I have an 18 1000 and found it to be a rock solid bike. Even better than my 05 650(Sold w/122K). The 18 now has 75K and runs as good or better than when new. Enough electronics to make it a safe and better bike without going overboard like some of the other brands. Averages 50+ mpg and has never let me down.
2018 v-strom 1000 opinions
Looking at possibly buying a used 2018 v-strom 1000 with around 3000 miles. Just wanted to get opinions on this year of the bike. I'm in no rush to buy and also considering buying a newer year. I have owned an 08 vstrom 650 in the past and loved it.
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
Love my ‘18 DL1000XT!
is a great all around motorcycle - I mostly use it for sport touring and it is excellent in that role - comfortable, reliable, handles well, fun torquey engine easy to ride at either a relaxed or a spirited pace. Last year of the Gen2 bikes so all the bugs were worked out and IIRC has slightly better electronics than the earlier Gen2’s.
I do like the look of the 2020+ models - have never ridden one but watched a lot of reviews and read a lot and don’t think that I would like the way Suzuki made the bike less torquey down low and more of a motor that has to be spun up for power.
is a great all around motorcycle - I mostly use it for sport touring and it is excellent in that role - comfortable, reliable, handles well, fun torquey engine easy to ride at either a relaxed or a spirited pace. Last year of the Gen2 bikes so all the bugs were worked out and IIRC has slightly better electronics than the earlier Gen2’s.
I do like the look of the 2020+ models - have never ridden one but watched a lot of reviews and read a lot and don’t think that I would like the way Suzuki made the bike less torquey down low and more of a motor that has to be spun up for power.
I love mine! It’s pretty good at everything not spectacular at anything but she’s a strong running durable machine.
One of my buddy’s just sold one that I would have taken in a heartbeat if I didn’t have mine.
I did love riding my 2015 DL1000 for the 235,186 km / 146,137 miles that I owned it....
I do like the look of the 2020+ models - have never ridden one but watched a lot of reviews and read a lot and don’t think that I would like the way Suzuki made the bike less torquey down low and more of a motor that has to be spun up for power.
The "lower torque at lower revs" is really overstated and many times I think it is just people repeating what they read online. I haven't missed it in the 150,000+ km / 93,000+ miles I've had my DL1050. On the other hand I LOVE winding out the DL1050! The motor enjoys revving much more than my DL1000 did and has power just about everywhere and at the same time averaging about 9% better fuel mileage. (It may be that the .2 version of the 2014+ DL1000 had some improved engine management that improved mileage, I don't know.)
Either way I was happy with the DL1000 and would happily still be riding it it Suzuki hadn't come out with the improvements on the DL1050 (Cruise is a big one for me.)
..Tom
Fwiw, I have a 2020 1050XT and find the low-end torque to be real satisfying and the power very linear. When Suzuki says they moved the power up the rpm range, it definitely does not have a point in the rev range where it gets on the pipe - it just keeps on revving out. In fact, I would say there isn’t much point in going beyond about 7,000 rpm, unless noise is your thing.Love my ‘18 DL1000XT!
is a great all around motorcycle - I mostly use it for sport touring and it is excellent in that role - comfortable, reliable, handles well, fun torquey engine easy to ride at either a relaxed or a spirited pace. Last year of the Gen2 bikes so all the bugs were worked out and IIRC has slightly better electronics than the earlier Gen2’s.
I do like the look of the 2020+ models - have never ridden one but watched a lot of reviews and read a lot and don’t think that I would like the way Suzuki made the bike less torquey down low and more of a motor that has to be spun up for power.
I thought you sold her.My very first VSTROM - this 2018 model. We have six motorcycles at present , and this is my "go to" bike.
View attachment 315246
inditx
I did. Then the new owner passed away four days later and then his widow contacted me about a week later and solicited my help in selling the bike. Since the paperwork had not been turned in, I simply refunded the $$$ and took the bike back.I thought you sold her.
inditx
Wow! Sorry to hear that.
Good on ya to buy her back.
inditx
Good on ya to buy her back.
inditx
My 2020 DL1050 pulls much harder at around 4,500 (I think it is) and pulls right to redline. No lack of power down low, just much more up high.Fwiw, I have a 2020 1050XT and find the low-end torque to be real satisfying and the power very linear. When Suzuki says they moved the power up the rpm range, it definitely does not have a point in the rev range where it gets on the pipe - it just keeps on revving out. In fact, I would say there isn’t much point in going beyond about 7,000 rpm, unless noise is your thing.
I am in the habit of starting a vehicle and going right away (albeit gently at first.)This is for better warm up and less wear and tear on the motor. When I first got my 1050 it was pretty cold blooded and when cold had almost no power at low revs. This wasn't a general lack of low end torque but was more a matter of cold engine management. I don 't know when but at some point it either stopped doing that or I just got used to it. Now (with 151,000+ km / 93,000+ miles) I never notice it anymore.
I suspect that someone that just hopped on the new bike when cold felt this and wrote it had no low end torque and of course after that most people would just repeat what they read.
..Tom
I do enjoy my '18 DL10000, just turned over 55K miles.
The 1050 is an excellent bike as well, and if I was in the market for V-Strom I would keep any eye out for a used 1050, unless there was a superb deal on a well kitted DL1000. Suzuki has refined the 1050, IMHO that would be the bike I would be on the hunt for.
To come back to my '18 DL10000, I am not planning to upgrade until I break the 100K mile mark.
Happy shopping!
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The 1050 is an excellent bike as well, and if I was in the market for V-Strom I would keep any eye out for a used 1050, unless there was a superb deal on a well kitted DL1000. Suzuki has refined the 1050, IMHO that would be the bike I would be on the hunt for.
To come back to my '18 DL10000, I am not planning to upgrade until I break the 100K mile mark.
Happy shopping!
I'm struggling to set my suspension front and back right, any pointers? I'm 100kg. Solo rider.
It's a great bike for touring or for just spirited day rides. Between my age, skill level, and weight of the bike, it's not my key to backcountry exploration. For me, an average dirt/gravel road is fine until it gets muddy or sandy, then it can feel like you're wrestling a gorilla.
I had a 191000XT...just bought a 1050 this spring.
The 19 1000xt is a great bike....I prefer the tune of the 1000 myself....would have preferred they left it alone...the 1050 is a good engine too....
The 19xt addressed most of the things the previous gen bike needed addressing....and was a lil less ugly than previous gens.....
The 19 also has less techno crap on it...and not ride by wire....this could/will likely be a plus when the bike gets older...my confidence in modern outsourced tech stuff isnt high.
I would have been very happy to still be on my 19 XT....I traded it on a Triumph Scrambler that seemed like such a sexy beast....the reality of the bike wasnt so much...and it had a bunch of tech related grief/failures so it went down the road after only a year.
By then the 1050 was released and finally..a Vstrom that is actually handsome....killer colours/graphics ( Orange/white retro) and the revised seat and ergos were a nice improvement too....
The 19 1000xt is a great bike....I prefer the tune of the 1000 myself....would have preferred they left it alone...the 1050 is a good engine too....
The 19xt addressed most of the things the previous gen bike needed addressing....and was a lil less ugly than previous gens.....
The 19 also has less techno crap on it...and not ride by wire....this could/will likely be a plus when the bike gets older...my confidence in modern outsourced tech stuff isnt high.
I would have been very happy to still be on my 19 XT....I traded it on a Triumph Scrambler that seemed like such a sexy beast....the reality of the bike wasnt so much...and it had a bunch of tech related grief/failures so it went down the road after only a year.
By then the 1050 was released and finally..a Vstrom that is actually handsome....killer colours/graphics ( Orange/white retro) and the revised seat and ergos were a nice improvement too....
I couldn't resist the orange/white retro either - has design elements going back to '83 GS1100E, '85 GS 1150, some GSXR, even some '76 RM.I had a 191000XT...just bought a 1050 this spring.
The 19 1000xt is a great bike....I prefer the tune of the 1000 myself....would have preferred they left it alone...the 1050 is a good engine too....
The 19xt addressed most of the things the previous gen bike needed addressing....and was a lil less ugly than previous gens.....
The 19 also has less techno crap on it...and not ride by wire....this could/will likely be a plus when the bike gets older...my confidence in modern outsourced tech stuff isnt high.
I would have been very happy to still be on my 19 XT....I traded it on a Triumph Scrambler that seemed like such a sexy beast....the reality of the bike wasnt so much...and it had a bunch of tech related grief/failures so it went down the road after only a year.
By then the 1050 was released and finally..a Vstrom that is actually handsome....killer colours/graphics ( Orange/white retro) and the revised seat and ergos were a nice improvement too....
The OP has probably chosen by now, so this post is for future shoppers consideration.
I chose buying a leftover '18XT because I preferred the non-canbus tech, styling, and mature ECU tuning. I also find that adjusting the windscreen angle (and Givi Airflow blade) on the fly to be VERY handy. I adjust the windscreen for ride and wind conditions on almost every ride. Now that there's a Givi Airflow for the 1050, it might not be that big a deal. I find the blade adjustment more useful than windscreen angle. Edit: Knock off Tuono mirrors replaced the stockers to reduce buffeting (which helped).
Once the 1050 was announced with Euro 5 emissions compliance, I wasn't confident there wouldn't be '14 type fueling glitches.
I have found the '18 fueling to be perfect, all the way down to 1.5k parking lot full lock turns. My impression is that the '18 fueling is much better than the '14-15, and possibly the '16.
That said, V-Tom says the 1050 fueling is good, so it is. I don't know that comparing a '15 with at 1050 is as instructive as comparing an '18-19 with a 1050 as drewda does, above.
As noted, the '18 does have stout mid-range, but lacks a top end rush. I find stout mid-range to be more useful in an urban environment since it launches the bike harder at lower speeds and RPM. I do miss the top-end rush when out on the road and in less urban environments.
I do wish I had cruise control, however, and plan to install it on the next valve adjustment.
Having just sampled the range of Triumph Tigers, Rocket, and Speed Triple at Romney, only the Rocket felt a lot stronger at low RPM (obviously), but the 1200 Tiger and Speed Triple may have been geared much higher in the gear/speed that I was riding. I will submit that the 178hp, 430lb Speed Triple should be renamed the Missile. Definitely the most ferocious motorcycle I have ever ridden.
Oh, and pick the one you like most!
I chose buying a leftover '18XT because I preferred the non-canbus tech, styling, and mature ECU tuning. I also find that adjusting the windscreen angle (and Givi Airflow blade) on the fly to be VERY handy. I adjust the windscreen for ride and wind conditions on almost every ride. Now that there's a Givi Airflow for the 1050, it might not be that big a deal. I find the blade adjustment more useful than windscreen angle. Edit: Knock off Tuono mirrors replaced the stockers to reduce buffeting (which helped).
Once the 1050 was announced with Euro 5 emissions compliance, I wasn't confident there wouldn't be '14 type fueling glitches.
I have found the '18 fueling to be perfect, all the way down to 1.5k parking lot full lock turns. My impression is that the '18 fueling is much better than the '14-15, and possibly the '16.
That said, V-Tom says the 1050 fueling is good, so it is. I don't know that comparing a '15 with at 1050 is as instructive as comparing an '18-19 with a 1050 as drewda does, above.
As noted, the '18 does have stout mid-range, but lacks a top end rush. I find stout mid-range to be more useful in an urban environment since it launches the bike harder at lower speeds and RPM. I do miss the top-end rush when out on the road and in less urban environments.
I do wish I had cruise control, however, and plan to install it on the next valve adjustment.
Having just sampled the range of Triumph Tigers, Rocket, and Speed Triple at Romney, only the Rocket felt a lot stronger at low RPM (obviously), but the 1200 Tiger and Speed Triple may have been geared much higher in the gear/speed that I was riding. I will submit that the 178hp, 430lb Speed Triple should be renamed the Missile. Definitely the most ferocious motorcycle I have ever ridden.
Oh, and pick the one you like most!
1 - 18 of 18 Posts
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