Trail – Test of the Suzuki V-Strom range: on the right track in 2015? – V-Strom 1000 ABS: the playful maxi trail

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Suzuki V-Strom range test: on the right track in 2015 ?

Trail - Suzuki V-Strom range test: on the right track in 2015? - V-Strom 1000 ABS: the fun maxi trail

With the return of the V-Strom 1000 in 2014, followed by the V-Strom 650 XT 2015, Suzuki is firing on all cylinders in the trail bike market, which has been growing since 2008. To date, the range has nine more variations. or less accessorized. Testing.

V-Strom 1000 ABS: the fun maxi trail

From the outset, the 2014 V-Strom 1000 attracts the trail enthusiast. It must be recognized that aesthetically it outclasses its predecessor with its modernized casing, its front face with superimposed optics and its little "duckbill" under the headlight in homage to the "big DR" of yesteryear.

The removal of the oil tank, made unnecessary due to the switch to liquid cooling, makes it possible to further refine the line, especially as the fuel tank becomes more compact by being reduced by 2 liters.

At the rear, the low positioning of the exhaust silencer facilitates the addition of optional 29 and 26 liter side cases (right side), while the new luggage carrier (with wide raised passenger grab handles and stowage) allows the installation of a 35-liter top-case kit.

These robust polypropylene elements, embellished with aluminum panels, take up the general style of the motorcycle and of course are locked with the ignition key, just like the aviation-type fuel tank cap. A rear LED light completes the picture, a little tarnished by large unsightly front / rear indicators as well as a wheel arch and a silencer hardly more elegant….

As with the previous DL1000, the center stand is optional. An economy for the manufacturer all the more questionable as the final transmission is carried out by chain and not by cardan shaft – heavier but less restrictive – as on most road maxi-trails…

The on-board instrumentation includes a large analogue tachometer and a two-part digital dial with tachometer and gear indicator engaged on the one hand, battery voltage, average and instantaneous consumption, remaining autonomy, clock, exterior temperature with indicator of gel, odometer and trips, indicator of gear engaged and traction control mode selected, fuel and water temperature gauges, plus various warning lights on the other hand.

This dashboard overlooks a 12 volt outlet, very practical for powering a GPS or recharging a phone. The wide handlebars accommodate ergonomic and easy-to-handle stems, including the control to adjust or deactivate the traction control on the left. The brake and clutch handles are of course adjustable in spacing.

A treat on the road

Thanks to this very effective and well-calibrated anti-skidding, the risk of loss of grip during an excessively clear go-around when passing through a wet or dusty area is almost eliminated, to the benefit of confidence..

Slightly straighter than on the old model, the driving position improves, with a saddle refined in its front part to facilitate the installation of the feet on the ground when stationary. A bit firm, the pilot seat culminates at 850 mm. The passenger is just as well off and has large grab handles.

In town, the V-Strom 1000 gains in handling thanks to a lowered center of gravity and a convincing turning radius. Boosted to 1037 cc (+4 hp), the twin-cylinder greatly contributes to this smooth operation, accepting to cruiser smoothly on a trickle of gas, with balanced gearbox staging and precise selection..

The V-Strom 1000 bounces at the slightest frank request of the accelerator, even if it means lifting its front wheel to the sky on the first reports if you put a little too hard and that the traction control is deactivated..

Once the Bridgestone BW (Battle Wing) 501 and 502 have warmed up, the curve registration is carried out smoothly, without restraint or excessive liveliness. The braking is powerful and adjustable, but the bite of the 4-piston radial calipers is not excessive.

As soon as the horizon clears, the 100 horses of the DL1000 express themselves without any other restraint than that of their rider! The gears pile up quickly and the counter does not take long to reach legal speeds, even blithely exceeding 200 km / h on a German motorway..

The stability at high speed is excellent, even with weapons and luggage, which we could verify by passing on the V-Strom 1000 "Winter Edition" equipped with cases and top-case (see the list of available variations below) . No noticeable front load shedding at high speed and no sensitive parasitic movements to deplore.

The wind protection of the original screen is correct at high speed, despite a small area of ​​turbulence on the top of the helmet – whether the screen (manually adjustable without tools) is in the low or high position. The optional Touring screen, a little higher and wider in its lower part, fortunately improves this point.

The upper legs of the driver are fairly well protected behind the sides of the tank. Advantage of this Winter Edition version: the heated grips can be appreciated as soon as it is cold !

On the gasoline consumption side, the Japanese manufacturer announces a drop of 16% and 4.78 l / 100 km in WMTC standardized consumption. For our part, we noted an average of 6.5 l / 100 km in mixed use, or more than 300 km of autonomy..

Paths, here we are !

By leaving the asphalt to test the V-Strom 1000’s off-road skills, we squeeze the buttocks a little more … Yet there is really no need to be afraid: the Suzuki maxi trail has relatively good disposition for this exercise, despite its 228 kg in running order and its stick wheels shod with road tires (19 and 17 inches).

The standing riding position is quite natural on this trail, even if a higher handlebar would facilitate the exercise. After a few kilometers of confidence, we deactivate the anti-skating to make the most of the off-road potential of the machine..

By increasing the pace, the suspension works well and traction remains satisfactory on rolling and dry roads. As soon as the ground becomes greasy and / or brittle, the limits of the name "trail" appear: like most of its competitors, the Suzuki is too heavy to be playful and its grip is quickly compromised, for lack of adequate pneumatic mounting.

Also beware of braking, very quickly made difficult off-road because of the hardness of the rear pedal and moderately responsive ABS – and above all, not deactivatable. In these conditions, stopping dead at the bottom of a muddy slope is not easy…

Sufficient on drivable portions, the ground clearance must also be taken into consideration before playing backpackers: on the original version, no shoe protects the lower engine, leaving the exhaust pipes and the filter exposed to shocks. oil…

All V-Strom 1000 versions in 2015

  • V-Strom 1000 ABS (€ 12,499). Burgundy, white, sand and black colors.

  • V-Strom 1000 Urban (€ 12,899). Colors: burgundy, white, sand and black. Additional equipment: central stand, hand guards, small tank bag.

  • V-Strom 1000 ADVENTURE (€ 13,499). Colors: burgundy, white, sand and black. Additional equipment: engine guard, hand guards, Touring screen, central stand, LED indicators, large bag, V-Strom stickers, motorcycle cover.

  • V-Strom 1000 TOURER (€ 14,599). Colors: burgundy, white, sand and black. Additional equipment: central stand, handguards, shoe, touring screen, LED indicators, V-Strom stickers, crankcase protectors, complete luggage kit (top case and two side bags).

  • Limited edition V-Strom 1000 WINTER PACK (€ 13,199). Colors: burgundy, white, sand and black. Additional equipment: side luggage kit + heated grips + handguard kit + LED fog light kit + plastic shoe + sump guard + central stand.

  • Reread our

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