as standard , too . No question , Suzuki is lifting the V-Strom upmarket with the spec . Of course , at a cost , with the DE retailing at $ 23,999 , it ’ s now rubbing shoulders with some serious opposition .
The Ride One thing with the V-Strom – it ’ s big . It ’ s always struck me that it sits better with the 1250GSs of this world , not so much the similar-capacity Africa Twins . Of course , being only 1037cc and pumping around 105hp it ’ s going to struggle to rival such goliaths . And it ’ s a surprise Suzuki has never powered-up the V-Strom given in TL1000S form it produced 125hp . However , modest power or not , it still punches like a big bike , there ’ s bags of torque in the midrange and with the lowered gearing that makes for an engaging and spirited ride . And as we know , 105hp offroad is more than enough . So , the DE is even bigger than the outgoing XT . Taller and heavier by 5kg – now a scales-crushing 252kg . And you do notice this , between the tall saddle and the wider handlebars you have to attack slow-speed and tight manoeuvring with
19 VS 21 INCH ?
Honestly , I ’ m not sure it matters . I ’ ve ridden all the 1200 / 1250 GS models since 2004 and I ’ ve never thought , ‘ it needs a 21-inch front ’. Others have , clearly , and made conversions . But I ’ ve ridden GSs through all sorts , including deep sand and the 19-inch never bothered me . I ’ ve also ridden countless KTMs with 21- inch fronts : 790s , 890s , 1190s , 1290s . And equally I ’ ve never thought they need 19- inch wheels for more security on the road . So , I don ’ t think it was imperative for the V-Strom 1050 DE to have a 21-inch front to upgrade its off-road capability . I loved riding the 2020 XT on the 19-inch front , on road and dirt . Moot . That ’ s where I think the argument is . There ’ ll be people arguing both sides , but frankly I just ride what I ’ m given , and , for me , both work .
48 KIWI RIDER