Launched at the start of 2014, the new and updated V-Strom 1000 is a significant bike for Suzuki. Not only is this the first Suzuki model to come with traction control, it is also a replacement for a bike that many riders have formed a soft spot for. True, the original V-Strom was slightly visually challenged, but it sold well and many were upset when emissions regulations forced it into retirement in 2009.
However, since the emergence of the adventure market and high specification machines such as the BMW GS, Triumph Explorer, KTM 1190 Adventure and Honda Crosstourer, prices have steadily crept up. Kawasaki's Versys 1000 is still below the £10,000 mark, but the rest are closing in or going over £12,000. With a £9,999 price tag that now includes crash bars and panniers, does the V-Strom 1000 Adventure represent a great deal or a poor substitute? Well, here is the interesting part, when Suzuki launched the V-Strom it was £9,999, almost a year later and for identical money you can now get the Adventure model with all the extras. But more of the price factor later...
V-Strom enters a fiercely competitive sector
Like most adventure bikes the V-Strom feels quite tall. Suzuki are offering a range of seat options (+35mm or -30mm) for free and if you are shorter in the leg it is worth checking these out. However a few riders have commented that even taller riders should test all seat height options as they make a difference to comfort levels. Personally, at 6ft 2in I found the stock seat fine, but I could have done with a taller screen. The adjustable screen is a tiny bit too short for me, meaning I had to crouch slightly to avoid turbulence. A shorter V-Strom rider I know says it is no problem at all.
On the go the new (OK, rehashed and big-bored TL) motor is very pleasant. It thuds along with minimal vibrations and aside from an occasional tendency to dislike changes from first to second (you need to be positive) there is little to moan about. The traction control system, which has two levels as well as off, has been designed by the same chap who did the Suzuki MotoGP electronics and works well. As the roads are hideously slippy in winter I left it on maximum input and aside from the yellow warning light going mental when I accelerated hard in second (possibly anti-wheelie rather than wheel spin) I had no issues with it. Or the ABS, which also seemed to work very well. A 200-odd mile ride to Motorcycle Live and back was a breeze and passed with no significant note, which says a lot. If you just want to churn out the miles, the new V-Strom, like the old model, is very competent. Not overly exciting, but certainly competent.
Too small. Likely to annoy
However as solid a commuter as the V-Strom is, it does have a few issues that annoyed me. Heated grips are an optional extra and they aren't integrated into the dash, meaning you need an ugly extra control button. Come on Suzuki, you can fit traction control to a bike but not integrated heated grips? The panniers are very solid in their construction, but utterly crap when it comes to space. You can't fit a full face lid and the right hand pannier is restricted in its size by the exhaust. It's not rocket science, just look at BMW's awesome panniers and copy them! But there is one thing you can't argue on - price.
Hard facts
The sad fact about the V-Strom 1000 is that it hasn't sold very well, hence the reason that Suzuki have thrown £1,000 of extras at it for free. However, a quick search of the ads reveals that opting for a stock V-Strom, which is no bad thing as the engine bars are good although the panniers are crap, can save you even more as they are available for £8,500 with zero or at least minimal miles. There are a few under £8,000 and at this price the V-Strom is worth considering. A saving of £4,000 over one of the premium adventure models is very tempting if you are looking for a bike that will hack through traffic, has an easy 180-mile tank range and comes with safety features such as ABS and traction control.
Traction control has three modes
There isn't much to dislike about the V-Strom but it just isn't as advanced, thrilling, pretty or aspirational as something like a KTM or BMW. It's a solid, reliable, commuter and is a bike designed to be used day in, day out, rather than cherished. Interestingly a search through the used market reveals a 2007 V-Strom still commands £5,000 from a dealer, which represents £3,000 depreciation in seven years and is certainly worth noting.
Suzuki's saving grace?
Suzuki has had a lot of issues of late and the V-Strom 1000 sums them all up. RRP is becoming less and less of an issue for bike buyers as PCP plans mean that more riders can afford premium models. BMW's HP4 sold out, as did the R NineT, Yamaha is aggressively chasing PCP deals on new bikes and so are Ducati and Triumph. The simple truth in the current market is that you either have to be a premium class leader, in which case you will sell on prestige through PCP, or very cheap. Suzuki used to occupy the middle ground, priced a bit cheaper than the top models and almost as good when it came to performance.
Now, due to the staggering advances in technology from the European manufacturers, this technological gap is huge while the price gap has been virtually forgotten about as it is all down to affordable monthly payments. To break this cycle, Suzuki either need to do what Yamaha have done and rejuvenate its range with some premium models, or slash prices to a level where they are too low to ignore. At under £8,000, the V-Strom almost falls into this category. But then I rode the Yamaha MT-09 Tracer...
SUZUKI V-STROM ADVENTURE
Engine: 1,037cc V-twin 8v
Power: 100hp@8,000rpm
Torque: 75lb ft@4,000rpm
Top speed: 135mph (est)
Weight: 228kg (wet)
MPG: 53
Price: £9,999