SUZUKI DL1000 V-STROM XT (2017 - 2019) Review

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.