History Get this , the V-Strom is now 21 years old , and the vee-twin motor that ’ s within is an astounding 26 years old . If we go back to 1997 when this motor first debuted , in the TL1000S , that would be the equivalent of a new bike then with a 1971-built motor . The best motor then was arguably the CB750 , the next best an original Bonnie or a Commando – and we ’ re talking preunit construction with the Norton ( look it up , Junior !). How the Suzuki v-twin has lasted so long is not entirely a mystery – it ’ s because it ’ s always been very good . It has that sweet combo of having the perfect primary balance of the 90 º v-twin and one of the most characterful power deliveries in bikedom ( for the same reason ). Suzuki has also managed to keep updating it so that it meets not only the ever-tightening emissions regulations , but also modern-day rider requirements . Already , in 2020 , for the third-gen XT model , Suzuki had conquered the Euro5 regs , while adding modern rider aids , namely their ‘ Suzuki Intelligent Ride System ’ ( SIRS ) which brought three engine modes and three traction control options , plus lean sensitive ABS , all controlled via input from a Bosch six-axis inertial measurement unit ( IMU ). Plus load-sensitive and linked braking , hill hold and cruise control . And did I mention the ride-by-wire throttle and slipper clutch ? Yeah , a 26-year-old motor , but highly modernised . Of course , all we focused on were the snazzy new fairing design and cool gold-anodised wire-spoke wheels . And curiously , given the Marlboro-Dakar inspired colour scheme , for the first time in the V-Strom ’ s history it did make us stop and think , ‘ okaaay …’ It looked the part , and – hand-on-

44 KIWI RIDER