Suzuki V-Strom 1000 reviews

I have had three V Strom 650s over the course of the past 10 years… All completely bulletproof and reliable. I have never had an issue whatsoever with any of them. This is my first 1000, but it has so far gone 30,000 miles with zero issues. Keep the tires inflated, change the brake pad when you need to, keep the oil fresh and I really think this thing would go 100,000 miles without any issues. Buying large these bikes are also easy to do your own maintenance on. If I had one complaint, the spark plugs, air filter and coolant would be easier to change. But if you have some tools, garage, space, and patience dot even these items are not difficult to do on your own. Seriously, a really great bike. I honestly don't see a reason why anybody would go for a more expensive brand while this Suzuki V Strom is still being manufactured. The Honda Africa twin would be a great alternative, it is several thousand dollars more expensive, but I do think it would be just as reliable. Everything else, BMW, Ducati, KTM, etc. etc. etc. all of those brands require a lot of maintenance and it is typically not maintenance that you can do by yourself, so you will end up spending easily $750-$1000 every year to keep the thing running for half as long as one of these Suzuki's. You'll not only save bunny on the purchase price, but you'll also save money while owning and maintaining. Show less

I traded in my 2002 Strom 1000 on the new one. I was looking for improved comfort, handling and ABS and that is what I got. On the old bike I would slide forward to greatly improve the weight distribution and the steering and it made a big difference in the tight mountain twists. Engine-wise, the old beast always needed just a few more RPMs that would be expected from a big V-Twin and lots of shifting to keep it over 4,000 where it would start to run really happy. In a strange way it reminded me of the old two-stroke Suzukis I used to ride. On the new one, I'm already sitting forward in the best position for handling. The clutch is lighter and so is the bike by a few pounds but it feels about 100 lbs. lighter in how it steers and handles. Where the old bike was in the 'dead zone' at 3,000 to 3,500 below the power band, the new one is in the meat of its grunt at 3000 RPM. It's just so much easier, smoother and nicer to ride. I really like the idea of the ABS, especially as I was heading home in our aggressive rush hour in the driving rain. I've heard complaints about throttle response and brakes being too touchy, but even in the wet on an unfamiliar bike, I was instantly at home. Compared to the old one and other bikes I've ridden recently, the whole bike takes a lighter touch, but it's very easy to ride. I love that motor. Show less

Riding a maxi-scooter for the past several years has changed my opinion of this bike. I've also owned several cruisers during the time I've had the Strom. Finally, a long ride on a Triumph XC800 brought things into focus. The 1000 is still as good as ever, but other newer designs like the Triumph triple have left it behind somewhat in terms of handling, smoothness and responsive performance. What I really notice after riding a smaller, lighter bike and the newer Triumph is the slow steering. I could easily have come to the conclusion that this bike no longer cuts it. Others have. The last few years they have been on sale. Suzuki couldn't hardly give them away. Then it struck me. This bike makes a really really fine cruiser. It's got bags of torque and that stable steering along with better brakes, suspension and vastly better performance and comfort than any of the Cruisers I have owned. It doesn't look like a traditional cruiser, but it rides like one except it's faster. I'm in my 60's now. Once I wrapped my head around what their bike is really good for, I was thrilled with the ride. I like traditional cruisers, but I had gotten tired of the limitations: Scraping in the corners, small tank, limited range, lack of comfort and suspension travel. My bike is an original, an '02, so it doesn't have modern fuel injection, but if I just crack the throttle and let it rev a little more than you would expect for a 1000, it runs great even below the power band. It feels powerful even at sensible speeds, which to me is more fun than killer speed I wouldn't use. Braided lines on the brakes and the clutch greatly improved the feeling of the controls. Most of all compared to my cruisers and my scooter, I love the comfort of the roomy seat and the long travel suspension. This bike now has a second life. I'm really glad I didn't sell it. Show less

don't believe the DL650 owners when they say the DL1000 has the same performance as their 650. The DL1000 has a much more refined engine that's smoother, quiet and has increased torque. Show less

Overall, it's a great ride! It's comfortable for tall riders, runs strong and handles excellent. Coming up on the 4k service and only problem is a small drip from the radiator (hose clamp?) Show less

I bought my V-Strom DL 1000 in February of 2008. It was a left over 2007 but they are one in the same except color. I have had many bikes, but this one is the best by far. The 650 was too anemic for me. The comfort is good but an aftermarket windshield is on the way. The suspension is too soft, but what factory suspension is not. New fork springs and rear shock spring worked wonders. The power is great. Nice torque curve too. The fuel injection is fine as long as you sync the throttle bodies. Brakes are good, but not GSXR level. But overall, you cannot get a finer bike. Many of my friends have the latest and greatest crotch rockets and they can pull away from you in the straights but it won't matter. The long travel suspension eats up bumps while they are slowing down to accommodate for the race track suspension. It is truly amazing how fast you can go on a DL 1000. Show less

It has an extremely comfortable seat. Ergonomics are very good. Gravel and unpaved roads are no problem. It is very good for two-up riding. It gets 50-plus miles per gallon. Show less

Well I just took the PLUNGE, and bought a used V-Strom 1000 with Givi Keyless side cases and a V46 top case and only 19000 km (approx. 12000 miles) and I sure haven't regretted my choice of bikes!! This bike is incredible in performance and comfort. I bought this bike in Quebec, Canada on Aug 14 and drove it back home which was a 7 1/2 hour drive and I had a BIG smile on my face the whole time. I have been driving motorbikes since 1978 and had just sold my 2002 Yamaha Royal Star Venture 1300 on Aug 8 so I was bike less for only six days!! The Venture was a nice bike, extra comfortable for touring, which we did a lot of, BUT it was like driving a school bus compared to the V-Strom. The V is so easy to park, turn, back-up, and drive that I am having a BLAST. I know it's not right to even compare the two (839lbs vs. 460lbs) but I'm just giving my opinion. They both have 98hp but the V is unreal going from 100kph (60mph) to 140kph (90mph). I was very glad I had read all the reviews about this bike, they were very informative and I hope that mine may sway someone into getting one of these incredible bikes!! Thanks.......... Well I've just come back from a 4-day (2011km-1250mile) camping trip, all around the island province of Prince Edward Island, up along the eastern coast of New Brunswick, and along the coast from Moncton, NB through Fundy National Park and back home just outside Saint John, NB. The bike was loaded with 125lbs of gear and I and it averaged 57 to 60.8 mpg (CDN gals) which I thought was truly amazing!! It was only towards the end of the riding day that my butt began to get a little sore which I think is a pretty natural thing to happen after a 6 to 8 hour drive. The V works flawlessly thru the twisties and country roads although it's only above 4000rpms in 6th gear that the bike starts to cruise along effortlessly (125kph or 78mph). The only complaints that I would have is that it gets blown around a bit (hang on tight) during high winds, following or passing semi trucks and the stock windshield causes severe helmet buffeting (which I read can be fixed by a larger wind screen). So besides that I truly love the bike and can't wait to ride it again tomorrow. Hope this helps on your decision, Later, STAN Show less

I left SC on May 15th, 2007 on my DL650. For two solid months, I ran the snot out of my Vstrom and put over 17,000 miles on it. 1500 were on dirt roads in the Yukon and Alaska. I ran the entire trip without any routine service and ran 8,000 miles without an oil change. Crossing Montana and North Dakota, I ran the bike for hours at 80-90 MPH and never got a rise in water temps. The only thing I did was lube the chain and change tires. On the 1100 mile round trip from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay (Alaska), I ran the DL650 with an oil cooler completely covered and clogged with mud....the motor looked like someone had turned a gunite cannon on it. Everyday I was amazed at the abuse and outright neglect this machine could endure. I can afford to buy any bike I want...including a BMW 1200GS and I can tell you, that the DL650 will keep up with any of them. Show less

Where to start.. Hmmm. I bought the VStrom 650 on 1/12/2006, the first day of summer. After some research I had settled on the Vstrom despite the challenges of my bike riding mates who could not understand why I had bought a 650 of all things. My friends ride 1000 + cc bikes and thought that I was turning into a girl - WRONG! I purchased the bike from a dealer in a town some 30Kms away from where I live so I had a small but long enough ride home to be bitten by the bug, well and truely. I have another bike, a Ducati 500 Pantah. Those of you that know the bike would know that the thing is on rails and handles like a dream. I can flick the thing into any corner, change direction on a toothpick and pull up on a one cent coin. The Vstrom 650 was simply unreal. I loved the riding position, upright and very comfortable, light and nimble. This has and continues to surprise me considering the size of the motorcycle, but there you go. This bike is full of surprises. I didn't want to turn off the highway and head toward my home as I was just starting to get into it, but, my wife was behind me in the car and would not have been happy if I just rode on. I rode the Vstrom into my driveway, jumped off it and sat there and perved on it for a bit. I must admit that at first the bike looked too large. I suppose that the tank had a lot to do with that as now-a-days I think that it looks fantastic, modern, sort of go anywhere with fuel to spare and in comfort to boot. I have yet to date had anyone say anything other than it looks like a fun and versatile bike and a great colour too. Even BMW tossers have had the same opinion. Oh - buy the way- not all BMW riders are tossers - only the ones who tell you that their BMW is the best are tossers - GS 1200 riders are the greatest offenders and I can stick with you lot all day and for less than half the price so I respectfully suggest you re-evaluate and buy a Vstrom 650. Anyway - my first ride of note was thru the famous, or imfamous, Hellyer Gorge in Tasmania, Australia. A beuatiful winding road thru some of the most magnificent rainforest in Tassie, and it's just up the road from my place. I did whats called the big lap. You ride west from my place and end up returning to my home town from the south. About a 100 Km ride. Not big by any means but one of the best rides anywhere I have been to date. I didn't know the Vstrom at all. It was the first day I owned it. I wasn't used to riding in the upright position and the road I chose was one of the more challenging around my area, but what a ride. I found it different at first because I felt that I was sitting too tall in the seat thru corners and thought that I was going to simply fall of the thing half way round the corner. I didn't. Since then I have changed my riding style and hang off the Vstrom like Casey Stoner. It handles beautifully and I have great confidence in the motorcycle, infact just as much as I had in the Duc, I know that this is a big call but it is true none-the-less. I have been on many rides thru-out the summer the longest being 350 Kms on one tank. My mates on their 1000+ cc bikes are lucky to get 200Kms on a tank and they are not leaving me behind particularly thru windy up or down hill sections. I just love it. Of course, now-a-days, my mates have read the reviews, bought the mags with all the great things they have too say about the Vstrom and best of all stopped stirring me about buying a 650 cc bike. Why, well it's because the Vstrom 650 is no ordinary 650. It simply flogs everything in it's class without exception. Can't go wrong! It is so much more than I expected. Show less