2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 | First Ride Review

2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 action
Updated for 2018, the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 has sharper styling, better wind protection and new cornering ABS. (Photos by Enrico Pavia)

After some lean years following the Great Recession, Suzuki has pinned the throttle. In our comprehensive guide to new/updated street motorcycles for 2017-2018, which includes 123 models from 16 manufacturers, Suzuki has launched nearly 10 percent of the total—12 new/updated models in all.

Read Rider‘s Guide to New/Updated Motorcycles for 2017-2018

1991 Suzuki DR-Z Dakar Rally race motorcycle
Suzuki’s 1991 DR-Z Dakar Rally racebike provided the styling inspiration for the new V-Strom 650 and 1000. (Photo courtesy Suzuki)

Four of those models are members of Suzuki’s popular V-Strom “sport adventure tourer” family, including standard and XT versions of the V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 1000. The entire lineup has been restyled, with a minor facelift for the 1000 and a more dramatic rework of the 650 to more closely resemble its big brother. Both have updated engines, new electronics and a unified line of accessories, and the XT versions offer tubeless spoked wheels and other adventure-ready components.

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2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 action
The 2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 is the first Japanese ADV bike to be offered with cornering ABS, a valuable safety enhancement that works in harmony with the traction control system.

About a month before Suzuki hosted its U.S. press launch for the new V-Stroms, Managing Editor Jenny Smith spent a week test riding the new V-Strom 650 over in Europe during Adriatic Moto Tour’s Adriatic Riviera Tour, and she filed a First Ride Review. Suzuki brought all four V-Strom models to the press launch held at Lake Arrowhead, in California’s San Bernardino Mountains. Since Smith reviewed the 650 and the press launch ride was only 75 miles, I focused my attention on the standard V-Strom 1000 for this First Ride Review. (I rode home on a standard V-Strom 650, and we’ll be conducting through evaluations of the 650 and 1000 in the weeks ahead.)

Read Our 2017 Suzuki V-Strom 650 First Ride Review

2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 engine
The 2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000’s liquid-cooled, 1,037cc, 90-degree V-twin is now Euro 4 compliant. Claimed output is 99 horsepower and 74.5 lb-ft of torque.

Suzuki’s last major overhaul for the V-Strom 1000 was in 2014, which included all-new styling with a prominent ADV beak, a larger, more powerful engine, a new chassis, Suzuki’s first-ever traction control system, revised ergonomics, less weight and other improvements, all while keeping the price at a reasonable level ($12,699). With the latest update (which has been designated a 2018 model due to production timing), Suzuki sharpened the DL1000’s styling, gave it a reshaped, 1.9-inch-taller windscreen and added hand guards, heavier bar-end weights and a lower engine cowl. Refinements to the V-Strom’s 1,037cc 90-degree V-twin made it Euro 4 compliant, and a new Bosch five-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) made it possible to add cornering ABS, which in Suzuki-speak is known as Motion Track Anti-lock and Combined Brake System. And, with the base price just $300 higher at $12,999, it’s still a great value.

2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 action
With its engine derived from the TL000S/R sportbike, the 2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 is happy to rail through tight corners at speed.

What has made V-Stroms so popular over the years is their versatility. They may not be the most powerful or the lightest or the most sophisticated bikes in the adventure touring segment, but V-Stroms are jacks-of-all-trades that deliver serious bang for the buck. Although the 2018 V-Strom 1000 lacks throttle-by-wire — and therefore doesn’t have electronic cruise control or riding modes — the directness of its throttle response and the linearity of its power delivery are the result of years of refinement. When rolling on and off the throttle, there’s none of the herky-jerkiness that’s common on bikes with throttle-by-wire, and its single “mode” could be called Just Right.

2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 cockpit
The 2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000’s cockpit is clean and tidy, and the 12V socket is standard. The adjustable windscreen has a new shape and is 1.9 inches taller. (Photo courtesy Suzuki)

Suzuki says the new DL1000 makes 99.2 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 74.5 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm at the crank, figures that are nearly identical to the 2014-2016 model (due to the production timing quirk, there was no 2017 model). In our last test of the 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS (a comparison with the Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT and Yamaha FZ-09), on Jett Tuning’s dyno it made 93.8 horsepower at 8,300 rpm and 68.6 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm, sent to the rear wheel via chain final drive. Horsepower climbs smoothly and steadily until about 7,000 rpm, where it begins to taper off. The torque curve is mostly flat, with more than 60 lb-ft available between 3,200 and 8,100 rpm. What those numbers mean in the real world is a meaty midrange that helps the V-Strom 1000 launch out of corners, make quick passes and pull strongly even when fully loaded, and a solid yet sensible top-end. Standard traction control (with two levels of intervention, or it can be turned off) keeps rear wheel spin under control, and an assist-and-slipper clutch makes shifting the 6-speed transmission effortless.

Read Our Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS vs Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT vs Yamaha FZ-09 Comparison Review

2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 action
What has made V-Stroms so popular over the years is their versatility, reliability and value. They are ideal motorcycles for adventure, sport and long-distance touring.

Wrapped around the V-Strom’s V-twin is an aluminum twin-spar frame, which is suspended by a fully adjustable 43mm upside-down fork and a single shock that’s adjustable for rebound and preload (the latter via a remote knob), both offering 6.3 inches of travel. The standard suspension settings are on the soft side, which provides a comfortable ride on rough roads but results in some fork dive and squatting under hard braking and acceleration. The radially mounted Tokico monoblock front brake calipers are sportbike-strong with good initial bite. Suzuki’s Motion Track Anti-lock and Combined Brake System is not linked, so the rider controls the front and rear brakes independently. But the system can adjust front or rear brake pressure as needed to stabilize the chassis during cornering, which most riders won’t notice except in extreme situations.

2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 front wheel
The 2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000’s radial-mount Tokico 4-piston brake calipers are sportbike-strong, and cornering ABS is new.

Weighing in at 511 pounds (claimed, a gain of 8 pounds), the V-Strom 1000 is on par with other bikes in its class. From the saddle, the weight feels nicely balanced, and with its wide handlebar, the Strom turns into corners easily and feels neutral during side-to-side transitions. It rolls on 19-inch front/17-inch rear cast wheels shod with Bridgestone Battlax 90/10 adventure-touring tires, which provide decent grip. Most of our test ride was on smooth pavement, and rarely did the pace exceed legal speeds. We rode a few miles down a dirt road covered in loose, silty soil, just enough to get a few photos and to remind me that riding a 500-plus pound motorcycle off-road with 90-percent street tires at street pressures is best done at a moderate pace. Although the V-Strom’s off-road ability was improved with its major update in 2014, it has always been and remains primarily a street bike. It has limited suspension travel, only 6.5 inches of ground clearance and its ABS can’t be turned off. But, truthfully, for the vast majority of riders, that isn’t a deal breaker. Most V-Stroms are used for on-road touring, and in that regard it still excels and is better than ever.

2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 seat
Unchanged from the previous model, the 2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000’s one-piece seat is 33.5 inches tall. The passenger portion is the same height as the luggage rack, making it easy to mount a large tail bag or duffel.

Suzuki left well enough alone when it comes to the V-Strom’s ergonomic package. That means a wide, well-positioned handlebar, a broad, flat seat that’s 33.5 inches tall and generous legroom. Sitting upright without any tightness in the back, shoulders or knees means the DL1000 is an ideal long-haul tourer. The taller windscreen and standard hand guards provide more wind protection, and the windscreen can be adjusted for angle in three positions (on the go) as well as height (with tools). And, since the passenger portion of the seat is at the same height as the standard luggage rack, it’s easy to add a large tail bag, duffel bag or other cargo. Suzuki’s accessory line includes hard and soft luggage, engine guards, low and high seats, heated grips, auxiliary lights and more. And if you step up to the XT model for just $300 more, you get tubeless spoked wheels and a large-diameter, tapered aluminum handlebar.

2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 offroad
With its 90/10 street-biased Bridgestone Battlax Adventure tires, the 2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 is ready for light-duty off-road riding.

And so the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 soldiers on. It has all of the virtues of the original bike that won Rider’s Motorcycle of the Year award in 2002—generous torque, confident handling, a 200-mile-plus range, good value, versatility and fun—yet it has been sensibly modernized with traction control and cornering ABS, as well as improved in terms of styling, comfort, wind protection and available accessories. The V-Strom 1000 was a great adventure touring bike before such bikes were trendy and the segment got so crowded, and it continues that tradition honorably.

2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000
The base-model 2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 has an MSRP of $12,999 and is available only in Pearl Glacier White.

2018 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 Specs
Base Price: $12,999
Website: suzukicycles.com
Engine Type: Liquid-cooled, transverse 90-degree V-twin, DOHC w/ 4 valves per cyl.
Displacement: 1,037cc
Bore x Stroke: 100.0 x 66.0mm
Transmission: 6-speed, hydraulically actuated wet clutch
Final Drive: O-ring chain
Wheelbase: 61.2 in.
Rake/Trail: 25.3 degrees/4.3 in.
Seat Height: 33.5 in.
Claimed Wet Weight: 511 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 5.3 gals.
MPG: 90 PON min. / NA

Greg’s Gear
Helmet: Shoei Hornet X2
Jacket: Tour Master Transition 4.0
Pants: Aerostich AD1
Boots: Joe Rocket Meteor FX

6 COMMENTS

  1. “For the dollar” is often faint praise, but the DL1000 (and DL650’s) is a good solid purchase. Given sales incentives and its reliability, the cost of ownership is lower than many bikes. But here’s the rub, unless you want to keep the thing and then pass it on to your grandchildren, selling or trading these “bargains” suddenly becomes a tad less attractive. On the other hand, there are plenty of lightly used examples – now fully farkled – that are amazingly good deals. I know of what I speak, I’ve owned and sold a few . . .

    I just had an Africa Twin DCT out for a good spin today and wow, what a machine! However, given my realities, the transverse 90-degree V-twin has a certain je ne sais quoi that – at least for me – trumps the parallels. And, notwithstanding the above caveats, and even though I’ve owned three ‘Stroms, that’s what’s making sniff this latest offering.

    • Here at Rider, we’re huge fans of the V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 1000. We picked the DL1000 as our Motorcycle of the Year when it came out in 2002, we’ve praised them many times in solo and comparison tests, and one of our staffers bought our V-Strom 650 test bike from Suzuki in 2013. They are sometimes overlooked in favor of the “latest and greatest,” but V-Stroms have always been great bikes for the money–which isn’t faint praise but an honest compliment–and the thousands of them on the road (and thousands of happy owners) is a testament to their versatility, reliability and quality. If I could only own one motorcycle and I had to spend my own money to buy it, a V-Strom would be on my short list of choices.
      –Greg Drevenstedt, Senior Editor

  2. Right you are Greg. Been riding for almost 50 years and after I gave up Beemers I joined a support group. It was during a break when one of the members mentioned the Wee. I scoffed at the thought. Then I bought one and never looked back. I’ve put over 140 000 trouble free kilometers on ‘Stroms, and at least 20 000 of those were ridden off road, knobby single track; places these bikes were never designed go. I felt sorry for that first ‘Strom so I sold it and bought another, treated it a tad better but it also took me from the tundra of Canada to Central America and all points between with no complaints. On my third ‘Strom now but don’t know what to buy next, maybe I should just settle down and be happy with what I have? Naw . . . your review of the 2018 model got me déjà vu all over again.

  3. My DL1000 has had a little help from the guys at Holeshot, so preforms quite well, 90% of time I ride with a pillion. One of the greatest improvements Pirelli Scorpion tyres changed the bike completely. Very comfortable on a long days ride, tar or dirt

  4. I thought a Wee was going to be the perfect bike for me but it turned out to be one of the biggest disappointments. I bought a perfect conditioned 09 with 16000 miles on it. Riding it home I thought to myself the throttle response is awfully touchy.. Figuring I would get used to it I rode it for a few months until I couldn’t stand it anymore. Think of a garden hose and as you grip and squeeze the trigger the water jets out like a hot spring geyser. No matter how slowly and carefully you massage the throttle the bike response with a WHAM!!!!!.. And off we go. If I was doing 60 on the highway and wanted to speed up without down shifting by applying throttle it was a herky jerky response. If I wanted to slow down a bit by releasing the throttle a herkyy jerky mess. Slow traffic, fast traffic didn’t matter, I ended up having to use the clutch every single time I manipulated the throttle. What a disappointment. And NO, there was nothing wrong with the bike. I was told its everything from “its just the way fuel injection is” to ” its the fuel mapping” to ” You just dont know how to ride”body.

    • Pal, I noted the disappointment in your bike, but here we are talking a different generation machine, where this problem was taken care of.

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