Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 L3

[Hitcher]

Today marked another first in my experience of riding motorcycles: I rode a Suzuki with great brakes and 21st century electronics. I also reacquainted myself with my love of v-twins.

Let’s talk about this particular v-twin. It’s a 1,037cc, 90-degree mill, churning out a bit more than 90 brake horsepower but with great torque peaking at a whisker under 4,000rpm. It has nothing at all in common with the v-twin that was bolted into the previous V-Strom, which is good news because, while reliable and willing, that old engine really didn’t deliver anything special. The new 1,037 is responsive, smooth and luggy. It doesn’t mind getting revved but with such a huge mid-range, there’s really little need to wring its neck.

A comprehensive model change isn’t surprising. Given the massive rise in popularity of “adventure” bikes, Suzuki would have had few options other than to quit this sector entirely or try to keep up. They’ve gone for the latter plan, and done a creditable job too. This shows in the RRP for the new Big Strom, at $5 shy of $20,000. That’s Triumph Tiger Sport territory, and one where Suzuki may struggle, as the Tiger is only $2,000 more, better finished and arguably prettier.

Perception is, after all, reality. This is a shame as the new Big Strom is hard to fault. Here are a few comments I’d make after about 100km saddle time. Let’s start with the negatives, because it’s the shorter list:

• Helmet wind chatter. As a rider of naked bikes I really noticed that. I learned once I returned the Strom that its screen is adjustable. I really should take it out again and see if the other two screen positions are any better.
• The bars are a bit high. Well for my taste. Perhaps after a few more hours of continuous riding I may get used to them.
• The throttle’s a bit snatchy off the idle. No ride-by-wire here. But it didn’t take that long to get used to this – about three sets of traffic lights – but it’s a fault that Suzuki’s engineers should have been able to engineer away.
• It’s too quiet. V-twins deserve to be heard. The stock muffler is ruthlessly efficient at suppressing engine noise.

And now for the positives, starting with the ones that are rarely found on Suzukis:

• The brakes work. Really well. And they’re ABS. I liked them.
• The suspension is better than adequate. I particularly enjoyed the rear set-up – which has a big easy-to-reach wind-up knob to alter the pre-load. The front was OK but got a bit busy on rough corners. There are adjustment knobs on the front shocks, so some meaningful finessing may be possible.
• There’s a bunch of useful electronics. Including a fuel computer, ambient air temperature display, engine temperature, and the ability to read the clock AND the trip meter at the same time. The key also has an immobiliser chip fitted. There’s even a Mode switch for the traction control system.
• Headlight beam is changed with a forefinger-operated switch. I had a similar system on my Aprilia Shiver and loved it. It’s a way better system than the traditional rocker switch, particularly if one happens to be wearing bulky waterproof overgloves.
• The ergonomics are great for taller riders. Everything seems to fall nicely to the rider’s hands and feet. It’s a bit tippy toe stopping and starting though.
• Fuelling is superb. Which makes the off-idle snatchiness even more noticeable.
• Off-the-line performance. The boy racer in the tricked up Prelude couldn’t burn off the V-Strom, much to his annoyance.
• The gearbox. Just perfect. It’s a Suzuki. Enough said.

Some other features that I didn’t get a chance to test:

• Traction control. I guess the Suzuki’s competition has got this feature but most of those machines are churning out a bit more than 91 brake horsepower. I struggled to see the point of this, left it off and didn’t feel anything untoward happening, even in the wet. There’s a large orange light that appears on the dash panel when the traction control is turned off. Perhaps that’s to indicate some danger in riding with no traction control.
• Pillion seat. It looks OK. Grab handles are large and well positioned and there is heaps of legroom.
• The headlight. My ride was during daylight hours. Unlike other newer adventure bike models, there are no LEDs in the headlight, but the tail-light assembly is an LED unit.

This new Big Strom could be a great touring bike. If its trip computer is to be believed it will run close to 400km on its 20 litre tank. The seat appears to be OK, although I wasn’t on it that long. If the screen can be adjusted to eliminate helmet wind chatter, then eating up the miles atop this machine would be no problem at all.

It handles fantastically well and the Battle Wing tyres didn’t mind getting pushed hard through some corners. My ride route was to the end of the Wainuiomata coast road, which will mean something to people familiar with this stretch of tar seal. For those not so fortunate, let’s say it’s a good technically demanding ride.

I really enjoyed my time on the new V-Strom 1,000 and encourage anybody interested in adventure bikes to take one for a spin.

Many thanks to Pete McDonald and Wellington Motorcycles for today’s ride.

Here are some photos:

[Gremlin]

Nice review Hitch.

Just on the screen, for naked bikes, it's pretty hard to get a stock screen that's going to be perfect. Very often it's too high or low, depends on rider preference and where the wind hits the helmet. Even on the GSA, which has a much taller screen than the base GS, it's still not tall enough and I have a deflector on the top to assist. It could be slightly taller, even an inch, but would mean a whole new screen which could look ridiculous.

Often in the USA they stick massive screens on, and it looks plain wrong, but, switching out the OEM screen for something more suitable is easily done and quite common.

[James Deuce]

By far the most attractive of the current crop of "Adventure" bikes.

[Madness]

It looks like Mr Suzuki has made an outstanding attempt at snatching the ugly muffler crown from Mr Kawasaki.

[Trade_nancy]

Yes it looks smart...except for that exhaust.

[blackdog]

It looks like Mr Suzuki has made an outstanding attempt at snatching the ugly muffler crown from Mr Kawasaki.

You've never seen a Predator then?

[EJK]

Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaava here is a thread just for you.

[AllanB]

The bloody 'adventure' beak. Let it gooooooooo it is not necessary it has a mudguard FFS!

[kevfromcoro]

Had a 650 strom...
best bike I ever had,,, Great stuff

[BigAl]

Those headers look very vulnerable, smooth roads only?

What's it worth, 20k ?

[Gremlin]

The bloody 'adventure' beak. Let it gooooooooo it is not necessary it has a mudguard FFS!

Bikes aren't exactly pretty without it...

[Laava]

Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaava here is a thread just for you.

Hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Good review Hitcher, you gonna buy one?
I have had mine for 2 weeks now and picked it up 2nd hand in Chch with 1900km showing. Then Rode it, two up, the long way home to the far north.
Some things I have a different perspective on, first of all regarding the engine. Riding my old K7 with 86,000km back to back I would say that the new motor is more powerful, but not significantly, and is more in the delivery. The new V has a very flat spread of power from around 2500rpm right up whereas the older one is not as smooth below 3000rpm and then has a bigger top end rush. My old bike had the TRE, PC111, K&N filter and free flow exhaust so as I say, the power difference was not massive. And the new motor with these mods may be quite different. The old V benefitted hugely from these mods re rideability whereas the new V probably doesn't need it. Also the older motor is WAY quieter! On the V Strom forums there is a lot of concern regarding engine noise but no actual failures. The whine caused by the gear driven cams is WAY louder than my old bike which may be an age thing. Also the gearbox shifting is a bit stiffer but again I expect this would change with age and my old V may well have been the same.
The gearbox ratios are way better or seem to be, maybe because of power delivery.
The brakes are THE biggest improvement and are great! Haven't experienced the ABS yet.
The handling is very similar to my old V which has been well used, well maintained and has the benefit of a fork brace. I have not fiddled with the front end settings yet but feel I need to. ditto the rear end. On my old V I wound the rear preload up full and the rebound. The front was not adjustable. To be honest, with the new V, I have no idea where to start at this stage re the front end.
The traction control is set to 1 cos if you turn it off you get the orange light of distraction! I did notice once when launching hard that the front wheel came up and then the power was cut and it dropped down very quickly.
This bike had a Givi Airflow screen which I am undecided about. I need to put the original one on to compare. It is a bit buffety but much worse in a crosswind. The adjustable tilt seemed to make no difference at speed.
I personally am happy with the bar position, again it is the same as my old bike. Interestingly on the V Strom site, a lot of the guys go to great length to fit risers and pull the bars back.
The seat is as good if not better as the old one and MamaJo says the same about the pillion seat.
The electronics are a welcome addition, esp the air temp.
Agree about the hi lo switch for the lights, it is a really good touch and means you don't have to let go your grip with a thumb to toggle up or down. Also, the lights are really good, surprisingly just as good as the old models twin light which were definitely above average.
I test rode the triumph tiger sport, ktm 1190 and Strom back to back and bought the V Strom. Partly because of having a great run with my outgoing bike.
Also, my new bike already had a topbox, heated grips and Givi airflow screen.

The bloody 'adventure' beak. Let it gooooooooo it is not necessary it has a mudguard FFS!
Yep! It looks like Gonzo!

[kevfromcoro]

just 1 thing,, how did you find the sidestand?

mine didn't go forward enough and bike could roll forward very easily

no big deal... fixed mine the trusty red spanner

[EJK]

Hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Good review Hitcher, you gonna buy one?
I have had mine for 2 weeks now and picked it up 2nd hand in Chch with 1900km showing. Then Rode it, two up, the long way home to the far north.
Some things I have a different perspective on, first of all regarding the engine. Riding my old K7 with 86,000km back to back I would say that the new motor is more powerful, but not significantly, and is more in the delivery. The new V has a very flat spread of power from around 2500rpm right up whereas the older one is not as smooth below 3000rpm and then has a bigger top end rush. My old bike had the TRE, PC111, K&N filter and free flow exhaust so as I say, the power difference was not massive. And the new motor with these mods may be quite different. The old V benefitted hugely from these mods re rideability whereas the new V probably doesn't need it. Also the older motor is WAY quieter! On the V Strom forums there is a lot of concern regarding engine noise but no actual failures. The whine caused by the gear driven cams is WAY louder than my old bike which may be an age thing. Also the gearbox shifting is a bit stiffer but again I expect this would change with age and my old V may well have been the same.
The gearbox ratios are way better or seem to be, maybe because of power delivery.
The brakes are THE biggest improvement and are great! Haven't experienced the ABS yet.
The handling is very similar to my old V which has been well used, well maintained and has the benefit of a fork brace. I have not fiddled with the front end settings yet but feel I need to. ditto the rear end. On my old V I wound the rear preload up full and the rebound. The front was not adjustable. To be honest, with the new V, I have no idea where to start at this stage re the front end.
The traction control is set to 1 cos if you turn it off you get the orange light of distraction! I did notice once when launching hard that the front wheel came up and then the power was cut and it dropped down very quickly.
This bike had a Givi Airflow screen which I am undecided about. I need to put the original one on to compare. It is a bit buffety but much worse in a crosswind. The adjustable tilt seemed to make no difference at speed.
I personally am happy with the bar position, again it is the same as my old bike. Interestingly on the V Strom site, a lot of the guys go to great length to fit risers and pull the bars back.
The seat is as good if not better as the old one and MamaJo says the same about the pillion seat.
The electronics are a welcome addition, esp the air temp.
Agree about the hi lo switch for the lights, it is a really good touch and means you don't have to let go your grip with a thumb to toggle up or down. Also, the lights are really good, surprisingly just as good as the old models twin light which were definitely above average.
I test rode the triumph tiger sport, ktm 1190 and Strom back to back and bought the V Strom. Partly because of having a great run with my outgoing bike.
Also, my new bike already had a topbox, heated grips and Givi airflow screen.

The bloody 'adventure' beak. Let it gooooooooo it is not necessary it has a mudguard FFS!
Yep! It looks like Gonzo!

Looking good!! In black too!!

[Laava]

just 1 thing,, how did you find the sidestand?

mine didn't go forward enough and bike could roll forward very easily

no big deal... fixed mine the trusty red spanner

Very much the same as my old one except it looks like it is a lesser quality.

Looking good!! In black too!!

Yeah, I would have tken it in any colour. Thought about catching up when we were in ch town but just wasn't there long enough. Next time bro!