Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE
Suzuki’s big adventure bike has been doing its own thing for quite a few years now. First launched over 20 years ago, back in 2002, the V-Strom’s carved out a niche in an ever-crowded market, offering potential adventurers a slightly more ‘sensible’ alternative to the bigger, badder and more off-road capable competition from the likes of BMW, KTM, Ducati and Honda.
Its bread and butter has always been munching the miles, laden with luggage and a pillion – and riders of a certain ilk love them for it. And why wouldn’t they? After all, not everyone needs a 21-inch front wheel, sophisticated electronic suspension and the latest technology. Or maybe they do? Because Suzuki’s just released a new version of its flagship adventure bike that gets closer than ever to competing with the biggest names in the game. It’s called the V-Strom 1050 DE (or Dual Explorer).
Don’t worry. There’s still a standard V-Strom 1050 to choose from, which has been nipped and tucked and tweaked and improved for 2023 – although it might not look like it at first glance, because the two bikes have the same engine, frame and styling as the previous model. Thankfully the swanky clocks, a tip-top electronics package and few clever changes hint that the newest ‘Stroms’ could be the best yet.
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra May 2023-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Honda CRF1100L ES Africa Twin
Without panniers he was adventuring nowhere - so at least Bertie's got something sorted now
BMW R 12 nineT
Chad gets a track day surprise when BMW's R 12 nineT turns out to be surprisingly fun on track
Test fleet: VOGE 525 DSX
After testing the Voge's abilities on a long ride, it was time to take it to the Cotswolds and see how it would manage on the rougher stuff
Portuguese Perambulations
Nearly over before it had begun, a brief workshop stint allows Spain and Portugal to be explored
Highway to Heaven
Three friends take on the challenge of riding the length of Canada, from Vancouver in the southwest to Inuvik in the north. The road is long, the conditions merciless, and wildfires are tearing through the country. To top it all off, the final leg of the journey is the ultimate test of gravel riding skills, nerves, and courage - it's the legendary Dempster Highway...
Battlaxes at the ready!
We tend to take tyres for granted, never really looking at them in any detail, or at how they work, just hoping that they keep us shiny side up at all times. Even in the wet
Ducati Riding Experience
When I rode the Ducati DesertX to France last year, I did have a bit of an explore on some easy fire roads and gentle green lanes in the wilds of the Médoc area, but was left with the feeling that, had I the experience, the DesertX would have been capable of taking me along some more extreme trails to some even more exciting places. If only there was a way of finding out just how well the Italian adventure bike could cope with some more extreme terrain...
Four pot flyer
Many said that sports bikes, and particularly bikes in the traditional Supersports class that was populated by 600cc inline fours, were dead. Maybe they spoke too soon?...
Eastern adventurer
With an increasing interest in smaller capacity adventure bikes, the market expands with a new entry
First Time Lucky?
It's ironic that the first all-new MV Agusta model to hit the marketplace right after Italy's No.1 trophy brand was acquired by Austrian giant Pierer Mobility, owner of off-road titans KTM, should be the company's first dual-purpose model of the modern era, powered by MV's all-new 931cc three-cylinder engine that's destined to form the basis of a whole series of new models in coming months and years.
