Hi Kate, yes I think the V Strom is one of those bikes that does get overlooked because it's been around for years and isn't fashionable, but it's been around for years because it is a good bike full of old world charm, Like you I ride the big GS for which I'm on my third one and love them, but if my budget had been tighter I would have certainly had a V Strom, no qualms.
@@Adventure_blac not really true. The XT version has cornering ABS, rider modes and a great quickshift - everything pricier bikes have. Just lacks a colour TFT screen.
@@clemfandango9534 is doesn’t include a quick shifter. Your kinda right otherwise but compared to the tiger 900s, norden 901, or the Africa twin it just feels stale which is why they can be had at steep discounts. Still a fantastic motorcycle though. But def a bike that’s gets chosen based on its price point or brand loyalty.
Great review. I’ve had my 1050XT for just under a year and done a big Wales tour on it. It’s very comfortable and economical but can also be fun if you want to push on a bit. I agree about the lack of heated grips - should be standard on the top spec XT model. I Got a deal with my Suzuki dealer when I bought it and they fitted the genuine Suzuki heated grips for me. They are really good and the hot setting is too much unless the temperature is close to freezing, otherwise setting 2 is great. The LCD dash comes in for a lot of criticism but it’s very clear and has all the info you need. I’m really happy with mine and can see it staying a while in my garage as a super dependable all rounder.
Hi from Australia 🇦🇺 I have the silver xt with blue wheels version and love the bike. I live in rural south east Queensland and we have sealed but very bumpy roads and the V is perfect for that; much better than my last ride (VFR 1200F) great bike but very rough to ride when road conditions were not ideal. I'm in my 60s and have owned 15 bikes in my time and I have to say that the big V is the most comfy and enjoyable bike for me of all of them. It suits my 6ft 5 height too. Wish it had shaft drive but gotta love it.
Totally enjoy the videos Kate. I'm an older rider who started on the Suzuki vstrom 650. Loved the ride on the bike. I've found the Vstrom to be a pleasurable and forgiving bike.
Hi Kate I have a 1050xt your comments are spot on about the bike screen buffeting cured by fitting Givi Airflow screen which you can also adjust on the fly excellent real world review keep up the good work .
I've had my 1050xt for 9 months now. Got the tour version with all the panniers etc, and done a couple of tours on it. Definately not an off road bike, but a great tourer. Screen needs changing. I'm 1.88m or 6'2" in old money, and while the air was deflected over my head, I found it wasn't wide enough so got a lot of buffeting on side of helmet and shoulders. Fitted a Puig touring screen (£100) and problem solved. That and good old Oxford heated grips has sorted the only downsides to the bike. For the money it's unbeatable.
Well done on that long London trip! Loved that filtering where you timed the lights to perfection! Great filming, commentary and editing. It is very engaging. Thank you. Take care.
Great review. I've owned a DL1050xt for a few riding months now and logged about 5000 miles on mine. I agree with all your comments, you captured the bike well. I came from 2005-2006 DL650 bikes on which I logged 150,000 miles. The 1050 was surprisingly light for a heavy bike, and just feels like it's not ever working hard. Strom's are notoriously docile and reliable creatures. They don't scare or thrill you, just take you nearly anyplace you want to go without any drama. One thing I would add about the 1050xt is that the traction control is fairly spectacular. You can wack open the throttle on gravel corners with moguls and it just slips the rear a few inches in level 1. In first gear navigating mud, snow/ice the C throttle mode is really nice. I do wish traction control had a "rear off" mode, but pulling the fuse isn't the worst solution if you really want it fully OFF. I added a skid plate, bar risers, sargent seat, hard cases, and the missing heated grips and heated liner controller. My biggest complaint is requiring Premium fuel. Otherwise it's a great bike for me.
Good honest and realistic review. I'll pass this on to the Suzi dealership in Lincoln. Since I've had one, Kate, it has a sweet motor and responsive two finger brakes.
Great review Kate... you're getting good at this! The internet is full of suggestions on aftermarket screens for the Vstrom (650 and 1000/1050). Seems to be a common complaint. I found that the stock screen created a lot of wind noise and went for the Givi Airflow which, for me at least, transformed the bike. I installed the Suzuki heated grips which work very well... but agree that they should really be standard on the top-spec version you were riding.
Its a rational bike. Has the right amount of power and electronics plus easy to ride and bulletproof engine. For me the best all around big adventure bike. Not as exciting as a Ktm, not as fancy as a BMW, not as sporty as a Tiger, not as trail ready as the Africa Twin but right in the middle.
Hi Kate, 👋 I enjoyed the Vlog on the V Strom, very informative. I'm also enjoying the extra time you've been posting on TH-cam since you went full time, moto vlogger, with extraordinarily skills in reaching your audience! Once again , awesome countryside, informative content and entertainment. Good luck with your new venture, you're absolutely nailing it... 💯% Annie from Australia. 🇦🇺🏍💨💨💨💨
Had mine for a couple weeks mitas e07+ tires fitted from new, the bike has hardly seen the black top, gets ridden around the farm and vineyards, sand, mud, grass, loose surface even jumped it a couple of times. Sick of hearing you can’t ride it off road, no “you” can’t ride it off road . Take off the rubber on the pegs, wind up the suspension, put a set of bar risers on and have a crack . The screen, yes that is crap, designed for a midget, which is strange because the seat height and reach to bars is for a taller rider. Couple of simple mods and the bike becomes very understated and underrated. Fuel range 400km plus and you may as well ride your scooter because that’s the speeds you will be doing to achieve that outcome. 19inch front wheel isn’t that the same as the greatest adventure bike ever made? Good review and thanks Suzuki for producing such well engineered bikes.
All good so far only have 1500km on them. Gravel, sand, stones and of course black top perform well, mud and clay not so much but that’s what I expected. Looking at the rear tyre the square edges have gone off but I always have the traction control off so with a 1000cc bike shouldn’t be surprised.
I ride a 2000 sv650 with 33,000 miles on it which I got for cheap because it had issues. I'm 5' 10" and I needed to raise the seat 3" -- once I did that it was such a groovy fun bike, I'm going to replace all the rubber seals, it does smoke and foul plugs. I put on new tires to give a little more grip on gravel roads. Great design engineering, they nailed the fundamentals. Love your channel.
Good review of a much under-rated value for money bike. I easily get 60mpg from mine but tend to take things easy. Something reviews cannot convey is how reliable and robust these bikes are with their gear driven cams. Many have done over 100,000 miles and I heard of one that had done over 300,000 miles and was still on its original clutch!
Good review while riding on a nice route .I think anyone considering this bike would now be convinced to take a closer look .If there is any advantage of not having heated grips as standard ,it's that Oxford produce a great product with four heat settings .Had them on a 1250 Bandit...brilliant .
Great review Kate and feel you said and through your ride displayed it’s great for an everyday ride . I tested a new GS and the XT and brought the XT as I liked it’s nimbleness and it does everything with ease. Also I think the £8k price difference is not justifiable….. now that’s opening a can of worms…🤣 Take care out there.
Yet again, another fantastic video. I love my 1050…..with factory fitted heated grips 😉. It just does it all for me, I’m not a racer and I never off-road. I had the 650 but wanted a little more power, modes and cruise control, the 1050XT has everything I need or want.
perfect 👍👌 Kate I've tried it from a friend and it's not bad at all but it's more tourist than off-road I had two Suzuki naked and sporty but I feel better with my k1200s best regards
Great review Kate. The screen seems to be the only problem you had with the Suzuki V Strom 1050 XT. Perhaps some aftermarket screen maker will make a screen that has a convex 2 and a half inches to deflect the wind off your helmet.
some very nice roads through peak forrest village and on towards bakwell i knew it straight away very good vlog i know i be enjoying mine when it arrives ATB ✌
It looks like a decent day for a run down Derbyshire. As for the bike, not bad at all. It looks like a very good 'everything' bike. Another entertaining vlog.👍.
Hi Kate, great long term review on V Strom 1050. I’ve owned the DL1000 and the 1050 XT, and I must say they’ve been fantastic bikes in all areas, I pretty much agree with all your comments. I changed my 1050 XT for a Ducati V2s, so would like to share some of my thoughts on comparisons between them. Engine wise the V Strom is smoother of the bottom than the V2, but the Ducati is definitely the stronger performer with a superb induction roar that I think no other brand can match. Wind protection is better on the V2, but I don’t really notice much difference in the screens, the V2’s being easier to operate. Brakes are good on both, with the Ducati having the edge. Comfort, definitely the V Strom has the better seat in my opinion, and has slightly more legroom. Fuel economy, there’s very little in it, both can achieve 60+ mpg if ridden steadily, and as for reliability, the big Suzuki is a hard act to follow, but Ducatis have come a long way in this area, and they do back it up now with a 4 year warranty. The question is, is the V2s a 4 grand better motorcycle than the VStrom ? All things considered, I would have to say yes. It has all the latest technology, quick shifter, elec. suspension, etc, etc. The V2 is all the V Strom is just turned up to 11. Would I buy another V Strom 1050 ? Having just given the V2 the advantage, there’s just something special about the Suzuki V Strom, the way it goes about it’s business is so right, and nobody goes, Hey, there’s a V Strom. So underrated, that’s what makes it so endearing. Would I buy another one, Absolutely.
I’ve had my base model 1050 now for 18mths and by far the screen has been the biggest challenge for me and I’m 6ft 5! I’ve taken it off as I have tried going bigger but it makes the buffeting worse, I’ve now got a bit of mesh in its place and it’s transformed the bike for me, everything else is great especially at the price! Great video btw.
What road were you on at 4:01 ..Great sweeps right there .. Bakewell was amazing ... You can ride the Peaks any time ! Great great scenic backdrops Kate for your review ..I love trying to figure out from Google maps where you are ..I love the name "Ashford In The Water". There must be a story to that Have a look at Haddon Hall some time ...Lime Park as well :) ..Great stuff ! Yours Guy
Hey Guy! I've tried to look myself and I can't even figure it out 😵💫 I even tried to go on biker pics website to try and work it out but couldn't... 😫
I had a test on one recently and agree it's a solid all-rounder. It's a bit under the radar, but with solid, proven mechanicals it was on the short-list. In the end a very low mileage 1 year old GS won (exactly my unfashionable spec, so good price) as it was a bit more fun after a few years on a big KTM. Thing is, there was absolutely nothing wrong with the V-Strom, it just won't excite you in the same way as other choices might. Against it's price point though... a top choice.
Glad you had fun and not a sore bumm. Too bad about the walk-a-round being bonkers. Memory failure ... I thought it was to be back this week, not the week before ...lol Take care and have an assume weekend too Kate.
Hey Mike, I like to have my vlogs films a month in advance if I can as it helps me with being able to consistently deliver on a Thurs and Sun :) so on the day of filming, it did go back the next day, but now I have the GSXS1000GT 😊
@@UsernameKate Guess you have to have a custom strip or two made as an expansion accessory ...and just zip it in or out. Hope you can fit back in. Expensive to outgrow. I'm fighting it too 'n exercise is a four letter thing. Later Kate.
Great review. Can I suggest using a wider viewing angle on the helmet cam? The very mild telephoto angle, for me at least, produced a jerky picture and made me feel a bit car sick.
Great vlog , like these but think they're just missing a tweak or two here and there,think I prefer the look of the 650, glad to see your sat nav working properly 😀 take care 🏍👍
Hello Kate, I'm watching from New Zealand. Wonderful countryside and villages plus stone walls, could you please add a little bit of location history to rides like this one in future, it will help broaden my UK knowledge. I ride a V Strom 650 and think I would like the extra power of the 1000cc but held back because of the weight (I'm 72), I will test ride one. Cheers
Hey Ivan, the location is Derbyshire or as we lovingly know it as the Peak District 😊 definitely try one and if you do, I'd love to know what you think. Ride safe Ivan!
Both Chatsworth and Haddon Hall are in the Peaks .One of the Pride and Prejudice, movies was done at Chatsworth and three Jane Eyre s were filmed at Haddon Hall :)
so mint that ya doing vlogs in 4k much smoother , wish i could travel all way to london ! lol dont think me lil 125 get me there plus no motorways sucks!! ah well gotta save up for test before i get too bloody old lol
Hi Kate great blog again, lovely roads . I used to live in Bollington for one year,great roads.what go pro do you use as it’s very good picture quality.snowing and minus here, sunny next week 🙏ride safe🏍🇸🇪👍❤️🙏
@@UsernameKate Cheers Kate for that.Always welcome to Sweden 🇸🇪 if you fancy a tour as I have a house by the Baltic Sea , more than welcome if you want to bring a friend 🏍🇸🇪👍
Kate, I was out on my SV thou today, and think it's a shame that this engine hasn't been resurrected in a lighter and purely naked road option. My bike's an almost 30,000 mile 2004 registered K3 and weighs about 400 lbs dry, with 120 crank BHP, which I bought from a chap in Burnley in June of 2005 with under 600 miles on the clock {he had mortgage difficulties}. It's such a good allrounder, I can't see any real reason to put it in for something else. TPFT insurance is only about £70 ish per year for me. Fully comp would be pointless, as it'd simply be written off if I banged it up. I do sort of envy you being able to ride umpteen different things though. Life can be boring. Might have to think about importing something exotic like my pal Simon Evans did - a small dolly from Thailand. Marriage is out though. Tried it once, didn't like it !
I ,I have one the only negative thing I have noticed is just pushing it back ,I have owned heavier bikes in past I think it's a combination the height of the bike and it's wide handle bars, I'm about same size as you, otherwise love it.
Bought one a couple of months ago and love everything about it apart from the useless screen, I’m 6ft but can’t ride with an open visor so ordered a Givi Airflow. Everything else though is perfect for me 👍👍
you should definetly review the 2023 models (yeah, they're going to be two flavours), mainly for the quickshifter and well, if you do any off road, the switchable rear ABS and gravel mode.
@@UsernameKate the only thing I don't get and maybe you get some inside info from a suzuki rep, is why the standard model went up by 6 kilos. I get the DE has a bigger front wheel and other stuff ... but the basic one ? WHY? It's 242 kilos now, and the DE is 252
Hi Kate. Great review as ever. 3 weeks gives a truer impression of the bike. When I sat on one a the London Show my feet were on tippy toes which would stop me getting one. By the By - Your vids keep buffering while the next next one I watch will be OK? Like always? Just thought you might like to know this. Im a steam age or should it be 2stroke man so I have no idea - thought you or someone in the chat may know a fix. Keep up the good work.
Great review. Looks like a decent workhorse. Looks like you were out on one of my local routes near Bakewell. Thought I recognised the Aldi lol. Interesting to hear about your vlogging setup, with the Cardo etc. Do you wear ear plugs? I recently got a Sena unit, but I have to wear earplugs (Ducati with Termis!), plus I have some tinitis, so have to have the volume more or less at max. How is yours when riding noisier bikes or at motorway speeds?
Here in Canada the manufacturers don't do ride days and dealers don't let you ride any new bikes at all..due to insurance bs here....also motorcycle insurance is a small fortune here....
Great review ….. how did you find it London traffic ? Filtering etc ? Also you said something about “tip it on the road” …..I’m a returning biker after 28 years and not up to date with the new lingo !
Hi from Cali USA, went to a Suzuki demo days last weekend and I agree, super all around. I rodebtheb1050DE, but I think I will get a 2022 XT because Id rather have tubeless front tire. I mean 21" front is cool. I even live on a dirt road, so every ride is 2 miles of off road coming and going. But come on, if ya know how to ride a simple dirt road isn't na issue. If I want to go dirt biking I will ride my dirt bike.
If anyone's interested there's a young couple called Lavi and Ollie who are about to start a RTW trip on one of these within the next few days. Their TH-cam channel is called Lavi and Ollie and they are riding around the world as rider and pillion, hoping to get into the Guinness Book of Records as the youngest rider and pillion to do so. It should be an interesting test of the Bike's durability. ( I know it's already proven) but could be worth a watch. Loving your vids Kate, keep up the good work.👍
I changed from a KTM 1290 SAS (Couldn't live with the unreliability and poor dealer back up) to the 1050 XT mainly for the 100% reliability and fond memories of past Suzuki models. Doesn't have the wow factor of some of the more expensive adv bikes but does everything it says on the can. Can't see me changing it anytime soon...
Just found out could save a £100 on my next insurance but would be for a RE Classic 350. Its a tempter for a keeper etc! (Will get some other quotes). Like the V Stroms but I'd pick the NC750 with the Frunkle. (Stole that. Means front storage or "front trunk". Frunkle.)
Hi kate, couple of things, how did you find the seat hight ? And i noticed you were riding with traction control off, is this your preferred riding style ? Take care and great vlog.
Hey Bob, seat height, I just deal with it. It is on the tall side definitely but I'm pig headed enough to get on with it lol. And the TC off. It's Mike's preferred setting as he'd been riding it so I thought I'd try it and I didn't notice any difference but its because it was nice and dry 😊 if it was wet, I'd have put it on.
@@UsernameKate I do blogs with work not as good as yours haha stay safe and ride safe you always brighten my day when you sing Looking forward to your next one..
Hey Kevin, it wouldn't suit a less confident rider with my leg measurements but I take the mentality that I'm gonna own it and make it work. So it's not ideal for me, but it is manageable. But then again my personal bike is a standard height GS. Hope this helps!
hello I saw that you mounted the smartphone on the bracket above the instrumentation would you be able to send me the link xhe I'm interested in mounting it on my1050. thank you
Hi Kate, My wife tells me that in the last 15 years iv've owned 40 bikes. ( she keeps the DVLA white slips) Ducati's, Harley's KTM's and BMW's( GSA/GS /XR1000) including a previous Suzuki 1000 V strom .If I had to go around the world on a reliable , comfortable, bullet proof bike it would be this one. doesn't inspire with regard to looks and is alway seen as the poor mans Adventure, what a mistake!!!
Hey! It's manageable for me! It's defo on the tall side though. I did a walkround vlog on this bike where I sit on the bike etc 😊 but yes, I can cope on it! 😬
Hey Flying Fish! I talk about my reach to ground in the walkround vlog here. th-cam.com/video/twP-vrj6Ij0/w-d-xo.html sorry, my daily bike is a full height GS and this is the same size so I forget to mention it at times. The height is on the tall side for me, but not unmanageable. I can get a tip toe down. Fine for a confident rider who isn't bothered about getting 2 feet down. For reference, I'm 5ft 4 with a 29 inch inseam. Hope that helped 😊
Great video as always Kate nice to see our local roads to. Highly agree on the all day ability of the V-Stroms did 600 miles in a day to Scotland around the borders an back on my 650xt and felt very fresh after it. I'm going to end up adding a abs switch on mine if I take it to Iceland just pulling the fuse can disable it to shame suzuki didn't give us a button though! I found what you said about the screen to be true on the 650 and I'm 6'2 was excruciating with the stock screen on my Arai peak a change to the Puig screen totally cured it which really improved the overland capabilities of the bike.
@@UsernameKate np Kate ^^ thought it might help some people :) I was actually reading a blog last night about a couple who went rtw on a pair of 650 Vstroms was really interesting called nora_adventurism was very interesting seeing how few mods they did to make it off road capable something I'm going to copy on mine with a few tweaks.
I normally enjoy your reviews but I noticed that your head moved up and down constantly. Hard to watch the content from your helmet camera. Everything you said was great and easy to understand. As for buffeting there are so many factors including the weight of the rider, passenger and luggage. Suspension settings, the distance from the top of the seat to the top of your helmet (not overall height as your leg length is irrelevant while sitting), the shape of your helmet and visor, your arm length. What works for 1 rider will be horrible for another. Plenty of things to try before your spend money on another screen.
Hi Kate, yes I think the V Strom is one of those bikes that does get overlooked because it's been around for years and isn't fashionable, but it's been around for years because it is a good bike full of old world charm, Like you I ride the big GS for which I'm on my third one and love them, but if my budget had been tighter I would have certainly had a V Strom, no qualms.
Exactly this!!! I'm gonna pin your comment 👍🏻
Also Suzuki doesn’t keep up with the tech and features.
@@Adventure_blac not really true. The XT version has cornering ABS, rider modes and a great quickshift - everything pricier bikes have. Just lacks a colour TFT screen.
@@clemfandango9534 is doesn’t include a quick shifter. Your kinda right otherwise but compared to the tiger 900s, norden 901, or the Africa twin it just feels stale which is why they can be had at steep discounts. Still a fantastic motorcycle though. But def a bike that’s gets chosen based on its price point or brand loyalty.
@@Adventure_blac Based on its reliability
This is the best damn bike for everyday, and going on tours with a splash of off road. So versatile.
Great review. I’ve had my 1050XT for just under a year and done a big Wales tour on it. It’s very comfortable and economical but can also be fun if you want to push on a bit. I agree about the lack of heated grips - should be standard on the top spec XT model. I Got a deal with my Suzuki dealer when I bought it and they fitted the genuine Suzuki heated grips for me. They are really good and the hot setting is too much unless the temperature is close to freezing, otherwise setting 2 is great. The LCD dash comes in for a lot of criticism but it’s very clear and has all the info you need. I’m really happy with mine and can see it staying a while in my garage as a super dependable all rounder.
Hi from Australia 🇦🇺 I have the silver xt with blue wheels version and love the bike. I live in rural south east Queensland and we have sealed but very bumpy roads and the V is perfect for that; much better than my last ride (VFR 1200F) great bike but very rough to ride when road conditions were not ideal. I'm in my 60s and have owned 15 bikes in my time and I have to say that the big V is the most comfy and enjoyable bike for me of all of them. It suits my 6ft 5 height too. Wish it had shaft drive but gotta love it.
It suits my 5ft 9 inch height too;)
Totally enjoy the videos Kate. I'm an older rider who started on the Suzuki vstrom 650. Loved the ride on the bike. I've found the Vstrom to be a pleasurable and forgiving bike.
I think you're spot on there 😊
And very very reliable. :) Drop by buddy, have the SV. :)
Hi Kate I have a 1050xt your comments are spot on about the bike screen buffeting cured by fitting Givi Airflow screen which you can also adjust on the fly excellent real world review keep up the good work .
Didn't work for me
I've had my 1050xt for 9 months now. Got the tour version with all the panniers etc, and done a couple of tours on it. Definately not an off road bike, but a great tourer. Screen needs changing. I'm 1.88m or 6'2" in old money, and while the air was deflected over my head, I found it wasn't wide enough so got a lot of buffeting on side of helmet and shoulders. Fitted a Puig touring screen (£100) and problem solved. That and good old Oxford heated grips has sorted the only downsides to the bike. For the money it's unbeatable.
Hey! Thanks for your comment! Love comments like this that might help some who is in the market for one! Cheers 😊
Loving all your stuff now you've gone full time.
What can I say Kate......you're just nailing these bike reviews.
Awesome work ....way to go girl. 😊👍
Well done on that long London trip! Loved that filtering where you timed the lights to perfection! Great filming, commentary and editing. It is very engaging. Thank you. Take care.
Hey Geof, it's nice when timed just right!! 🤣
Good to have another honest bike commentary ride from you - bikes are what you do best.
Thanks Nigel 😊
Great review. I've owned a DL1050xt for a few riding months now and logged about 5000 miles on mine. I agree with all your comments, you captured the bike well. I came from 2005-2006 DL650 bikes on which I logged 150,000 miles. The 1050 was surprisingly light for a heavy bike, and just feels like it's not ever working hard. Strom's are notoriously docile and reliable creatures. They don't scare or thrill you, just take you nearly anyplace you want to go without any drama. One thing I would add about the 1050xt is that the traction control is fairly spectacular. You can wack open the throttle on gravel corners with moguls and it just slips the rear a few inches in level 1. In first gear navigating mud, snow/ice the C throttle mode is really nice. I do wish traction control had a "rear off" mode, but pulling the fuse isn't the worst solution if you really want it fully OFF. I added a skid plate, bar risers, sargent seat, hard cases, and the missing heated grips and heated liner controller. My biggest complaint is requiring Premium fuel. Otherwise it's a great bike for me.
Beautiful ride! Thanks for taking us along
Another good vlog Kate, thank you!
Thank you! 😊
Good honest and realistic review. I'll pass this on to the Suzi dealership in Lincoln. Since I've had one, Kate, it has a sweet motor and responsive two finger brakes.
Hey Geof, oh thank you! Glad you liked the review! 😊
Great review Kate... you're getting good at this!
The internet is full of suggestions on aftermarket screens for the Vstrom (650 and 1000/1050). Seems to be a common complaint. I found that the stock screen created a lot of wind noise and went for the Givi Airflow which, for me at least, transformed the bike.
I installed the Suzuki heated grips which work very well... but agree that they should really be standard on the top-spec version you were riding.
Hey Alan, thank you! I appreciate that! :) 😀
Its a rational bike. Has the right amount of power and electronics plus easy to ride and bulletproof engine. For me the best all around big adventure bike. Not as exciting as a Ktm, not as fancy as a BMW, not as sporty as a Tiger, not as trail ready as the Africa Twin but right in the middle.
Hi Kate, 👋
I enjoyed the Vlog on the V Strom, very informative. I'm also enjoying the extra time you've been posting on TH-cam since you went full time, moto vlogger, with extraordinarily skills in reaching your audience! Once again , awesome countryside, informative content and entertainment. Good luck with your new venture, you're absolutely nailing it... 💯%
Annie from Australia.
🇦🇺🏍💨💨💨💨
Thank you so much Annie!! Not sure you realise how much your comment means!!! Glad you're enjoying the vlogs and I can't wait to post more!! 😊
@@UsernameKate I totally love the vlogs ,,,, Your humour and personality are icing on the cake. Ride safe.
Annie from Oz 🇦🇺🏍💨💨
@@LowkeyAnnie 🥰❤️
Had mine for a couple weeks mitas e07+ tires fitted from new, the bike has hardly seen the black top, gets ridden around the farm and vineyards, sand, mud, grass, loose surface even jumped it a couple of times. Sick of hearing you can’t ride it off road, no “you” can’t ride it off road . Take off the rubber on the pegs, wind up the suspension, put a set of bar risers on and have a crack . The screen, yes that is crap, designed for a midget, which is strange because the seat height and reach to bars is for a taller rider. Couple of simple mods and the bike becomes very understated and underrated. Fuel range 400km plus and you may as well ride your scooter because that’s the speeds you will be doing to achieve that outcome. 19inch front wheel isn’t that the same as the greatest adventure bike ever made? Good review and thanks Suzuki for producing such well engineered bikes.
Hey Ray
how are you finding the Mitas EO7+, I'm thinking of a set of straight EO7's. Have the Mitas EO8 on my DR800s and so far it's been brilliant.
All good so far only have 1500km on them. Gravel, sand, stones and of course black top perform well, mud and clay not so much but that’s what I expected. Looking at the rear tyre the square edges have gone off but I always have the traction control off so with a 1000cc bike shouldn’t be surprised.
Great vlog Kate. The bike looks really, a good motorway machine
Thanks Nigel! It is a good machine for sure!
I ride a 2000 sv650 with 33,000 miles on it which I got for cheap because it had issues. I'm 5' 10" and I needed to raise the seat 3" -- once I did that it was such a groovy fun bike, I'm going to replace all the rubber seals, it does smoke and foul plugs. I put on new tires to give a little more grip on gravel roads. Great design engineering, they nailed the fundamentals. Love your channel.
Glad your SV is serving you well 😊 and thanks for your words on the channel! 😊
Good review of a much under-rated value for money bike. I easily get 60mpg from mine but tend to take things easy. Something reviews cannot convey is how reliable and robust these bikes are with their gear driven cams. Many have done over 100,000 miles and I heard of one that had done over 300,000 miles and was still on its original clutch!
300,000!!! Absolute madness
True. Much more reliable than a GS!
Cheers Kate,another great video.
Got a new 650 last month - love it 😁
Great video. You need to crash the party and get on TMF's live chat. I think you'd steal the show and add a cool dynamic to that crew.
Need to find out when they have a live don't I!
Good review while riding on a nice route .I think anyone considering this bike would now be convinced to take a closer look .If there is any advantage of not having heated grips as standard ,it's that Oxford produce a great product with four heat settings .Had them on a 1250 Bandit...brilliant .
Thank you Grhm, I appreciate that! 😊
Great video of the Vstrom. This is a very good bike overall. :) You got my like.
Thank you RRR! 😊
@@UsernameKate Anytime.
Great review Kate and feel you said and through your ride displayed it’s great for an everyday ride . I tested a new GS and the XT and brought the XT as I liked it’s nimbleness and it does everything with ease. Also I think the £8k price difference is not justifiable….. now that’s opening a can of worms…🤣 Take care out there.
Yet again, another fantastic video. I love my 1050…..with factory fitted heated grips 😉. It just does it all for me, I’m not a racer and I never off-road. I had the 650 but wanted a little more power, modes and cruise control, the 1050XT has everything I need or want.
Very pleasant review on one of my favorite bikes to investigate!
perfect 👍👌 Kate I've tried it from a friend and it's not bad at all but it's more tourist than off-road I had two Suzuki naked and sporty but I feel better with my k1200s best regards
Great review Kate. The screen seems to be the only problem you had with the Suzuki V Strom 1050 XT. Perhaps some aftermarket screen maker will make a screen that has a convex 2 and a half inches to deflect the wind off your helmet.
some very nice roads through peak forrest village and on towards bakwell i knew it straight away very good vlog i know i be enjoying mine when it arrives ATB ✌
Thanks Wombal! I've no doubt you Will love it 😊
very nice! I really like hat bike..i hope there is a demo day this summer so i can get on it. Thanks for the review
It looks like a decent day for a run down Derbyshire. As for the bike, not bad at all. It looks like a very good 'everything' bike. Another entertaining vlog.👍.
Thank you Keith! 😊👍🏻
Great Video/review Kate,
been thinking about swapping my 900 Tracer for a VStrom 👍
Give it a test ride and see what you think 😊
Hi Kate, great long term review on V Strom 1050. I’ve owned the DL1000 and the 1050 XT, and I must say they’ve been fantastic bikes in all areas, I pretty much agree with all your comments. I changed my 1050 XT for a Ducati V2s, so would like to share some of my thoughts on comparisons between them. Engine wise the V Strom is smoother of the bottom than the V2, but the Ducati is definitely the stronger performer with a superb induction roar that I think no other brand can match. Wind protection is better on the V2, but I don’t really notice much difference in the screens, the V2’s being easier to operate. Brakes are good on both, with the Ducati having the edge. Comfort, definitely the V Strom has the better seat in my opinion, and has slightly more legroom. Fuel economy, there’s very little in it, both can achieve 60+ mpg if ridden steadily, and as for reliability, the big Suzuki is a hard act to follow, but Ducatis have come a long way in this area, and they do back it up now with a 4 year warranty. The question is, is the V2s a 4 grand better motorcycle than the VStrom ? All things considered, I would have to say yes. It has all the latest technology, quick shifter, elec. suspension, etc, etc. The V2 is all the V Strom is just turned up to 11. Would I buy another V Strom 1050 ? Having just given the V2 the advantage, there’s just something special about the Suzuki V Strom, the way it goes about it’s business is so right, and nobody goes, Hey, there’s a V Strom. So underrated, that’s what makes it so endearing. Would I buy another one, Absolutely.
I’ve had my base model 1050 now for 18mths and by far the screen has been the biggest challenge for me and I’m 6ft 5! I’ve taken it off as I have tried going bigger but it makes the buffeting worse, I’ve now got a bit of mesh in its place and it’s transformed the bike for me, everything else is great especially at the price! Great video btw.
Great vid Kate. Keep up the great work. :-)
What road were you on at 4:01 ..Great sweeps right there .. Bakewell was amazing ... You can ride the Peaks any time ! Great great scenic backdrops Kate for your review ..I love trying to figure out from Google maps where you are ..I love the name "Ashford In The Water". There must be a story to that Have a look at Haddon Hall some time ...Lime Park as well :) ..Great stuff ! Yours Guy
Hey Guy! I've tried to look myself and I can't even figure it out 😵💫 I even tried to go on biker pics website to try and work it out but couldn't... 😫
I had a test on one recently and agree it's a solid all-rounder. It's a bit under the radar, but with solid, proven mechanicals it was on the short-list. In the end a very low mileage 1 year old GS won (exactly my unfashionable spec, so good price) as it was a bit more fun after a few years on a big KTM. Thing is, there was absolutely nothing wrong with the V-Strom, it just won't excite you in the same way as other choices might. Against it's price point though... a top choice.
Nail on head!
Glad you had fun and not a sore bumm.
Too bad about the walk-a-round being bonkers.
Memory failure ... I thought it was to be back this week, not the week before ...lol
Take care and have an assume weekend too Kate.
Hey Mike, I like to have my vlogs films a month in advance if I can as it helps me with being able to consistently deliver on a Thurs and Sun :) so on the day of filming, it did go back the next day, but now I have the GSXS1000GT 😊
@@UsernameKate Kate, I ment you could use that excuse to keep it another week. LOL .... hows the track day suite coming?
@@mikep.9371 OH haha and not good, still can't zip it up. I'm going to borrow my mates for the trackday I'm booked on lol
@@UsernameKate Guess you have to have a custom strip or two made as an expansion accessory ...and just zip it in or out. Hope you can fit back in. Expensive to outgrow. I'm fighting it too 'n exercise is a four letter thing. Later Kate.
Nice ride and review.
Thanks Bill!
Great review.
Can I suggest using a wider viewing angle on the helmet cam?
The very mild telephoto angle, for me at least, produced a jerky picture and made me feel a bit car sick.
Great vlog , like these but think they're just missing a tweak or two here and there,think I prefer the look of the 650, glad to see your sat nav working properly 😀 take care 🏍👍
Hey Andrew! Yes! The Nav worked beautifully, a great set up!
You are totally kicking ass with these reviews Kate. Youre turning into a total savage like in a totally brilliant way. 👏 🙂
A total savage!! What a compliment!
Hello Kate, I'm watching from New Zealand. Wonderful countryside and villages plus stone walls, could you please add a little bit of location history to rides like this one in future, it will help broaden my UK knowledge. I ride a V Strom 650 and think I would like the extra power of the 1000cc but held back because of the weight (I'm 72), I will test ride one. Cheers
Hey Ivan, the location is Derbyshire or as we lovingly know it as the Peak District 😊 definitely try one and if you do, I'd love to know what you think. Ride safe Ivan!
Both Chatsworth and Haddon Hall are in the Peaks .One of the Pride and Prejudice, movies was done at Chatsworth and three Jane Eyre s were filmed at Haddon Hall :)
Great video! I have the xt and it has heated grips, bought used but they don't look like after-market...
so mint that ya doing vlogs in 4k much smoother , wish i could travel all way to london ! lol dont think me lil 125 get me there plus no motorways sucks!! ah well gotta save up for test before i get too bloody old lol
You can do it Matt 😊💪
Oooow Kate, I’ve got something in my garage you can play with 😜👍🏻
Hi Kate great blog again, lovely roads . I used to live in Bollington for one year,great roads.what go pro do you use as it’s very good picture quality.snowing and minus here, sunny next week 🙏ride safe🏍🇸🇪👍❤️🙏
Hey Philip, I use a Go Pro 9 for on the chin and a Go Pro session for the stuff facing me. Glad you enjoyed the vlog! 😊
@@UsernameKate Cheers Kate for that.Always welcome to Sweden 🇸🇪 if you fancy a tour as I have a house by the Baltic Sea , more than welcome if you want to bring a friend 🏍🇸🇪👍
Kate, I was out on my SV thou today, and think it's a shame that this engine hasn't been resurrected in a lighter and purely naked road option. My bike's an almost 30,000 mile 2004 registered K3 and weighs about 400 lbs dry, with 120 crank BHP, which I bought from a chap in Burnley in June of 2005 with under 600 miles on the clock {he had mortgage difficulties}. It's such a good allrounder, I can't see any real reason to put it in for something else. TPFT insurance is only about £70 ish per year for me. Fully comp would be pointless, as it'd simply be written off if I banged it up. I do sort of envy you being able to ride umpteen different things though. Life can be boring. Might have to think about importing something exotic like my pal Simon Evans did - a small dolly from Thailand. Marriage is out though. Tried it once, didn't like it !
Yea I get you! Would be nice if they put the twin in a newer chassis for sure!
I ,I have one the only negative thing I have noticed is just pushing it back ,I have owned heavier bikes in past I think it's a combination the height of the bike and it's wide handle bars, I'm about same size as you, otherwise love it.
Love the V Strom 1050xt. Black and Gold would be my colour of choice.
How does it compare to your GS?
Always a great review 👍
Another great review
Cheers Col!
Alas, Mrs Boulder says I'm "not very light light on the ride".....
I removed the peak off my Arai XD4, and put the windscreen in the low position, that fixed the buffeting
👍👍👌👌 my kind off bike , love my strom
🤓😎🏍💨💨💨💨💨💨💨👍🏻🇨🇦 seems like a good bike,nice country ride too 🥂
"I have to go to Milton Kenyes to give this back tomorrow, NO ." best part of the review.
Bought one a couple of months ago and love everything about it apart from the useless screen, I’m 6ft but can’t ride with an open visor so ordered a Givi Airflow. Everything else though is perfect for me 👍👍
Glad you're loving it!
you should definetly review the 2023 models (yeah, they're going to be two flavours), mainly for the quickshifter and well, if you do any off road, the switchable rear ABS and gravel mode.
Yesss I've just seen the new release stats! Can't wait to get my hands on them! 😊
@@UsernameKate the only thing I don't get and maybe you get some inside info from a suzuki rep, is why the standard model went up by 6 kilos. I get the DE has a bigger front wheel and other stuff ... but the basic one ? WHY? It's 242 kilos now, and the DE is 252
Hi Kate. Great review as ever. 3 weeks gives a truer impression of the bike. When I sat on one a the London Show my feet were on tippy toes which would stop me getting one. By the By - Your vids keep buffering while the next next one I watch will be OK? Like always? Just thought you might like to know this. Im a steam age or should it be 2stroke man so I have no idea - thought you or someone in the chat may know a fix. Keep up the good work.
Not sure Graeme, they're fine on my computer. Might be your Internet connection? Possibly? But I'm no techy I'm afraid!
Nice bike
Hay Kate Suzuki Strom cool bike smooth 1050st be good for touring Kate brilliant review best Kate safe riding ❤️👍
Aw thanks Andrew!
Great review. Looks like a decent workhorse. Looks like you were out on one of my local routes near Bakewell. Thought I recognised the Aldi lol. Interesting to hear about your vlogging setup, with the Cardo etc. Do you wear ear plugs? I recently got a Sena unit, but I have to wear earplugs (Ducati with Termis!), plus I have some tinitis, so have to have the volume more or less at max. How is yours when riding noisier bikes or at motorway speeds?
Here in Canada the manufacturers don't do ride days and dealers don't let you ride any new bikes at all..due to insurance bs here....also motorcycle insurance is a small fortune here....
So frustrating! 😫
Thanks Kate for informative review. I've heard comments that the bike feels rather top heavy and therefore not city-friendly. Your thoughts?
I would ride this round a city no problems 😊 it didn't feel too top heavy to me personally
Hi any vibration issues especially on the motorway enjoying watching your videos your videos
Hey Chris! Nothing intrusive or numbing! 😊 and thanks!
Great review ….. how did you find it London traffic ? Filtering etc ? Also you said something about “tip it on the road” …..I’m a returning biker after 28 years and not up to date with the new lingo !
I didn't go into London on it just the outskirt, i try my hardest to avoid there as its far to busy
Hi from Cali USA, went to a Suzuki demo days last weekend and I agree, super all around. I rodebtheb1050DE, but I think I will get a 2022 XT because Id rather have tubeless front tire. I mean 21" front is cool. I even live on a dirt road, so every ride is 2 miles of off road coming and going. But come on, if ya know how to ride a simple dirt road isn't na issue. If I want to go dirt biking I will ride my dirt bike.
If anyone's interested there's a young couple called Lavi and Ollie who are about to start a RTW trip on one of these within the next few days.
Their TH-cam channel is called Lavi and Ollie and they are riding around the world as rider and pillion, hoping to get into the Guinness Book of Records as the youngest rider and pillion to do so.
It should be an interesting test of the Bike's durability. ( I know it's already proven) but could be worth a watch.
Loving your vids Kate, keep up the good work.👍
Thanks Ed! 😊
I changed from a KTM 1290 SAS (Couldn't live with the unreliability and poor dealer back up) to the 1050 XT mainly for the 100% reliability and fond memories of past Suzuki models. Doesn't have the wow factor of some of the more expensive adv bikes but does everything it says on the can. Can't see me changing it anytime soon...
Just found out could save a £100 on my next insurance but would be for a RE Classic 350. Its a tempter for a keeper etc! (Will get some other quotes).
Like the V Stroms but I'd pick the NC750 with the Frunkle. (Stole that. Means front storage or "front trunk". Frunkle.)
FRUNKLE 🤣 Love it 🤣
230 miles to a tank my s1000 needs that range lucky to get 150 🤣🤣
Hi kate, couple of things, how did you find the seat hight ? And i noticed you were riding with traction control off, is this your preferred riding style ?
Take care and great vlog.
Hey Bob, seat height, I just deal with it. It is on the tall side definitely but I'm pig headed enough to get on with it lol. And the TC off. It's Mike's preferred setting as he'd been riding it so I thought I'd try it and I didn't notice any difference but its because it was nice and dry 😊 if it was wet, I'd have put it on.
Every time you drive off i'm like....o my g☆d that lorry is on the wrong side of the road....😮
😁😁
🤣 just keeping you on your toes LOL
Interesting video🐊
Thanks Buff!!
Love it Kate another great vlog as ever ride safe lovely only one username Kate hope you are well.. 🤩
Thanks Stevie 🥰 you're too kind!
@@UsernameKate I do blogs with work not as good as yours haha stay safe and ride safe you always brighten my day when you sing Looking forward to your next one..
Good video thank you.Was the height a problem?
Hey Kevin, it wouldn't suit a less confident rider with my leg measurements but I take the mentality that I'm gonna own it and make it work. So it's not ideal for me, but it is manageable. But then again my personal bike is a standard height GS. Hope this helps!
👍
hello I saw that you mounted the smartphone on the bracket above the instrumentation would you be able to send me the link xhe I'm interested in mounting it on my1050. thank you
Hey Stefano! This is what I used: ultimateaddons.com/collections/universal/products/grip-go-univesal
Brilliant video, but it has to be the ginger and white colour for me, the yellow makes it look like big bird 😅
Ginger and white OR all blacked out. Stealthy affff
Hi Kate, My wife tells me that in the last 15 years iv've owned 40 bikes. ( she keeps the DVLA white slips) Ducati's, Harley's KTM's and BMW's( GSA/GS /XR1000) including a previous Suzuki 1000 V strom .If I had to go around the world on a reliable , comfortable, bullet proof bike it would be this one. doesn't inspire with regard to looks and is alway seen as the poor mans Adventure, what a mistake!!!
Grumpy Old Git
Love your TH-cam name 😂😂👍👍
Hey Dave! Agreed! A well priced, reliable, do it all bike!!! 😊
Hope you enjoyed Derbyshire
Love it!
As per usual Kate, how do you find the seat height?
Hey! It's manageable for me! It's defo on the tall side though. I did a walkround vlog on this bike where I sit on the bike etc 😊 but yes, I can cope on it! 😬
Hi Kate .... Try a Harley-Davidson fat bob .... think you might like it alot 😏
I've ridden one :) back when I was selling Harley Davidsons but I dodnt really vlog 😊
I didn't her you say anything about the reach to the ground from a stand still. Can you flat foot or do you have to balance?
Hey Flying Fish! I talk about my reach to ground in the walkround vlog here. th-cam.com/video/twP-vrj6Ij0/w-d-xo.html sorry, my daily bike is a full height GS and this is the same size so I forget to mention it at times. The height is on the tall side for me, but not unmanageable. I can get a tip toe down. Fine for a confident rider who isn't bothered about getting 2 feet down. For reference, I'm 5ft 4 with a 29 inch inseam. Hope that helped 😊
Great video as always Kate nice to see our local roads to. Highly agree on the all day ability of the V-Stroms did 600 miles in a day to Scotland around the borders an back on my 650xt and felt very fresh after it. I'm going to end up adding a abs switch on mine if I take it to Iceland just pulling the fuse can disable it to shame suzuki didn't give us a button though!
I found what you said about the screen to be true on the 650 and I'm 6'2 was excruciating with the stock screen on my Arai peak a change to the Puig screen totally cured it which really improved the overland capabilities of the bike.
Hey Norton Rider! Ah very interesting information there! Hopefully it will help someone so thank you for contributing! Omg, Iceland sounds FAB! 🇮🇸
@@UsernameKate np Kate ^^ thought it might help some people :) I was actually reading a blog last night about a couple who went rtw on a pair of 650 Vstroms was really interesting called nora_adventurism was very interesting seeing how few mods they did to make it off road capable something I'm going to copy on mine with a few tweaks.
Where in UK was this?
i believe its the trough of bowland, such nice roads
How tall are you 🌺?
Use the portrait stuff to make tiktokssss
But tiktok thoughhhh
the strom is more of a companion and a look forward to riding fun factor bike than any Russian tank err sorry 1200 gs
I normally enjoy your reviews but I noticed that your head moved up and down constantly. Hard to watch the content from your helmet camera. Everything you said was great and easy to understand. As for buffeting there are so many factors including the weight of the rider, passenger and luggage. Suspension settings, the distance from the top of the seat to the top of your helmet (not overall height as your leg length is irrelevant while sitting), the shape of your helmet and visor, your arm length. What works for 1 rider will be horrible for another. Plenty of things to try before your spend money on another screen.
Wam bam how's ya nan :)
Joe Rogan? ...
Yes? ...
I don't want to appear to be unkind, but you really should try to move your head less when you are filming.
But I wanna see IT ALLLL 🤣
Those are huge bikes. I can barley touch
video is so choppy very hard to watch.
Do you seriously listen to a pod cast while riding a motorcycle!!!!!!!
Yea, a 4 hour motorway trip, my brain stays active and engaged lol