2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE | On And Off-Road Launch First Ride

[@DirtObseXXion]

Awesome review, pretty much exactly what you might expect from Suzuki... But it sure is nice to have a comfortable and capable bike with simple usable features at a fairly reasonable price.

[@allwheeldrive]

And, legendary reliability.

[@SptifireAce]

Chad, i don't think it's because you're older that you like a more simplistic bike with few riding modes etc. I am 32 and I have a 1992 Africa twin where the traction control and abs is just you and your hands, and i love it!

[@skyworks1621]

I did order the regular 1050 right after EICMA and it should come in few weeks. Regular just because I ride only on road. I do know Vstroms very good, my last one was 1000 XT back in 2018. I did upgrade to new KTM 1290 SAS in 2022 but it got stolen after 6 months. Now that Suzuki finally has TFT and quickshifter, Iam back for that lovely Vtwin sound and character with an Akrapovic right from the start.

[@ralphwarom2514]

Really sorry about that. I hate thieves. Had to have brain surgery after being mugged last year. There goes my savings for my new bike. Regardless, I'm getting a 1290 Duke by end of this year. 😤

[@skyworks1621]

@@ralphwarom2514 auch that story is really extreme. Hope you are ok now. Bike can always be bought later, injury not. I hope your dream comes true with new KTM, it is a great bike with a monster engine.

[@ralphwarom2514]

@@skyworks1621 thanks. XD ended up getting an R1. Life has to be lived. Good year ahead.

[@thewoodster8607]

The last 30 seconds summed it up for me. It doesn't need to be compared to the opposition because it's not pretending to compete with them. There's a reason why the others are £20K plus and these are £13K plus (Now going for £10-11K) . It's a very capable machine in its own right. If you want one of the others, go for it. I have a 1250GS but IMHO that engine on the V Strom is wonderful.

[@shawnolson4522]

Great work! Loved this video!

[@kevinbrennan2004]

Spot on with your assessment on the bike mate. It is, what they say it is, and won't break the bank accounts of most riders. To me, that sounds like good business. More units sold. Larger profitability.

[@1998TDM]

Crikey, the ADV market is turning into a swingers party, even the ugly one looks like a good ride. Well observed review, thank you.

[@KamikazeJoeNYC]

lmao! you win

[@mesfar1]

I tried the Vstrom 1050, a wonderful bike with practicality, patience, endurance, satisfactory specifications, and a good price for the appropriate performance. It is the cheapest Super Adventure among competitors.

[@Kwhopperfan]

I think they made some great improvements I had a 2021 XT but it didn’t do it for me, I wanted more low end torque like the earlier ones and it was terribly uncomfortable, the early 2000’s which I own now is so much better comfort wise. Maybe I should have kept it but this DE sounds like the bike I should have bought. Hats off to Suzuki for making changes that it needed so quickly, they do listen to the surveys.

[@davidbesant]

I bought a DL1000XT in 2018 for £11,400. The new bikes are about 20% more. But considering your getting "more" for your money I guess value-for-money wise, they're in the same ball park. These bikes though sell on their practicality, so it's surprising you didn't even mention luggage options. In the end they're tourers, not motorcrossers.

[@mbal4052]

Luggage? A top box and panniers will be available. There sorted that for you 😉😂

[@BibtheBoulder]

@@mbal4052 I never bought the Hayabusa to do the job I wanted from the V-Strom, hence I am still in the market for an 'upright' style bike as well, though I think the two bikes have more in common than you might think. For example they are both capable of covering huge miles in a day at speed. I don't ever go off road so no need for that, but I do carry a pillion occasionally which the Hayabusa is capable of as it has a decent rear seat, and plenty of extra power. The only way the Hayabusa fails is in its ability to attach luggage for two people.

[@davidbesant]

@@mbal4052 Thanks, for that, but is it any good? On my bike, the side cases were a bit small and broke easily. Later models had ridiculous metal beer crates (copying BMW). But at least Suzuki usually give you single key locking. The bike itself we know will be OK. Suzukis always are.

[@bobz1736]

Great review ! That blue and white DE is a fine looking bike 🤔

[@Jimo368]

Interesting that they went with a combination tubed and tubeless. I’ve never had a front puncture so it’s not so bad a choice

[@canalclovis252]

a 21" tubeless wheel at the front was probably not compatible. At the rear they used GLM which is the same supplier TRIUMPH and BMW. It seems something improvised

[@xpllmmff]

This bigger bike and another Suzuki V-Strom 800DE which would you recommend?

[@BlazinBlades]

170 claimed on the Multi…😂 I love this DE ❤

[@erigoasparago]

Took me a while to realize y'all drive on the left there ;-)

[@1MrBryn]

Be careful. That road looks.... ....Greece-y

[@oliviermagere]

Nice review but no mention of the seat height and weight. Or is it that for adventure bikes, if you have to ask then it's not for you ?

[@I-am-not-a-number]

Where's your wheelie drone shot?

[@xxcommentator]

I like the mag wheels on the basic model because I don't go off road as much, since most of my friends have either GT's or the S1000's also from Suzuki. So that I can be somewhat different. Also the new up and down quick shifter is a godsend, I have been praying that suzuki would fit the strom with it and luckily they did.

[@Dudsy907]

Are you taking it around Porto mayooo ?

[@mudwhistle74]

So similar V twin power/layout to a Ducati Desert X? Would that be a close comparison?

[@edsyphan3425]

Did it have cruise? If it's going to tour, it's a must.

[@icklepob88]

Why ? I go touring on my adventure bike, and never felt I needed it.

[@edsyphan3425]

@@icklepob88 true, but once you have it, you're spoiled.

[@DucatiDale]

@@icklepob88 why wouldn’t you want it on long motorway journeys ?

[@icklepob88]

@@DucatiDale because I'd rather be in full control and paying full attention. Holding a light throttle isn't really such a big problem. I don't use it in my car, van or truck either.

[@DucatiDale]

@@icklepob88 each to their own it lets you rest your right hand side and stretch your hand a bit and you’re also still in full control and paying a attention 😂 if you aren’t you shouldn’t be on a bike

[@NicolaDiMarco]

Nice review but sorry guys, I cannot help thinking that Chris is not reviewing it because the bike wouldn't be able of doing what Chris usually does when reviewing adventure bikes. I own a 650 Vstrom myself and I very much enjoy it for its simplicity and comfort but don't sell me it as a "sophisticated Adv" because really doesn't have anything sophisticated

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Not at all, Chris is still in Portugal teaching for BMW, Suzuki are giving us one for Chris to test once he's back in the UK.

[@NicolaDiMarco]

@@BikeWorldTVshow Niiice, cannot wait!

[@torrid94]

Great Bike!!

[@clarencecrowcarter]

An excellent review, as always! I want to mention a gripe I have with wider motorcycle journalism: "offroad". Off road is off-the-bloody-road. What you are riding there is dirt road. They are distinctly different. Spank that Suzuki through some sand dunes and talk about "offroad". Slide it about on graded gravel: its fun, but it ain't off road.

[@NicolaDiMarco]

I can ride my Vespa on that road

[@someguy9440]

Preach 😁

[@DJPTEXAS]

Why didn't they have the launch in Alaska in the winter ?

[@BibtheBoulder]

Because only Richi Vida would have turned up....

[@DJPTEXAS]

@@BibtheBoulder Hahaha true...

[@deanwaring6100]

Good review 👍🏻

[@FrankBonessa]

I really like Chris , but this old dude is pretty cool . Presents himself as a proper Englishman. Taking possession of an all black '24 1050 DE on Monday. I might have to get elevator boots, but I'll try.

[@taz473]

I love the de,does heated grips and Centre stand come as standard? How about pillion comfort? Cheers, 🇮🇲

[@Chad76Media]

Accessories

[@FrankBonessa]

Center stand on de, yes

[@icklepob88]

Sometimes less is more. Sometimes you don't need £5k worth of electrics you may never fully use. Sometimes back to basics is definitely more rewarding. The future isn't always a step forward.

[@franciscosolis7000]

does it come with kickstart as well?...just kidding

[@clubsportr08]

I can see instruments but it appears there is no clock on that Instrument panel?

[@888buzzz]

Where in Greece? Why a secret?

[@paulthompson8613]

Fish and chips nice

[@Sirsethtaggart3505]

I had that engine in my TL1000R. It was pushing 135bhp in that..... what have they done to it???

[@TS50ER]

Retuned and capable of 500,000 kms plus. They done good, that's what they done.

[@BN1960]

Nice review Am leaning more and more for my next bike not to be a GS like I've had a lot of but one of these The screen adjustment on the DE looks different to the std - is it?

[@andrewshore262]

Yes, it’s smaller and fixed (not adjustable)

[@BN1960]

@@andrewshore262 Oh, that's a bit shit

[@andrewshore262]

@@BN1960 Agreed

[@majormassenspektrometer]

Old man's bike.

[@MotoGoato]

Good review ..... doesn't seem a bad bike at all ... but compared to the competition it does appear to be a bit lacking given the prices. For example the 2023 KTM 890 Adventure and Adventure R are both cheaper than the 1050 and 1050DE respectively, make almost exactly the same hp and torque, have adjustable suspension, are considerably lighter and come with more sophisticated electronics for both road and off road riding ..... they kinda make the Suzuki look a bit heavy, pricey and basic ...

[@Kal-El22]

Sorry but... bad bike at all? It's a Suzuki, it can't be a bad bike, just my opinion but for me they can't be compared, it's not only a matter of electronic gadgets, the design also costs a lot of money and although it can be subjective, the KTM is quite ugly in design, halfway between a motorcycle enduro and adventure bike, omg he has the front fender of his enduro bikes! It seems that they had designed it by installing remains of parts from other motorcycles XDD and the result has been amorphous. It has no smoothness or visual cleanliness. Anyway, the character of the KTM is clearly more wild for off road and the elegance of the Suzuki is incredible.

[@mcnuggetapple]

I don’t need even more Sophisticated shit when I’m in the middle of nowhere , also maintenance on a ktm sucks

[@MotoGoato]

@Kal-El22 I said ... "doesn't seem a bad bike" ... you appear to have misread.

[@MotoGoato]

@mcnuggetapple I guess lighter, more powerful and better suspension all for less money must be bad things then 🤷‍♂️ oh well, each to their own 😁

[@MichalBaginski-m3b]

Quality of Ktm is ..... For me not a top tier driver I probably could not use those extra extra , I think I will go with Suzi . Hail 🤘

[@alphajed7700]

Scumbag people often demand more amenities from Suzuki, but not willing to pay the price. 😅

[@DucatiDale]

Sure their heated grips are about £400 it’s like they don’t want sell extras 😂

[@ChaohsiangChen]

I thought it is a F650GS.

[@KamikazeJoeNYC]

Fish and chips with ketchup and a cup of tea

[@Blazemon9999]

How does Chris miss Diavels in Abu Dhabi and V stroms in Greece????

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

He's still in Portugal teaching people to ride off-road...

[@Blazemon9999]

@@BikeWorldTVshow ah man...he must be kicking himself. That Ducati trip looked like the trip of a lifetime

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

@@Blazemon9999 True, but you don't usually get time to enjoy the trip, the schedule is tight.

[@Blazemon9999]

@@BikeWorldTVshow I can see how that is. I was actually referring mostly to that 1 actual test itself though. The government shut down that Arab Pike's Peak mountain road and the testers got to do multiple runs up and down on the new Diavel V4. Looked very much like Chris' cup of tea

[@Jungleland33]

I cannot, for the life if me, figure out why Suzuki put a tubed tyre on the front of the DE. It's almost a deal braker for me.

[@nomad667]

This seems like the best of no worlds. 🤔

[@tomtomtom150150]

And what about Suzuki s reliability? Look at 1250 GS and 1290 adventures with major technical problems… 😅

[@highcountrypioneer3025]

My 1290 SA has been just as reliable as my old vstrom 1k

[@midhungopan9270]

@@highcountrypioneer3025 hmm interesting

[@martyn_g]

@@highcountrypioneer3025 lucky you.

[@williamrae9954]

Suzuki constantly won World Endurance titles...BMW, "cough"??

[@abymathew295]

Still look like it's from 90's..🥴🥴🥴

[@Cult1022]

Perfect 😍

[@martyn_g]

And that’s the point. It mimics the DR Big.

[@BibtheBoulder]

I test rode a 2022 model and was utterly underwhelmed. I bought a Hayabusa instead.

[@MyMednas]

I've got a g3 Hayabusa, and was wondering about one of these for touring. Maybe both would cover all bases?

[@BN1960]

@@MyMednas Get ye'self an S1000XR to cover both bases

[@BibtheBoulder]

@@MyMednas My disappointment hit me as I opened it up and it hit a plateau just as I was expecting it to let rip. It actually felt like it was asthmatic. My Hayabusa is my 6th, but my first Gen3. It is by far the most refined of the lot. I still want an 'upright' bike to tour on with a pillion, but have reached the conclusion a 4 cylinder machine is more to my liking so I will get myself a Versys Thou as soon as finances permit...

[@howesteve966]

Check out the FJR1300 or Ninja1000SX

[@dotdashdotdash]

I’m not mad keen about bikes on stilts either

[@meteficha]

Why would I get this instead of a Tiger 900? Power is in the ballpark, but it weights 50kg less (!!!). That’s a massive difference.

[@vvevvevvvv]

Put all the accessories on your Tiger 900 and than put it on a scales. It would definitely not weigh 200 kgs (because Triumph only gives dry weight). Google comparison test of Tiger 900 and you will find out that the real weight is at least 225 kilos.

[@vvevvevvvv]

And here's the V Strom with some accessories and some fuel tipping scales at 253kgs. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKjTZ2OnntVkarc

[@viarnay]

I will never understand why Suzuki has so low sales one million bikes against seventeen by Honda

[@aldvex8541]

Well tubeless front on de , no heated grips , 0 electronics compared to other bikes , and the extra pricey 16.5 k to obtain a garbage tft without connectivity . I mean , its trash except the reliability

[@aldvex8541]

@Jay Bee honda is 2 grand less than suzuki

[@viarnay]

@@aldvex8541 all of that is crap

[@aldvex8541]

@@viarnay sure , honda at base edition costs 15000 in my country . On the other hand suzuki de costs 16.500 .

[@viarnay]

@@aldvex8541 Are you talking about the same bike? because In my country, Spain, Suzuki is way more cheap than honda

[@444ranger444]

the font looks too much like it says V-Strom DIE I dont like my bike telling me to die

[@scottb6815]

Pity the bike is so ugly....cmon Suzuki,u can do better

[@Red-74-]

Can't get past the looks, it's also to heavy for offroad use. All adventure bikes are to heavy, better off with a green lane'r, light and bashable

[@DucatiDale]

Funny that people buy adv bikes for all sorts of riding not just off-road do 300 mile on a 690 enduro you’d be in bits

[@flyingdutchy01]

i dunno. havent watched the video. But then again why should I? Suzuki hasn't made a new motorcycle since 2011. It's just part bin special after part bin special.