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All Suzuki DL V-Strom Reviews

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Suzuki DL V-Strom 650cc Apr '08 (08)

Overall Rating:

Review

A little update on my previous review.
I've now had the bike 6 months and have covered a little over 8000 miles. Still getting excellent fuel consumption. Still on origional tyres, but will need the rear tyre replacing soon. Basically the bike is as new, runs sweet, and only had to purchase oil for the scottoiler - a reat asset! The only problem I have is the alternator cover, part of the paint has peeled under the centre nut. When I took it in for the service the dealer takes a photo and sends this to Suzuki. 3 weeks later, I'm still waiting to hear. Not too good on customer service. The servicing costs are really expensive, £288 for the 7500 mile service - £150ish for the 4000 and just over £100 for the 500 mile service. So is it worth it? The extra I pay for servicing - I don't know - at least you have peace of mind with a new bike (2yr warranty). I would still rather the V-Strom than a sports bike or BMW for the 130 mile a day journey.....

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sjpearce@yahoo. on 16/10/2008

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Suzuki DL V-Strom 1000cc Apr '08 (08)

Overall Rating:

Review

I have had this bike now for 5 months and have covered over 7000 miles
The bike itself has fitted Arrow cans and a power comander and is been tested at 99 bhp
It is quick very comfortable and easy to ride . It dose 40-50 mpg . I have taken it to a track and hit 135mph on the clock .
As for passengers several have been on the bike Fat ( 22 stone ) and thin 6 stone and it handles very well
I have looked at other bikes BMWs Hondas Bandits , KTMs all sorts , and the only thing that I would concider changing the bike for is a CB1000R Honda , but only if I could get the comforts of the Vstrom .. ie front windshield ( Keeps you very dry in rain ) Front hand shields ( stops your hands from getting soaked or frozen ) and of course heated grips .. ( A Must )

Submitted by

Bristol Gas on 08/08/2008

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Suzuki DL V-Strom 1000cc Apr '07 (07)

Overall Rating:

Review

Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom

Comfort: Hugely comfortable for long rides, not only for the rider, but passenger too. The riding position means that you barely have to touch the handlebars. Just point it and be surprised at how long you can go. Quite upright riding position, well protected from the wind. If you are short, then you will struggle getting on and off.

Handling: Surprised at how good this is, especially as the front tyre is quite grooved. Very sure footed and presise to steer. That said, you have to understand the technical things about steering. The centre of gravity is high, and so lean-in, lean-out, counter-steer and footpeg weighting have a greater effect. If you are a new rider, then go careful to start with. The high centre of gravity (as with all Adventure bikes) make for more cencentration when doing very slow speeds or pushing. Many of its competitors are heavier.
I have not taken it off road, but it copes very well on roads of poor quality. The wide bars make it easier to change direction. Great.

Braking: Best I have ridden to date and plenty of power for the weight.

MPG: Not good for normal riding (42mpg). Does have a very high 6th gear that should give much better figures, but I have not measured that yet.

Running costs: Very low. The bike works and things don't go wrong on mine.

Reliability: Totally brilliant. It is a sorted bike.

Performance: For what it was designed for, great. Long distance and passenger and luggage with overtaking; no problem at all. Brilliant. Let's face it, this engine is really, really good. Maybe this is why this engine has been put in so many other bikes!
It has been tuned for some more torque and delivers through a huge rev range. This makes it safer and easier as you don't have to change gear so much. I am totally surprised by the lack of vibration. How they did it on a V-twin I don't know but am totally grateful.
Some bikes beat it on bhp, but don't be deceived - this engine has all the power just where you want it. The only negative I have is that it is easy be be jerky when going on and off the throttle. This makes it tiring when is a long and slow queue. Maybe that is more of a fueling issue.

Dream Appeal: Depends on what your dreams are. If they are about racing, then this is not for you, even though it has very good pace. If they are about anything longer than a quick pop down the shops in a traffice jam, then this is just the ticket. People say it is not pretty. I would agree. It does however look nice I think. The rear looks great. The side looks fair, but better with panniers. The front looks fine.

Gearbox: Clear and fine for everyday use. I would have prefered something more refined.

Accessories: Handlebar protectors, together with heated grips work brilliantly. I have used my summer gloves in winter with the heat turned up. Lovely. The Topbox (48 litres) and panniers (35 litres each) look good, though not brilliant. Their load carrying capacity is very good indeed and the two way locks help usability very much. the centre stand is not quite right and therefore takes quite a bit of effort.

Aftermarket products: I have the tall Givi screen. You really notice the improvement on the side of your body and at higher speeds. Even though it is 18cm higher than the origonal, I didn't notice much difference below 60mph. I also wasted my money on a side stand enlarger from Touratech. It does not fit properly and falls off. Also, the natural pressure on the stand bends the metal. Poorly designed. Anyway, there are lots of parts if desired - especially on E-bay from Germany and a few more from Touratech.

Submitted by

Graybags in Chelmsford, Essex on 05/06/2008

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Suzuki DL V-Strom 650cc Sept '07 (57)

Overall Rating:

Review

I have only had the V-Strom a month now but use it for my 130 mile daily commute. Found the 500 miles service at a £100 expensive (seeing as I could only use the bike for 3 days that week to keep the mileage down).
The bike is great - handles really well (not as good as my VFR800 - but is superb for it's purpose - commuting).
I purchased a K7 model on a 08 plate, really pleased. I added the options of a Scottoiler, heated Grips (even though it has the knuckle guards) and fender extender. -So having covered 1800 miles only concern is a knock from the front - I think it is the steering head bearings but the dealer says its the fairing - either way - it should not be there.
Drive chain not been adjusted yet and is fine - fuel consumption great - 2 days at £20 (260 miles per tank and still has about 2 to 3 litres left in the 22 litre tank). Decided to stick to the 650 rather than the 1000 due to extra life in tyres, chain and sprockets and fuel consumption.
Summary: The V-Strom is superb, cheap to run, very comfortable and cheap day to day running.
Do not expect to get thousands back when I sell due to the mileage - but lets wait and see in 2 years. Not too sure on the servicing costs per year as I will have about 6 each year(@ every 4000 miles)

Submitted by

sjpearce@yahoo. on 10/05/2008

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Suzuki DL V-Strom 650cc Apr '03 (03)

Overall Rating:

Review

I like the bike just fine but servicing is dear so I will do my own but where do you get decent spare in Britain help

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UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 28/03/2006

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Suzuki DL V-Strom 650cc Apr '05 (05)

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Wow ! Ive owned this bike for a year now, I cant believe its that long.I came back to bikes after many years (26) I looked at all types and chose this one for the upright riding position ( since i had a back op 3 years ago)Its never let me down its so comfy ive ridden it 780 miles in one journey ive ridden it two up and ive ridden it fully loaded with luggage.It is without a doubt the only bike a man or woman will ever need every time i take it out i have a big grin on my face and still there when i get back.The only one single thing id have any grumble about is Suzuki dealers they dont care about you after you pay the cash.Ive yet to meet a suzuki dealer that has a clue about after sales .

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UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 03/09/2006

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Suzuki DL V-Strom 1000cc Sept '05 (55)

Overall Rating:

Review

good bike

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UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 20/07/2006

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Suzuki DL V-Strom 650cc Sept '06 (56)

Overall Rating:

Review

At only a couple of weeks of ownership I am very impressed with my first ever new MC and the first ride in 5 yrs. Very comfortable, plenty fast enough and very economical even while still being run in and keeping the engine running up and down the rev range up to 7500 rpm. Quite a bit of noise around the helmet. I have adjusted the screen up and down, now back to down. Its fine if the speed limit is stuck to but with this bike its easy to travel quite quickly well above our 100 ks limit

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UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 14/04/2006

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Suzuki DL V-Strom 1000cc Sept '06 (56)

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Fantastic bike, great all rounder.

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UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 13/04/2006

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Suzuki DL V-Strom 650cc Sept '05 (55)

Overall Rating:

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I recently traded my GSX 600 of 10 years for a new (black) 650 V Strom. The journey to the dealers took me an hour on A & mostly B roads. After jumping on to the V Strom I was amazed how quickly I gelled with it after switching from a lower riding position. The return journey took me 45 mins and that was even keeping in and around the 'run-in' 5,000 RPM. Since getting to know it better I am well happy with this bike. Excellent comfort, fuel consumption (50ish MPG). I know the bike takes a few knocks on looks but I dont see the issue here (but then I rode a GSX 600 for 10 years). I considered the 05 red/black colour scheme but in the end the all-black won me over. I was always going to dislike the naked and somewhat ugly (I think) lower half/ engine area. Suzuki suprisingly do not provide a Belly-Pan option especially when the 1000 V Strom is fitted with one as standard. I managed to mail order a black one from BUSTERS, made by PUIG, and it fits and looks a treat. I fitted a hand-guards, engine bars, and a GIVI box. All add prescence to a bike that looks nothing like the 650cc decal displayed. Last word goes to the dealer - George Millar Motorcycles - Ardstraw, Newtonstewart, N Ireland. Nothing is any bother to the man (test rides etc) - keen to deal, unlike a number of other NI SUZUKI dealers I approached in my search for my new bike.

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UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 08/01/2006

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