Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom meets the Hitchers...

**Hitcher** · 23rd December 2007, 16:59

One day, the Hitchers will own a house with a gargre. When that day arrives, we shall own more than two bikes.

“But what would that third bike be, Hitcher?” I hear you ask.

It would be an adventure bike. Something that would unhesitatingly go where the gravel beyond the end of the tarseal beckons. Narnia, perhaps…

Long have I stared querulously at the Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom. Yesterday, as a sort of a winding-down-after-having-been-aroused-by-a-B-King kind of thing, I rode one. Indeed I unhesitatingly ensconced the most lovely and accommodating Mrs H on its rearward seat and sojourned into the byways of the Wairarapa.

Tall, but not overly so. Well balanced. A useful and informative instrument cluster with an O/D = 6th light. A most excellent addition for us five-speed boys who lose count.

This is the same V-twin thou that Mr Suzuki bungs into the SV, albeit detuned. It’s viby in that special cruiser-meets-Massey-Ferguson way, but smooths out nicely as the revs pick up. Indeed I was surprised by how much low-end grunt the Strom doesn’t have. A very willing engine that loves being revved and a reasonable but clunky gearbox, in a sort of International Harvester way. But, two-up, these things can go. The test bike had done 7,800km, so was well run-in.

After the strictures of the B-King, it was nice to be on a bike with a bit of knee room. Indeed there’s rider room to burn.

Mrs H liked the leg-room afforded the pillion, and also the well-positioned grab handles (On the bike, not my “love” handles). She said she felt that she was sitting very high and was a bit perturbed by the bike being canted over in corners, not that I was attempting to get knees or pegs anywhere close to terra firma, knowing that that would only cause terror firmer. Mrs H reported a similar phenomenon whilst pillioning on an ST1300.

Brakes? Average.

Cornering and handling? Surprisingly good. With a set of road tyres, rather than hybrids, a Strom with a competent pilot would scare the living crap out of some of the Sunday Takas Sprotsbike Crew. Not to mention Mrs H on the back…

Other observations? A decent set of mirrors on a Suzuki for once. I’d probably experiment with different sorts of handlebars, but more out of curiosity rather than complaint.

So did I like it? Yes I did. More than I expected to.

Would I buy one? Probably. There’s not much else in this “class”, between the 650cc clutter and the 1200cc clutter. The smaller bikes would, I suspect, struggle with luggage and pillion. The larger bikes are way too heavy and extremely expensive.

Now, where’s that gargre…

**merv** · 23rd December 2007, 20:00

Man I didn't realise you were managing without a garage even, where do you put all your stuff? I've been telling you for a while hurry and get a gravel road bike before the roads are all sealed over. You have a different requirement in a bike, I like light trail bikes and you want a heavier more cruisier road oriented style but if that's what you want you know what to do.

**skelstar** · 23rd December 2007, 20:41

Originally Posted by Hitcher

Indeed I unhesitatingly ensconced the most lovely and accommodating Mrs H…

Gotta be careful with words like 'ensconced' mate. To the pre-pubescent ones like skid and mynameis that word sounds too much like a euphenism, and will have consequently spilt their warm Tui's in their laps with the mental image.

**Hitcher** · 23rd December 2007, 21:32

Originally Posted by merv

I like light trail bikes and you want a heavier more cruisier road oriented style but if that's what you want you know what to do.

When we go for a ride, we go for a ride that involves a severalness of kilometres. Also getting a trailie to fit Mrs H would be a long (short) ask, so a two-upper would be our preference for the off-seal stuff.

**Zukin** · 24th December 2007, 06:27

Good on you guys
It is always good when others come over to the other side.

Like you have identified, it is great sometimes to take the more scenic route, to take the shortcut that isn't really a shortcut

There is a BMW 800 due out next year (but will be expensive?)

**Edbear** · 24th December 2007, 12:17

A fine report, my good Sir! Pray, tell me, though -I have heard criticism of the screen as not being the best, though more so the 650's. How was the wind protection?

**jrandom** · 24th December 2007, 12:26

I would comment, here, but I've got a few more days to spend in la-la land thinking that no other motorcycle can possibly approach the joy of a GSX1400 before I can start contributing rationally again.

**Crisis management** · 24th December 2007, 12:27

I have only one word, Mr Hitcher sir, Multistrada!

The epitome of style, grace and handling.

**jrandom** · 24th December 2007, 12:31

Originally Posted by Crisis management

I have only one word, Mr Hitcher sir, Multistrada!

Hitcher can't buy a Multistrada. Jim2 would camp in his driveway, howling and throwing excrement every time the gargre door opened...

**cowpoos** · 24th December 2007, 12:39

Originally Posted by jrandom

Hitcher can't buy a Multistrada. Jim2 would camp in his driveway, howling and throwing excrement every time the gargre door opened...

which would be a enormous problem...as apparently Hitcher doesn't have a Garage!!!

**merv** · 24th December 2007, 15:25

Well there me and my Bro' were cruising down Western Hutt Road this morning, me on my light (yeah right!! 128kg dry) XR250L and my Bro' on Mrs merv's DR650SE kinda getting tangled up with the Highway Patrol who tried to come off the side of the road without his disco lights on to chase an errant motorist, so we didn't bother offering him any space, but then he put his lights on and zoomed by stopping a car just up the road - musta lasered it. Not long after there was a gentlemanly gentleman cruising along in the opposite direction on an FJR1300 followed not far behind by a not so tall but enthusiastic female biker on a red Bandit 650, both waving as a fellow KBer would even to the lads on the dirt bikes. Good to see the Hitchers on the road - have a Merry Christmas.

There used to be a couple of ads on TV - one about garage doors - saying "get a garage first" and the other about Skyline Garages - "gotta get a garage" and now Suzuki need to add an ad about "gotta get a VStrom".

See you on the gravel soon.

**oldrider** · 24th December 2007, 22:29

Originally Posted by Hitcher

did I like it? Yes I did. More than I expected to.

Would I buy one? Probably. There’s not much else in this “class”, between the 650cc clutter and the 1200cc clutter. The smaller bikes would, I suspect, struggle with luggage and pillion.

Now, where’s that gargre…

There are still some Triumph Tiger 955i (06) run-out models about at reasonable $00.00 deals. Have you ever ridden one of these?

Although I think Suzuki have sharpened their pencils and are now including all the "extras" as well too.

Don't forget to try the Honda Varadero, you might be surprised by one of these too!

Personally both my wife and I are very pleased with our (06) Tiger now that we are getting it set up the way we want it!

The Tiger has a certain character all of it's own, probably the most satisfying all round bike we have ever owned!

Try some more gravel on some different bikes, before you decide, it should make for some more interesting reading.

Looking forward to it.

Cheers John.

**Laava** · 25th December 2007, 16:19

Apparently the new touring screen that is supplied as a std extra with the new models is THE shit. The std screen however is in fact, SHIT. IMO. But fixable!