Anyone familiar or have a 2014 Suzuki VStrom 1000?

[dave1068]

After 5yrs of having the Stelvio. Im thinking its time for a new bike. I came across a leftover 2014 VStrom 1000 in khaki (love the color) and see where the bike has been upgraded and reviews seem positive. Plus for 9999 OTD, it a great price

If anyone has one or has ridden one, feel free to list your thoughts. I read the articles as a guide but always curious to hear what actual riders have to say.

Thanks,
-Dave

[cruzziguzzi]

I got nothing but it must be a good line as the owner/riders are like Apple/Mac users or well, Guzzi riders in their near religious devotion to them.

I say, take the dive, seems the kool-aide's fine!


Todd.

[dave1068]

Good point, Ill see what develops 

[canuguzzi]

I looked at the 14 model and couldnt get past it being ugly. V-Stroms aren't good lookers anyway but prior to their bazooka single sided exhaust they had a balanced look. Now you line up a Capo, a Multistrada beside it and they all look the same.

That being said, they are one of the most solid all around performers made. I test rode one and the package just works. Not much can do what it does as competently unless you want to spend nearly twice as much.

I had an earlier model and other than an ECU replacement (bike was way out of warranty but Suzuki took care of it) it was rock solid, would run at any speed you were willing to all day long, then do it day after day, gas and oil.

It held valve adjustments to the point you wonder why bother. With a taller windscreen and risers, side bags and tail bag it could haul as much as you wanted to take. The engine (DL1000) had plenty of low end and would rev to red building power the whole time.

It had just enough vibes to let you know the engine was running.  Suzuki hasn't sold so many making something that needs to be fixed or has a laundry list of things to worry about, from showroom floor to a 2500 trip right off the bat you need only gas and the first oil change.

VStroms hold their value to, at least around here, far better than most bikes. Excellent example don't come up for sale often unless they ask top dollar.

Everything else you could buy within 4-5 grand wouldn't be better.

[dave1068]

Thanks for the info, I know the 650 was very popular and the new 1000 was completely updated. I thought it took some cues from BMW: the beak fender, the desert sand color, 2 tone seat, etc. Plus its about 10k cheaper than the BMW, plus it has ABS

Been ages since I had a japanese bike, this is tempting...

[sturgeon]

I had an older model that I traded for an F800GS, because I could, not because the Vstrom was bad. I bought it knowing the F800GS was coming but not yet available here.

The Vstrom was bulletproof. I put maybe 40,000 km on it in two years. I had numerous friends that had both versions, 650 and 1000, a number of which had gone well over 100,000 km with nothing other than regular maintenance like oil/filter/tires/brakes/etc. If I was going to buy another one today, I'd probably opt for the 650. Better mileage and performance way more than good enough for my purposes.

[Vagrant]

if you are willing to tolerate a chain again and aren't interested in bad gravel roads skip the V Strom and go get a test ride on the Versys 1000. great stock bags, looks good 47-55MPG. 5.5 gallon tank and bullet proof with a 2 year unlimited warranty. twice the bike as a Suzuki and there are still some year end deals out there.

[Nic in Western NYS]

if you are willing to tolerate a chain again and aren't interested in bad gravel roads skip the V Strom and go get a test ride on the Versys 1000. great stock bags, looks good 47-55MPG. 5.5 gallon tank and bullet proof with a 2 year unlimited warranty. twice the bike as a Suzuki and there are still some year end deals out there.

Hard to compare an inline 4 with a v-twin.  Vibration frequency and overall feel are so different.

[ohiorider]

Dave, long time no hear from!  Hope things are going well.  All I can contribute is the little I've observed about a Strom owned by my good riding buddy, Grebmrof on this forum.  We rode out West in 2011 .... I was on my 1200 Sport, Tom on his fully-loaded V Strom 650.

I never witnessed a time where his 650 wasn't up to the trip.  We travelled for mile after mile at 70-80mph, and the V Strom never faltered.

Passing slower traffic didn't appear to be a problem for the V Strom .... I think the 650 is a 65-75hp engine.

As someone else suggested, before going with the 1000, I'd give the 650 a try.

Whatever you do, enjoy!

Regards,

Bob

[LowRyter]

I've not ridden a 1000 Strom, a Stelvio, or 1000 Versus.

I have ridden a 650 Strom and it's a really competent motorcycle.  A real Swiss Army knife of motorcycles.

I also recommend two first time riders to check out the SV650.  Both those guys still have them. Great bikes.

I do know a fellow (big guy) that has ridden his 1000 Strom to Alaska and run it up the Continental Divide.  He's probably taller than 6'4" and pretty stout.   He loves the bike.

[ITSec]

Can't speak to the new one, but I got one of the very first DL1000s (delivered April 3, 2002). I put 137,000 on it before blowing up the engine; turns out they didn't have a schedule for replacing the cam chain guides until after a couple of us wore them out. The splinters took the chain off the cam gears, and that was that. Before then, the bike had been to Alaska three times, all over Canada, most of the lower 48 and a little bit of Mexico. 90% pavement, 10% bad roads, fire roads, power line and railway rights of way, and other challenging but not dirt-bike surfaces.

I would certainly consider getting one again if I weren't already having trouble deciding between a Stelvio and a Caponord Rally - right now leaning towards the Stelvio, since there are some nice used ones to consider (Guzzi cheapness content!).

Some thoughts to consider... Mine ran very well on Rotella synthetic 5w40, even in the desert and the Arctic. Other than the cam chain guides shattering from wear, there was no other oil-related damage found in the tear-down. It runs on regular, but it wants 'regular' regular (87). In areas where 85 is regular, bump up to mid-grade. While the alternator has improved, it's still a bit light for a lot of accessories, so use LED or other low-draw when possible to save the output for things like heated clothing.

Valve adjustments are a bit of a pain, but once the first one or two are done you can drop back to double the recommended interval until you see some drift. I replaced some shims at the first full service, one more at the second service, and then not again until 80,000 miles or so.

Finally, spend what it takes for the higher strength chains. DID, for example, sells a very good chain in the required 525 size that has moderate strength, and another, about $25 more, with aout 30-40% higher tensile strength (no other difference). With the torque in the DL1000, it really should have had a 530 chain, but it doesn't - so get the best and stoutest 525 you can. I suspect the 525 was a hold-over from the Suzuki parts bin (as so many things Suzuki are).

[dave1068]

Hi Bob and others, all well here, thanks, Hope you are as well-

Appreciate the info, ITSec, sounds like you got your moneys worth with all that mileage. I like the Stelvio and the ride it gives, also the height as Im about 6'3 with boots on.

Never knew much about the vstrom 1000 but seems to have a lot of want Im looking for plus a bit more updated that my Stelvio. ABS, traction control, has a chain but i dont do dirt or long distance riding so not an issue, maybe an occasional fire road.

The price, color, componentry and durability also are appealing. Will see if I can take one out for a ride. But like many of us, I may land up keeping the Stelvio or wind up with another Triumph. (cant go wrong with a bonne or scrambler)

-Dave

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

A friend bought one new, put 900 miles on it, didn't like it. Took forever to sell, at a huge loss.

[bsanut]

I have one.  Send me a PM with phone and I'll give you a call.

It's dandy.  Light for what it is, great fuel mileage, bulletproof.  I could not say ANY of that about my '09 Stelvio.  But the Guzzi did have more character.  I would sorta miss it, except for the bullet I dodged re the flat tappets.

Joe

[dave1068]

Thanks Joe, when and if I sell my bike, Ill follow up with you for more details.