test Suzuki GSF 1200 Bandit
Top test Suzuki GSF 1200 Bandit Power to the people We say yes to the measured 114 hp. We say yes to the humanitarian 15,990 marks. We say yes to the new…
-
Top test Suzuki GSF 600 Bandit
Top test Suzuki GSF 600 Bandit The bandit class It is the VW Golf of the motorcycle world. For years on the market, it says on every corner? and still…
-
Suzuki DR-Z 400 S endurance test
Suzuki DR-Z 400 S endurance test Hardness festival Suzuki DR-Z 400 S. Is it suitable for a rally in just a few simple steps? How much off-road can the…
-
Suzuki VL 1500 Intruder LC test
Suzuki VL 1500 Intruder LC test Mass rally The VL 1500 Intruder dispels any doubts: From now on, cruising is a top priority at Suzuki. Full power from…
-
Ducati 959 Panigale, MV Agusta F3 800 and Suzuki GSX-R 750 in the test
Ducati 959 Panigale, MV Agusta F3 800 and Suzuki GSX-R 750 in the test Track test super athletes under 1000 cm³ Content of With the new Ducati 959…
-
Motorcycles – Suzuki Katana: Smart-video live from our test – Used SUZUKI
Comparison test Laverda 750 S against Yamaha TRX 850 Result Parallel twins among themselves: Yamaha TRX 850 with a starting lead, Laverda’s new 750 on…
Related articles
-
News – BMW unveils the road version of its S 1000 RR – BMW S 1000 RR technical sheet
Comparison test Powercruiser Kawasaki VN 2000 , Suzuki Intruder M 1800 R , Yamaha XV 1900 Midnight Star Punchtime Nobody distributes more displacement…
-
News – CB125F: the small Honda CB expected for March 2015 – Technical sheet CB125F 2015
Comparison test of super athletes under 1000 cubic meters Kawasaki ZX-6R 636, Suzuki GSX-R 750 and Kawasaki ZX-6R 600 Content of The reign of terror of…
-
News – BMW launches its maxi scooters 2012: C 600 Sport and C 650 GT – Technical sheet BMW C 650 GT
Comparison test 125cc scooter Sanyang Duke, Suzuki AN 125 and Yamaha XC 125 T Cygnus This article is currently only available as a PDF…
-
BMW R nineT, Honda CB 1100 EX , Triumph Thruxton, Yamaha XJR 1300 in the test Retro bikes in comparison Decades ago the fastest climbing axes in Italy…
-
Yamaha YZ 450 F in the driving report New frame, new bodywork, revised engine The 2014 model year Yamaha YZ 450 F motocross machine has been thoroughly…
-
Honda X-ADV test: the Integra takes the right path Five years after the Integra, the first maxi-scooter built from a motorcycle as convincing dynamically…
-
News – The Crossrunner, star of the Honda stand in Milan – Technical sheet Honda Crossrunner 2011
Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle and Yamaha XSR 700 in comparison test Beautiful daughters, quick sons Ducati Scrambler Full Throttle and Yamaha XSR 700…
-
Test: TT Legends World Endurance Championship Honda Fireblade TT Legends factory Honda Fireblade in the test Content of TT legend John McGuinness hardly…
-
News – Aprilia unveils two new 2011 models in Milan – 2011 Aprilia RS4 technical sheet
Comparison test: MV Agusta Brutale, Triumph Street Triple, KTM Super Duke Three naked bikes in direct comparison There are motorbikes that you don’t just…
-
News – BMW presents its new G 650 GS and R 1200 R – 2011 BMW R 1200 R technical sheet
Comparison enduro sports test, Aprilia RXV 450, KTM 450 EXC Racing The higher, the top …the deeper the drop. Who rises high can fall low? thinks the…