Suzuki V-Strom 1000XT: Should you buy the outgoing model?

Suzuki is soon to release an all-new V-Strom platform, and so the current generation is going cheap. Is it worth the bargain? INFO MOTO investigates...
Subscribe for more motorcycle and product reviews.
For Australia's best bike news, head to infomoto.com.au
Facebook: infomotoau/
Instagram: infomoto_au

[@BibtheBoulder]

Dec 2022: After months of researching the 1050 and the 1000 Strom I have opted for the 1000. The value for money made it so appealing I couldn't resist it. I was looking for a new 1050, but a very low miles (4,000) 1000XT came up at a local dealer and I just could not justify the extra £4,000 for the 1050.

[@Farmaci86]

Great video mate! I absolutely love my V-Strom 1000xt and you just described it perfectly

[@ckkrons2338]

Great video. "dirt bike, no" ... great comment. I have a 1200GSA and a DR650, the GSA is fine on gravel but get deep in dirt you quickly find 600 pounds wears you out. It is no dirt bike. These big adventure bikes are oversold in that regard.

[@gregtriumphrat]

Wanted a V strom for years but could never get a trade deal. Now the new 1050 is out and I got one. Picking it up soon.

[@MisterSuki]

I just did. Brand new 2018 XT priced right. No reservations.

[@andrewedmond7738]

Great review of the big Vee. I have the 2014 model, fully kitted up. Almost 90 thousand kms on the girl, and she hasn't missed a beat. Comfortable, durable, reliable and best value for money on the market. I will look at the new version when we finally get it in Oz, but the price will dictate whether I upgrade or not! Switch out the tyres to 80/20's and notice the marked improvement off road. thanks for the video. Subbed.

[@joecamel6835]

😃

[@keldonator]

Still have the vstrom?

[@TheTripleDubya]

I'm addicted to fully functioning factory cruise ! Switchable ABS would be good too !

[@ComfyDadShoes]

I’m weary of TFT longevity and honestly this this is the best gen strom

[@ZORANSKORIN]

Have 2019. XT the bike is great,it needs some time to figure out how to push it hard and than it is great road bike.Beacuse of nice grunt low you can be very fast.

[@imkindofabigdeal4308]

The outgoing model (I have an '18) is a little more torque down low...and little less power up high. I like the drivability of the '18. While I haven't ridden the new model - can't imagine I'd like the driving dynamics better. Cruise control would be good though.

[@skyworks1621]

I did buy the same one you drive the 2019 in yellow and after 8000 km, I can tell you the bike is great, all I miss is cruise control. I did make 600 km on my quick one day tour to the Alps and the bike did great. It has a fun sporty caracter and I love the low tourque. I even like the old bike more than the new since it is 14 kg lighter.

[@florme6494]

sky works I have to agree, the only reason I would buy the new is for cruise control and that’s not enough to part with my money. To be honest if I was to trade in I’d probably go for the T7 for a bit more off road use. The thing stopping me apart from the money is the small fuel tank and no cruise control.

[@miroslavmoric399]

@@florme6494 MC Cruise control will solve it.... I have it, I enjoy it. Works almost perfectly.

[@UncleWally3]

This is a good question. On one hand, aside from reports of a worse seat than the previous model, the new 1050 is slightly improved. On the other hand, the old model, already a bargain, is now being sold where I live (Canada) with great package incentives at even greater discounted prices. I’ve bought three new ‘Stroms (‘09, ‘12, ‘15) and ridden them long and hard over 200 000 trouble free kilometers. They’re far from the most sophisticated motorcycles, but they’re reliable, comfortable and the cost of ownership is very low. For me it’s clear: Either buy the ‘18 - ‘19 “leftovers” or buy something other than a V-Strom.

[@elitetileandstone]

I just purchased a 2019 XT Adventure on February 15th. I wasn't really in the market for a new bike, but when I was the bike equipped with the Trax Adventure bags, engine guards and heated grips, I became very interested. Price before tax was $3000.00 US below msrp, or $5000.00 less than the 2020 model. There is no way I could justify spending the extra money for cruise control and the other minor improvements. The bike really is good value for $$$!

[@cpuuk]

Yea, that seat is rubbish, and should be first thing to replace.

[@jal1797]

the 1050 produce 6 ps more at high revs.It lost 0,1 Nm torque which now the maximum torque is on 6000 instead of 4000 revs but now the bike is freely high reving which I like most.

[@miroslavmoric399]

@@elitetileandstone You can solve cruise control with MC Cruise control unit. Not accelerator locker.... but the classic electronic cruise control. They are from Australia. I am from EU, ordered and installed in this February. No problem, standard behavior as expected. Little fluctuation of speed under 60 km/h .... Totally no differences in comparison with car cruise-control from 75km/h

[@cpuuk]

Ah, you forgot to mention the lean sensitive ABS, yes, the XT has a 5-axis IMU. Also the bike is a superb motorway eater, super stable at illegal speeds. BatWings are rubbish in cold, put Bridgestone A41 on if you want to keep the same sort of tyre function. My XT has 22K miles on it, zero issues except service costs.

[@tennyis28]

2018 and 2019 have the Imu as well, in 2020 the imu is only on the XT, not on the base.

[@barkinsahin]

I had 650. Simple, basic, reliable bike. Things that don't exist don't break! This is the philisophy of having a VS.

[@joecamel6835]

Wee - Strom

[@archermoody9746]

Bought my new-old stock 2018 vstrom in the fall of 2020. Suzuki had a 30% rebate on it. Would have been a fool to not buy. Has been a fantastic bike

[@ownyourworld]

Also you are wrong about the keys for luggage , Suzuki will key code them to the ignition as part of the luggage

[@TheBrabs007]

Mine has the same key for all three boxes.

[@falchiherve2024]

i own one too....... best bike i have ever had...... i m never going to buy anything else but a v strom////// fantastic bike to ride

[@tuanoful]

I have no idea what price he said...

[@rrssmooth6643]

Any vibrations

[@ownyourworld]

You can switch off the abs by pulling a wheelie

[@tuanoful]

In the CONS you forgot to say, swichable ABS. I have the little sister, I like it.

[@actstuntcam]

Is it possible to plumb a switch into the fusebox? If it has a fuse, surely an auto electrician could wire in a switch to the fuse and mount the switch on the bars???? Anyone done this with a Strom?? Cheers, Campbell

[@Springbok1969]

I have a 2018, can cruise control be retro fitted?

[@buto003]

Bosch?

[@sergioluzon]

The side panniers are placed too high. It seems like they can be annoying for the pillion's legs. Am I right?

[@jrbass62]

I love my 2014 1000 Strom. Need footpegs lowered, Taller risers, at 6'1"

[@alenfora1400]

It has the v engine so for me always better than the twin

[@toby7504]

Ths is about the same as the new one without all the crap gadget you dont need, its cheaper and lighter, so yeah i buy this.

[@srhintz]

It all moot. I won't have another bike without cruise control. Much less an "Adventure" bike.

[@batto1962]

The story of the keys is rubbish. My V-Strom is also equiped with the Givi cases and I have only one key for all the three cases.

[@an-shunlin2473]

not my bike