New V-Strom 1000 on the way

[Volfy]

This was one of the biggest hits at the Dallas IMS.  I waited and waited and... finally gave up trying to sit on one.  I still don't care for the red beak and stacked headlights, but looks much better in person and up close.  If I were in the market for one of these 2-wheeled SUVs (which I definitely am not), this would be on the top of my list.

[Sport-Touring]

[rauchman]

This bike is becoming higher on my radar.  I have a 2007 SV1KS and I LOVE the engine in that bike.  I can only imagine that this engine is the same but better.  Take that engine and stick in it a comfortable platform w/ a much more plush suspension than the SV and I may get one.

[Rincewind]

$12,699 seems like a hefty $2300 price bump from the last generation VStrom 1000.  

[Grey Wolf]

$12,699 seems like a hefty $2300 price bump from the last generation VStrom 1000.  

There is a correspondingly hefty change in what you get for the money including ABS, inverted and damping adjustable forks, traction control, stator saving regulator/rectifier, weight reduction, chudder free clutch etc.. That's off the top of my head without checking the specs. Too bad it's been beaten with an ugly stick, probably to match the competition.

[Roadscum]

$12,699 seems like a hefty $2300 price bump from the last generation VStrom 1000.  

Still a good value in this segment.

Ragards, Paul

[Volfy]

There is a correspondingly hefty change in what you get for the money including ABS, inverted and damping adjustable forks, traction control, stator saving regulator/rectifier, weight reduction, chudder free clutch etc.. That's off the top of my head without checking the specs. Too bad it's been beaten with an ugly stick, probably to match the competition.

+1.  The whole genre is aesthetically challenged, with the blame squarely on the segment-leader GS.  The only ones that look right to me are the Stelvio and Caponord, mostly because they didn't fall prey to the duck-bill styling curse.

Still, for what it brings to the table, the likely selling price of the '14 VStrom1000 will buy you a very nice package.  Having ridden the engine in the SV, I think the power characteristics are ideally suited for this sort of ride.  I can only imagine the updated and upsized litre twin can only be better than what I already know.

[rauchman]

I just bought a Harley Switchback last month.  The more I see the new V-Strom, the more I'm really digging it.  I may have to convince the wife that I need 2 motorcycles.

[Indefatigable]

Another review of the new V.

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/review-suzuki-dl-v-strom-1000-abs.htm

[rauchman]

I just bought a Harley Switchback last month.  The more I see the new V-Strom, the more I'm really digging it.  I may have to convince the wife that I need 2 motorcycles.

Was at the IMS show in NYC this past weekend and got a little seat time on the new Strom.  Of ANY bike I parked my arse on at the show (outside of the HD Switchback of course  ), the Strom was my fav.  It felt light and agile.  Felt very easy to throw back and forth (left-right) between my legs.  Also felt very comfy.  As a previous SV650S owner and still current SV1KS owner, I have a soft spot for Suzuki twins.  This bike looks like it carries on the tradition well.  Full torque of 70+lbs at 4000rpm.  I think the SV1K's torque maxes out at around 6500 rpm.

Other "like" bikes I sat on were the Yammie Tenere, BMW GS w/ short seat and suspension and KTM 1200 Adventure.  I liked the Strom the best for my frame.

[jeepinbanditrider]

Didn't get to sit on a Strom at the IMS at Long Beach.  The only 1k Strom they had was up on a rotating pedastal.  I did get to sit on a Versys for a bit and really liked it's seating position.  I had considered a Versys when I picked up my Strom but it seemed as though the Strom had just a LITTLE bit more dirt cred than the Versys.  

A Versys might one day make it into my stable though.

[Silverbird]

Great review.

http://ec2-54-193-67-9.us-west-1.compute.amazonaws.com/2014/01/2014-suzuki-v-strom-1000-abs-review/