SUZUKI DL1000 V-STROM XT (2017 - 2019) Review
Highlights
- Very easy to ride
- Highly capable adventure bike
- Powerful and practical
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £330 |
| Power: | 101 bhp |
| Seat height: | Tall (33.5 in / 850 mm) |
| Weight: | High (514 lbs / 233 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe 2017 Suzuki V-Strom 1000XT is evolution, not revolution, and the big 'Strom remains one of the easiest big adventure bikes to ride on the market.
In 2020 it was renamed, and became the Suzuki V-Strom 1050 XT.
Once you've read this review and checked out our owners' reviews, you may want to join a community such as V-Strom.co.uk to talk to enthusiasts and buy and sell parts.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineV-Stroms are big, comfy bikes perfect for all day riding, but they can also hustle in the bends. You need to put a little bit of effort into to get it to turn as fast as the smaller V-Strom 650, but once in the corner the V-Strom is incredibly stable and soaks up any bumps with little fuss. The previous generation of V-Strom had a very buffety screen, but thankfully Suzuki have sorted it with this model and the screen can be set at three heights and the angle can be adjusted on the move by pushing the screen away from you.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe V-twin engine makes 101bhp, which isn't anything like the 160bhp of some adventure bikes but is more than enough on the road. There's a slight lumpiness at 3000rpm, but anything above that is smooth, effortless drive. 101bhp might not sound like much in 2017, but it's more than enough to have fun with. The two stage traction control does a good job of keeping everything inline without feeling intrusive, even in the highest setting.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThe engine has been around for almost 20 years so it's pretty well proven now and in a very low state of tune.
We've got 4 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 XT owners' reviews on MCN, with an overall score of 4.2 stars out of 5. The main problems were a lack of standard kit and fiddly maintenance.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentAt £9999 you can't really argue with the price of the V-Strom 1000XT. Yes, it's nowhere near as advanced as some of the competition, but it's still a great adventure bike. And you'll be able to spend more money on adventuring!
Equipment
The XT is pretty basic. You get ABS and traction control as standard, both of which are pretty basic, but work well without being too intrusive. The V-Strom also comes with low RPM assist, which raises the engine speed when the clutch is engaged, making it harder to stall the bike. Wire wheels, bashplate, tapaered handlebars and handguards set the XT apart from the standard Strom.
Specs |
|
| Engine size | 1037cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | Liquid-cooled v-twin |
| Frame type | Aluminium twin spar |
| Fuel capacity | 20 litres |
| Seat height | 850mm |
| Bike weight | 233kg |
| Front suspension | Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped |
| Rear suspension | Link type, coil spring, oil damped |
| Front brake | 2x310mm discs. four-piston radial calipers. ABS |
| Rear brake | 1x265mm disc, two-piston caliper. ABS |
| Front tyre size | 110/80R19 |
| Rear tyre size | 150/70R17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 58 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £117 |
| Annual service cost | £330 |
| New price | - |
| Used price | £5,000 - £6,900 |
| Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | - |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 101 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 74 ft-lb |
| Top speed | - |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | - |
Model history & versions
Model history
2017: Model introduced
Other versions
V-Strom 1000: Standard model
MCN Long term test reports
MCN Fleet: V-Strom 1000 XT defies the cold
My first 500 miles with the big XT have mainly been a baptism of ice and snow, rather than fire. Against a landscape of monochrome chilliness, there's nothing more comforting than a simplistically excellent bike, and while there’s nothing very snazzy about the Strom’s mechanical offerings, I’ve been…
Owners' reviews for the SUZUKI DL1000 V-STROM XT (2017 - 2019)
7 owners have reviewed their SUZUKI DL1000 V-STROM XT (2017 - 2019) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your SUZUKI DL1000 V-STROM XT (2017 - 2019)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £330 |
Version: XT Yellow
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £300
Once sorted on the suspension, he handles superb. Lots of after market extras available.Minor service was around £300, major was closer to £600. Spark plugs are ridiculously expensive, so only replace them every 20K miles, and use the good fuel.Only negative is that the bike doesn't like town traffic much (lots of clutch slipping required) because the bike idles high due to Suzuki no-stall feature.
EBC HH pads FTW
Just put it in top and ride the torque curve. Take the time to dial in the suspension and you'll frighten a few sports bikes.
Never failed to start first time (30K miles). Oh, rear wheel spokes needed Warranty replacing as the plating came off.
Minor service was around £300, major was closer to £600
Cruise is sadly missing on this model :-/ OE Bridgestone tyres will slip a lot when cold, ME1 or Road5 suit it perfectly.
Buying experience: Dealer was friendly, but went out of business 18 months after I bought it. Found another dealer who was awesome (Haselmere).
Version: AL 9
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £250
Versatile and durable easy as you like to ride. I have clocked up over 10,000 miles and it hasn't missed a beat. This bike is a relaxing experience due to the under stressed torquey engine and level of comfort provided.
Fabulous progressive braking and adequate handling for this level of performance
Lovely V Twin
Looks good after two winters
She's ticking like a clock
Have added engine bars, bash plate, heated grips, radiator guard all of which I would say are essential
Buying experience: Daytona Motorcycles- Great experience thanks to Ricky and Jack
Version: Wire Wheels
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £170
Able to cruise, take on the twisties and scratch when required. Finish is durable. The engine is a peach. Comfortable enough for all day riding. No worst features.
All round bike
Smooth flat power. No surprises
No corrosion issues
Dealers need to make a profit
The screen works very well. I ride with my visor up unless raining Fitted Givi panniers and racks. Also heated grips and engine bars. Mounted a sat nav holder and fitted a GoPro to the engine bars
Buying experience: Dealer
Year: 2017
Annual servicing cost: £600
This is my third Suzuki 1000 twin (2002 SV, 2015&17 DLs). Brilliant engines and very good motorcycles.
Fully adjustable suspension at both ends, awesome brakes.
Smooth, torquey, progressive power.
Never had a problem
Genuine heated grips are fairly expensive, and very expensive if dealer fitment is needed. To make matters worse they are a major hassle to fit, with access to the wiring loom requiring removal of tank and entire air box. Allow 3+ hours. When warranty is up I'll do most servicing myself.
This is how they sell so cheaply! Mine came with bonus free extras, some which should be standard (centre stand, LED blinkers), plus panniers & top box. Standard belly pan "cowl" is plastic decoration, so I fitted a Givi.
Buying experience: Dealer, old stock run out but still current model, with over $4000 free extras (based on Suzuki's expensive accessories prices)
Year: 2019
Great bread and butter biking, lots of good manners, adequate performance.
relaxing under stressed and capable
Looks well made so far
Seems good but only owned for 3 months so not sure yet
Standard tyres seem good and traction and abs comforting
Buying experience: Dealership was good
Year: 2018
Let down only by some time consuming, fiddly routine maintenance. The most rediculous example was trying to install expensive genuine Suzuki heated grips as front bodywork, fuel tank and air box had to be removed for access to the electrical connector. The bike an excellent ride, giving me as much satisfaction overall as the 2014 BMW 1200 GS I sold.
Massive power and very progressive. ABS not intrusive.
Not as powerful or torquey as a 1200 clearly, but plenty of smooth pulses and a great (subdued) growl.
Typical Suzuki. I have owned new 1983 GSX-1100E, 2002 SV-1000, 2010 DL-1000 and all have been faultless.
Servicing will be expensive if taken to Suzuki dealers (see overall comments) who will do all the recommended items. Competent home mechanics can do most servicing as long as you have time (eg. spark plug removal).
To keep prices down some items are expensive accessories. I got mine with free genuine centre stand, panniers, top box, accessory/protection bars and LED blinkers. I gave up trying to fit grips (see overall) so will put cheaper Oxford grips, not as integrated, but functional.
Buying experience: Dealer. Paid $17990 (Australia), ride away with free accessories. A bargain.
Year: 2017
Traded in my faithful old 2005 DL1000 for the new XT. All the good points from the original but better all round, as you'd expect. Tried the mk2 (2014) version a couple of times and wasn't particularly enamored but the new XT seems to have found its mojo in feel and looks - to me anyway. Done about 1800km so far on NZ road and gravel and it handles fantastically well. Great value leaves cash for accessories and trips!
Still essentially a road bike, where it excels. Suits NZs roads to a tee where you can be on pristine tarmac one minute and loose gravel the next. Done several hundred k's on gravel roads which it has handled far better than the rider. Traction control can be turned off. ABS can't. Brakes are more than adequate for this type of bike. Looking forward to getting it on a track day. (Yep, why not?) Comfortable seat and ergos. Fits this 6'2" rider well.
Still got the character of the original, but more refined and somewhat smoother. Its still a 1000cc V twin though. Great torque and plenty of horses for real world riding. Throttle (cable operated) is a bit on-off in low-speed traffic but you learn to adapt.
So far, so good. Build quality is excellent. Exhaust valve a bit of an eyesore but you soon stop looking at it. Styling is more purposeful and contemporary and does not look out of place alongside GS's and KTMs.
Only had the 1000km service so far which is basically an oil change and check over. Nothing expensive or complicated to service on this engine so would not expect any extraordinary costs.
Compared to a 12 year old bike there's plenty of features - Switchable traction control, lean angle ABS, fully adjustable suspension, LCD dash, adjustable windscreen, 12V outlet on dash, plus wire wheels and tapered handlebars on the XT. I do find the windscreen noisy at highway speeds and may investigate alternative option. OEM tyres fine now they're scrubbed in. Will probably change to my preferred Pirelli Scorpion Trails when due for replacement. I've added a Givi monokey rack, rear hugger and rad guard. Also got the dealer to throw in a centre stand for the asking price.
Buying experience: Coleman's Suzuki Auckland. A fine establishment!
