The Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE continues the brand’s tradition of creating reliable and rugged adventure motorcycles. But how would it perform as cross-country tourer, riding 2 000 km over three days? We had to find out.
As with many Japanese motorcycles, reliability is a standout trait for the V-Strom 1050 DE, making it an excellent choice for riders seeking a dependable steed on journeys far from any mechanical support. It seemed like the perfect companion for a long-distance journey through the heartland of the Mountain Kingdom, Lesotho.
Design and build quality
The V-Strom 1050 DE is a solidly constructed machine with several thoughtful features that enhance its robustness. The bike comes with a bash plate underneath to protect the engine from debris and obstacles, while the front crash bars provide additional safety.
The V-Strom 1050 DE is a handsome bike. The side mirrors are both practical and stylish, with a sturdy build and a parallelogram shape that provides excellent visibility.
Its hand guards have an interesting shape, possibly designed with aerodynamics in mind, and they appear durable enough to protect against small branches and the elements.
The bike I rode was finished in a bright yellow colour, which, while reminiscent of a South African Police pickup from decades ago, certainly ensures high visibility… The 1050 DE is also available in blue and black, respectively.
Comfort and ergonomics
The V-Strom 1050 DE’s seat is comfortable over long distances, though positioned too low for tall riders. Unfortunately, this model does not have the adjustable seat height feature of its predecessor, but Suzuki does offer the option of purchasing a higher or lower seat, depending on your preference.
The windscreen, however, is a letdown. It cannot be adjusted for height, and it is positioned too low for optimal wind protection. For taller riders, this could be a significant drawback, and it may necessitate the purchase of a taller screen or an aftermarket wind deflector, manufactured by GIVI and others.
The fully digital instrument display is a plus, offering crystal-clear readability. However, it does not seem to have smartphone connectivity, a disadvantage for tech-savvy riders who prefer integrated navigation (like Google Maps) or music controls.
Performance and handling
The heart of the V-Strom 1050 DE is its 1037cc V-twin engine. It’s no puny little engine, but it does not deliver the punch I expected. It feels a tad lazy, requiring the rider to push it past 5 000 rpm to tap into its decent performance range.
This might feel underwhelming, especially for those accustomed to the torquey response (at low revolutions per minute) of larger boxer or V-twin engines, like those of BMW’s big GS or the Ducati’s V2 Multistrada Rally. In comparison, the Suzuki’s engine feels similar to that of the Honda Africa Twin—adequate, but not particularly thrilling.
It’s worth noting that manufacturers detune their engines to prioritise longevity; something that could have caused the V-Strom 1050’s leisurely character.
Engine settings
There are multiple engine settings to play with, including traction control, ABS, and different modes for engine responsiveness. The bike was mostly set to “performance,” unless I was trying to curb the engine’s fuel consumption.
The fuel consumption came to around 18 km per litre, which is decent but not exceptional for an adventure bike in this class.
Suspension and ride quality
One area where the V-Strom 1050 DE shines is in its suspension setup. The bike feels very stable, absorbing bumps and potholes with ease. Even when hitting unavoidable road imperfections, the bike and its suspension remain unfazed, providing a smooth and controlled ride.
The rear suspension is manually adjustable, and after being set to the recommended “30 clicks,” it performed admirably.
Transmission
The V-Strom 1050 DE features a quick-shifter that works well for both upshifts and downshifts, although downshifts might still feel smoother with the clutch engaged. This feature adds to the bike’s ease of use and enhances its overall riding experience.
Wheels and tyres
The V-Strom 1050 DE runs on spoked wheels: a 21” up front and a 17” at the rear. Note that the front tyre is tubed, while the rear is tubeless. This is an interesting approach from Suzuki, as there are riders who prefer tubes and those who don’t.
On the second day of my trip, the rear tyre picked up a nail, causing a slow puncture. Luckily I discovered this while in Aliwal North, so I could plug the wheel while in the shade of a petrol station, with an air compressor at hand.
The V-Strom 1050 DE comes with dual-sport tyres as standard equipment. Fitting more aggressive tyres wasn’t an option this time around, so I mostly kept to paved roads, also because it rained heavily for most of my trip.
The recommended tyre pressure wasn’t not specified, so consult the owner’s manual or a dealer to ensure you’re running the optimal setup for your specific riding conditions and load.
Heavy beast
The kerb mass (meaning all fluids are topped up) of the V-Strom 1050 DE is a hefty 252 kg. With the panniers and their content added, the bike could have weighed as much as 285 kg.
While you don’t feel it on the go, you most certainly will if you drop the bike. I did just that on a hairpin bend in a mountain pass. My ‘speed’ at the time? Zero kilometres per hour.
The fall happened when I stopped to look back, scanning the view for a potential photo. Not realising the road was banked, I turned the wheel slightly ‘down hill’ as I stopped, and then tipped over.
Get on up
After dusting off my ego, I tried to get the V-Strom back on its feet. But the bike was lying down at an angle of about -5º. I really put my back into it, but couldn’t get the Suzuki one centimetre off the ground. So, I waited for help to arrive.
After 15 minutes or so, a man on a Basotho pony came riding along. With the man’s help, I got the bike right side up. I inspected the pannier case that had hit the ground. It was in perfect working order and only the small plastic protector on the bottom rear corner of the case was scuffed. But this is what they’re meant for and are cheap to replace. There was a little bit of damage to the exhaust, for which Suzuki South Africa has forgiven me since.
Conclusion and rating
Overall, the 2024 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE is a reliable and well-built adventure bike with many practical features. While its engine performance may not be as thrilling as some might hope, it excels in comfort, suspension, and overall build quality.
With a few modifications, such as an aftermarket windscreen and performance exhaust, it could become an even more comfortable and capable long-distance touring bike. Despite some minor gripes, it remains a solid choice for those seeking a dependable motorcycle for both on- and off-road adventures. It scores 3 out of 5.
3.0 out of 5.0 starsSpecifications
- Price: R259 000
- Engine: 1 037 cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 90° V-twin
- Lubrication system: Wet sump.
- Transmission: 6-speed constant mesh
- Fuel tank capacity: 20 ℓ
- Ground clearance: 190 mm
- Seat height: 880 mm
- Weight: 252 kg (kerb mass)
- Suspension front: Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped
- Suspension rear: Link type, coil spring, oil damped
- Brakes: Twin front discs, single rear disc
- Brakes rear: Disc
- Tyres front: 90/90-21M/C 5H tube type
- Tyres rear: 150/70R17M/C 69H tubeless
- Additional information at suzukimotorcycle.co.za
