Suzuki DL1000 reviews

I purchased my VStrom in LA and rode it back to Boston with friends. I had it leaned over far enough to scape the pegs at one point but the Bridgestone Trailwings just have never felt that good to me. Since I have about 6000 on the bike now I am debating whether to replace them with Metzler Tourances or with a pure street tire. My friends on street tires seemed to do just as well as me on gravel and dirt. Show less

Very light handling feel and nice power above 4500 rpm. Engine knocks at idle intermittently and has some funky surges between 3-4000 rpm that worry me. I love the bike, I can best describe it as a KLR on steroids with a street bias. Show less

I have owned six import bikes and never have I came across a bike that could do it all, until now. The Suzuki DL1000 is the lightest, smoothest, comfortable, and stable bike I have ever been on. I have always been a inline four fan and currently own a 1994 Magna 750. Suzuki really did a fantastic job of refining the TL1000 v-twin. The engine has great low end pull and cruises in sixth gear like a caddy. The stearing is light, nimble and ready for anything you can throw at it from the twisties to the back woods trails. If you don't have one, you had better get one before Suzuki figures out how popular this bike becomes and jacks up the price. Show less

This bike keeps winning award after award. No wonder. It truly is an awesome machine. Tied the Honda Intercepter for Best Streetbike of 2002 from Cycle World Magazine. Rider named it Best Standard bike as well as Motorcycle of the Year. I just got back from a 2350 mile ride up the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive and back. My friend on his 1200 Bandit took 9 days to do it and he had a hard time keeping up with me. The V-Strom works everywhere. Has tremendous power and agility. I had mine up to 150 mph in 5th at 9500 rpm and it was extremely stable. My BMW R1100RL was a fine machine, but the V-Strom beats it at almost everything. I highly recommend it. It's great! Show less

Road a few hundred miles in NW Arkansas this weekend after breakin on DL. The DL big, odd looking and overall strange DL is beautiful when she's rolling. Compared to my Mille R in the twisties she is more comfortable, more stable and easier to ride at about70%. At 80% speeds and above I'll go with the Aprilia. While the Mille will corner faster with its stronger motor, wider tires and the agility of a cat, the V-Strom is just as entertaining in the sane level of real world riding. The tires, skinny as they are, offer great feel and traction to the edges with the 19 front loop feeling GREAT. The long travel suspension is SUPERB front and back and the chassis remains stable one or two-up to around 120mph. Above about 105 she begins to dance a bit. Probably result of limited wind efficiency than anything else. Engine offers good torque and is smooth with a real sweet spot 5-7,000rpm. The brakes are a bit weak and the seat a bit too soft for my taste but then again my other bike is a Mille R. Overall very nice. My only dislikes are the limited brakes, too wide an ass and the footpeg mounts on the pipes which have the passenger fighting to find their footing after about 15min (bad design). Overall feels much like a cross between a BMW 1150RT and a GS. My recommendations are if you are interested in a do-it-all bike go for the DL- 1) cut the rear fender off below the pipes, turn the tag light upsidedown and add a spring to the license plate to move all up in the back and still let you get to the seat lock. Looks a LOT better than the Jeep rearend and still offers plenty of splash protection. 2) Ditch the stupid hand guards till winter and mount fairing attached mirrors and marker lights in the front turn signal mounts ala PASO or RT1150 to improve the front looks. 3) Buy Two Brothers pipes which look like they do not mount to the footpegs or wait till someone makes a set of pipes that really fit. 4) Look for the taller windscreen and lighter hardbag mounts than Ive seen and add a set of Givis. There shouldnt be anything that will stop you now with a detuned motor that will probably go 150,000 miles and a setup to take you anywhere comfortably. Show less

Saturday left Roswell and headed to Globe Arizona, down to the tip of Texas and back to Roswell in 18 hours and 1076 miles. Not a bit of trouble with the Strom and did some 200 plus mile tanks at a fast pace. Wind noise and chain chores were my only complaints. I would recomend this bike for anyone that is tall enough for it, and willing to go back to chain drive like I did. Show less

I took delivery of the DL today and have ridden it about 100 miles. I had test ridden the BMW GS, Triumph Tiger and the Aprilia Capo Nord. Although I know people who can whip a GS round the twisties it didnt seem natural to me. I was at home with the DL after about a mile. Its lighter than the other big "trailies" and very stable. I shall write an update when the bike is fully broken in . So far so good:) Show less