Talking about all the features and tech that this bike doesn’t have that a new BMW or KTM does have, the biggest feature it doesn’t have is a $20,000+ price tag.
And it's usefully smaller and narrower than those. And doesn't cook you alive in hot weather, the way the big KTMs and Ducatis do. Nor become 6 feet wide once you fit side cases.
@@paulnorman8274 I will say this. I had a 2005 Vstrom 1000 and now I have a 2010 R1200GSA. The GS is significantly a better bike to ride, tour and go off road on but I never had issues with the Suzuki. my fuel gauge has stopped working twice from a faulty fuel strip they put in the bikes and my abs is not working with 25k miles.
@@JonBecker81 If you're big enough for the A version of the GS, you're almost too big for the VStrom. More "normal" sized people would simply find the GSA too darned big for anything. Especially offroading. But it is a nice alternative for those for whom even regular Adv bikes are too cramped. A big part of the 'Strom1000's appeal, is that it, while still a tall bike, is usefully smaller than 1200 classers. Both for urban driving/parking/land splitting, and just for fitting shorter, though still not short, people.
I love Suzuki for still making ultra reliable, highly functional machines. And they have tried their best to stay out of the electronics vomit that all modern motorcycles have become and try to keep their prices reasonable instead of climbing with each iteration.
@@kenroot5682 Yes, i would accept the fact that suzuki is behind on the electronics / rider assist side but only if they were a lot cheaper than the rest of the manufacturers and that is not the case and because a lot of people are lazy and don't want to read and understand what benefits those rider assists bring to the table it doesn't mean that they are crap, people were talking shit about abs when it was firstly introduced and now it is a necessity , if those electronics where bullshit then they would not be present in moto gp as they would only add more weight and points of failure to the bike.
"Is this the poor mans GS" What kind of question is that? I personally have no problem to bay a few BMW GS's and yet I opted for the V-Strom 1050 XT black. Even my friends GS riders were amazed. I have the V-Stom 1050 XT for almost 2 years now and have not regretted it for a moment. Just got back from a 16 day motorbike ride Belgium-Norway. 1400 km only in 2 days, heavily loaded and with 2 people on. at a constant speed of 130 km/h (GPS speed), 5000 rpm = 5.8 L/100 km. Follow normal traffic 3.9 L / 100 km, my driving usually consumes 4.6 L / 100 km. Yes, did a few track days with my V-Strom. The nice thing about this is that after a few rides there are a lot of people around the V-Strom because this poor mans bike hangs side by side with the BMW 1200 GS and the KTM 1090 even though they have more horsepower. (sorry for my english)
I know right! All these reviewers just mostly peddle popular views based on specs and price. If it is expensive, it has to be that much better. Each machine is different and I like how Suzuki thinks about their own, simple, reliable and upto the job while not being over the top. Understated even
The calling card for the V-Strom is - in the broadest sense - dependability. You can count on it being easy, calm, reliable, comfortable, capable. Owners of first versions are still clocking huge miles on them, many 100K-200K-plus. This is a stellar choice if you "need to get there" in one piece every time :)
There's a guy on the V-Strom forums (Stromtrooper) who put 440,000 miles on his 2003 1000 without ever opening the motor. Another guy just chimed in recently with over 500k on his 1000. These things just GO. It's unreal. Meanwhile, on my long-distance group, guys with 200k on their Harleys are replacing motors...
As a person who grew up in the innercity and is sportbike focused, I never thought that I would ever want to come near one of these dorky looking adventure bikes. But now that I'm on the other side of 30, this bike is more appealing than ever.
I could tell from the start that Zach wasn't too excited about the V-Strom 1050XT. Not saying he is - but a lot of reviewers seem a bit biased against this bike from the start. I do agree with many of his points, especially with the suspension being a bit too harsh and with the display being a bit of a disappointment. But, overall, I think it is a pretty solid bike and can be very fun to ride when properly riden with the right expectations. For example, the part about the A riding mode being "too harsh" or whatever he said, struck me as a bit odd since Zack states he is an ex-racer. I am definitely NOT an ex-racer but I find the A mode outstanding. It prob. took me maybe 15 minutes to get use to it. The B mode (which Zach was riding in) is definitely muted and likely why Zach was a bit less positive. I ride in A mode 99 percent of the time and I find it perfect. I also own a 2018 Gold Wing Tour (mostly for my bride's comfort) and that bikes "sport" mode, in my opinion, is much more aggressive and not as comfortable day to day vs. the outstanding A (sport) mode with the V-Strom. I also have never experienced this dead zone that Zach mentioned. Maybe it has something to do with the muted B mode that he was riding in.... but, if it is there, it is not an issue. Also - Suzuki did make a few engine changes for the 2020 model year. It revs better and it has more power higher in the RPM range vs. the previous versions. The displacement is the same but they did make a few tweaks to the engine - minor maybe. BTW - I own one of these bikes, and agree that it is not perfect and it has a few areas that could be better... but overall, I am happy with the bike and it meets my personal use case. Just returned from a 1,300 5 day trip and absolutely zero issues. Rode A mode 100% of the time.... and it was great. OK... that's my 2 cents after owning this bike for almost one year now.
I've got 8,500 miles on my 2020 Adventure. There's no dead spot in the rev range. I keep it in B mode and then when I'm riding angry I bump it up to A 😆
I think it depends on the rev range you are in, or another words the gear. For example when I'm in 6th gear on my bike (not Suzuki), riding 60 km/h, if I open the throttle wide it will first pull slower and than after reaching around 4k it pulls much better. Maybe he was referring to that kind of thing. Having that is of course a normal thing, but maybe for V-twin engine the low down torque is expected across the whole low rev range...
The 1050XT is my daily ride, and I love it. Enough power to get going in real world use, ultra-reliable, service and parts are cheap. Not as flashy and evocative as the bigger more expensive bikes, however as a daily rider its great.
I had two of these an 02 and a 15. Where these bikes still excel is in durability. If you are the kind of rider who likes to rack up hundreds of thousands of miles, these are a great bike.
16:54 "This is all you need"...Perfect summation of the VStrom overall. The 2020 VStrom XT is a great overall bike. I surprised you glossed over the 6 axis IMU, this feature enables cornering ABS which is a game changing safety feature. This bike is an excellent value, and one of the best bang for the buck bikes available today.
As a 2014 Vstrom 1000 owner, your comment about the basset hound was freaking perfect. It made me laugh out loud. As a rider taking a twenty year hiatus before buying a new bike, the Vstrom has been all of those things you said, Zach. It’s exactly like a big old happy Basset hound. Reliable, love able, and easy to get along with. But when it’s ready to go to work, it does it’s job exactly as you would it expect it to.
Had mine a year now. 12000 miles, no problems. $12,700 out the door! Hauls butt on the highway, smooth in town. Needs different tires for gravel travel and belly plate-bash guard(No problem). For the cost and reliability, what’s not to like!
I bought the 1050xt mid summer last year and I really like the solid dependability of the bike, definitely not the most exciting ride of my life but I bought it for long distance touring. The one thing I would disagree with on the review was pillion comfort my wife loves the seating position and from my perspective this is the first bike I’ve ridden that I prefer when it’s two up, I almost forget she’s there until I start getting morse code on the back of the helmet.
I did order the new 2023 updated Vstrom 1050. It solves a lot of things, updated gears, quickshifter, TFT screen, new 6 axis IMU. I think it did a nice step forward.
I own a 1050 xt, it is my first bike, and I absolutely love it. I bought mine in the beginning of May, and wasn't able to ride it until June. Since then I have put 6200 miles on it, and I ride it almost every single day! As a motovlogger, I love this for the touring and minor "off-road" capability. I did upgrade the windscreen to a PUIG touring windshield, and it completely takes away helmet buffeting for me. It wasn't bad before, but the difference was mind boggling to me. I don't mind the LCD screen, I love all the information it shows. Thanks so much for a great and honest review Zack!
I have a 2006 and it is the best Bike I've ever owned, You can get up every day and sit on it and it will start, This bike will get 400k(proven) miles with just common service items, Get your Alaskan sheepskin butt pad and ride it at 80-90 mph across the country and back no problems, once it has luggage the ride becomes even cushier, Vstrom riders know what's up
I have a 1050XT, and I'm almost positive ride mode C does chop the power pretty substantially. That's what I've used every time the weather gets bad, and it definitely feels like it's doing more than just dulling the throttle response. Either way, it's a pretty great bike, and I've even had a pretty fun time taking it offroad. It's nice having a bike that you can run errands around town, cruise on the highway, take on some light-to-moderate offroad stuff, and still be comfortable on it at the end of the day.
Smart mans GS. People tend to buy bikes with extremely high tech and speed, but don’t use it. It’s how companies like BMW make a lot of money. I use to be obsessed with stats and realised there’s no point in buying something better than I am capable off using. A Vstrom has a strong motor and high reliability. It has all the things you need, and more. That’s why I purchased the VStrom. I agree that there are some that like to show off with their purchase, but I would argue that the person who buys sensibly is the one that we really should be impressed with. The person with the most money in the bank, and still able to enjoy life to the fullest is a person I envy.
Perfect dad's bike. They even managed to nail the banana colour. I like the fact that you get what you actually need. I personally prefer LCD screen over TFT. Oh my, maybe I'm turning into a dad...
I just bought this bike. Same color and everything. Love it. I really LOVE the dash. Don't care what anyone says. I can see that LCD even when the sun is shining right on it. For those complaining about no tft. Waaah...
Watched your reviews for years. You didn't do the VStrom 1050 justice at all. I own one now coming off a Z900. It's remarkable in all conditions as is it's legacy, but seldom to journalist's do a good job of presenting it. I ride faster than I should and friends can't gap me by much on almost anything. Unless it's just straight madness. This bike is VERY good, don't let this dissuade you. Disappointed with this review. I got off my Z900, because I just couldn't deal with the gearing and chassis for traveling. And really don't need to be racing about on the Street. Loved the Z! But really not practical .
Thank you for talking about the gear ratios. It's really appreciated. This is something so many reviews miss. Although, from a mechanical point of view, I strongly disagree that 4,500 rpms is a good cruising RPM. Your final drive gear should not be in the "meat" of the power band. It's a nice excuse for why the motorcycle companies really messed up on their gearing. They really need to get the RPM's down closer to 3,000 rpms for 70mph. As low as possible, without ruining the driveability. That way, you get the extra 20% gas mileage, and 20% more engine life. And longer intervals between oil changes, spark plugs, etc.
They do it because if you're crusing at 100kph, and get slowed down to 70 and then go to speed back up you don't lug the engine (which can damage it more than cruising at higher speed). Obviously you should gear down in that case, but people generally don't bother. It's the same with cars, but to a lesser extent. Automatic transmission cars usually have a taller final gear than the manual.
1L + sports Vtwin engines don't like being in low RPM and being asked to pull, haul, tug, chug along. As a matter of engine balance and cadence, they start bucking and protesting. This sort of thing is more evident on a big Ducati or KTM twin. They smooth out and feel more responsive above a certain RPM. I think the 1037cc Suzuki twin doesn't get as bothered at lower RPM as the others, but it will still hammer con-rods and pistons at lower speeds, the shuddering isn't good for the engines either. It's not a Harley or a Indian, it's not supposed to pull a plow. REV IT UP.
The factor missing in this review is long-term longevity. I can afford any new BMW on the market, but I can't afford all the downtime and cost to keep it running to 150k miles, vs a vstrom, where I'm probably good to go that distance without any drama except for stator magnets shifting, which is an easy fix. What other bike currently in the market can you reasonably expect + 100k miles from with very low upkeep costs? Seems like that should be a factor in your reviews for a daily (aka high mileage) rider. Iterative, long-term improvements in a design beat constant new (and moar exciting!) tech. Vstrom epitomizes this philosophy. Not sexy but damn-skippy it's a good all around bike.
@@UlyssesMax Yes, SV1050 would be a fitting name. But it needs to have the looks, engine punch and handling. Perhaps a single sided swingarm as well, minimalistic tail section.
It will end up with a long wheelbase.Long swingarms are de rigeur these days. Relegating long, transverse V-twins to bikes where long wheelbases are OK.
I agree… unfortunately they did that back when they were copying the monster and gave up on it, so I don’t see it being very likely. But yeah absolutely if they brought back the big SV with the current SV styling I’d absolutely get that…. Just please don’t use any modern monster styling, esp the 2021+
I feel the same way. For some reason it makes me want to say: "Those ding-dang young whippersnappers.... mumble, mumble....and their newfangled motorcycles...!"
@@Jimmy_Watt Hence my point: the only thing "retro" about the bike to me is its chronological age. The hard, angular lines, right down to its "beak", hardly look out-of-place now.
Bought 2015 650 Storm: love my bike. High quality components for the price. The dash has all the practical information with 12v charging option on dash. Has custom exhaust, love the sound, handling, no complaints. I get plenty of compliments everywhere. Can't go wrong with Suzuki @ all
My buddy has a Vstrom 650 and he loves it being lighter and he gets great Mileage close to 60mpg on his commute. He recently got the 2018 cheap used a few months ago. I can leave him on my 1200GS but he’s right there normally.
I just bought one. It’s a great all around motorcycle, I ride to work in Denver traffic every day, the bike is perfect for commuting, then, on the weekends I take my wife and we go for a blast up in the Rocky Mountains, last weekend we rode the peak to peak highway, not tons of power, but, plenty enough. Also, very comfortable for a 150 mile ride two up. I got a good deal from Mike at Fay Meyers.
It's a stonking V twin motor and you really have to go hunting around for the little dead spot in the power delivery so it cant all be bad, (It's at 2000 rpm when you're in 4th gear riding in 'B' mode, Although why you'd be labouring around at 2000 rpm in 4th is beyond me! I'm wondering why you haven't already changed down to 2nd and ridden through it?) I've had my 2021 1050XT (Tour edition in the Red and White "Marlboro" colourway) for about 6 months and covered around 6500 miles on it so far. It's my all year round daily commuting, mile munching touring, lots of fun in the twisties bike, It isn't a hard bike to ride hard on and unlike a lot of modern fast sports bikes, it's very forgiving when my talent begins to run out. All in all, It's probably one of the best all round bikes I've owned in nearly 40 yrs of riding.
Fender is super practical. I put a fender extender on my versys, and it still kicks up on the exhaust and engine case, but not nearly8 as bad as without it. Sand blasts the frame cross-member in front of the engine still.
And after testing few bikes of various manufacturers I found gsxs950 most suitable for me and bought it. For motorcycling I only need good engine, proper handling, chassis, brakes, abs. And I find modern bikes having way much more electronics than I need and I never use. Also when you are on a long trip, and you get accident, the more electronics it has the harder and more expensive it is to repair. Therefore I like Suzuki's approach, because their bikes have the essentials at very high level, while keep their bikes simple, reliable and at nice price (comparing to others). Also I don't claim Suzuki to be the best, just that I like their way of making bikes.
Opened the video-randomly clicked on 10:17 where you said- A little too tall and too heavy- Exactly as i suspected I told myself and instantly finished watching- thx cheers
I have zero exp with adv (tall) bikes, first liter bike too... 2 minutes after picking it up I was filtering like there were no tomorrow and sitting at the traffic lights with one foot on the brake and no hands on the bars. If you're not vegan and normally sized, these comments about weight and height are extremely exaggerated. Unless it's your first bike or your previous one was a Grom maybe?
@@20cent 1963 JAWA 175cc and 125 cc qinqi where my first motorcycles so you are not far off. To suspect any modern bike to be a little too tall and heavy is an understatement if you have learned how to ride lightweight bikes with narrow tires on sand, dirt and even snow. The best option for you at this point would be the consideration of riding or driving older machines whilst you still can not just because of their looks and how they resonate but because of how differently they have to be used for smooth and safe movement unless your first bike was a Harley Davidson maybe. How can you fully use your body mass for steering if the foot pegs are stretched as far as the eye can not see. The greatest safety issues that seem to be completely overlooked in high tech performance development lays in its very meaning. Detached high speed vehicle with partial control would be also a great way to name any modern vehicle. For me a machine that is too heavy and powerful to its chassis to be exploited on less than perfect circumstances becomes just an extension of your dick. Although ECU and various sensors read combined force distribution data even before wheel spin or lock up occurs the net power usage on less than perfect circumstances technically leaves a modern bike rider lacking with any direct mechanical feedback apart from steering axis feedback which again is held back by gyroscopic stability aids like capsize, weave and wobble modes that leaves even a moderately skilled rider far from discovering bikes full chassis potential. Sitting at the traffic lights with one foot on the brake and no hands on the bars really don't tell a whole lot about the usability of a motorcycle in various circumstances. The application of instant wheel torque without the help of traction restraint is usable in absolutely perfect circumstances in the hands of a truly experienced rider where the narrow performance window or net power of a modern street sport bike could be used to its full potential. The biggest problem with any amazing modern sports gadget is that it leaves the driver/rider detached from the comprehension of vast kinetic forces at high speeds whilst we are constantly yearning for direct feedback from chassis balance in the midst of longitudinal/lateral forces but usable (net power) tends to leave nearly half of engines potential unused most of the time when you discover that first gear can take you to 60 mph and second gear takes us travelling at prison speeds on partial throttle thus potentially creating a uneven force distribution and leaving a motorcycle potentially prone to become unstable on undulating winding roads where constant longitudinal adjustment is necessary for the vehicles and especially the motorcycles inherent stability reasons. Driving or riding as a mechanical extension of our reactions whilst matching throttle input, gear and road speed is essential for a rider to fully concentrate on the job in hand whilst creating its own internal direct preordained target. The very reason these superior killing machines have to be fitted with all these gadgets is that there are people that don't think about the disadvantages of adding excessive power to a top heavy bike. The best way to exemplify my point is to talk about moose tests where overtly heavy modern vehicles with their modern tire and suspension technology do not match the accident avoidance response and speed of a typical 90ś light vehicle. There is no logical explanation why we should create more irresponsibility for already vain people who believe the absolute performance of a vehicle to be expressed on a spreadsheet. When it comes to safety the key elements of a safe drive is not just driving slowly. The base for any accident avoidance is seeing ahead and predicting but you can not predict what you can not feel. The lack of chassis feedback is exaggerated by the width of the tire that manipulates how much pressure the tire generates, and in the case of older vehicles with greater chassis flex a wider tire generates smaller pressure by having a bigger contact area so a very wide tire on a car usually creates less force between the tires side to side on an axle since the progressive grip force throughout the corner is achieved by the distance between the tires that create additional force which help to create a milder departure rate of the tire when the grip is lost and lets the suspension be tuned with a wider operating window for driving on a bigger variety of surfaces and due to the eventual increase of suspension travel, bump rebound could be tuned softer. The economical value of our vanity and its craving competition corrupts safe and sensational mechanical feedback with absolute power but since vehicles are created only in the limelight of politicians and businessmen greatest interest I would expect nothing else from people that commercialize nickel and cobalt mining products under zero emission labelling. Returning back to the topic however a motorcycle is inherently unstable so it needs to have optimal tire section and compound for road use, minimal power and maximum feedback but we are addicted with absolute power and speed although it is just a three digit number that belongs to someone else and is distributed by someone else. I learnt to ride on a Czech bike which had narrow tires and therefore greater pressure per square inch offering a mild but comparatively wide operating window mostly due to the smooth departure rate of the tires teaching me the limits of that bike on much slower speeds but offering more options in terms of road surface and infinite amounts more joy since I could use the bikes chassis potential fully in every single condition without any hesitations.
@@20centI don’t think people are concerned with dropping it at a stop light….adventure bikes usually should spend some time off road, weight definitely becomes a factor trying to get around trails.
Thank you so much for the input on the bike. I have got 5k miles on my 1050 now. I don't really understand why you rode the bike in b power mode the whole time. I know its feels like it's either on or off power in a mode but also it cuts power back an just didn't seem like a fair comparison seeing that power was held back for the full ride but still I appreciate you riding the bike great work like always.
I ride in B most of of the time on my 1050, but I like to turn it to A every now and then for the longer touring rides. I feel like A mode is a bit too much for riding at 20mph, but I do feel like the throttle response is more sensitive, which I actually like.
@@motowizardsteve5906 I couldn't agree more. If I'm in a city setting or heavy traffic yea it's b mode but if it's a open familiar road or the interstate then it's always in a mode.
I also own a 1050XT…. I Ride in A mode exclusively. Anyone Who does a public review of this bike, and doesn’t realize the flexibility of the three modes, and doesn’t ride in A mode throughout the review, is not giving this bike the proper review. I also own a KTM 890 adventure, a KTM 690 Enduro, a YZ dirtbike, and have previously owned a Yamaha FZ-09, and recently test drove the Harley pan America adventure bike. I can honestly say that the Suzuki 1050 XT is my favorite all-time bike to ride on the road….In “A”mode…. The other two modes are useless to me. I take this video review with a grain of salt. I noticed that he rode with Traction Control off (yellow light on) throughout the video review as well. If he had only placed it in A mode, he would’ve realized that you can hang a wheelie in first and second gear, and the ride would’ve been exhilarating.
@@CutriProductions would this be much of an upgrade from a 2014 sfv650 Gladius I want something a bit more powerful and more comfortable. I like how smooth the gearbox is compared to the Yamaha I test road and compared to my Gladius the MT-07 is more fun for a quick blast but after a whole day I found it a bit tiring and unrefined. I haven't tried a Tracer 900 yet but I really found the Yamaha gearbox clunky. Do the gear's slide in like butter on your V-strom 1050XT ?
@@oliverskinner8962 Yes, gearbox is smooth, and with six gears the ratios are decent. One weird thing, for cruise control it has to be in 4th gear to work.... So about 40mph at 2700 rpm.... my only complaint on the bike. For long rides, it is the right size and weight at about 550 lbs, and you won't get blown around like smaller lighter bikes. That said, this whole "adventure bike" craze makes me laugh.... I mean, you could ride a Harley on a dirt trail if you had too. The 1050XT is a bit big and heavy for serious off road use, like any of the bigger "adventure bikes." Nothing beats a dirt bike or my KTM 690 Enduro for off road riding. But on the road and casual dirt roads and trails, the 1050XT is it!
I can't imagine what Suzuki could do to revolutionize anything about this bike without alienating the majority of their riders. We want them to be great, and we care too much that others don't love them as much as we do.
Shedding a bunch of weight and bulk would be revolutionary for the V-Strom, yet, wouldn’t alienate the faithful. Could you imagine this bike being 120lbs lighter? It’d be a way more exciting bike and much easier to handle.
I’ve owned both a brand new Versys 650 and a brand new V strom 1000. I think they are both great motorcycles. Great commuter bikes with the addition of a taller windscreen. And both nimble, super easy to split lanes on, and surprisingly fast, even though they don’t sound fast. I think Suzuki should lower the price of the V Strom to what people actually pay for one. I mean, does anyone pay retail for the v strom 1000 or 1050? I don’t think so. I picked up my 2014 v strom for $9,000. Barely over the cost of a 650 at the time. And when you consider cost of ownership, the V Strom is the hands-down winner over the European brands.
A really great vid Sir and I'm on my 4th Vstrom to date. Presently own a pair of 2021 Strom 650 and 1050's. If I can make one suggestion on the 1050 it is to do something about wind management at speed. The stock windscreen is fairly worthless. A Givi AirFlow completely changes the riding dynamics and pleasure/comfort level of the 1050. Worth every penny in protection, noise abatement, comfort level. Greetings from southern PA
Does every motorcycle need to be a newfangled, shiny trendy fad on two wheels? If the motor and frame works, why does a mfg need to spend millions developing a new platform? Considering that riders are still touring the world using DR and KLR, a rider really doesn’t need new tech every 5 years. That’s what the marketing guys want to sell you, but IMO the act of riding is much more primal than that. I’m not convinced I need an iPad that controls every aspect of of my motorcycle just so I can brag about my purchase at bike night or on social media.
Absolutely Jake. I own two bikes. A 2020 ZZR1400 and a 1990's Kawasaki Z1200 Voyager. The ZZR bristles with safety technology, the old Voyager has nothing. Yet the most enjoyable ride by a mile is the old girl.
I usually just turn most of it off. I think maybe they do it because it makes the bikes safer and easier to ride for the vast majority of riders. Trying to get a larger market. You’re not wrong though.
Yes, it handles tight back roads with ease, you can really throw the DE around with the wide handle bars. I completed a 5000 mile trip from WI to Utah in Sept of 2024,mountain passes, easy. It’s such an underrated motorcycle.
Try out the 650. I actually prefer it over the bigger model: more simplistic, lighter, cheeper, better gass miliage around town (same on the freeway). I think it might be a better daily rider then the bigger one. Not saying its a better bike overall, but as a daily rider I like it more.
Have my '17 650 , 2 1/2 years now, and love it. Bought in UK (sept '19), just before 'Brexit' for £5,000, with loads of sensible extras, and less than 10K miles. They outsell the 1000 two to one for good reasons, not least 73 mpg average (Irish Gallon). I believe they should be top of the list ! 👌
Same physical size, less bhp, less torque, and much less weight...hence the 650's popularity. Will still sit on a highway at 90mph all day long. Who needs more?
@@michaelhayward7572 Someone who doesn't want to listen to their bike scream at 7,000RPMs while riding? I had a '14 650. Fantastic bike, really great. But I got rid of it because I got tired of feeling like I was thrashing the thing when I'd go on cross country trips.
@@Wrencher_86 maybe slow down a little then? My 650 is at 6k rpm at 85mph. How fast do you need to cruise at. Each to their own but the wee is more than fast enough to cross continents easily
@@Wrencher_86 i dont own one or either. Both my road bikes are air cooled twins with a red line at 6500 and 7500rpm. They cruise at 80 mph around 4-5000rpm.
What year is yours? My '14 was right around 7k at 85MPH. Which is plenty fast. Faster than I wanted to go, honestly. But I also wanted to A) get the hell out of South Dakota and B) not get run over by the locals going 90+ while doing so. I put 30k on that bike and did multiple 5k+ mile trips on it. It was a good bike. But there are reasons why most popular touring bikes have larger displacements.
Bought my '02 Strom brand new and 10k in, I killed a deer at 65mph. Totaled the bike, so I bought a holdover '02 in '03 which has about 65k on it now. Never felt the need for ABS, traction control, yadda, yadda, yadda. Still love the bike after almost 20 years, and I have no plans to eliminate it from the stable.
@@outbackproduction5720 thanks, friend. It was a perfect 190 foot slide on my chest and the chin bar of my Shoei helmet. I walked away with simple abrasions from my clothing rubbing against my skin - knees and elbows, no major damage. The fact that I came away in such good shape influenced me to buy a second, holdover '02 Strom. She's been a faithful friend ever since.
I love my Suzuki dash, reminds me of my gameboy that’s over 20 years old and still works lol wait until them fancy dashes go bad, Suzuki dash still be working fine.
Roger that. I've got an old DL1000 and it cooks all the way up to 8.5K. The easy-going, highly-available torque keeps you in that band, ultimately, for most of a ride, but it's not a bad thing :). Keeps me out of trouble, but there's much more when needed. I saw a 1/4 time of 12-flat for the mid-2000s versions. For an upright rig, that's very respectable. The calm nature is what keeps owners piling on the miles. Several owners in Europe have over 200K clocked in.
Great review. Currently ride the 650 2017 model as my ADV and love it because it is so easy and reliable. I agree it doesn't need ride modes and Suzuki have kept their V-Strom prices low to help riders into the ADV scene.
"V-Strom... At least I'm not driving." This sums up exactly how both the mid and high cc versions have always made me feel. I had both as a loaner a number of times, waiting for my '13 Versys 1000 to be done, and compared to that, it always made me think "well... it's a fine bike too, I guess".
I think there's a reason that Suzuki has stayed with this older motor it's a very good design. Yes Ducati and Triumph might seem better but the V strom is a easy and cheap motor to maintain and perform maintenance on, I don't personally own one but I like the fact that it's a simple machine with just enough tech.
That “technically it’s a good bike, but meh, it’s kinda boring” attitude nails the V-Strom experience. I owned a 650 for a few years, and it did a very competent job of getting me where I wanted to go and introducing me to the world of touring, but at no time was it a really exciting or engaging ride. I replaced it with a Triumph Tiger 800 XC, which had all the practicality of the V-Strom plus considerably better performance and loads more personality.
It appears that there is no 2021 1050? And a recent press release from Suzuki leaves it out of 2022 also? Maybe they're done with this bike for a while...
That last comment about being really excited to leave work on your triumph verses leaving work on your 1050XT made me laugh so hard, love that comparison!!
I think that this is one of the most useful, real-world reviews available in the motorcycle world... But as a frequent motorcycle commuter, whose morning commute is done in the dark... Zack, if you can hear me, I know filming a motorcycle review in the dark would be pointless, but I'd love for you to find a way to sneak headlight effectiveness into the review, even if you only make mention of it.
I agree, I was commuting at night in rural NorCal from 1am to 2am on my MT-07 and ended up adding a Tiger 900 for the LED's/fog lights and what a difference. It was kind of a shot in the dark but I'm glad I made the switch to a bike with LED's. Makes it so much easier to see tire treads, road kill and animals. I think that not enough reviewers bring up headlight effectiveness.
I agree. I have a 2020 Vstrom 1050 ( the base model) , and it's headlight is woefully inadequate, essentially forcing the owner to add auxiliary lights
I have owned three V-Strom 650s (06, 08, and 13). Not sure if the 2020+ 1000s are a 3rd gen or 2.5, but I haven't ridden the latest iteration. I did ride a 2017 model and proclaimed it to be nearly perfect and would buy one if they ever add cruise (at the time I had recently bought my first cruise equipped bike and considered that feature to be the bee's knees). Needless to say, I did not make good on my own proclaimation. Fast forward to now and I am currently riding what I call a placeholder bike (2022 CB500X). That bike was purchased at a time when I was not willing to sink a lot of cash and just wanted something in the garage. I want a bigger bike and now can afford to splurge a little bit (ain't got that BMW or KTM money, though). These 2020+ models are now showing up used for about what I will be able to buy a new V-Strom 800DE. Probably not doing more than gravel roads, so I think the 1050 is adequate and probably better on pavement. Decision time!
It's a boring motorcycle for boring people that you buy so it can serve you without hiccups for over a decade and more. it's the Honda civic of motorcycles and that's what i love about it. the perfect daily commuter
I stop reading motorcycle articles some time ago. Since a few years now they all "kinda" lean to one side or another. Some years ago I work for one very well knowed publication and it was very noticeable that everything that came from Honda was… perfect! No matter what, all of Honda bikes were the best in the world! In this case Zack decided not to try the A engine map on Suzuki 1050 (like he did with other bikes…) because…. Well, because e could have lots of fun and come to the conclusion that the DL 1050 it’s an AWESOME bike!!! But that was not the idea! The idea was to be able to say that the bike “is boring” and to find all the negative points. I feel bad but, once again, Ithink I’ll go back to just to listen to the no “professionals...”
I have had my motorcycle in storage since i stopped commuting due to covid. (work from home). And so, haven't watched any revzilla for quite a while. Returning with a couple of the adventure videos, and now this one, I love this daily rider leader board. Its a great lineup of well thought out reviews and rankings. Great work!
Suzuki should expand the line-up to include a 140 HP 1300 V, a 950 V with 100 HP, and bump up the 650's HP to 80. Triple play! Keep the prices reasonable and we're off to the races....
Is serviceability a category also worth talking about ... I bet any moderately capable wrencher could do the valve clearances on their V-Strom themselves ... not so easy on those more exotic bikes ... and the service costs on those European bikes can really add up ... especially belts and labour costs at > $100 per hr to just get the panels off to get to them!
I like the styling and cruise addition, but when you add it all up, I think the short lived 2018-2019 Strom 1000 is really the one to get... fatter/flatter torque curve, lighter weight, arguably better dash, screen adjustable from the seat, more compliant suspension per most reviews, but still has the IMU. I've had multiple Strom/GS/Tiger/VFRs over the years... still find myself wandering back to the Stroms more than anything else. (I am curious if the protection bar along the bottom can support the 1050's weight - that would be a rare and welcome addition to be able to use a lift.)
I'm annoyed whenever anyone compares a V Strom to much more expensive and complicated bikes like KTM's, BMW's, and Ducati's. did I say more expensive loud enough? Mention repair rates if you want to compare it to the Europeans. I see the V Strom as just a solid, well rounded motorcycle that will take you from most point a's to most point b's, reliably and comfortably, and make you grin when you twist the throttle and tickle the torquey engine. Your smile will widen when you remember how much you didn't pay for it too. It's just a solid all arounder that I think is incomparable.
Just under $15k? Not expensive? Tall entry fee for a “reliable” bike. What are the service intervals? What are the dealer charges for scheduled service? I’m sure they are steep. The only savings are what? Parts?
@@DickWhistles I wouldn't buy any bike new which makes the V-strom a even better consideration. The European bikes all cost $3000 to $6000 more, and the parts and servicing cost more. Servicing for me would require a 100mi trip but there's two Suzuki dealerships within 20 miles of me. None of the European's make a more reliable engine than the Suzuki's. I don't want to compare them, I know that the European bikes are more powerful and the suspensions are of a higher quality ,which are two components of the higher pricing and two reasons the V-strom shouldn't be compared to them.
9:13 Remember that Suzuki almost invented ride modes. The GSX-R and Hayabusa had A-B-C before almost every other brand as far as I know. I think they exist mainly out of that tradition now.
Watching this channel has convinced me that I need a second bike I ride a goldwing mostly 2 up and the vstrom and Versys have my attention thanks to you and revzilla
If you dyno this and the previous vstrom, you'll see they have a hole in the power at about 2800. It a damn good bike, easy to ride, you don't thrash it, you ride the torque in top. I traded mine in for 1290SAS ;-)
I have an '18 DL1000XT and was able to test ride a 2020 model. I thought the stability and smoothness were much improved. So many great motorcycles out there.
This is, and has proven to be the best bike ever made.....PERIOD.The lcd is retro, its a retro bike...The suspension is stiff, Its a 90% road bike, ride one with a yoshimura pipe on it and you'll have a different (more positive) review.
I think Suzuki did the ride modes for two reasons 1. everyone else is doing them and 2. for those who want to start on a liter bike but are a bit scared of a liter bike. You should do one of these daily rider vids on the Cam Am Spyder F3, just don't take it down the dirt road.
Wondering why they skipped the 2021 model for this bike. Is it because most of the 2020s are still in the showroom? Suzuki announced the 2022 models the other day and I still couldn't find a 2022 1050XT. Was hoping to see some different color schemes since that's their specialty but haven't found them yet. I wouldn't get one but I think they are the best looking adventure bike you can get, cheap too, compared to the competition.
An old vstrom 1000 IS my daily rider and I've got to agree with this entire assessment: the new ones aren't different enough or improved enough over the old ones to justify the price. I just wouldn't buy a new one to replace the old one because it really wouldn't feel like an upgrade.
Suzuki have made rider friendly bike again. Free of the electronic gadgets that take an age to navigate we have a great engine in good frame. In the hands of a rider that has healthy respect for the risks of his surroundings perfect.
wow man, thanks for your time but please forgive me if you need to finish eating before you start to dialog the vstrom will always be a meggah tool its a total complete machine
Hey nice hair cut Zac lookin spiffy , I agree somewhat with your placement of the vstrom but in my mind a daily rider should be something that is going to be outside in the weather beating it up on the daily grind back and forth to work and a lot of the bikes that ranked higher that cost way more I wouldn't want sitting in the parking lot with birds pooping on it and the sun baking on it . I get it it's a tuff decision adding everything up but we can't lose sight of what a daily rider is !! So to me the holy grail of a daily rider is still the versys 650 ! A new one 9 grand a used one 5 grand it can sit in the parking lot in all kinds of weather and the birds can poop away and no fiddling around trying to get the toggle switches to work because they have been subjected to the weather because it doesn't have any lol thanks again for the video looking for the next adventure
It is a good bike regardless of price point, still bears the identify of the VStrom being a reliable all-rounder. A good alternative to this bike would be the Yamaha Super Tenere. Though not as sporty as the VStrom, Super Ten has got all day comfort for long touring, respectable off-road capabilities, low maintenance shaft drive, and the world renowned reliability.
Check out our First Look article on Common Tread here: rvz.la/3lvEcMr
Pretty sure this is my bike now lmao 🤣
Talking about all the features and tech that this bike doesn’t have that a new BMW or KTM does have, the biggest feature it doesn’t have is a $20,000+ price tag.
You’re right about that. Aswell as the probability of those things failing is zero since it doesn’t have all the features!
And it's usefully smaller and narrower than those.
And doesn't cook you alive in hot weather, the way the big KTMs and Ducatis do. Nor become 6 feet wide once you fit side cases.
@@paulnorman8274 I will say this. I had a 2005 Vstrom 1000 and now I have a 2010 R1200GSA. The GS is significantly a better bike to ride, tour and go off road on but I never had issues with the Suzuki. my fuel gauge has stopped working twice from a faulty fuel strip they put in the bikes and my abs is not working with 25k miles.
@@JonBecker81 If you're big enough for the A version of the GS, you're almost too big for the VStrom. More "normal" sized people would simply find the GSA too darned big for anything. Especially offroading. But it is a nice alternative for those for whom even regular Adv bikes are too cramped.
A big part of the 'Strom1000's appeal, is that it, while still a tall bike, is usefully smaller than 1200 classers. Both for urban driving/parking/land splitting, and just for fitting shorter, though still not short, people.
Very powerful from what you've observed.
I work on a city police department and our choice for the motorcycles was the V-STROM 650cc, an awesome bike for patrooling the streets of Brazil
What city
@@steve-wu7jp Osasco, SP, Brazil
That's cool, man. I lived near Jundiaì for a while long ago.
Hell Yes!
I have a DL650XT.
@@MatCo774 thank you for your service🚓💪🏻
I love Suzuki for still making ultra reliable, highly functional machines. And they have tried their best to stay out of the electronics vomit that all modern motorcycles have become and try to keep their prices reasonable instead of climbing with each iteration.
Not sure what you mean by Suzuki staying away from electronics with this one, it's got all of them electricky bits except suspension and quickshifter?
@@stokerel Was talking in general. Only this year the GSXS line got all the electronic upgrades.
they want to put electronics on the bikes. they always follow suit a few years late when it comes to just about everything.
The price is ridiculous, though, for what one gets, when compared to the Tiger 900GT, which offers way more content for the dollar.
@@kenroot5682 Yes, i would accept the fact that suzuki is behind on the electronics / rider assist side but only if they were a lot cheaper than the rest of the manufacturers and that is not the case and because a lot of people are lazy and don't want to read and understand what benefits those rider assists bring to the table it doesn't mean that they are crap, people were talking shit about abs when it was firstly introduced and now it is a necessity , if those electronics where bullshit then they would not be present in moto gp as they would only add more weight and points of failure to the bike.
"Is this the poor mans GS" What kind of question is that? I personally have no problem to bay a few BMW GS's and yet I opted for the V-Strom 1050 XT black. Even my friends GS riders were amazed. I have the V-Stom 1050 XT for almost 2 years now and have not regretted it for a moment. Just got back from a 16 day motorbike ride Belgium-Norway. 1400 km only in 2 days, heavily loaded and with 2 people on. at a constant speed of 130 km/h (GPS speed), 5000 rpm = 5.8 L/100 km. Follow normal traffic 3.9 L / 100 km, my driving usually consumes 4.6 L / 100 km. Yes, did a few track days with my V-Strom. The nice thing about this is that after a few rides there are a lot of people around the V-Strom because this poor mans bike hangs side by side with the BMW 1200 GS and the KTM 1090 even though they have more horsepower.
(sorry for my english)
I know right! All these reviewers just mostly peddle popular views based on specs and price. If it is expensive, it has to be that much better. Each machine is different and I like how Suzuki thinks about their own, simple, reliable and upto the job while not being over the top. Understated even
I do carpool with my car so free fuel all time 0 L / 100km 👍
The calling card for the V-Strom is - in the broadest sense - dependability. You can count on it being easy, calm, reliable, comfortable, capable. Owners of first versions are still clocking huge miles on them, many 100K-200K-plus. This is a stellar choice if you "need to get there" in one piece every time :)
There's a guy on the V-Strom forums (Stromtrooper) who put 440,000 miles on his 2003 1000 without ever opening the motor. Another guy just chimed in recently with over 500k on his 1000. These things just GO. It's unreal. Meanwhile, on my long-distance group, guys with 200k on their Harleys are replacing motors...
I just hit 50k on my 04 650 and for shits and gigs I did a compression test, still stock claimed
@@BattleKegGregHave the valve clearances always been in spec?
@@christians131 good question
No BS... unbreakable... comfort....just an awesome bike...add on top of that cost x benefit unbeatable...
As a person who grew up in the innercity and is sportbike focused, I never thought that I would ever want to come near one of these dorky looking adventure bikes. But now that I'm on the other side of 30, this bike is more appealing than ever.
Ha same here
same here
Yep, me too 😂
Same all Trans 😂
I could tell from the start that Zach wasn't too excited about the V-Strom 1050XT. Not saying he is - but a lot of reviewers seem a bit biased against this bike from the start. I do agree with many of his points, especially with the suspension being a bit too harsh and with the display being a bit of a disappointment. But, overall, I think it is a pretty solid bike and can be very fun to ride when properly riden with the right expectations.
For example, the part about the A riding mode being "too harsh" or whatever he said, struck me as a bit odd since Zack states he is an ex-racer. I am definitely NOT an ex-racer but I find the A mode outstanding. It prob. took me maybe 15 minutes to get use to it. The B mode (which Zach was riding in) is definitely muted and likely why Zach was a bit less positive. I ride in A mode 99 percent of the time and I find it perfect. I also own a 2018 Gold Wing Tour (mostly for my bride's comfort) and that bikes "sport" mode, in my opinion, is much more aggressive and not as comfortable day to day vs. the outstanding A (sport) mode with the V-Strom.
I also have never experienced this dead zone that Zach mentioned. Maybe it has something to do with the muted B mode that he was riding in.... but, if it is there, it is not an issue.
Also - Suzuki did make a few engine changes for the 2020 model year. It revs better and it has more power higher in the RPM range vs. the previous versions. The displacement is the same but they did make a few tweaks to the engine - minor maybe.
BTW - I own one of these bikes, and agree that it is not perfect and it has a few areas that could be better... but overall, I am happy with the bike and it meets my personal use case. Just returned from a 1,300 5 day trip and absolutely zero issues. Rode A mode 100% of the time.... and it was great.
OK... that's my 2 cents after owning this bike for almost one year now.
Honest description.!!!
I've got 8,500 miles on my 2020 Adventure. There's no dead spot in the rev range. I keep it in B mode and then when I'm riding angry I bump it up to A 😆
Always in A mode!
I think it depends on the rev range you are in, or another words the gear. For example when I'm in 6th gear on my bike (not Suzuki), riding 60 km/h, if I open the throttle wide it will first pull slower and than after reaching around 4k it pulls much better. Maybe he was referring to that kind of thing. Having that is of course a normal thing, but maybe for V-twin engine the low down torque is expected across the whole low rev range...
I'm a 1050xt owner for a year, A mode is perfect. "Rode A mode 100% of the time.... and it was great." That is so true!!!
The 1050XT is my daily ride, and I love it. Enough power to get going in real world use, ultra-reliable, service and parts are cheap. Not as flashy and evocative as the bigger more expensive bikes, however as a daily rider its great.
I had two of these an 02 and a 15. Where these bikes still excel is in durability. If you are the kind of rider who likes to rack up hundreds of thousands of miles, these are a great bike.
16:54 "This is all you need"...Perfect summation of the VStrom overall. The 2020 VStrom XT is a great overall bike. I surprised you glossed over the 6 axis IMU, this feature enables cornering ABS which is a game changing safety feature. This bike is an excellent value, and one of the best bang for the buck bikes available today.
As a 2014 Vstrom 1000 owner, your comment about the basset hound was freaking perfect. It made me laugh out loud. As a rider taking a twenty year hiatus before buying a new bike, the Vstrom has been all of those things you said, Zach. It’s exactly like a big old happy Basset hound. Reliable, love able, and easy to get along with. But when it’s ready to go to work, it does it’s job exactly as you would it expect it to.
Had mine a year now. 12000 miles, no problems. $12,700 out the door! Hauls butt on the highway, smooth in town. Needs different tires for gravel travel and belly plate-bash guard(No problem). For the cost and reliability, what’s not to like!
I bought the 1050xt mid summer last year and I really like the solid dependability of the bike, definitely not the most exciting ride of my life but I bought it for long distance touring. The one thing I would disagree with on the review was pillion comfort my wife loves the seating position and from my perspective this is the first bike I’ve ridden that I prefer when it’s two up, I almost forget she’s there until I start getting morse code on the back of the helmet.
Long life, easy to use, comfortable do it all bikes. Love them.
I did order the new 2023 updated Vstrom 1050. It solves a lot of things, updated gears, quickshifter, TFT screen, new 6 axis IMU. I think it did a nice step forward.
I own a 1050 xt, it is my first bike, and I absolutely love it. I bought mine in the beginning of May, and wasn't able to ride it until June. Since then I have put 6200 miles on it, and I ride it almost every single day! As a motovlogger, I love this for the touring and minor "off-road" capability. I did upgrade the windscreen to a PUIG touring windshield, and it completely takes away helmet buffeting for me. It wasn't bad before, but the difference was mind boggling to me. I don't mind the LCD screen, I love all the information it shows. Thanks so much for a great and honest review Zack!
I have a 2006 and it is the best Bike I've ever owned, You can get up every day and sit on it and it will start, This bike will get 400k(proven) miles with just common service items, Get your Alaskan sheepskin butt pad and ride it at 80-90 mph across the country and back no problems, once it has luggage the ride becomes even cushier, Vstrom riders know what's up
I have a 1050XT, and I'm almost positive ride mode C does chop the power pretty substantially. That's what I've used every time the weather gets bad, and it definitely feels like it's doing more than just dulling the throttle response. Either way, it's a pretty great bike, and I've even had a pretty fun time taking it offroad. It's nice having a bike that you can run errands around town, cruise on the highway, take on some light-to-moderate offroad stuff, and still be comfortable on it at the end of the day.
Smart mans GS. People tend to buy bikes with extremely high tech and speed, but don’t use it. It’s how companies like BMW make a lot of money. I use to be obsessed with stats and realised there’s no point in buying something better than I am capable off using. A Vstrom has a strong motor and high reliability. It has all the things you need, and more. That’s why I purchased the VStrom. I agree that there are some that like to show off with their purchase, but I would argue that the person who buys sensibly is the one that we really should be impressed with. The person with the most money in the bank, and still able to enjoy life to the fullest is a person I envy.
They nailed the 90's Suzuki styling
‘90s
'80s
Perfect dad's bike. They even managed to nail the banana colour. I like the fact that you get what you actually need. I personally prefer LCD screen over TFT. Oh my, maybe I'm turning into a dad...
Gotta have a nice new balance gray though
Nothing to do with "dad" color. If you know much about motorcycle history, you'd know this livery goes way back.
@@Jimmy_Watt Perhaps that's what he means.
I just bought this bike. Same color and everything. Love it. I really LOVE the dash. Don't care what anyone says. I can see that LCD even when the sun is shining right on it. For those complaining about no tft. Waaah...
Watched your reviews for years. You didn't do the VStrom 1050 justice at all. I own one now coming off a Z900. It's remarkable in all conditions as is it's legacy, but seldom to journalist's do a good job of presenting it. I ride faster than I should and friends can't gap me by much on almost anything. Unless it's just straight madness. This bike is VERY good, don't let this dissuade you. Disappointed with this review.
I got off my Z900, because I just couldn't deal with the gearing and chassis for traveling. And really don't need to be racing about on the Street. Loved the Z! But really not practical .
Who is this moto journalist? Ari is so much cooler and he knows how to wrench on bikes. This guy blows.
@@FrankBonessa You should marry Ari and stop insulting people.
@@anxiousappliance He sucks.
@@FrankBonessa yadda yadda
Thank you for talking about the gear ratios. It's really appreciated. This is something so many reviews miss. Although, from a mechanical point of view, I strongly disagree that 4,500 rpms is a good cruising RPM. Your final drive gear should not be in the "meat" of the power band. It's a nice excuse for why the motorcycle companies really messed up on their gearing. They really need to get the RPM's down closer to 3,000 rpms for 70mph. As low as possible, without ruining the driveability. That way, you get the extra 20% gas mileage, and 20% more engine life. And longer intervals between oil changes, spark plugs, etc.
Yeah, I have no idea why it isn’t standard for all highway capable bikes to have a crazy tall final gear.
They do it because if you're crusing at 100kph, and get slowed down to 70 and then go to speed back up you don't lug the engine (which can damage it more than cruising at higher speed). Obviously you should gear down in that case, but people generally don't bother.
It's the same with cars, but to a lesser extent. Automatic transmission cars usually have a taller final gear than the manual.
1L + sports Vtwin engines don't like being in low RPM and being asked to pull, haul, tug, chug along. As a matter of engine balance and cadence, they start bucking and protesting. This sort of thing is more evident on a big Ducati or KTM twin. They smooth out and feel more responsive above a certain RPM. I think the 1037cc Suzuki twin doesn't get as bothered at lower RPM as the others, but it will still hammer con-rods and pistons at lower speeds, the shuddering isn't good for the engines either. It's not a Harley or a Indian, it's not supposed to pull a plow. REV IT UP.
3000 rpm - apart from Harleys that's pretty close to idle.
This man always makes me watch even when I'm not interested in the bike.
The factor missing in this review is long-term longevity. I can afford any new BMW on the market, but I can't afford all the downtime and cost to keep it running to 150k miles, vs a vstrom, where I'm probably good to go that distance without any drama except for stator magnets shifting, which is an easy fix. What other bike currently in the market can you reasonably expect + 100k miles from with very low upkeep costs? Seems like that should be a factor in your reviews for a daily (aka high mileage) rider. Iterative, long-term improvements in a design beat constant new (and moar exciting!) tech. Vstrom epitomizes this philosophy. Not sexy but damn-skippy it's a good all around bike.
The stator magnets have not been a problem with newer models. I think it only affected the first generation.
This absolutely right....
Suzuki maybe stay away from electronic gimmick so their bike can be more reliable and hard to die....
We need a naked bike based on this engine! With striking looks! Then the A-mode would make sense! Suzuki needs to be competitive again!
SV 1050 ?
@@UlyssesMax Yes, SV1050 would be a fitting name.
But it needs to have the looks, engine punch and handling. Perhaps a single sided swingarm as well, minimalistic tail section.
It will end up with a long wheelbase.Long swingarms are de rigeur these days. Relegating long, transverse V-twins to bikes where long wheelbases are OK.
I agree… unfortunately they did that back when they were copying the monster and gave up on it, so I don’t see it being very likely.
But yeah absolutely if they brought back the big SV with the current SV styling I’d absolutely get that…. Just please don’t use any modern monster styling, esp the 2021+
"A" mode still makes sense on this bike. It's an awful lot of fun!
I know I'm getting old when I watch a review like this and mutter to myself: "So *this* is 'retro' now?"
I feel the same way. For some reason it makes me want to say: "Those ding-dang young whippersnappers.... mumble, mumble....and their newfangled motorcycles...!"
It does remind me ever so slightly of the Hans Muth Katana...does that help you feel less old?
What is retro about it except the livery? This bike seems brilliant.
@@Jimmy_Watt The comment by Zack that it is retro...in the video.
@@Jimmy_Watt Hence my point: the only thing "retro" about the bike to me is its chronological age. The hard, angular lines, right down to its "beak", hardly look out-of-place now.
Bought 2015 650 Storm: love my bike. High quality components for the price. The dash has all the practical information with 12v charging option on dash. Has custom exhaust, love the sound, handling, no complaints. I get plenty of compliments everywhere. Can't go wrong with Suzuki @ all
This video brings back memories... It sounds just like my 2005 V-Strom DL1000... Sold it in 2017 and still remember that sound
My buddy has a Vstrom 650 and he loves it being lighter and he gets great Mileage close to 60mpg on his commute. He recently got the 2018 cheap used a few months ago. I can leave him on my 1200GS but he’s right there normally.
I just bought one. It’s a great all around motorcycle, I ride to work in Denver traffic every day, the bike is perfect for commuting, then, on the weekends I take my wife and we go for a blast up in the Rocky Mountains, last weekend we rode the peak to peak highway, not tons of power, but, plenty enough. Also, very comfortable for a 150 mile ride two up. I got a good deal from Mike at Fay Meyers.
how much you got it
I will always be a fan of this dude after the Dumb and Dumber expedition.
If that was your experience with them, you need to go look for their older stuff like that. Gems, all of them
The cheap adventure bike shootout was awesome too…
That was my introduction to them. Which is funny since a bunch of my friends are actually friends with Zach and Ari, I just don't know them 🤣
Same flat spot in torque as my K7 which actually dips a little around 2.5k rpm. Keep the revs up above the flat spot and no issue.
It's a stonking V twin motor and you really have to go hunting around for the little dead spot in the power delivery so it cant all be bad, (It's at 2000 rpm when you're in 4th gear riding in 'B' mode, Although why you'd be labouring around at 2000 rpm in 4th is beyond me! I'm wondering why you haven't already changed down to 2nd and ridden through it?)
I've had my 2021 1050XT (Tour edition in the Red and White "Marlboro" colourway) for about 6 months and covered around 6500 miles on it so far.
It's my all year round daily commuting, mile munching touring, lots of fun in the twisties bike, It isn't a hard bike to ride hard on and unlike a lot of modern fast sports bikes, it's very forgiving when my talent begins to run out.
All in all, It's probably one of the best all round bikes I've owned in nearly 40 yrs of riding.
Fender is super practical. I put a fender extender on my versys, and it still kicks up on the exhaust and engine case, but not nearly8 as bad as without it. Sand blasts the frame cross-member in front of the engine still.
Going to put the fender extension companies out of business if manufactures follow that trend.
All Suzuki V Strom’s are good even the little big 250 DL Parallel Twin .Suzuki’s are reliable & great value for money .👍
And after testing few bikes of various manufacturers I found gsxs950 most suitable for me and bought it. For motorcycling I only need good engine, proper handling, chassis, brakes, abs. And I find modern bikes having way much more electronics than I need and I never use. Also when you are on a long trip, and you get accident, the more electronics it has the harder and more expensive it is to repair. Therefore I like Suzuki's approach, because their bikes have the essentials at very high level, while keep their bikes simple, reliable and at nice price (comparing to others). Also I don't claim Suzuki to be the best, just that I like their way of making bikes.
Opened the video-randomly clicked on 10:17 where you said- A little too tall and too heavy- Exactly as i suspected I told myself and instantly finished watching- thx cheers
I have zero exp with adv (tall) bikes, first liter bike too... 2 minutes after picking it up I was filtering like there were no tomorrow and sitting at the traffic lights with one foot on the brake and no hands on the bars. If you're not vegan and normally sized, these comments about weight and height are extremely exaggerated. Unless it's your first bike or your previous one was a Grom maybe?
@@20cent 1963 JAWA 175cc and 125 cc qinqi where my first motorcycles so you are not far off. To suspect any modern bike to be a little too tall and heavy is an understatement if you have learned how to ride lightweight bikes with narrow tires on sand, dirt and even snow. The best option for you at this point would be the consideration of riding or driving older machines whilst you still can not just because of their looks and how they resonate but because of how differently they have to be used for smooth and safe movement unless your first bike was a Harley Davidson maybe. How can you fully use your body mass for steering if the foot pegs are stretched as far as the eye can not see. The greatest safety issues that seem to be completely overlooked in high tech performance development lays in its very meaning. Detached high speed vehicle with partial control would be also a great way to name any modern vehicle. For me a machine that is too heavy and powerful to its chassis to be exploited on less than perfect circumstances becomes just an extension of your dick. Although ECU and various sensors read combined force distribution data even before wheel spin or lock up occurs the net power usage on less than perfect circumstances technically leaves a modern bike rider lacking with any direct mechanical feedback apart from steering axis feedback which again is held back by gyroscopic stability aids like capsize, weave and wobble modes that leaves even a moderately skilled rider far from discovering bikes full chassis potential. Sitting at the traffic lights with one foot on the brake and no hands on the bars really don't tell a whole lot about the usability of a motorcycle in various circumstances. The application of instant wheel torque without the help of traction restraint is usable in absolutely perfect circumstances in the hands of a truly experienced rider where the narrow performance window or net power of a modern street sport bike could be used to its full potential. The biggest problem with any amazing modern sports gadget is that it leaves the driver/rider detached from the comprehension of vast kinetic forces at high speeds whilst we are constantly yearning for direct feedback from chassis balance in the midst of longitudinal/lateral forces but usable (net power) tends to leave nearly half of engines potential unused most of the time when you discover that first gear can take you to 60 mph and second gear takes us travelling at prison speeds on partial throttle thus potentially creating a uneven force distribution and leaving a motorcycle potentially prone to become unstable on undulating winding roads where constant longitudinal adjustment is necessary for the vehicles and especially the motorcycles inherent stability reasons. Driving or riding as a mechanical extension of our reactions whilst matching throttle input, gear and road speed is essential for a rider to fully concentrate on the job in hand whilst creating its own internal direct preordained target. The very reason these superior killing machines have to be fitted with all these gadgets is that there are people that don't think about the disadvantages of adding excessive power to a top heavy bike. The best way to exemplify my point is to talk about moose tests where overtly heavy modern vehicles with their modern tire and suspension technology do not match the accident avoidance response and speed of a typical 90ś light vehicle. There is no logical explanation why we should create more irresponsibility for already vain people who believe the absolute performance of a vehicle to be expressed on a spreadsheet. When it comes to safety the key elements of a safe drive is not just driving slowly. The base for any accident avoidance is seeing ahead and predicting but you can not predict what you can not feel. The lack of chassis feedback is exaggerated by the width of the tire that manipulates how much pressure the tire generates, and in the case of older vehicles with greater chassis flex a wider tire generates smaller pressure by having a bigger contact area so a very wide tire on a car usually creates less force between the tires side to side on an axle since the progressive grip force throughout the corner is achieved by the distance between the tires that create additional force which help to create a milder departure rate of the tire when the grip is lost and lets the suspension be tuned with a wider operating window for driving on a bigger variety of surfaces and due to the eventual increase of suspension travel, bump rebound could be tuned softer. The economical value of our vanity and its craving competition corrupts safe and sensational mechanical feedback with absolute power but since vehicles are created only in the limelight of politicians and businessmen greatest interest I would expect nothing else from people that commercialize nickel and cobalt mining products under zero emission labelling. Returning back to the topic however a motorcycle is inherently unstable so it needs to have optimal tire section and compound for road use, minimal power and maximum feedback but we are addicted with absolute power and speed although it is just a three digit number that belongs to someone else and is distributed by someone else. I learnt to ride on a Czech bike which had narrow tires and therefore greater pressure per square inch offering a mild but comparatively wide operating window mostly due to the smooth departure rate of the tires teaching me the limits of that bike on much slower speeds but offering more options in terms of road surface and infinite amounts more joy since I could use the bikes chassis potential fully in every single condition without any hesitations.
@@20centI don’t think people are concerned with dropping it at a stop light….adventure bikes usually should spend some time off road, weight definitely becomes a factor trying to get around trails.
Thank you so much for the input on the bike. I have got 5k miles on my 1050 now. I don't really understand why you rode the bike in b power mode the whole time. I know its feels like it's either on or off power in a mode but also it cuts power back an just didn't seem like a fair comparison seeing that power was held back for the full ride but still I appreciate you riding the bike great work like always.
I ride in B most of of the time on my 1050, but I like to turn it to A every now and then for the longer touring rides. I feel like A mode is a bit too much for riding at 20mph, but I do feel like the throttle response is more sensitive, which I actually like.
@@motowizardsteve5906 I couldn't agree more. If I'm in a city setting or heavy traffic yea it's b mode but if it's a open familiar road or the interstate then it's always in a mode.
I also own a 1050XT…. I Ride in A mode exclusively. Anyone Who does a public review of this bike, and doesn’t realize the flexibility of the three modes, and doesn’t ride in A mode throughout the review, is not giving this bike the proper review. I also own a KTM 890 adventure, a KTM 690 Enduro, a YZ dirtbike, and have previously owned a Yamaha FZ-09, and recently test drove the Harley pan America adventure bike. I can honestly say that the Suzuki 1050 XT is my favorite all-time bike to ride on the road….In “A”mode…. The other two modes are useless to me. I take this video review with a grain of salt. I noticed that he rode with Traction Control off (yellow light on) throughout the video review as well. If he had only placed it in A mode, he would’ve realized that you can hang a wheelie in first and second gear, and the ride would’ve been exhilarating.
@@CutriProductions would this be much of an upgrade from a 2014 sfv650 Gladius I want something a bit more powerful and more comfortable. I like how smooth the gearbox is compared to the Yamaha I test road and compared to my Gladius the MT-07 is more fun for a quick blast but after a whole day I found it a bit tiring and unrefined. I haven't tried a Tracer 900 yet but I really found the Yamaha gearbox clunky. Do the gear's slide in like butter on your V-strom 1050XT ?
@@oliverskinner8962 Yes, gearbox is smooth, and with six gears the ratios are decent. One weird thing, for cruise control it has to be in 4th gear to work.... So about 40mph at 2700 rpm.... my only complaint on the bike. For long rides, it is the right size and weight at about 550 lbs, and you won't get blown around like smaller lighter bikes. That said, this whole "adventure bike" craze makes me laugh.... I mean, you could ride a Harley on a dirt trail if you had too. The 1050XT is a bit big and heavy for serious off road use, like any of the bigger "adventure bikes." Nothing beats a dirt bike or my KTM 690 Enduro for off road riding. But on the road and casual dirt roads and trails, the 1050XT is it!
I can't imagine what Suzuki could do to revolutionize anything about this bike without alienating the majority of their riders.
We want them to be great, and we care too much that others don't love them as much as we do.
Shedding a bunch of weight and bulk would be revolutionary for the V-Strom, yet, wouldn’t alienate the faithful. Could you imagine this bike being 120lbs lighter? It’d be a way more exciting bike and much easier to handle.
@@kenroot5682 maybe that muffler weighs something like that? 🤔😂
@@henrikforsberg683 😂
I’ve owned both a brand new Versys 650 and a brand new V strom 1000. I think they are both great motorcycles. Great commuter bikes with the addition of a taller windscreen. And both nimble, super easy to split lanes on, and surprisingly fast, even though they don’t sound fast.
I think Suzuki should lower the price of the V Strom to what people actually pay for one. I mean, does anyone pay retail for the v strom 1000 or 1050? I don’t think so. I picked up my 2014 v strom for $9,000. Barely over the cost of a 650 at the time.
And when you consider cost of ownership, the V Strom is the hands-down winner over the European brands.
A really great vid Sir and I'm on my 4th Vstrom to date. Presently own a pair of 2021 Strom 650 and 1050's. If I can make one suggestion on the 1050 it is to do something about wind management at speed. The stock windscreen is fairly worthless. A Givi AirFlow completely changes the riding dynamics and pleasure/comfort level of the 1050. Worth every penny in protection, noise abatement, comfort level. Greetings from southern PA
Does every motorcycle need to be a newfangled, shiny trendy fad on two wheels? If the motor and frame works, why does a mfg need to spend millions developing a new platform? Considering that riders are still touring the world using DR and KLR, a rider really doesn’t need new tech every 5 years. That’s what the marketing guys want to sell you, but IMO the act of riding is much more primal than that. I’m not convinced I need an iPad that controls every aspect of of my motorcycle just so I can brag about my purchase at bike night or on social media.
True, I share the same beliefs
Right there with ya
Absolutely Jake. I own two bikes. A 2020 ZZR1400 and a 1990's Kawasaki Z1200 Voyager. The ZZR bristles with safety technology, the old Voyager has nothing. Yet the most enjoyable ride by a mile is the old girl.
The response for the Tenere 700 having few electronics was positive, so I'm hopeful.
I usually just turn most of it off. I think maybe they do it because it makes the bikes safer and easier to ride for the vast majority of riders. Trying to get a larger market. You’re not wrong though.
This is now my favorite content on this channel. Thanks Zack.
I love the color! Reminds me of Quadzilla from the 80s.
Your right
I just purchased a new leftover 2023 1050DE, for $12,600 USD OTD. Plenty of smiles per ride! Love this motorcycle!
Does the 21 Inch front handle well?
Yes, it handles tight back roads with ease, you can really throw the DE around with the wide handle bars. I completed a 5000 mile trip from WI to Utah in Sept of 2024,mountain passes, easy. It’s such an underrated motorcycle.
Try out the 650. I actually prefer it over the bigger model: more simplistic, lighter, cheeper, better gass miliage around town (same on the freeway). I think it might be a better daily rider then the bigger one. Not saying its a better bike overall, but as a daily rider I like it more.
Have my '17 650 , 2 1/2 years now, and love it. Bought in UK (sept '19), just before 'Brexit' for £5,000, with loads of sensible extras, and less than 10K miles. They outsell the 1000 two to one for good reasons, not least 73 mpg average (Irish Gallon). I believe they should be top of the list ! 👌
Rode mine today. A little over 350 miles. Love the bike, but I'm not crazy about the seat. First seat on a road bike that I didn't like.
Curious if you will ride the V-Strom 650 XT and how it compares to the big brother?
Same physical size, less bhp, less torque, and much less weight...hence the 650's popularity. Will still sit on a highway at 90mph all day long. Who needs more?
@@michaelhayward7572 Someone who doesn't want to listen to their bike scream at 7,000RPMs while riding? I had a '14 650. Fantastic bike, really great. But I got rid of it because I got tired of feeling like I was thrashing the thing when I'd go on cross country trips.
@@Wrencher_86 maybe slow down a little then? My 650 is at 6k rpm at 85mph. How fast do you need to cruise at. Each to their own but the wee is more than fast enough to cross continents easily
@@Wrencher_86 i dont own one or either.
Both my road bikes are air cooled twins with a red line at 6500 and 7500rpm.
They cruise at 80 mph around 4-5000rpm.
What year is yours? My '14 was right around 7k at 85MPH. Which is plenty fast. Faster than I wanted to go, honestly. But I also wanted to A) get the hell out of South Dakota and B) not get run over by the locals going 90+ while doing so.
I put 30k on that bike and did multiple 5k+ mile trips on it. It was a good bike. But there are reasons why most popular touring bikes have larger displacements.
Bought my '02 Strom brand new and 10k in, I killed a deer at 65mph. Totaled the bike, so I bought a holdover '02 in '03 which has about 65k on it now. Never felt the need for ABS, traction control, yadda, yadda, yadda. Still love the bike after almost 20 years, and I have no plans to eliminate it from the stable.
Glad to hear you are still
upright. Any injuries?
@@outbackproduction5720 thanks, friend. It was a perfect 190 foot slide on my chest and the chin bar of my Shoei helmet. I walked away with simple abrasions from my clothing rubbing against my skin - knees and elbows, no major damage. The fact that I came away in such good shape influenced me to buy a second, holdover '02 Strom. She's been a faithful friend ever since.
Any fuel pump issues?
I love my Suzuki dash, reminds me of my gameboy that’s over 20 years old and still works lol wait until them fancy dashes go bad, Suzuki dash still be working fine.
This specific model with that colour is my dream bike. I can never get it out of my mind.
idk I think you missed half of the rev range on this one. Riding it like it's a vtwin cruiser lol. You missed the fun part of the rev range!
Roger that. I've got an old DL1000 and it cooks all the way up to 8.5K. The easy-going, highly-available torque keeps you in that band, ultimately, for most of a ride, but it's not a bad thing :). Keeps me out of trouble, but there's much more when needed. I saw a 1/4 time of 12-flat for the mid-2000s versions. For an upright rig, that's very respectable. The calm nature is what keeps owners piling on the miles. Several owners in Europe have over 200K clocked in.
I don't get the unguarded oil filter hanging out in front of the engine case like that - especially on dual sport. What the heck Suzuki?
Great review. Currently ride the 650 2017 model as my ADV and love it because it is so easy and reliable. I agree it doesn't need ride modes and Suzuki have kept their V-Strom prices low to help riders into the ADV scene.
"V-Strom... At least I'm not driving." This sums up exactly how both the mid and high cc versions have always made me feel. I had both as a loaner a number of times, waiting for my '13 Versys 1000 to be done, and compared to that, it always made me think "well... it's a fine bike too, I guess".
I think there's a reason that Suzuki has stayed with this older motor it's a very good design. Yes Ducati and Triumph might seem better but the V strom is a easy and cheap motor to maintain and perform maintenance on, I don't personally own one but I like the fact that it's a simple machine with just enough tech.
That “technically it’s a good bike, but meh, it’s kinda boring” attitude nails the V-Strom experience. I owned a 650 for a few years, and it did a very competent job of getting me where I wanted to go and introducing me to the world of touring, but at no time was it a really exciting or engaging ride. I replaced it with a Triumph Tiger 800 XC, which had all the practicality of the V-Strom plus considerably better performance and loads more personality.
It appears that there is no 2021 1050? And a recent press release from Suzuki leaves it out of 2022 also? Maybe they're done with this bike for a while...
As an owner of Dl1000 2002 model I can say the motor is bullet proof at about 150000 km only three times revalved and never opened.
That last comment about being really excited to leave work on your triumph verses leaving work on your 1050XT made me laugh so hard, love that comparison!!
I love this bike and that retro Dr Big, Dakar vibe. Awesome!
I think that this is one of the most useful, real-world reviews available in the motorcycle world... But as a frequent motorcycle commuter, whose morning commute is done in the dark... Zack, if you can hear me, I know filming a motorcycle review in the dark would be pointless, but I'd love for you to find a way to sneak headlight effectiveness into the review, even if you only make mention of it.
I agree, I was commuting at night in rural NorCal from 1am to 2am on my MT-07 and ended up adding a Tiger 900 for the LED's/fog lights and what a difference. It was kind of a shot in the dark but I'm glad I made the switch to a bike with LED's. Makes it so much easier to see tire treads, road kill and animals. I think that not enough reviewers bring up headlight effectiveness.
I agree. I have a 2020 Vstrom 1050 ( the base model) , and it's headlight is woefully inadequate, essentially forcing the owner to add auxiliary lights
I have owned three V-Strom 650s (06, 08, and 13). Not sure if the 2020+ 1000s are a 3rd gen or 2.5, but I haven't ridden the latest iteration. I did ride a 2017 model and proclaimed it to be nearly perfect and would buy one if they ever add cruise (at the time I had recently bought my first cruise equipped bike and considered that feature to be the bee's knees). Needless to say, I did not make good on my own proclaimation.
Fast forward to now and I am currently riding what I call a placeholder bike (2022 CB500X). That bike was purchased at a time when I was not willing to sink a lot of cash and just wanted something in the garage. I want a bigger bike and now can afford to splurge a little bit (ain't got that BMW or KTM money, though).
These 2020+ models are now showing up used for about what I will be able to buy a new V-Strom 800DE. Probably not doing more than gravel roads, so I think the 1050 is adequate and probably better on pavement. Decision time!
It's a boring motorcycle for boring people that you buy so it can serve you without hiccups for over a decade and more. it's the Honda civic of motorcycles and that's what i love about it. the perfect daily commuter
A proper front fender? Who'd a thought it?
Holy shit that looks great! That bright yellow and retro style. that thing is rad!
That bike hits me real hard too. Great looking bike! I would proudly own one.
I stop reading motorcycle articles some time ago. Since a few years now they all "kinda" lean to one side or another.
Some years ago I work for one very well knowed publication and it was very noticeable that everything that came from Honda was… perfect! No matter what, all of Honda bikes were the best in the world!
In this case Zack decided not to try the A engine map on Suzuki 1050 (like he did with other bikes…) because…. Well, because e could have lots of fun and come to the conclusion that the DL 1050 it’s an AWESOME bike!!!
But that was not the idea! The idea was to be able to say that the bike “is boring” and to find all the negative points.
I feel bad but, once again, Ithink I’ll go back to just to listen to the no “professionals...”
I just can’t help but loving the way this bike looks
Styling strongly reminded me of Suzuki's old GS1150E especially behind the gas tank
I have had my motorcycle in storage since i stopped commuting due to covid. (work from home). And so, haven't watched any revzilla for quite a while. Returning with a couple of the adventure videos, and now this one, I love this daily rider leader board. Its a great lineup of well thought out reviews and rankings. Great work!
I really wonder if they do the same thing to the 650 model
Old RM motocross colours from the 1980s... kind of nice!
Suzuki should expand the line-up to include a 140 HP 1300 V, a 950 V with 100 HP, and bump up the 650's HP to 80. Triple play! Keep the prices reasonable and we're off to the races....
Is serviceability a category also worth talking about ... I bet any moderately capable wrencher could do the valve clearances on their V-Strom themselves ... not so easy on those more exotic bikes ... and the service costs on those European bikes can really add up ... especially belts and labour costs at > $100 per hr to just get the panels off to get to them!
Or get a bike that doesn't require them!
I like the styling and cruise addition, but when you add it all up, I think the short lived 2018-2019 Strom 1000 is really the one to get... fatter/flatter torque curve, lighter weight, arguably better dash, screen adjustable from the seat, more compliant suspension per most reviews, but still has the IMU. I've had multiple Strom/GS/Tiger/VFRs over the years... still find myself wandering back to the Stroms more than anything else. (I am curious if the protection bar along the bottom can support the 1050's weight - that would be a rare and welcome addition to be able to use a lift.)
They knocked the design and colors out of the park.
That screen is retro af and suits the bike perfectly.
Absolutely, tft is awful
I find there's TOO much info on it. I try to simplify it as much as I can 🙂
I'm annoyed whenever anyone compares a V Strom to much more expensive and complicated bikes like KTM's, BMW's, and Ducati's. did I say more expensive loud enough? Mention repair rates if you want to compare it to the Europeans. I see the V Strom as just a solid, well rounded motorcycle that will take you from most point a's to most point b's, reliably and comfortably, and make you grin when you twist the throttle and tickle the torquey engine. Your smile will widen when you remember how much you didn't pay for it too. It's just a solid all arounder that I think is incomparable.
I think they accurately pointed out that at $13k, this is close to the multi 950, KTM 790, or Tiger 900/Rally in price.
Just under $15k? Not expensive? Tall entry fee for a “reliable” bike. What are the service intervals? What are the dealer charges for scheduled service? I’m sure they are steep. The only savings are what? Parts?
@@DickWhistles I wouldn't buy any bike new which makes the V-strom a even better consideration. The European bikes all cost $3000 to $6000 more, and the parts and servicing cost more. Servicing for me would require a 100mi trip but there's two Suzuki dealerships within 20 miles of me. None of the European's make a more reliable engine than the Suzuki's. I don't want to compare them, I know that the European bikes are more powerful and the suspensions are of a higher quality ,which are two components of the higher pricing and two reasons the V-strom shouldn't be compared to them.
@@CommieHunter7 depends where you live. Where I am the V costs 14k, the Multistrada V2 23k, the Tiger 900 19k and the KTM 890 adv S 16k....
9:13 Remember that Suzuki almost invented ride modes. The GSX-R and Hayabusa had A-B-C before almost every other brand as far as I know. I think they exist mainly out of that tradition now.
the engine on this bike is so beautiful. riding it felt like a fat mt07 to me
Watching this channel has convinced me that I need a second bike
I ride a goldwing mostly 2 up and the vstrom and Versys have my attention thanks to you and revzilla
If you dyno this and the previous vstrom, you'll see they have a hole in the power at about 2800. It a damn good bike, easy to ride, you don't thrash it, you ride the torque in top. I traded mine in for 1290SAS ;-)
I don’t think it’s just the 1000/1050 either. I definitely notice my 2007 650Strom has the same thing
I have an '18 DL1000XT and was able to test ride a 2020 model. I thought the stability and smoothness were much improved. So many great motorcycles out there.
This is, and has proven to be the best bike ever made.....PERIOD.The lcd is retro, its a retro bike...The suspension is stiff, Its a 90% road bike, ride one with a yoshimura pipe on it and you'll have a different (more positive) review.
Is it possible to invert the colors on the LCD screen? I think I've seen pics of it, but can't figure out for sure.
I think Suzuki did the ride modes for two reasons 1. everyone else is doing them and 2. for those who want to start on a liter bike but are a bit scared of a liter bike. You should do one of these daily rider vids on the Cam Am Spyder F3, just don't take it down the dirt road.
Front end reminds me of my 1983 Suzuki Katana GS1100( Wiseco 1166cc big-bore) S Drag Bike.👍👍👍
I would love to know if the new DE is an improvement on the XT. The tubeless front rim really annoys me as I need it for touring.
Wondering why they skipped the 2021 model for this bike. Is it because most of the 2020s are still in the showroom? Suzuki announced the 2022 models the other day and I still couldn't find a 2022 1050XT. Was hoping to see some different color schemes since that's their specialty but haven't found them yet. I wouldn't get one but I think they are the best looking adventure bike you can get, cheap too, compared to the competition.
F800gs and or F850gs review if you get the chance please, sir.
An old vstrom 1000 IS my daily rider and I've got to agree with this entire assessment: the new ones aren't different enough or improved enough over the old ones to justify the price. I just wouldn't buy a new one to replace the old one because it really wouldn't feel like an upgrade.
To describe it another way when talking about off road and comfort: the vstrom is an SUV - heavy, comfortable, but don't go rock crawling in it.
green on black seems like it could be hard to see around sunset etc... can you change the display colours?
Suzuki have made rider friendly bike again. Free of the electronic gadgets that take an age to navigate we have a great engine in good frame. In the hands of a rider that has healthy respect for the risks of his surroundings perfect.
Torque peaks at around 4600 rpm (64.5 pound-feet), dips until 5500 rpm, and increases a bit to 6000 rpm and is pretty much downhill from there
wow man, thanks for your time but please forgive me if you need to finish eating before you start to dialog the vstrom will always be a meggah tool its a total complete machine
Hey nice hair cut Zac lookin spiffy , I agree somewhat with your placement of the vstrom but in my mind a daily rider should be something that is going to be outside in the weather beating it up on the daily grind back and forth to work and a lot of the bikes that ranked higher that cost way more I wouldn't want sitting in the parking lot with birds pooping on it and the sun baking on it . I get it it's a tuff decision adding everything up but we can't lose sight of what a daily rider is !! So to me the holy grail of a daily rider is still the versys 650 ! A new one 9 grand a used one 5 grand it can sit in the parking lot in all kinds of weather and the birds can poop away and no fiddling around trying to get the toggle switches to work because they have been subjected to the weather because it doesn't have any lol thanks again for the video looking for the next adventure
I wondered if anyone was gonna notice Zac's spiffy new hairdo.
It is a good bike regardless of price point, still bears the identify of the VStrom being a reliable all-rounder. A good alternative to this bike would be the Yamaha Super Tenere. Though not as sporty as the VStrom, Super Ten has got all day comfort for long touring, respectable off-road capabilities, low maintenance shaft drive, and the world renowned reliability.