New to me 2014 DL1000 - not as fast I was expecting..

9621 Views 82 Replies 35 Participants Last post by bobbyvstrom, 10 d ago

DesertRecondo

Discussion Starter · 1 mo ago

Hey all,

Just picked up a 2014 DL1000 with about 15k miles on it yesterday and unfortunately it rained so I couldn't really get on it. Today I took it for a proper ride and I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed at the power. I haven't ridden in a few years and my last bike was a 2012 FZ1, but I think I was expecting a bit more from the V-Strom.

I know the sweet spot is 4-6k in the rpm band, but am I missing something? I'm not 100% sure if the shop I got it from replaced the filter or spark plugs, and I know at the 15k mark those are likely things to be replaced, but I just find it hard to believe the power would change much even with replacing those.

Am I crazy?

As an FYI, the bikes I've owned in the past are:

Ninja 500
SV650
VTR1000
GSXR750 (an old one)
FZ1

1 - 20 of 83 Posts

inditx

· #2 · 1 mo ago

Not sure what you were expecting but it really performs best above the 4k mark on up to redline.
It’s not a Ducati but has sufficient grunt/torque imho for a 1k v twin.
YMMV
inditx

Reactions: 1

DesertRecondo

Discussion Starter · #3 · 1 mo ago

Weird, it just doesn't seem that strong to me.

Rookiepg

· #4 · 1 mo ago

DesertRecondo said:
Hey all,

Just picked up a 2014 DL1000 with about 15k miles on it yesterday and unfortunately it rained so I couldn't really get on it. Today I took it for a proper ride and I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed at the power. I haven't ridden in a few years and my last bike was a 2012 FZ1, but I think I was expecting a bit more from the V-Strom.

I know the sweet spot is 4-6k in the rpm band, but am I missing something? I'm not 100% sure if the shop I got it from replaced the filter or spark plugs, and I know at the 15k mark those are likely things to be replaced, but I just find it hard to believe the power would change much even with replacing those.

Am I crazy?

As an FYI, the bikes I've owned in the past are:

Ninja 500
SV650
VTR1000
GSXR750 (an old one)
FZ1

That's interesting, I found the exact same thing!!!! Maybe my expectations were to high, and quite honestly it's not suppose to be a sport bike esk ride. I think this year I'll try and focusing on playing with it in those higher rpm's. I think I had my brian locked in on the fact that its a low weight, high 1000cc motor. Probably geared differently or something.
I can't imagine older spark plugs making that much of a difference. Regardless, I still enjoy riding it into places I would never have taken any of my previous street bikes.

Safe travels this summer all.

Reactions: 2

DesertRecondo

Discussion Starter · #5 · 1 mo ago

Thanks! I did get on it up to about redline and...it was kinda bleh.

PeteW

· #6 · 1 mo ago

Sweet spot may be 4k-6k but it will wind out to 9k when needed.

And you do need to do that and use the low gears to take on sports bikes. Pick roads with no long straights and it'll hold it's own.

It has no top speed and the aero of a brick held sideways, so if they can get over 160kph they'll walk away. Where acceleration and corner exit speed matter, if you can get in front you should stay there.

Faster than the last Ducati monster I took on at least. Mind you he was easy to pass with his chain wadded into the front sprocket area

Reactions: 2

Rhino H

· #7 · 1 mo ago

A few years back, while out on a short ride with my buddy, I was convinced to jump on his bike and give it a go. I was riding my 08 Road King and he had a Super Tenere. I had no idea what an Adventure Touring bike was all about but my initial impression was how little power his bike had. Fast forward a few years, and after becoming "educated" about the ADV bike concept, I sold my King and bought a 650V and all I could think was how much power the little 650 had. It's a different machine for a different purpose and is well designed for that purpose. (Triple digit horsepower numbers may not be the best thing for gravel road bikes)

In my case, clearly expectations played a role in perception. My guess is that your impression will change as you spend more time with the bike.

Reactions: 2

Sexyman

· #8 · 1 mo ago

It's not a performance bike, 1050 is slow, but its software derated. Is what it is, pretty sure they're setup for longevity vs performance.

Reactions: 1

DesertRecondo

Discussion Starter · #9 · 1 mo ago

Thanks all! Honestly just happy to be on two-wheels again, so it's better than nothing! LOL

Reactions: 1

Rides

· #10 · 1 mo ago

My bike felt a little more rowdy when I went up two teeth on the rear sprocket.

Reactions: 3

Byronw

· #11 · 1 mo ago

Perspective.

Back in 2008 when I bought my first DL1000 I was coming from a 2004 Suzuki LC1500 Intruder (about 800 pounds with accessories.) The Vstrom was blindingly fast and cornered like crazy. For me. Then.

from the web:
Yamaha FZ1 packs a huge amount of horsepower (140+) and torque into a chassis that handles like a superbike yet is comfortable enough to ride all day long.

Big Boy

· #12 · 1 mo ago

Drop a tooth on your front sprocket. Should make things a bit more lively from a stop.

Reactions: 2

KenR74

· #13 · 1 mo ago

It may not feel fast but it gets up to 100mph without trying.

Reactions: 2

TinMan88

· #14 · 1 mo ago

The DL1000 Suzuki is not a fast bike though the engine design did originate from a fast bike. There are several alterations Suzuki made to the motor to make it this way. 1. Wide ratio transmission. First & sixth gear are useless to speed. 2. Heavy flywheel weight absorbs the ability for the engine to spool up. It is a short stroke design with short rods. It is a rev predominant design. 3. Suzuki attempted to make this a trail capable motorbike. Ain't gonna happen! The whole bike is heavy. Could lose 50 lbs or more. 4. Final gearing is waay too tall. Engine always thinks it is running up a hill. This is the cheapest and most sensible modification. A 16 front or 4 teeth more in back. This makes the trans ratios closer together as well. Seriously, this bike will not go 160 or pull redline in 5th the way it comes delivered. I call my dl1000 "Vee Gelding". The engine is understressed however and with proper maintenance will last a very long time.

I also own a Suzuki SV1000s with a proper street bike tune. 125HP and a lite reciprocating mass. World of difference!

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Reactions: 3

joe_13

· #15 · 1 mo ago

The FZ has nearly 30% more HP.
So makes perfect sense that the VStrom seems slow after riding that.

Reactions: 1

DesertRecondo

Discussion Starter · #16 · 1 mo ago

joe_13 said:
The FZ has nearly 30% more HP.
So makes perfect sense that the VStrom seems slow after riding that.

I also rode a 2005 SV650 for a few years and while it has been quite a while since I owned it, the V-Strom to me feels on par with the 650.

Reactions: 1

DesertRecondo

Discussion Starter · #17 · 1 mo ago

Big Boy said:
Drop a tooth on your front sprocket. Should make things a bit more lively from a stop.

Thanks for the suggestion, I totally forgot about that being a performance mod, LOL

Reactions: 1

Dark Angel

· #18 · 1 mo ago

DesertRecondo said:
I also rode a 2005 SV650 for a few years and while it has been quite a while since I owned it, the V-Strom to me feels on par with the 650.

My wife has a 2020 SV650. It is quite lively for a bike it's size. The DL1000 has a reputation for being quite ... civilized. Effortless rather than excitable.

Reactions: 1

DesertRecondo

Discussion Starter · #19 · 1 mo ago

The 2005 was a hoot! I remember passing a GSXR-600 on the track in a corner on the ole' SV.

For the V-Strom, I think based on what I'm seeing I'm gonna grab a Holeshot performance tuner when I get some extra funds - the dyno sheets look like their are pretty significant gains to be had!

jimabena74

· #20 · 1 mo ago

you do realize the vstrom is 100 hp and not a sports bike right?

Reactions: 2

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