Suzuki V-Strom 1000 - Owner's Short Term Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มิ.ย. 2024
- My Short Term(instead of the usual first ride) review for my 2015 Suzuki V-Strom 1000. I have very much enjoyed the time I've spent with this bike so far but I do have a few observations!!
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Bikes: Honda CBF1000 2011
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Suzuki GSX-R 750 SRAD 1996
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#Suzuki #vstrom #vstrom1000
00:00 Introduction
01:37 Ergonomics
07:10 Power/Torque/Performance
13:17 Handling/Suspension/Braking
21:23 Aesthetics
26:02 Extras/Tech/Practicality
31:34 Things I don't like/Missing things
33:46 Cost
35:29 Summary/Close out
Michael, your pegs are aftermarket SW motech Ions
I have them on my bike. The stock pegs are the same as the passenger pegs. As an aside I haven't forgotten the saddle. I'm having a hard time finding a box and I got a quote from Canada post that was outrageous. Suzuki Canada sells the saddle for $20 more🤷♂️
I was wondering how you would find the suspension. I'm 5'9" with a 32 inseam and 155lbs and I had to soften the suspension from stock settings. Never had to do that on any other bike. It's just an all round great bike.
Ahhh thank you, I was trying to find photos before I made the video of the stock ones so made an assumption, and I was wrong :) Pinned your comment so other see this also! They're great pegs to be fair :) Previous owner had good taste :P
Oh no rush at all man and let me know whatever the shipping is, however long it takes you won't find me complaining! Thanks again btw :)
Yeah that was honestly the nicest surprise that it actually works for me and I still have plenty of adjustment left believe it or not :) It 100% is!
Mine is a DL1000XAL8 (2018 V-Strom 1000XT) and I am mostly on the highway to get to the trails.
I tend to treat it like a dual sport when I shouldn't.
I keep bending the hell out of my skid plate and having to bend it back and weld it (SW-Motech).
Doubletake Adventure mirrors are a good choice to replace the stock mirrors.. A bit pricy but they are really difficult to break.
What I like best about V-Strom on pavement is it's really comfortable. And you can stand to stretch, or like I did when caught passing through Chicago on the Friday starting a three-day weekend at rush-hour. At crawling speed, slow riding standing up is great.
Good review. Thumbs up.
Mine tops out at about 119MPH but sits solid at that speed.
The low-end grunt really helps get the front wheel up for getting over logs, but the ground clearance and suspension travel are poor, so anything over 18" is pretty much a no- go at my poor skill level. And I haven't been able to get a pivot turn. Bikes just too heavy to get it up like I need to pivot. Again, a better rider probably could.
Or a skinner rider. I was at 360 last year, but I am 71" and down to 280lbs.
I did find a SW-Motech center stand made normal maintenance much easier than throwing the bike on a jack.
Have you had to replace the tappets yet? I checked at 15K miles and 30K miles and my clearances are still good, but I spend most of my time at 20-30MPH.
Have to change my air filter, which means yanking the tank again.
The Barkbusters are a must. I've lost enough lever ends to love it no longer happening.
I'm in New England, so I haven't needed heated grips. If I were back in Minnesota, I would definitely get them.
The beak makes a good camera mount.
My TC is off and I have a switch to interrupt the ABS, which stays off after interrupting, until power off and re-power the bike back up. Off road, I don't want ABS. Just a normal through switch that breaks power to ABS when pushed.
I literally threw LEDs on my DL1000 this evening, before watching this. I blew out my back a few days ago, so the low beam was no issue, but the high beam killed me. Sitting, I was too high, laying I was too low. My Raventech head light guard was cutting down my light too much for the stock bulbs. Fixed now. It was a three-beer job.
Hey if it works as a big dual sport then use it as such amigo :) I recently swapped to aprilia mirrors and am loving them.
Thank you!!
For the ground clearance etc I really don't think Suzuki designed it with heavy off roading in mind, to me it's an ADV styled bike more than an ADV bike, 90% road with the ability to go off road. I want to get a centre stand myself and will eventually I think, they're always a nice to have, they do take from your ground clearance though!
I have not, but I haven't had the bike very long., My average speed is also not crazy high so I'm hoping they're fine for a long time. My man New England gets COLD!!! Get yourself some heated grips :D
ABS is not good off road, I would never want it. I am considering LED extra lights myself!! I'll probably look at it before winter!
Good video mate, great to see your subs up too, I have had a short break but back now since moving house and setting up a workshop.
Thanks bud! Ah nearly too many now!! I probably get less comments these days than I did when I had fewer, I always enjoyed the comments more than the subs. Welcome back!
Spend $100 and get an Airhawk seat cushion. That one change alone made me change from hating mine to loving it and having had it now 6 years.
Someone else also suggested that, I shall be ordering one when I get paid :)
Just love these bikes, wish I could have one next to my GSX S 1000. We have had lane splitting here in South Australia the last couple of years and love it. Great review mate. 😊
That'd actually be a dream line up, Vstrom 1000 and GSXS 1000. Goals :D Yeah I had it in Ireland as well, I don't know how people have lived here without it so long!! Thanks bud :)
Great review! One of my instructors had (still has) a VStrom 1000 and loves it. He uses it for everything - daily commute, "instructoring" and touring. (In winter, he uses a sheepskin seat pad, just saying, haha) OC - looks, handling, comfort, and bang per buck. Oh, that's a lot of things, D'Oh! Cheers, Andy.
Thank you sir :) I might have to try get one of those, apparently they're brilliant!! Haha it is, Suzukis don't really excel at anything but are good at everything imo :) Just have to test it on track :P
I'm glad you like this bike so much. It's probably the most suitable one for your build that you've had so far would you say? Interesting what you say about looking back at your bike if you love it. I never look back at my CBF, and in fact I don't really rate its look, but it's certainly one of the best bikes I've owned and I do love the ride and comfort. On cruise control: I'm pretty sure it only works with ride by wire throttles and it looks as though the VStrom has cables? I'm sure someone can correct me if I'm wrong. Lastly is there any way you can reduce the wind blast on the mic while riding? I'm guessing it's the screen that's causing it as your previous vids from Ireland were all good apart from the odd windy day. Good vid. Cheers.
I think that's a fair comment, definitely fits me the best out of any that I've owned. Oh really? It was always more of an appreciative look I gave the cbf :) I found it a good looking bike, but I suppose it also depends on what you personally find most important, I like a bike that makes my brain want to look at it 😂 I may be shallow 😂
Yes you're correct and this bike is cables, but they could have easily went ride by wire .....but then you get the drawbacks that come with that. I just think for a bike that's marketed for touring it probably should have had it at the time. Doesn't bother me though.
Yes I'm trying, been testing mic positions and I've ordered a cheap screen to chop nice and low and see does it make a difference. It's also just windy over here a lot unfortunately.... probably since it's so flat.
Thanks :)
Love the review, what style windscreen are you looking to change up the current one for?
Thanks amigo. Something very low, as low as the screen bolts will allow really. I don't like tall screens, they've never worked for me.
Do you want to invest in my biznus?
As an avid biznus man I can't say no, when do I start?
I appreciate the points you made. Black is the best color IMO. Beak stands out less in black. Prior owner did nice mods ( best way to buy ). The silver crash bars make the silver rear frame, and silver panels on top of tank make more sense. Adventuretech LLC make a peg lowering kit that really makes a difference on rides over 100miles ( especially for your height).
Yeah I wouldn't like a beak in a shouty colour. They did, it's actually funny the mods they made were what originally caught my eye as I was scanning through listings. Yeah those front crash bars really improve the stance of the bike imo. I've actually never liked lowering pegs, I tried them once and hated them, I've since got the tall seat on it, not sure if I mentioned that, and I much prefer that option.
A 6’7” Irish fella riding a VStrom 1000. Well I’m a 6’3” second generation Murphy with exactly the same bike and I’m loving it. A few niggles but I’m really starting to enjoy it much more lately. I don’t know how you don’t get your head battered with the wind though. I got a Puig screen with a kicker and it makes the cockpit so much nicer.
Haha we have to go for these type of bikes really eh! I'm loving it tbh, fun but also easy to cruise on. Ah it's not the greatest with the current screen, I've ordered a stock one that I'm going to chop down, I really don't like being behind a screen so I don't want to go any higher.
@@TheGorillaBiker I think it either has to be low or high. Anything in between seems to generate nasty head bobbling turbulence. Will keep checking out the progress. Cheers big man 😁
circus tall! im 5’9” and my vstrom fits me great. love this bike
I don't think 6'7 is circus tall tbh, there are a lot of people my height. It's a great bike!!
Hi, What's your inseam? I'm 6'7" with 38" inseam but I seem to be stuck in a rut on this bike as my legs are somewhat pointing up.. or do you think my seat is lowered.
It's 35, I have shorter legs than most at 6'7 which gives me more issues with the bars than my legs. Hmmmm I can see an extra few inches of leg giving issues, that said the tall seat and peg lowering kit you'd probably be smack bang where I am now, which is very comfortable. Not ideal but sadly what bike is for the likes of us eh.
@@TheGorillaBiker yeah… literally split in half here 😅. Hard to find anything that fits tbf. Found a peg lowering kit at cosmo which gives about 20mil of extra legroom, paired with a 20mil higher seat I’d say I’m golden. Now where to find the seat tho, as there’s only 2018 model seats at Suzuki… might wanna get ne at bagster or something…
Very hard, I've become more comfortable folding myself on to smaller bikes but having one that fits is amazing. I'd honestly recommend finding a local upholsterer, they'll generally work out cheaper than a full "motorcycle" spec seat and use whatever quality of materials you want :)
@@TheGorillaBiker Yeah, rode another 1000 today and still didn't quite find the fit... decided for the first time ever, to cheat on Suzuki.. test-drove a versys 650, even tho it was a bit more cramped... I enjoyed the hell out of it, even more so then I did on the Strom 1000, so light, so agile, such smooth power... nearly bought one of the bat :')... noticed I'd tuck a bit more, and lean a bit more forward which leads me to believe that's more the style I like, so now considering the Z650 or similar as well, as I wasn't that much of a mile muncher in the first place...
All In all.... interesting day again. also: dealer noticed the thoughtful look coming from the Strom, and the smile when I came back from the versys drive lol... so yeah... there's that....
I love this bike. Bang for buck it’s absolutely brilliant. Are wheels measured in radius or diameter?
It's a great auld bike to be fair to it. Hahaha diameter. That's the word I was trying to think of 😂 Maybe I should script my videos 😂😂
@@TheGorillaBiker Nope. You have the gift. 🤐
Of waffle? 😂 You should see me try to talk about anything that isn't bikes......everyone just thinks I'm shy and awkward then
Favorite lines from your review: "Big beefy bars" "you can really feel that grunt". It looks like a great all around bike. I personally like the non-beak version better, but I wouldn't turn down the newer model. I saw a bike at the shop when i picked up my bike, which has a similar oil filter position to yours, that had road debris lodged in the same front oil filter. I got a skid plate right away because of that poor bike.
Hahaha I need to screen my words more carefully around you lot :P
I do like the older model, just not sure why it always reminded me of a sad imaginary donkey. The sharp lines make my brain happier :)
Yeah....soon as I can afford it I'll be getting the hepco & Becker one :)
Adv... so the Honda CT125... easy to lift, one doesn't fall that deep if you drop it offroad, you can easiely get ur veggies home from the groceries. The 90 would be even better, the offroad reduction gear sounds mint to me.
I'd love one too, but not around here, it's just too big and everywhere takes a long time to get to. Back in Ireland though 100%
I like the look, but I actually prefer the Eeyore model. 👍🏽 Great review. Funny that u mentioned the África Twin bcuz from the start of the video, I was wondering why u didn't get the África Twin, but I guess it's also more expensive.
A lot of people do, I can't even point out anything that I really dislike about the looks, just that they don't make my brain happy!! It's a lot lot more expensive, the models I was looking at were tubed tyres which I also didn't really want and just....yeah....price.
@The GorillaBiker I found the Vstrom 1000 a much better road bike (twisties)than the Africa Twin. The 21 inch front wheel and the soft supension make it slow to turn in compared to the Vstrom. Also maybe check out Shad panniers if your looking for more Road bias luggage. Great value.
I'd love to be able to ride the two back to back on a proper road to test them, but based off my memory I'd agree it turns in a lot better and yes the suspension on the strom is much more road going appropriate! They are great value, but I'm not sure I'd go with SHAD again. I also want to get top opening luggage this time round so I'm happy to save and wait for a while.
Do you think the V Strom is better than the CBF1000? I am considering both, mainly A road riding, country lane stuff
I think it's better in a few areas(for me) than the CBF, but not better in general. It's taller and I find it more comfortable, especially since I got my hands on the OEM tall seat. Made a massive difference.
The CBF is faster and feels a lot more agile however. So if you want the comfort and torque, with light offroad capability, V-Strom. If you prefer to hustle along a bit faster and have the possibility of a track day in there and not be massively slow, CBF. Both are great bikes.
@@TheGorillaBiker Thanks, I honestly thought the Strom with it's torque would be quicker especially husting around twistie environments
The CBF is a quick bike, it has pretty short gears and is tuned for mid range, I think the Strom would have the jump out of a corner but the CBF is actually surprisingly fast. I have a track video up on it where you could see the type of acceleration it has.
Compared to the Yamaha tracer 900 ,which is better
I respectfully disagree.
If I wanted full adv I’d go more off road focus. In fact, I’d go a 450. Dunno which one. I want to do jumps and monos
That's entirely fair. I think If I lived somewhere with lots of trails and such I'd have gotten a crf300 and a sports bike or something. Haha this bike can do a mono as you call it :P
I am partial to a v-twin, it certainly seems like you are massively gelling with the bike from your enthusiastic words. I certainly prefer a brake setup with good feel over huge biting power... obvs I'd like big bite as well... but feeling what is happening is more important to me providing it still stops well.
Hahaha... I can now never look at Eeyore in the same light again! 😀
I think it looks great, personally. I'd maybe look at putting a very low screen or remove it entirely, but then I am a shortarse, sowould be sitting a lot lower on it that your mighty fine self. I like the dash, nice mix of analogue and digital, and I kind of prefer this look to the modern TFT screens we get on some of the newer bikes.
For me, an ADV bike needs to be more trail orientated than tarmac, so I'd want as light as possible, with a 21" front wheel and ideally a low seat height.
Great review Michael 🙂
I have to say they've grown on me a lot since I've owned them, I still REALLY miss my Aprilia a lot :'( And yes I've definitely bonded with Stromboli now :P It's a great bike and lacks the top end power I really didn't want yet on the roads here which is great :D Yeah lots of feel with the correct amount of bite we shall say, that's the kind of key for bikes I feel :)
Hahaha sorry. Good old Eeyore, he was my favourite character btw, I had a beanie of him and all back in the day :)
Yeah currently testing it with it off completely but I want to get even like a board to replace it that sits as low as I can get it. That'd be perfect :) TFTs are nice and all but they've never grown on me, I just like the movey needles :)
That's entirely fair, and this is definitely more of a tourer in an ADV style than a true ADV :)
Thanks amigo :)
@@TheGorillaBiker I bet you do, cracking bike that it was!
Goldilocks brakes... they should be a brand! 😀
Eeyore was a favourite, but Tigger was my annoying favourite! 😀
ahh, that'll be interesting to see how you get on with different combinations... the little "screen" I made for my V85 from an MX front number board before getting the Powerbronze version was great, and cheap... but my cutting skills let it down a bit, which was why I spent out on the other one.
*Cries in Big Aprilia Twin*
Hahaha yes, brembo would just buy them and make them expensive :P
Hahaha I can see you and Tigger having a similar energy about life :)
I might try an MX board actually.....you are a smart brain. Powerbronze do seem to make a short one for mine too, might also try that.
You an American now, start using them freedom units. LOL You look comfy on that bike, dare I say more comfy then the CBF?? Stopping for wild life can be interesting. They shouldn't have ABS on any rear wheel but certainly not something that could potentially be offroad. Very informative. OC: I would definitely spend some time in dirt if I got an ADV bike so one that I felt would be the best at offroading, specially here in Colorado.
Haha never!!! Metric is the goat.
It's definitely more comfy than the cbf once I figure out the screen, at the moment it's still too blustery but I'll get that figured out :) Haha yeah and there are plenty of wild yokes around here. Nothing bad tho!
Yeah not really sure why it's so so aggressive too, the back wheel locking is generally fun rather than dangerous. Front abs can literally be a lifesaver though.
Yeah I'll be honest I'm super jealous of all the trails over that way, and Utah as well .....I've been looking for....reasons :P
In fact what you seem to be saying is that Suzuki built a Honda 😅. If I were looking I would be looking for something without a beak. The V-Strom is a very good package. The easy, very adjustable suspension is a real feature. It still seems to be the one area manufacturers neglect. In this day and age should we still be fiddling about with C spanners? A good practical and intelligent review. Looking forward to more miles. 👍
Hahaha simple, fun and reliable.....maybe they've replaced Honda for that then :P You really don't like the auld Bebeks eh :P It is, and the suspension is a massive highlight, it's painful to me that I generally have to update any bike I buy to suit, I wish you could ever spec your spring rate from factory. Thanks Stephen :)
@@TheGorillaBiker My FZ750 genesis had a crazy remote multi-adjustable rear shock. The FZR1000 did not. Yamaha said at the time that surveys had shown that it was overkill as most owners only adjusted theor suspension once when they first got the bike . . . .
I mean fair enough if that's true....obviously most people don't carry passengers or luggage, I was always changing the one I had on the CBF.
Great stuff! It’ll be sad when the Suzuki SV motors are phased out. For now the big V-Strom and the SV650 are hanging in there, at least here in the US. I don’t care what anyone says, I’m calling the new ones the P-Strom. 😂
I agree, they've been stalwarts of the bike industry for so so long it will be sad when they are phased out. Yes indeed for now!
Haha yeah, look I don't mind them they're a good engine, but emissions and cost of manufacture are the reason they've gone that way, not because they're cooler.
Btw it is a really easy bike to work on!! I just saved a $750+ in labor costs!
Yep, first valve clearance done a while back and it really is a very nice bike to work on.
Magna - 700 1986, 750 1995 or 1100 1985. Which would you pick ? Thought you'd be the man to ask.
Personally I'd get the 1100 cus it's a beast buuuuuuuuuuuuuut if you want the most reliable and easy to get parts for the 1995 without a doubt.
@@TheGorillaBiker thought you'd say that. The 1100 is very tempting 🤔. The 750 is the less pleasing on the eye and the 700 is over a thousand cheaper 🤣. I'll take my time and follow my heart more then sense and see what happens 🤣
Hahaha best of luck with that 1100 then :P
Lane filtering is joy.
It is. A great benefit of boikes
soft bags are your friend....ride safe
I went with boxes as I wanted to lock them, I think I mentioned that. You too!
I have the last gen , 3 great yrs and adventures on her so far. And then you come along and insult her good looks 🤔🤣
Noooooo I didn't insult your bike, just said that for some reason the front end has always reminded me of Eeyore. They're still a class bike :)
@@TheGorillaBiker I'm joking, I know you weren't. Well wear with yours, many happy miles 🏍️☕
Haha good :P Thanks bud :)
good review, shame about the fuel economy and the few niggles.
bear with me..... honda c90 cub..... some mad lads and lasses have done some epic level trips on those things and i think it would be enjoyable seeing the world at a slower pace.. sat like your on the toilet and getting 100mpg... it would also be some billy big balls level boasting when some twonks like i rode from blah blah wot wot wot
I said the fuel economy was great!? It's amazingly good for a big twin :P
Hahaha I'd love a c90, but I don't think I have any desire travelling long distance on them :P I like power and whatnot :) I'd definitely do a cross America trip on one for the laugh at some point :P
It's 30 degrees here today believe it or not!! The temperature swing is during the day is crazy!! No bikes for you today so....red is never fun!
That's insane lad.....