heart – it went ( the part ?) as well . According to Suzuki some 15,000 customers have voted with their wallets .
So now ? Now , yet more refinement . The RJ / DE that replaces the XT comes with a bundle of updates . Yes , there ’ s that 21-inch front wheel , so it ’ s more dirt bike , but there ’ s a bunch of tech , too . Engine-wise we now have sodium-filled valves , which apparently reduce combustion temperature ( all part of the fight to meet emissions regs , we dare say ). Maybe more significant to us , the gearbox has been updated with higher first and six ratios ( but lowered final drive ratio ) and is said to be smoother shifting . Allied with that is a quick-shifter which is ‘ bidirectional ’ – meaning what goes up also comes down , with auto-blip and all that . And finishing the transmission , the DE also gets a sturdier chain suitable for trail work . Suzuki has also followed the herd , by fitting an off-road ride mode : ‘ Gravel ’. Allied to this is also the classic ABS-off for the rear with ABS-on for
the front brake settings ( as against all-off ). The chassis is said to have revised geometry . Kind of – you see , but for a strengthened subframe , the alloy beam-type frame is actually the same as before , it ’ s just if you lengthen the suspension (+ 10mm on the forks , + 9mm on the shock ), add a 21-inch front wheel and put 50mm on the swingarm , you get a whole new set of numbers . So , while the new more road oriented 1050 sits on 25 º of rake and 110mm of trail , the DE is pushed out to 27 º/ 126mm and 40mm longer wheelbase , which should make it pretty stable on the gravel at least . Talking numbers , the rider ergos are changed . The raised suspension makes for a higher seat , up from 850 to 880mm , while the handlebars are 40mm wider ( than on the 1050 ) so it ’ s a high and wide stance . The footrests on the DE are of a wider steel serrated type ( with rubber inserts ), which is a must for off-road . While the bodywork has changed little , except for colours , the V-Strom gains a full-colour 5-inch TFT instrument panel , while all lights are now LED . Nice to see crash bars and sump plate
KIWI RIDER 47