Out and about on Suzuki's new V-Strom 1050DE

A few weeks after the launch of the DL 1050 DE V-Strom we managed to grab a semi long termer from Suzuki SA and give it a real-world test. We spent a couple of weeks in the saddle visiting dealerships and importers/distributors, took the occasional dual sport ride through the African bushveld and a breakfast run or two to our favourite venues.

Sean shares his thoughts.

Pics by Black Rock Studios and Kyle Lawrenson

Overview:

Walking up the 2023 Suzuki DL 1050 DE V-Strom there seems very little to distinguish it from the outgoing model at first glance, however on closer inspection it is a vastly different machine with some serious upgrades and improvements. The highlights of which list as follows:

New and improved electronics and rider aids.
A new and easy to read and navigate 5-inch TFT dashboard. It’s bright and very clear in most light conditions.
Three stage traction control and on DE models.
An all-new ‘Gravel’ mode setting which retards the power rather than stopping the rear wheel from spinning.
Three new fueling modes.
Two stage ABS for road use and an extra ABS setting for dirt use, which remains active on the front wheel but switches off on the rear wheel allowing you to lock up the back wheel at will.
The biggest change is to the wheels and suspension. The wheels are now a more acceptable 17/21” spoked set-up for more focused off-road rider.
Forks are 43mm inverted KYB and are fully adjustable with a KYB monoshock out back with preload adjustment and 170mm and 169 mm travel front and rear respectively.
The swingarm is also 50mm longer.
Other updates are bigger and wider foot pegs, a smaller and lower screen and 40mm wider handlebars. Along the way though, it has managed to pick up some weight over the outgoing model, but it lost some girth.

Ergonomics:

Swinging a leg over the New 1050 DE V-Strom it feels big. 1290 Super Adventure R big.And that is coming from a big bloke at 2 metres tall and 115kg’s.

You sit in the V-Strom, spread your shoulders to grab the handle bars, which are also quite high.

All good so far as far as I am concerned. Turn the key and the TFT screen comes alive and it is a thing of simple beauty, easy to read and understand, the controls and switchgear are intuitive and exactly where you expect to find them.

Flick the starter switch and the 1037cc 90-degree V-Twin bursts into life and settles down to a familiar burble, the clutch is light and soft but you only need it for take offs and stopping, the rest of the time you only use the super smooth bi-directional quick shifter to work up and down through the six-speed box.

On the tar:

Getting underway on the tar, the well-balanced steel tube chassis, well sorted suspension, linear power curve make the 1050 DE a very pleasant place to be. Cruising down the highway at legal speeds it is quite relaxing, lulling you into a sense of security and well-being watching the countryside waft by. Getting into the sweeping bends, kick down on the quick shifter, drop two gears, spank the gas and tip in with enthusiasm. Hit the apex and power out the other side and repeat – repeat – repeat – repeat until satisfied.

What about that big 21-inch front wheel you ask?

Well, with some kind of witchcraft and sorcery Suzuki has managed to negate the expected effect of the 21” gyroscope up front, don’t know what they have done but it isn’t a problem at all even at the 2 ton plus mark. So, as a continent crossing Goldwing-esque tourer with quite a bit of the Tupperware torpedo characteristics in the bends it is as close to infallible as you can get an Adventure bike to be.

Even the reduced screen gave my 2-metre-tall bulk plenty of protection from the elements.

So, it’s a great bike for the road, the question is really, how is it in the dirt?

This rework is Suzuki’s attempt to catch up with the heavy hitters in the Adventure bike category and they have made great strides. It is significantly better than any of its previous iterations.

The 17/21 spoked wheels, Gravel mode and the rear ABS that can be switched off are all moves in the right direction as is the beefier adjustable suspension.

On good, fast gravel, the DL 1050 DE is more than competent and can easily hold its own in this class. However, once I hit the single tracks, sand, rocks and mud things fell a bit short for me. The 165mm ground clearance is lower than class standard and made me more aware and focused of the lines I picked, especially in the rocks. Then, there is just something in the geometry and the weight of the bike that just doesn’t like the street biased tyres fitted as standard.

At this point just let me say this, it has nothing to do with the brand and model of the tyre, I have ridden other bikes along the very same trail with exactly these tyres and they have performed fine and then again on other bikes and had similar experiences as on the DL.

Some tyres just don’t suit some bikes in the dirt – I would have preferred something a bit more aggressive.

This is also where I started to feel the few extra kilos the V-Strom has picked up. Fortunately the low 855mm seat height, (well for me anyway), and the wider handlebars helped me contend with any “Oh Gosh…” moments. The wide foot pegs are great!

I got rid of the rubber inserts and was able to keep traction between the pegs and my boots easily in water and mud, the wider pegs are also lekker comfy both on the tarmac and in the dirt. The gravel mode is flippen excellent and on more than a few occasions saved my ass in a big way, it kicks in just at the right time and straightens everything out without being overly invasive in other situations, being able to completely disengage the rear ABS is a muchly appreciated upgrade as well.

Final thoughts:

In the final summary the 2023 Suzuki DL 1050 DE is a seriously viable option for adventure enthusiasts. It’s also an excellent, very comfortable, powerful road tourer.

Keep an eye out here and on our YouTube Channel, we are busy putting together a Top Trumps type comparison between it and its nearest competitor for the near future.

At your local Suzuki dealer.

https://suzukimotorcycle.co.za/