12 months after Surgery I'm back riding and on a new bike - Introducing the Suzuki 800DE
The Suzuki 800DE will replace my 990. That's a huge change from me. I've had 18 years with the 9x0's and achieved more than I ever thought was possible for my abilities. The LC8 is a one off, built from the ground up to race but my body is getting older, it's sustained damage, and it's basically a little worn. The LC8 demands 100% input and physical fitness that I no longer poses. Take your eye off the ball for a moment and the big KTM will chew and spit you out. Of course that's what also makes it so darn addictive and exciting to ride but it's time to move on if I wish to continue to ride.
Ive just completed 2000 miles on the Suzuki in the UK, Spain and Portugal and its been really great fun. The Suzuki has effortlessly taken me over all manor of terrain and has made me smile all the time. I can honestly say that the bike plus a bash plate, a decent set of rubber and some soft luggage will take you anywhere you want to go. Yeah, you'll find the limits of the suspension if you push too hard and/or pick the wrong line but 99% of riders aren't going to be doing that. The motor is a gem, plenty of grunt to make the ride exciting and really smooth. For those who want to take the bike racing or push it harder Hessler Rally has all the parts you need. https://hessler-motorsport.de/shop/
What's been interesting is other riders who I've met on my recent trip questioning why I was on the Suzuki. Claiming that a Tenere or a Tuareg would be better suited to my needs. In fairness when I first saw the bike I pretty much walked away from it. Little ground clearance, scooped out seat, tank up high and wide, a bit overweight, 17" rear wheel, short suspension travel, etc. Actually ride one though and you instantly get it. I've spent many hours on the other bikes available in this segment and for my need and wants the Suzuki is spot on. Most importantly it's allowing me to carry on riding and enjoy it. It won't be for everyone but I would say to test ride before you discount it.
The big downside is that the 990, all the race parts, custom parts and spares I have accumulated over the years will have to go. That will be a difficult loss for me.
I'd like to race again and it's good to work towards a goal. I have a long journey to get my fitness and strength back but this bike will make getting there and taking part a whole bunch easier. Mods will just be a set of Enduro wheels and some suspension upgrades. The seat will be reshaped to allow for greater movement.
Current mods are listed below. All worked without issues.
Handlebars: JD Racing KTM Fat Bar
Rear brake lever: Hessler Racing
Front brake and clutch levers: Hessler Racing
Bash plate: JD Racing Suzuki
Bar riser: Hessler Racing
Preload mount when removing passenger foot pegs: Hessler Racing
Rubber: Metzler Karoo Extreme
Rear Rack: Quickly knocked up my own design in CAD.
Luggage: Giant Loop Mojave and ZigZag
Hand Guards: JD Racing KTM
Phone mount: 4k parti speciali
