Motorcycle specifications SuzukiDL 1000 V-STROM 2005 The TL as adventurer

the Suzuki V-strom is a late arrival on the large trail bike market, but the manufacturer has taken advantage of this time to observe, listen to the critics, and present us with a machine with long teeth. It has to offer the comfort of a Varadero, the sportiness of a Navigator, the technology of a Caponord and the skill of an R 1150 GS. Squaring the circle, as it were. Offering the ideal sports tourer, certainly... and when you discover that the aluminum perimeter frame houses the twin of the late TL 1000 S, you start to get seriously interested in this big trail bike - and high, because the seat height is consequent. The weight remains contained, but also high, requiring a certain dexterity when maneuvering at low speed.
The engine has been downsized by 27 hp to better match the DL 1000's road-going, adventurous spirit, but it remains superb. Supple, it picks up at 2000 rpm without knocking and is particularly torquey in the mid-range, then pulls with glee up to 7500 rpm. Approaching the red zone is useless and unpleasant: the TL 's horses have moved out of the rev range in favor of more "torque and character" in the mid-range. The engine does this very well, and even better. At high speeds, handling is very sound and protection excellent. The seat also plays the travel card, offering superb support and comfort. However, your peace of mind will be undermined by the suspension: the fork is a little dry and rejects heavy shocks, and the rear shock absorber (although very effective in dynamic terms) does not cope well with a carpet of successive bumps. In this respect, the V-strom doesn't match the comfort of a Varadero, but is much more rigorous. The gearbox is fast and features an overdrive 6th gear, to be used only on freeways, but which seriously lowers engine speed... and fuel consumption. The engine's efficiency is such that you can have no qualms about using this gear again, as long as your speed doesn't drop below 110 km/h. Below this threshold, you can take full advantage of the other gears and the twin's playful side. Efficient and superb, it lets you play with the V-strom.
The well-balanced V-strom is easy to get into corners, and the slightly less comfortable suspension now lets you roll with ease and leap from bend to bend. The high center of gravity makes itself felt at corner changes, where a little resistance is felt; this is quickly forgotten by the machine's agility and stability on the corner. The brakes don't offer a dignified attack, which isn't really a bad thing on this machine - it avoids unbalancing it too much - but with a little insistence, the power is there.
The DL 1000 obviously couldn't offer the best of everything. But Suzuki offers us a lively, comfortable and playful machine that's also very efficient. Its engine is a delight, but it will have to find its place in a segment where the offer is plethoric.
M.B
(inspired by L. Cochet's article - Moto-journal n° 1 508
manufacturer's photos)
very good on the attack in all circumstances, great fun BUT ........camionnesque at standstill Rating : 4/5 Respond to MONRICO
In short, if I had the money, I'd buy the same bike, but more recent, with abs.
Rating : 4/5 Respond to Pakatoche
Romain from MP Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
a mediter Rating : 1/5 Respond to philippe03
it's all a matter of taste,
after breaking my first vstrom 1000, i tried the tiger (in 1000 or 1050 version) and yes it's a good machine, but for my taste the 3 cylinder is much too linear (almost like a 4 cylinder) compared to the strong character of the DL's big Vtwin,
personally, I love the comfort, the practicality with suitcases, and the fact that you can drop a 675 Daytona and a Z1000 in a mountain pass (yes, I did...). All of which is to say that performance-wise, it's pretty cushy, but it's also got some serious wattage!
JD Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
It's a machine with character, comfortable and very enjoyable to ride, despite its size (beware of those under 1.70 m tall).
the only complaint is the vibrations when you're not in the towers, but it's a biscylinder too...
I recommend it as a compromise between trail and GT. To try it is to adopt it!
And I don't have any Suzuki shares! Rating : 5/5 Respond to thierry14240
but the vibrations in the helmet, despite the high bubble, are really hellish
otherwise, the chassis is very good and the engine has been tuned by a pro (grand prix), so there's nothing to say
As for the objectivity of dealers, it's a poem...............
A +
Rating : 5/5 Respond to christ84
It's my first twin-cylinder, and what a joy it is. It's true that there are a few vibrations, but aren't they part of the charm of this machine?
Last weekend I went to see the Barcelona GP, and the small roads of the Pyrenees were a playground where the suz showed me all its rigor and all the ardor of the engine that equipped the TLs. What a pleasure, I tell you, especially when you have soprtives that have to work hard not to disappear from your mirrors
The only hitch is the lack of ground clearance, which makes the footbraces and exhaust rub under the engine when cornering hard...
The balance is therefore more than positive: a reliable, playful motorcycle that knows how to do everything while providing comfort and pleasure...
The downside is its "offbeat" look: really, Mr SUZUKI, you could have made more of an effort... but once you're on it, you don't see it anymore, and the magic is immediately added. Rating : 5/5 Respond to papaschult
My dealer doesn't notice anything when I test it... Strange!!! If anyone has an answer to this problem, I'd be happy to know the solution. Thank you in advance and good to all you bikers. Rating : 5/5 Respond to François