You’ll see that we are featuring used machines quite frequently – and the take up on this is pretty good because… not everyone has the budget for a new bike. This month, we borrowed a pristine Suzuki VStrom 1000 from the guys and girls at Bikeshop Rivonia and took it for a good, long spin.
Before we go further, this time round, we weren’t looking for exotic or unusual, we were looking for bang for your buck, and on special for R139,990.00 for a 1000cc adventure tourer, we think that we found it. The DL1000 comes complete with GIVI crash bars and a top box.
Before we get into the ride itself, we’ll give a bit of background on this model:
It first saw production in 2002 and was built and sold around the globe for 9 years, until Suzuki introduced the 1050.
Based on the 996cc motor that powered the Suzuki TL and SV1000, most of the liquid-cooled 90-degree V-twin’s parts were entirely new. Also, they retuned it with a more linear and manageable power delivery from the original. We believe that it had something to do with being more dirt oriented.
The quirky looks took some getting used to, it would have been pretty cool if Suzuki had continued with the look from their early 2000 ‘Strom.
Simply put, this is a bike that does it all without any fuss of fanfare.
It has a powerful 1000cc engine that happily burbles along at low RPM, but that also elicits a meaty snarl when you open the throttle.
Cruising along the freeway is a simple thing – the actual speed limit is quite simply a non fervent on a bike like this. She accelerates beautifully, carves effortlessly through the traffic and the very nature of that Japanese V-Twin makes it fun to ride. Back country roads are much the same, she turns beautifully and is a pleasure to ride.
And here’s a big something:
Super comfortable for long distance. The seating position is upright with the wide bars set at a comfortable distance. The pegs are situated directly below the shoulders, which is ideal both for long distance comfort and for standing on the dirt. The seat is well shaped and firm, also narrow at the front to help with getting your feet to the ground. Your passenger will be completely happy, there’s lots of room and large grab bars.
The beauty of a bike like this is the fact that you can also explore the thousands of gravel road options available in South Africa. Given that this specific bike was shod in more road oriented tyres that were pretty well worn, we opted not to push the envelope too much, but we did hit a few of our back roads. Thankfully it was not wet, or we’d have probably ended up on our bums, but we did do the odd little bit of caning required on a test like this and rediscovered just how good Suzuki is at building motorcycles. The suspension is plush and didn’t bottom out anywhere, she went in the direction that she was pointed and came to a stop whenever we needed to.
This bike was the first Dual purpose bike to host Suzuki’s new at the time traction control system. There are three modes, which are easily selected via a button on the left handlebar. Mode one offers a little intervention; throttle response is snappy, and you can still spin the rear wheel. Mode two gives you a bit more electronic intervention with a less direct hit and the system intervening more quickly when wheel slip is detected. Mode three is traction control off.
The bike also comes with Bosch ABS on the Tokico calipers. You can’t turn it off.
Like Arnold says in Fubar “That’s it and that’s all”. No rider modes, no lean angle sensors, no radar… A simple hop on and go machine that will take you anywhere you’d like to go in absolute comfort.
We’d fit more trail oriented tyres on this one – other than that, it’s in perfect condition and is a great value option.
Simply put, you can’t go wrong.
This one has 13000 KM’s on the clock and looks as if it has never seen dirt.
R139,990.00
At a glance:
Engine DOHC 90° V-twin
Displacement 1,037cc
Bore and Stroke 100x66mm
Fuel Delivery fuel injection
Cooling liquid
Ignition electric
Transmission 6-speed constant mesh
Frame twin-spar aluminum
Front Suspension 43mm inverted fork, 6.3in travel
Rear Suspension link type coil spring, 6.3in travel
Brakes Front/Rear dual 310mm discs w/ 4-piston monoblock calipers / single 260mm disc
Tyres Front/Rear 110/80R19 / 150/70R17
Curb Weight (Fully Fueled) 227KG’s
Wheelbase 155 cm’s
Seat Height 85cm’s
Fuel Capacity 20.5 Litres
