I
got to use the new V-Strom 1050 for a few
days before it was handed over to Jock
for testing. Riding it back to back with
the 2007 DL1000, which is my photo tug, it
was easy to see how far Suzuki has developed
this model. The motor and chassis anchor this
updated DL to the past, but in every other
way it is using current technology.
First things first, the look of the thing is
based on Suzuki’s DR Big and the angles and
colours support that. It took me a while to
get my head around the new/retro look, but
I think it works and certainly makes the 1050
stand out in the road adventure class.
The new bike looks solid, and it feels that
way to ride being planted and confidenceinspiring
yet agile when changing direction
and turning in. The engine is a big part of
this feel. The adjustments Suzuki has made
to ensure Euro 5 compliance have lifted
the torque peak in the rev range and given
it a little more peak horsepower, which
has somehow made the engine feel more
‘complete’. There’s solid, turbine-like power
throughout the rev range, which makes it
fun on winding back roads and predictable
on gravel, but also a great touring bike;
a passenger with luggage isn’t going to
trouble it. I say this as someone with many
thousands of kilometres on the original with
pillion and luggage.
The suspension is compliant but rides well up
in the stroke and the forks don’t display the
fork dive under braking that my older model
was afflicted with, so it holds up well in more
aggressive riding but is still comfortable in
touring mode plus the remotely adjustable
rear pre load allows you to firm up the
standard setup for those situations.
The brakes are superb and the ABS is not
intrusive leaving the whole braking situation
controlled with lots of feel, even though you
can’t turn the ABS off in the gravel loose
surfaces are very doable at a reasonable pace.
The electronics are simple to operate via the
left switch block and the bonus is that yours
settings are remembered so no more fiddling
every time you turn the bike on and off given
you will always have ABS.
To me this new V-Strom is a further improved
version of what V-Stroms have always been,
which is solid-performing, reliable, good value,
adventure-styled sports tourers. The V-Strom
is good enough to allow you to step outside
your comfort zone and explore your way
around all the roads NZ has to offer.
54 KIWI RIDER