All Duels – R1200GS vs V-Strom 1000 Duel: Suzuki stands out – The Suzuki alternative to the BMW R1200GS

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R1200GS vs V-Strom 1000 duel: Suzuki stands out

All Duels - R1200GS vs V-Strom 1000 Duel: Suzuki stands out - The Suzuki alternative to the BMW R1200GS

The V-Strom 1000 soon arrives in Suzuki dealerships but is already measuring itself on Site against the BMW R1200GS, an essential reference on the market. How does the new Japanese maxitrail come out of this duel? By standing out… Comparative test.

The Suzuki alternative to the BMW R1200GS

Unveiled last year in the form of and presented in its end of September during the 24H Moto du Mans 2013, the new V-Strom 1000 will be available from mid-January 2014 in the. To evaluate it, Site chose to try it out with the R1200GS, queen of the segment….

Video of the GS / V-Strom duel

In addition to this duel between the recent BMW R1200GS and the new V-Strom 1000, also discover !

The GS is indeed the in-con-tour-na-ble benchmark of the maxitrails segment. Not content with dominating its category (commercially, it is ahead of the all new 1190 Adventure, the Multistrada 1200 and the Tiger 1200: read our), the BMW is quite simply the best selling motorbike over 800 cc in France..

Three packs for the V-Strom 1000

Like, the new Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS will benefit from the same three packs as its little sister 650: Urban, Adventure and Tourer, scheduled for February.

The first includes a shoe, hand guards and a tank bag. The second replaces the bag with a top case and is also equipped with a touring screen, a central stand and LED indicators. And the last pack adds to this list of crankcases, a complete luggage kit, a tank protection and a sticker "1000".

The rates are "not known to date", Suzuki France warns us,"but between the standard version and the most equipped, we want an approximate range of 2000 euros". The same amount as on the V-Strom 650.

Thoroughly reviewed for 2013, the GS has experienced phenomenal success which is not surprising since on a dynamic level, German maxitrail has always convinced – bikers in general and the MNC editorial staff in particular! – and relentlessly defeated his opponents.

Note also that in 2014, the commercial success of this Motorrad should be confirmed with the arrival of the Adventure version with cooling – partially – liquid, but also thanks to the more complete equipment of the base model, always offered "to from "from 15 450 €.

Unlike the 2013 model that Site opposed to the V-Strom during this duel, the 2014 R1200GS will be equipped as standard with ASC traction control and two engine mapping modes (“Road” and “Rain”). As of course at BMW, ABS is also delivered as standard.

Electronic suspension control (ESA Dynamic), however, remains optional, as does the on-board computer or hand guards (!), LED lights or indicators, additional "Pro" driving modes or the cruise control. speed.

In the end, the bill for a "fully equipped" GS quietly climbs from 3000 euros to reach 18,500 €. A sum that is legitimized by the extreme versatility of the product: as comfortable on small roads as on expressways, the GS readily lends itself to motorcycle-work-sleep, shines in arsouille and excels in travel.

The fair prices

So, what is Suzuki’s response to this scarecrow? In the first place – and this is a specialty of the house of Hamamatsu – it offers a price of 12,499 € for a maxitrail equipped with ABS and traction control. The V-Strom 1000 thus fits on its cousin (€ 12,499) and on the (€ 12,490, "whithout traction control").

Compared to the GS, the budget difference amounts to 3000 euros considering the basic rate of the German but peaks at 6000 euros – the price of a Gladius ABS! – taking into account the price of the version "full options"borrowed from BMW Motorrad France by Site for this duel.

By aligning the two motorcycles, we instantly discover many differences: unlike BMW which uses state-of-the-art technologies (Paralever and Telever assisted by ESA, ride-by-wire accelerator), noble (gimbal, stainless steel and torx screws, braided hoses, angled valves) and expensive (LED lights), Suzuki made in the traditional.

More basic, this Japanese recipe is no less effective, as demonstrated for example by the GSR750 in the world of roadsters! Unfortunately for Suz ‘, some "classic" solutions lend themselves a little less well to the maxitrails sector….

This is mainly the case with chain transmission, the maintenance of which in some motorcyclists is an excruciating chore. It must be recognized that without a center stand (available as an option), the simple lubrication of the chain of the V-Strom may pose a problem. !

In terms of finish, the Suzuki loses some points against the "dear" BMW: draft arrangement of a few wires, partial covering of certain hoses (on the right side of the engine, in particular), exhaust pipes – and its valve – entirely bare, raw appearance of plastic parts…

Likewise, the welds of the aluminum frame on the Suzuki are less easy to make than those of the tubular steel frame of the BMW … and it shows! By detailing the two motorcycles even more, we see that the V-Strom’s commodos are less elegant than those of the GS. Ditto for mirrors !

The general appearance of the V-Strom is nevertheless in tune with the times. Without doubt not the prettiest of the new 2014 motorcycles, the Suz ‘is not uglier than the Behème! Small duckbill DR750S, optics with worked and singular shapes, front wheel of 19 inches and rear mesh buckle: the codes of the maxitrail are respected.

Like its competitor of the day, the V-Strom 1000 is equipped with radial-mounted 4-piston front brake calipers, which gives it the sporty touch necessary for any trail-road-GT-sportsman-commuter! These Tokico brand elements, which bite two 310 mm discs, are assisted by a single piston caliper at the rear and assisted by a Bosch ABS system.

On the engine side, the Japanese engineers did not start with a blank sheet, which would have involved a significant budget in research and development. They nevertheless provided a lot of work on the twin cylinder from the old V-Strom 1000, which disappeared from the Suzuki France catalog in 2008 (read our).

The new V-Strom "1037"

Although its denomination has not changed, the 2014 V-Strom 1000 gained a few cubic centimeters (from 996 to 1037 cc). The displacement difference with the "R1170GS" is therefore not as important as it appears on the logos … and on the technical sheet, where the Suzuki gives 25 horsepower and 22 Nm to the BMW (see our technical sheets on the last page).

Site readers – who, as everyone knows, are more perceptive than others – will have calculated that the difference in terms of maximum performance (25%) corresponds to that which separates the prices of the two models: the "base" BMW is 24% more expensive than the Suzuki !

In France however, this argument which pleads in favor of the BMW falls because of the law of 100 horses. It should also be noted that the V-Strom develops its 103 Nm from 4000 rpm, while the R1200GS reaches its peak torque 2500 rpm higher.

Suzuki defenders may add that their favorite weighs 10 kg less than the "fat Gueese". Minimal in static or when maneuvering with the engine off, a difference is felt at low speed … The center of gravity placed lower on the Suz ‘(lower ground clearance, suddenly) and the fitting of thinner tires y play for a lot !

The size of the motorcycle is another decisive element in driving a motorcycle: although wider at the level of the tank, the V-Strom 1000 is less impressive than the R1200GS thanks to its easier access to the ground (despite a identical saddle height of 850 mm), its narrower handlebar facilitating large maneuvers and its wiser V-twin…

Unlike that of the BMW flat-twin, starting the Suzuki V-twin does not affect the balance of the machine (no overturning torque!). In addition, the sound of the Japanese exhaust is much less fierce than that of the German: morning "commuters" and their neighbors will appreciate !

The same daily users of the new Suzuki will be able to show off in front of those of the GS: they did not have to subscribe to an "on-board computer" option to benefit from a multitude of information! The instrumentation of the V-Strom has nothing to envy that of the R1200GS.

The Suz ‘engine speed is perfectly readable, as is the speed displayed in large size on the upper LCD screen. BMW would do well to take inspiration from it: the owner of the "Gueesse" must have good eyesight to distinguish the digits of the analog meter.

On both motorcycles, the information scrolls according to the controls placed on the handlebars: a gray pad dominating the left stalk on the Suzuki, two buttons on the left and one on the right (for engine modes) on the BMW.

Small bonus granted by the only R1200GS: the tire pressure indicator, whose reliability is approved by MNC. Like the BMW, the new Suzuki V-Strom 1000 indicates the ambient air temperature: 7.5 ° C when Site takes the road…

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