The new V-Strom 1050 is massively misunderstood | Suzuki 1050 DE Review 

Suzuki is just being realistic with this bike. They and every other manufacturer know 90% of ADV bikes don't get ridden over much more than fire roads, anyway. No matter how visually well equipped for dirt use, they are. BMW and KTM will always rule the luxury AVD market, no matter how good of a bike Japanese manufacturers produce. Because for a small segment of the market, it's all about how much it cost. And of course, they also know a good rider on the Strom can get a lot further than an average rider on any other ADV bike. As it has and will forever be, 90% rider 10% bike. Anyone trying to pretend any of the large cc adventure bikes are more of a dirt than a street bike is just silly. Or have never ridden a proper dirt bike. Think twice, is my best advice. Especially if you're new to riding off road.

I’ve been wanting the 1050XT since it came out. I think it’s so underrated

If you are one of the 99% of riders who hardly ever rides offroad, want a rock solid bike that will do 500 thousand miles without needing to be fixed and won't break the bank when it does, and you care more about reliability, functionality, and ease of ownership than looking flash and having a bike with capabilities far beyond yours, then get a V STROM..If you like wasting money on things you will never use, showing off to everyone, and losing your licence every time you twist the throttle...or you happen to be in the 1% that has the skills to ride a big bike offroad to its potential..then get something else.

Hi Llewellyn, I just came across your Chanel and are now a new subscriber. You definitely have a knack for moto journalism 👌 I have met, ridden with and followed your father since the Charlie Boorman days at Dakar. I built my own full spec Rally bike with a little of your father’s input, albeit from the other side of the world! Now I’m following you! Keep up the great work, I’m going back to watch all your videos 👍 Cheers Chris

Great review! A much more rounded, considered and honest opinion of a new bike instead of following what all the others are saying!

You know, I own a standard 1100 AT and I love this bike very much. This bike can do it all. I have been hitting curvy roads, the racetrack and offroad tracks. I have adjusted it to my needs. It's a keeper for sure. But as a very tall person I also love adventure bikes as road bikes. I have tested the 1050 XT and I absolutely love it. There is something about this bike. It is so much fun on the road and it makes you feel great. The engine alone...❤ Suspension and overall setup also feel great. It feels lighter than it actually is. I also love the looks in red/white and yellow. Really thinking about making the XT my road bike while keeping the AT for everything else because it can do it all. Great review. I would also love to have more true Japanese adventure heroes around.

Wow, this review was spot on. I currently own a 2018 1000XT, and have found it to be a wonderful motorcycle. However, if it does so much so we'll, then why am I toying with the idea of parting with it. Fact is, on long trips the seat and seating position are pretty brutal. There are also some really great options available right now, but at what cost. What I will say is I do the majority of the maintenance myself and in my own garage. It is so much cheaper to own and operate than my previous Triumph.

Another great video! Nice seeing Suzuki going to Greece! Keep up!

Great review - Daming with praise. I had the original Vstrom1000 (first shape anyway - 2003). It had its limitations - slightly weak brakes, skinny fork tubes that flexed when changing directions aggressively, crap handlebars (that went straight in a skip), and it had a face only a mother could love. Having said that it is one of my all-time favorite bikes - it had a killer engine, great handling over-all, was reliable, and was crazy comfortable. I commuted on mine, toured, toured two-up, raced it in an endurance race (and didn't come last), gravel roaded it, AND adventure rode it off-road (Deep sand, where it sucked, but I managed). If I was in the market, I'd buy a VStrom650XT - they are much cheaper, almost as fast, lighter, and don't have a bunch of stupid rider-aides or RBW. The King died a few years ago and we shall never again see his like.

Wow, this was the best review of the bike I have come across. The viewer has got a genuine idea of what to expect from the bike. Positioning it into the context of the whole market bears the signs of a proper philosophical background :-) Thanks!

One of lifes great questions-What you want and what you need! For a great many it may not be the bike they want-but is most probably the one they need.

Honesty’s the best policy. Well done mate.

I have a 2014 Vstrom 1000. At 5'11" I installed a foot peg lowering kit. I have pretty much every aftermarket mod available and have taken it through some pretty serious desert terrain Its not an XR650R but if you slow down and use nobbie tires it will do some amazing stuff.

Just picked mines up last week and everything you said spot . Especially the foot pegs, one thing to add is that there is a metal rod below the pegs. Your pants can easily get caught up and you could have a nasty fool. Thinking of buy aftermarket pegs and see if a lower seat helps as I am 5'9, so far I am able to manage as this is the biggest bike I have ever owned. Overall it's a wonderful bike!

Hi Llel, have you got a test ride of the 800 DE lined up. I would be interested to see your thoughts vs the 1050 and T700/890 Adventure direct competitors.

Thanks for the video. Right now a local dealer has a couple new 2021’s for under 14K. I have a Harley Street Bob which I love but I’m also a dirt rider or I’m trying to figure out if I should get rid of the Harley and go with an adventure bike or not.

Nice review 👍🏻 I think the bike looks good and is somehow appealing to me. Ride a AT 2017 today, would you suggest the Honda to be a better off road bike? I like to ride gravel quite fast.

Can’t wait to see the 800DE review, Suzuki bike has its own character, hoping it can fill the gap between 650 and 1050, that will be splendid.

What a well produced episode. Subscribed

Great real world test (as usual),thanks

Great review! This seems like a fair assessment, with some good background, and some mentions about the competition in this segment. I myself don't have much dirt road experience, and no "off-road" experience. I envision myself sticking to the paved surfaces primarily with occasional dirt roads, depending on my destination. I'm interested in the base 1050, except the price seems a bit steep for me (US market). I'll probably wait for a lightly used example.

would you recommand a tenere 700 or a v-strom 800de?

1:20 that map freaked me out for a second! I live about two miles from Suzuki Motor USA in Brea, CA.

would you compare this bike more with the africa twin or the tenere 700

I added peg lowering plates on my VStrom (not a 2023 though). Makes a huge difference.

What is the difference between vstrom 650, 1000 & 1050 is there any difference in the fuel range? I would like to see a belt drive on the 1050

I agreed 100% with you... i have a V-Strom 650 Xt and i feel all the cons you're telling us about those bikes .. They're good gravel bike.. not adventure bike .. sadly .. I've tried the new Honda transalp and i was very pleased about that .. but for now i use it mainly on the road and for commuting so i will stick with the V-strom for now .. thank you for your video Hi from Italy

Im more excited about the Vstrom 250 SX. Lightweight and zippy it'd be a blast to ring that thing's neck on dirt roads. The classic Suzuki yellow looks awesome on these Vstroms too

Got a t7 but never ride ofroad and make a lot of highway miles. Saving up to maybe get the strom with streat tires. It fits me better and loved the quickshifter

Stepping up from the DR650, looking forward to better road manners and wind protection. Still won't get rid of the Dr, you know, just in case things don't work out.

yeah but nobody that lives in the uk needs a 1000cc bike for the odd bit of green laning. the most common use for the uk adv riders is the odd wet weekend in wales where a crf 250 will do everything you need and more. heavy bikes are for massive intercontinental treks...

I honestly didnt care that it didnt have as much tech as the other bikes in its class, as a matter of fact I find it more appealing than a "luxurious" bike with all its novelties which only serve to drive up its price tag and add to the list of things that could break.

Hey Lel, when's your review of the Desert X coming?

The most realistic assessment of this motorcycle.

5:30 to be fair, the much more expensive KTM1290 SAS that i bought before hearing about the new suzuki 1050, has some small footpegs that are similarly close. But with a pair of sw motech ion footpegs i could lower their position and it made the bike more comfortable. I think the same could be done for the Suzuki.

Nice video as always. Reason you didn't like this bike is because you initiate corners with weighting the pegs ;) Jokes aside, just like your videos about the O.G. V Strom 650 and the build series (which was awesome), this too is a road first- bike. I haven't ridden this one myself, but hearing what you say about the cramped cockpit and awkward standing position tells me right away that this is an adventure tourer that can go down a regular gravel road. Seems like Suzuki played it a bit safe with these new V-stroms, but they made what the marked wants is my theory, if not they'd make a new DR650.

I sounds like you were looking for a offroad dirt bike. My impression of the videos is that, again Vstrom is criticised for not being a dirt bike. I think the problem is that some you tubers constantly try to find a unicorn, perfect "ADV dirt bike", while such thing do not have the right to exist. The idea from Suzuki is in my opinion to have the bike that will: 1 - be super reliable; 2 - take the luggage and yourself around the world; 3 - handle the road and off road very, very well considering your luggage. If one looks for a dirt bike, obviously go for smaller, off road oriented bikes. But if you want to travel the world, go over deserts, sometimes mud, gravel etc. This is one of 3 bikes I would only consider ( V-Strom, GS Adventure, Super Tenere). The author is a great guy, I watched many very good videos (thank you for all of them), but looks at things from off road oriented perspective, and I think anything which is not off road focus is never good enough?

Is it the Himalayan of big adventure bikes? By that I mean, is it a forgiving bike? I love my Himalayan because it was aan adventure bike with off road chops that allowed me to grow as a rider on dirt and sand because of how firgiving it is. Nothing on the Himalayan is too tough, too peaky, too edgy. You say the 1050 DE is a bit "meh" compared to the competition, is it "meh" because it is more forgiving as the Hiamlayan is for smaller adventure bikes?

I think the transalp too, because Japanese engineers don't put 21" front wheel, tubed tyres etc without a reason

Great review. Particularly like that you don't buy into the inane notion that to say "they didn't change it" is somehow a negative.

I have beaten my DL1000XAL8 for five year. My skid plate is made of more weld patches than original plate. I can not ride a dual-sport expert route with it. Hell, not everyone on a dual-sport can. Hence "expert". I have always written to Santa Claus and asked for: A. A 21" tire B. Two more inches of ground clearance. C. Eight inches of travel. (At this point, I'm beating the KLR650 in all categories except weight, if I get my wishes.) Santa threw in FULLY adjustable suspension, front and rear. Preload, recoil and compression damping. Front and back. Okay, the 800DE is tubed. For the real spoked feel. I'd have preferred the option of tubeless laced, like the DL1000XAL8, simply because I buy my tires based on difficulty to pinch flat/rim bend and am comfortable with my tubeless tire repair kits. I'm sure Suzuki will add the option. it's just too good a tarmac adventurer to restrict it from some of the tubeless 50-50 tires like the TrailMax Mission. Sometime we have to drive hundreds of miles of freeway to get where we go off road. I actually watched a video where a dude wasn't gonna buy either the 800DE NOR! the 1050DE because.......it didn't have cruise control. Oh, golly. My '78 Suzuki 750 scrambler will be shocked. What, no cruise control? I have one motorcycle older than 20 years and its claims to fame are it has automatic cancelling turn signals AND a shaft drive. oooo000000OOOOO!

.. so ist es ! Ein großartiges Motorrad zum roadsurfen, morgens drauf setzen und abends mit breitem grinsen absteigen ! Das Fahrwerk ist bestens für schlechteste (!) Strassen ausgelegt, lässt sich sensibel einstellen - top ! Ich habe hinten ein längeres Federbein eingebaut - das Fahrwerk ist wendiger geworden, die bessere Bodenfreiheit lässt mehr Schräglage zu ! Der Motor zieht wie ein Trecker und dreht dennoch jubelnd aus ! Hinten ein (!) Zahn mehr gibt ihm zusätzliche Drehfreude ! Mehr Motorrad braucht kein Mensch !

Doctor Big is legend.. and it seems it will continue with DE,that wish they replaced the letter E with R.. a way from Vstrom..

Good review. 1. Which version of the V-Strom 1050 would you choose based on driving 98% asphalt and 2% gravel; standard or DE (I am 6.2 ft tall) ? 2. Have you noticed differences in gear ratios - compared to the previous version (2020 1050XT)? (Suzuki boasts that they shortened gears 1 and 2 to make the bike more dynamic - at the expense of fuel consumption, and extended 6th gear to improve travel on the highway).

Wish they would bring out a bike true to the original DR Big. I sold my 1988 Big last summer and bought a world raid. It's taken me a while to gel with it but I do love it. Is it a replacement for the Big? Not at all. I modded my Big with a fork swap and uprated shock, better brakes and taller seat. I travelled thousands of miles without incident on the old girl. It's hard for people to appreciate how good that 34 year old bike was. I wish I had kept it as I miss it's character and looks. It created so much interest on trips into Europe and would have grey haired Frenchman gesturing in approval as I rode past😂. I think you would have liked my Big Llel with its sympathetic mods and spacious riding position. I still can't quite get the ergonomics right on the World raid.

My dream was an Africa twin but the price tag is absolutely ridiculous. A 2019 with 18k miles selling for 13k at the same dealer where I just bought my 2020 1050 XT for 12k out the door with only 5k miles and a 4 year unlimited mile full warranty and I’ve gotta say it’s one hell of a bike. Can’t compare it to the twin cause I’ve never ridden one but I’ll say the power is there and the handling is phenomenal. Sounds really good too and I like how it’s similar to the GS when you look at it from the back side and the front looks really good aside from the hideous wind screen. So far loving the bike. Ironically I had just totaled my DR650 and had no plans in buying another Suzuki because the DR didn’t impress me but I’m glad I gave it another chance

Great review. I get your point.

Lovely analysis as always. Honestly I would be very interested in seeing a real life review of the smaller sibling that got pretty “fat” at the end - the 800 DE.

so did you do the v strom 800 ?

8:56 Hot damn, that is some sexy bike.

I put a Seat concepts tall seat and 1" lower foot peg brackets on mine. 6'3" Its much better ergo wise than stock.

Another great video! hope you can get your hands on the new Vstrom 800de would love to have your opinion on it. Ive been eyeing it as an upgrade from my 18 650xt. the 1050 just feels lacking

I’ve got a sneaky suspicion your using a Panasonic camera for the talking head shot. Focus (auto) is off about half the time. And hunts about lots. So unlikely to be Sony or Canon. (Unrelated to the bike. Apologies)

I will put my 2014 Vstrom 1000 against a GS any day. I have this bike into places it should not go, bounced it off rocks like crazy and it kept going. I was running Michelin Anakee Wild tires at the time. The GS is just too wide down low and too heavy. If you are going to really go off road get an off road bike. My XR650R will eat just about anything in the dirt other than technical twisties.

It is for someone who will use it mostly on road like most people but when the need comes for off road that person will have the skills for off road, you know, having the tool for when the need comes but knowing how to use the tool. It is important though to have proper skills almost like a pro as it is heavy and tall. I don't... so although I prefer the its looks than the 650 or Transalp, I have to look there, or the Triumph 900 GT. When I go holidays and I find this random off road lane gravel road with my wife, I wouldn't want something so tall and heavy, you wouldn't too I guess. Also she wouldn't... 😀

The vstrom650xt is an awesome commuter bike

I've owned both the 650XT & 1050XT & must admit the 650 was the better bike for me, they are the workhorse of bikes, good reliable bikes, just wish they made them a bit better looking 🤔

Does anyone know how tall the rider in this video is? Asking because I’m 6’4 and he says he’s cramped.

What worries me about the V Strom 1050 2023 model is the low maximum payload - only 198 kg. A bit small for a week-long trip for two with luggage (taking into account the weight of crash bars, trunks, racks, etc.). Even the V-Strom 650 has a bigger one (202 kg).

Bar risers and peg lowering links pretty much standard requirements for any v-strom. The testers in Japan must have long arms and short legs.

Maybe you know our V-Strom upgrades (and bikes) - lower footpegs are included 😊

Just sold my DL650 with every possible offroad modification for a CRF 300 Rally. It's crazy how bad the V-Strom is, even modded. It's just too heavy at basically 250kg. I did love it on the road however, it was a great bike.

Don't see any reason that I would prefer this or the new 800 over a standard africa twin. Love my modded Dr650, but Suzuki just keeps missing the mark in my opinion.

I've seen your previous condescending video talking about the 19" version "oh yeah it's a great...road bike.." Check out what Tom Barrer or others can do and where they go on stock 19" 1050XT (only a bash plate added). You probably can't even do it with whatever KTM or GS you think is best. There is a difference between subjectivity and objectivity. Are there better ADV bike than the Vstrom in 19"? On paper, yes. In reality, maybe too. That doesn't mean it is better to you or us if we can't even reach the capability limits of the "weakest" of them. In its 21" form it is as good as an AT or GS ultimately, it is a matter of snobbism at that point as no argument can be made in its disfavor.

Next project bike: Modding a 1050DE into a DRBig? or even the 800.

Your description could be a TDM900

Suzuki is just realistic and isnt selling features and specs that none of the actual riders need. None of the (or at least 99%) 1290 and co riders need 240mm of ground clearance and 160+ hp on an adventure bike that is aparently made for offroad are stupid anyways (looking at you KTM). Its always funny to see the "once a year dirt road" groups of middle aged men struggle on gravel with their 20k+ adv bikes, tipping them over in every tight corner just to complain about how expensive spare parts for their bikes are. If you want to go offroad, get an enduro bike. If you want to do modest offroad travels with close to no tight sections, get a light adv bike like an properly set up 690 or even a T7, tuareg and so on. But no one (apart from pros like Pol or Kilian) will take a large adv bike really off road.

I have a 2016 SV650A and the power delivery is so linear, there are no real surprises - I imagine the V-Strom engine is the same...

Garbage on two wheels? Everyone always hates on the V Strom. I can’t figure it out. I have put 30,000 miles on mine ( 2014 DL 1000) and it’s an incredibly easy to ride, comfortable and reliable motorcycle. And 3.1 second zero to 60 speed just is not slow. In 30,000 miles I’ve spent a grand total of $89 for parts to replace something that broke. That was the Gear indicator. I probably averaged 10 times that amount every year on my BMW.

A gorgeous motorcycle and i guess the last of its kind (A reliable V Twin)

Odd...I hear conflicting views being 6'3" myself...as to if this is a bike suited for tall people. Maybe the fact tall people can put their feet on the ground differs from tall folks being comfortable in that rider triangle with knee bend. I've sat on them a couple of times and cannot decide if I might be just as good on the 800DE...

with the AT so few and far between somebody's gotta pull up the slack

Unlike many of the competition, the big Strom will win out in one main area which is it will be reliable, tough and long lived. I don’t care who says what but my experience in ownership of some of the others has been they’re not especially reliable, they’re silly expensive and a vast majority never see so much off road as a gravel track. Most people paying £22K for an adv bike will never take it off road. The reality is people buy adv bikes BECAUSE they deal with crappy roads so well and are comfortable for long days in the saddle. The Strom being unremarkable on road but competent means it doesn’t call attention to itself. It never takes away from the journey but could have better weather protection. Personally, I think it’s strength is that it will make a superb mile muncher and it will be dependable. I run both a big boxer twin and a Vstrom650. The one I prefer for crappy roads because it’s more settled and comfortable is the WeeStrom every time. Personally The adv upgrades bar the tft I think are a retrograde step as the changes make it a worse road tourer in some ways. I’ll be sticking with an older Strom.

IMHO you cannot compare the BMW GS because it’s a telelever suspension but while we are here comparing.. The “mid weight” bikes are 10% lighter with 60% of the power for 80% of the price 🤷‍♂️ And is hot tip from a German recently at a BMW Motorad event in Australia, the new GS has been on a diet.

"Adventure" bikes are made for long highway runs and fire roads, everything else is just marketing. They are not enduros or dirt bikes, they are not meant to be fun or good off road. Actually where I am from they are called "travel enduros" and that's exactly it, pretty much cruisers/choppers for people who might leave the road every once a while... I was also intrigued by the new Tenere with all the cool videos. But I already have a dirt bike, so why would I get something that is not as good as dirt bike off road and not as good as a street bike on road? Ended up with GSX-S750 as addition to my 250 KTM dirt bike.

I have the capacity to get my knee down when the road is frozen. Unfortunately so does my bike and the rest of me....

If you can ride it around the world, it's an adventure touring bike. If it does it reliably and comfortably, it's a great adventure touring bike. People need to stop judging these touring bikes as if they're dual-sports. The 'T' in ADV is silent. It stands for touring. Please adjust your reviews accordingly.

I own old dr800 and I was exited about new 800, but unfortunately.... 😢

not my sort of bike but i enjoyed your review nevertheless

Im old..I don't need flattering. My days of stump jumping are over with. I need a bike that has good value for travel on bumpy chopped up tarmac, and forest service roads.

I think people are trying to look for an Enduro bike in an ADV .. when an ADV is indeed just a go anywhere travel bike.. The T7 is great as a dirt machine, but as a tourer.. blah. Would you want a T7 to get really use as an ADV?

Not every rider is 2 metres tall with 36 inch legs and longer suspension travel / ground clearance means higher seat, and if you cannot get your feet down off road you are never comfortable....

It's not just this bike but most of Suzuki's bikes are stuck in the past 20+ years or more. DRZ400, DR650, Vstrom 650, 800 and 1050 overweight and poorly suspended. Only way to bring a Suzuki to modern standards is if they put Suzuki badges on a Tenere or 890 KTM. No reason the Vstrom 650, DR650 and DRZ400 don't have USD adjustable forks and good rear shocks, new digital dash and put on a strict diet. Suzuki use to be a fantastic company striving to be number one. Now they are behind all the other Japanese manufactures and struggling against the newer and better equipped Chinese ADV bikes.

A 500-lb bike is not something you take off-road, but it's nice to have one that can handle it when you do. A 400-lb bike with low center of mass, is what you want if you're going to spend your life off pavement Paris Dakar style.

spoked tubed wheels? no way Lowering the foot pegs is simple.

The 800DE weighs more than the Africa Twin 1100.

Not trading in my 890 R confirmed.

So it identifies as an adventure bike but we all know it hasn’t had the operation

It's good for off-road if you know how to ride

no cornering ABS, no tubeless wheels, no cruise control 😢

People need to get real. You don’t need 200mm travel for riding a 20k motorcycle to you job.

Spend the extra money, get a desert x

Suzuki needs to smarten up and put a tubeless tire on the front.

If the new 1050 is anything like the boring Vstrom 150XT of 2020 its a fail. Worst turning radius, difficult to turn off ABS and traction control for off road. Other than that its great. And the blue covered plywood shaped like a seat, sucks.

Makes pretty low power for its weight and engine capacity

Suzuki doesn't sell more of these due to crappy marketing... Social media sells bikes. They need more exciting videos. They need to support influencers and travellers who use their bikes. Sometimes, sharing a story is enough... And they ultimately need a better designer.. go steel one from ducati 🤭

'misunderstood'?

Do not buy that Leatt helmet on the shelf. I shelved mine after trying to live with it half a season. The D rings and especially the securing snap, are up so high in the padding, that it made me feel like I was being strangled like no other lid I've worn in my 27 years on motorcycles.

I honestly got the impression you were more focused on communicating your subjective opinion on the bike, that you forgot to do an actual review.

You need to be brave to take on the financial burden of a R1200GS, both initial price and running costs.... you need to be even braver to take a 600lb + top heavy bike off-road... Just like all those 4X4 SUV never go off tarmac, most ADV bikes natural home is tarmac and outside cafe...