The Biggest Displacement Single-Cylinder Engine Ever On A Production Motorcycle
We owe it to the 1980s BMW R 80 G/S for starting an all-new genre of adventure motorcycling. But if you look back, another interesting Suzuki motorcycle was a catalyst in popularizing the dual-purpose and ADV segment. Not only was the 1990s Suzuki DR Big 800S a capable off-road-ready ADV, but it also showed us how huge single-cylinder motorcycles can get.
The DR Big still holds the title of the “World’s largest production single-cylinder engine”. It’s been over 30 years, and no other automaker has surpassed this Suzuki single in engine cubic capacity. The closest one gets is the Husqvarna Svartpilen 701, packing a single-cylinder 692.7cc liquid-cooled unit. The origin story of this wild Suzuki is also magnanimous at the challenging Dakar Rally. We give you a rundown on this “huge” Suzuki’s features.
Suzuki DR Big 800: The Biggest Single-Cylinder Production Motorcycle Ever Made
Engine Capacity: 779cc (47.5 cu-in)
The 779cc single-cylinder of this Suzuki strongly reminds us of the high-capacity V-Twins on Harleys and Indians. Low-compression engines are expected to have a rugged and crude thumping character. But Suzuki, with its magic, managed to eliminate all of this and create a refined single here.
Interestingly, the engine started its life as a slightly smaller 727cc single in the 1988 and 1989 models. In this form, it churned out 52 hp and 42.7 lb-ft of torque. This was called the Suzuki DR 750S Big. It was with the introduction of the 1990 DR 800S Big that we got the 779cc unit. It was technically a longer-stroked version of the 727cc single. The increase in displacement also brought in more power (54 hp) and more torque (45.7 lb-ft).
Another update was given to this engine during the last years of its run, i.e., after 1995. According to TJ Hinton from Topspeed, the third engine upgrade didn’t bring about any visible changes, as the output figures and all other engine specs were identical to the preceding one.
Close to 800cc is a lot for a single-cylinder engine. A pair of Mikuni BST 33 SS carburetors were used to feed this gigantic setup with enough air-fuel mixture. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a five-speed constant-mesh gearbox. Not much can be expected of performance from a single-cylinder bike that weighs 461 pounds. The Suzuki DR Big quotes 0-60 mph in under 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of 103.7 mph. Moreover, this Suzuki ADV was not built with performance in mind. It was an endurance machine, conceptualized and hooned at the heart of the world’s most demanding rally ground.
1994 Suzuki DR-Big 800S Engine Specs
|
Engine Configuration |
Single-Cylinder; Air-oil cooled; four-stroke; SOHC; four valves per cylinder |
|
Engine Displacement |
779cc |
|
Bore X Stroke |
105mm X 90mm |
|
Compression Ratio |
9.5:1 |
|
Induction System |
Two Mikuni BST 33 SS carburetors |
|
Maximum Power |
54 hp |
|
Peak Torque |
45.7 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
5-Speed; Constant Mesh |
(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs)
DR Big Is The Mass-Produced Version Of A Dakar Rally Race Bike
Suzuki DR-Z Was Piloted By A Two-Time Dakar Rally Winner
The Dakar Rally is known to be one of the most notorious and challenging motorsport events for motorcycles. Tracing close to 9,000 miles and 14 days through challenging terrain is not for the faint-hearted, so the motorcycles used for this rally need to be as reliable as possible to endure the treacherous terrains and temperatures.
Gaston Rahier piloted the Suzuki DR-Z in the Paris-Dakar rally in the late ’80s. Interestingly, he switched from BMW to Suzuki after the German motorcycle maker refused to upgrade his R100GS. Rahier’s DR-Z was also a revolutionary leap compared to the DR 500 rally bike that Marc Joineau rode in 1983. The road-going version is actually a toned-down version of the iconic Suzuki DR-Z 750 Dakar Rally race bike.
Suzuki DR Big Is Gigantic For A Single-Cylinder Motorcycle
Similar In Size To The Honda Africa Twin
Huge bikes are not very uncommon today. In fact, even a 500cc adventure motorcycle, like the Benelli TRK 502X, looks gigantic on the roads. But that wasn’t the case back in the 1990s, and clearly, the DR Big lived up to its name. The Suzuki DR 800S Big is a single-cylinder dual-purpose motorcycle that looks similar in size to the latest Honda Africa Twin.
Design-wise, the DR Big gave us some of the most iconic ADV elements ever. The front beak is the most notable of them all, and it is prominent in many ADVs today, including Suzuki’s very own V-Strom lineup. Other notable design elements include spoke 21- and 17-inch front and rear wheels, an upswept exhaust design, and a narrow rally-spec seat. The impressive 9.1-inch ground clearance is thanks to its tall suspension setup.
The DR Big flaunts 43mm front forks with 9.4 inches of travel. The rear gets a mono-shock with 8.7 inches of play. This was and still is enough play for riders to tackle any type of terrain. To grasp that a Suzuki single-cylinder motorcycle had such a huge footprint is insane.
How Much Is The Suzuki DR Big Worth Today?
Used Price Range: $2,000 – $4,500
The DR Big is a very rare motorcycle. The smaller 750 S Big is hard to come by, and the 800 S Big is rarer. As most of the production models were sold in Europe, there are little to none available in the US. We managed to scout out a few used examples from across the pond. The 30+-year-old Suzuki DR Big starts from $2,000 in the used motorcycle market. Being a Suzuki, reliability should be an easy pass, but even the “Suzuki” badge can’t save it from being a very old motorcycle.
According to MCN, owners speak highly of its reliability and build quality, but oil leakage cases are quite common with this motorcycle—not surprising for a 90s ADV motorcycle. Also, parts availability is an issue since Suzuki has not enrolled this model into its Vintage Parts Programme.
Sources: Suzukicycles.org, Motorcycle Specs, Bikez, MCN, ADV Life Australia, Honda
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