Flaws
To make the bike even better, it's worth installing the optional crankcase guard, otherwise the open engine will quickly turn into a lump of dirt.
Users do not note any significant disadvantages except for one thing – love for butter. Up to 0.5 liters per 1,000 km are noted. Some owners say that they need to fill in 10w/50 or 15w/50 instead of the standard 10w40 or less.
- They write about the difficulty of moving at low speeds - but this depends more on the driver, and not on the motorcycle.
- Vibrations. Despite the 2 cylinders, they are there. They don’t interfere with movement, nothing is transferred to the handles/mirrors/pegs, but the bolts need to be tightened periodically.
Some people note the weight, but for a good off-road bike this is more a plus than a minus
Motorcycle modifications
Usually there are two generations, although within each of them there are also a lot of minor changes. The first was produced from 2002 to 2012, and for several years was even sold in Europe under the name Kawasaki KLV1000. In 2013, a deep modernization of the model was carried out, which became noticeably prettier, acquired new V-twin engine settings, improved suspensions and a modern appearance. But both generations are well suited for the purpose for which they were created - to travel far, in comfort and in any conditions. The word “Strom” itself, translated from German, roughly means “powerful stream”, and this name is perfect for a brutal touring enduro.
Repair and tuning
Repair
This is a reliable and unpretentious bike that can withstand the longest journey in harsh conditions. Maintainability is also excellent, and tinkering around in the garage mostly comes down to regular maintenance. Breakdowns, of course, sometimes happen, but this model does not have any obvious weak points.
Spare parts
Dealers usually have nothing in stock except consumables, so Suzuki V Strom DL 1000 owners, like the vast majority of other Russian motorcyclists, have to order everything from abroad. On average, the cost of spare parts is comparable to that of any other Japanese bike in the mid-price segment.
Tuning
The most popular is the protection of liter V-Strom with sliders and cages, since when it falls on its side, plastic, which is not durable, often suffers. Motorcycle travelers improve their bikes in every way - higher windshields, luggage racks, panniers, charging ports for devices... There is enough tuning for this model, and for the most part it is aimed at improving the touring qualities of the motorcycle.
Brief history of the model
2002 - start of production and sales of the model. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000K2.
2003 - the front fork gets preload adjustment, the shape of the seat and the clutch basket change. The hydraulic clutch cylinder receives a new dust cover, and the generator power increases from 350 to 400 W. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000K3.
2004 - The model receives new mirrors, a new instrument panel, a more advanced windshield height adjustment mechanism and hand wind protection as standard. The 16-bit control unit (ECU) is changed to 32-bit. New turn signals (20 W, without reflector). American versions get high beam blinkers and emergency lights (European versions already had this). Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000K4.
2005 - The model receives a new clutch cover and headlights that turn off when the starter is running. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000K5.
2006 - the model receives modified oil nozzles. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000K6.
2007 - the model receives new turn signals (clear glass) and new rear progression elements. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000K7.
2008 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000K8.
2009 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000K9.
2010 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000L0.
2011 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000L1.
2012 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000; Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000L2; DL1000AL2.
2013 - restyling of the model. The model gets a new appearance, a new dashboard design, a new frame (13% lighter), a new engine (volume increased to 1037 cm³, maximum power - 101 hp), a new braking system (front 4-piston radial calipers) , ABS in the standard version, new fork (inverted type, all adjustments), engine traction control system, fuel tank reduced from 22 to 20 liters, 2-in-1 exhaust system. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000AL3.
2014 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000AL4.
2015 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000AL5.
2016 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000AL6.
2017 - the appearance of the XT modification with spoked wheels. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS; Suzuki V-Strom 1000 XT (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000AL7; DL1000XAL7.
2018 - no significant changes. Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS; Suzuki V-Strom 1000 XT (all markets). Factory designation: DL1000AL8; DL1000XAL8.
Weight
Curb weight changed from 207 to 214 kg.
Dry from 185 kg to 195 kg.
Motorcycles without stock ABS weighed ~20 kg less.
Dimensions
Currently, the model is one of the lightest among motorcycles of this class.
The sizes have changed several times:
- the length of the bike has become shorter - from 2290 mm to 2275 mm;
- lost weight in width - from 840 mm to 835 mm;
- grew in height - from 1390 mm to 1405 mm.
The wheelbase has also become larger - from 1540 mm to 1560 mm.
Seat height - from 820 mm to 835 mm.
Ground clearance - from 165 mm to 175 mm.
For whom is it intended?
The optimal height for the owner of this motorcycle is from average and above.
However, even tall users (above 180 cm) note that the motorcycle is tall. “I stand on tiptoes at traffic lights.”
Advantages and disadvantages
Suzuki V-Strom has enough positive and negative qualities. It was even nicknamed “the poor man’s goose,” hinting that it competes in the same class as the famous BMW R1200GS, inferior to it in almost all respects. But it costs much less, which is a decisive factor for many bikers.
Advantages
- Excellent traction at the bottom. A slight turn of the throttle is enough, and the Suzuki V Strom 1000 quickly takes off, with a solid growl from the engine.
- Simple design. There is a minimum of any optional electronics in this model, and the chances of getting stuck in the middle of the steppe due to some failed tricky sensor tend to be minimal.
- Versatility. The bike feels confident in city traffic, it has enough power for any overtaking, and in terms of acceleration dynamics it is not much inferior to sportbikes. At the same time, it is great for long trips, especially if you equip it with panniers and other attachments.
Flaws
- Relatively fragile plastic. If dropped, it may break, especially if you drop the motorcycle not on soft ground, but on asphalt.
- Vibrations. They exist, there are many of them, and even though they do not cause serious inconvenience, some owners still complain about them.
- High center of gravity. Because of this, those motorcyclists who cannot confidently touch the ground with their feet may find it difficult to control the Suzuki V-Strom in traffic jams.
