Hey Ricky, great review. I purchased a 2020 1050 XT (called XA here in Canada) and I agree, the wind noise from the stock screen is VERY loud even with ear plugs. The V Strom owners forum recommends the GIVI Airflow screen (96 EUR). It solved the problem. A real night and day difference. It deflects the wind well over my helmet, virtually eliminating the noise and the bugs from my visor. The screen also sits low enough to see well above it (I’m 180 cm). Cheers Clay.
I have a yellow one. After several years on GSA'S this has saved me 7 grand but puts a bigger smile on my face. Got a touratech screen addon it works great whilst waiting for puig.
@@Oldchannel-br8dw hi, the V Twin engine is so nice with a lovely growl as you open it up. To me it feels like a lightweight when hustling it down country roads and sweeping A roads. And once again for me when I open my garage and see it gleaming away I love the looks.
Had a test ride on a 1250 GS brand new bike, I couldn’t wait to get back on my V Strom. Also wanted by the dealer not far short of my bike and nearly 10k, Crazy!
Previous model with Euro 4 is best ridden on the torque max. The engine is not a powerhouse up higher revs but it is a easy to ride long distance on the torque peak.
Yeah it took that ride to understand that it's mainly designed to be a straightforward reliable mile-munching machine. There's nothing wrong with that, if that is what you're looking for 😊
I test rode this updated offering from Suzuki a few weeks ago and the screen was the only complaint I had about it. I'm 6'2 and it's too short for me personaly. I also don't like the adjustment system they have employed. I currently have 2 Vstroms, a 650 2015 and a big Vee 2014. Both are excellent bikes that are great all rounders. The big Vee is my tourer, naturally, and the 650 is just perfect for around town riding. Both fitted with footpeg lowering kits and Givi Air flow screens. The upgraded model I found is decidedly smoother vibration wise than my gen bike, but hey, its a Vtwin and I have no concerns with that. Is it worth the $20.990Aud for the addition of cruise control and a couple of other tech feature's? Cheaper than a BMW GS and the KTM 1290. Still way under the Triumph 1200 tiger, but it's a personal choice. Great value for money and a tried and tested machine. Ride it and see what you think. It may well surprise you. Thanks for the video mate.
Well it's good to hear that I'm not alone in my disappointment with the screen. And I agree with the adjustment system - having to get off the bike to adjust screen height isn't exactly user friendly! I have to take the demo bikes as they are but it's great that you made mods to your bikes to make them work better for you 👍 I do hope to ride a V-Strom650 in the near future and I do expect the nature of the bike to be quite different to the 1050 - more engaging to ride I suspect.
Hi, great question! If you had asked my back in 2021 I would have chosen the Kawasaki, but today, now I appreciate adventure bikes more than I used to, I think it would be the Suzuki. But the Kawasaki would probably make the better long distance bike purely for roads.
Good review, I purchased a street bike , naked as my first bike, not good experience on Hwy at high speed, it limits you to where you want to go, try to avoid hwys, driving on side roads to get to some good roads add a few hours to your ride which will be very tiring on a naked bike, so I am looking at this option for next bike.
I like a tractable engine and I'm sure I'm not the only one! I've owned bikes that can pull low revs in high gears and so it's something I think about when riding other bikes.
Thanks for the real-world review, the best I've seen! I have a test ride booked this weekend. I'm looking for a load-lugging tourer, and Suzuki reliability is a big plus for me, so could fit the bill. I'm 5'11 . . . how did you find the standard seat height for getting your feet down etc?
As a relative newcomer to the bike-reviewing scene I really appreciate your comments! 🙏 The V-Strom has been around a long time and so it should provide many miles of reliable load-lugging! I'm only 5'7" with 32" inside leg and I could get the balls of my feet down on both sides... at 5'11" I'm pretty confident you'll be able to flat foot it unless you have a freakishly long torso!! 😁 Comfort was reasonable but I didn't do big miles - if you can wangle an extended test ride that would be useful. Hope the test ride goes well!
Bill & Shell I have previous model with standard seat height of 850mm. Minimum on the 1050 is 850mm. you will be Ok. I have on mine the Suzuki lower seat for my model which helps on steep drive. Anyway try one with the seat lowered.
Bit confused Ricky you say this is not an adventure bike because it has a 19 inch front wheel, & to be a proper off/road bike it must have a 21 inch front wheel. You go on to say the BMW GS 1250 is a proper adventure bike so it must have a 21 inch front wheel is this correct Ricky ?
I apologise for the confusion and I'm sure it won't be the only mistake I make... I was using the 19" front wheel as part of my reasoning behind describing the V-Strom as a road biased machine. Taken in isolation, I think you'll agree that the Suzuki isn't really meant to do serious off roading. And yes, the GS is a properly capable off-road machine, moreso that the V-Strom but also with a 19" front wheel. So it was a bad comparision on my part. Thanks for pointing that out and I'll try to think more carefully about how I compare bikes in the future 👍
Suzuki doesn't make a touring standard bike.....this is it I guess if u don't want a c90 or Hayabusa. I like it. Great efficiency....smooth power. butt I think there are better things available...I'd wish they'd put this motor in something different a smaller streetbike. Ps I have a 1250 too. Its got dale walker holeshot mods . Great bike
Yep agreed with your points about the V-Strom - it's basically a good machine that doesn't do anything wrong but it's up against strong competition. For a long time I wanted an SV1000 as it happens which I think was a good use of this engine. I enjoyed my 1250 a lot - still miss the grunty low revving nature of it - my bike sounds like a 600 by comparison! Those Holeshot mods make all the difference don't they 👍
@@RikkyTang yea buddy. They could Make a few sv650 and a new sv1k with premium showa or ohlins suspension, wheels, nice lookig swing arm and a tft (to make the ones happy that cry about gauges) LED Lighting . Ship them with the most crappy cheap exhaust... so u can put your own on....fix the fueling charge a 2.5k premium and call it a day. I'd pay 9k for a brand new warranted sv650 with bad ass wheels tires and suspension. Led lights with a nice looking tft with blu tooth built in. Basically the way a rider mods the bike after they get it...for about the same money...but u don't have to do the work. Make it a dealer installed kit or something Idk why they don't do it. They'd sell in the usa anyways
This is the only V Strom 1050 review I've seen on RUclips (and I might have seen all of them) where a reviewer complains of wind buffeting. Does this guy only ride full faired and screened tourers normally I wonder? Certainly not naked bikes! All other reviews report good wind protection from the factory screen.
Well, all I can tell you is what I experienced. Hopefully the bike will be OK for you if you take it for a ride. As for what I usually ride, my current bike is an BMW S1000R; before that was a Suzuki Bandit 1250S (half faired… I had a nightmare with buffeting on that bike too but I’m not alone in suffering with the wind on that bike and you’ll find that out with a Google search). Before that was a Yamaha FZ8 naked and before that an old Yamaha R1. Not many full dress tourers in that list!
@@RikkyTang There looked to be additional adjustment on the screen bolts? On my previous model I found screen not good enough for me. Changed it to a GIVI Airflow. Not perfect but i have found positions on the screen that work for me. Wonder if GIVI will do a screen for the 1050?
@@edwardt1941 Hi, the screen bolts sit in little recesses moulded into the screen itself so I don't think there's any more adjustment to be had sadly. The screen doesn't work for everybody but still many owners are happy with the standard item. Others screens are available, including a Givi one.
I don’t know where you got that info from. I own one which is fantastic and the standard screen is awful. If you seen nearly all the reviews up you will see that many, many reviewers mention the screen as not being overly good!!!!
Hey Ricky, great review. I purchased a 2020 1050 XT (called XA here in Canada) and I agree, the wind noise from the stock screen is VERY loud even with ear plugs. The V Strom owners forum recommends the GIVI Airflow screen (96 EUR). It solved the problem. A real night and day difference. It deflects the wind well over my helmet, virtually eliminating the noise and the bugs from my visor. The screen also sits low enough to see well above it (I’m 180 cm). Cheers Clay.
Thanks for your comment and the info about the Givi Screen Clay! Sorry for the slow reply!
I have a yellow one. After several years on GSA'S this has saved me 7 grand but puts a bigger smile on my face. Got a touratech screen addon it works great whilst waiting for puig.
greg hi ! Can you please develop why you prefer this VStrom to a BMW GS ? Thanks !
@@Oldchannel-br8dw hi, the V Twin engine is so nice with a lovely growl as you open it up. To me it feels like a lightweight when hustling it down country roads and sweeping A roads. And once again for me when I open my garage and see it gleaming away I love the looks.
greg thank you very much ;)
Had a test ride on a 1250 GS brand new bike, I couldn’t wait to get back on my V Strom. Also wanted by the dealer not far short of my bike and nearly 10k, Crazy!
Thank you for this review.I like the orange and white paint job and am fairly certain I'll get one of these after always having Beemers.
Hi Kevin, thanks for your comment! I hope you found my video useful.
The noise 😍.
I'm looking for a good all rounder......just added this to my test ride list....great review, thanks
Yeah give it a go, it might be right up your street 😊
Previous model with Euro 4 is best ridden on the torque max. The engine is not a powerhouse up higher revs but it is a easy to ride long distance on the torque peak.
Yeah it took that ride to understand that it's mainly designed to be a straightforward reliable mile-munching machine. There's nothing wrong with that, if that is what you're looking for 😊
I test rode this updated offering from Suzuki a few weeks ago and the screen was the only complaint I had about it. I'm 6'2 and it's too short for me personaly. I also don't like the adjustment system they have employed. I currently have 2 Vstroms, a 650 2015 and a big Vee 2014. Both are excellent bikes that are great all rounders. The big Vee is my tourer, naturally, and the 650 is just perfect for around town riding. Both fitted with footpeg lowering kits and Givi Air flow screens. The upgraded model I found is decidedly smoother vibration wise than my gen bike, but hey, its a Vtwin and I have no concerns with that. Is it worth the $20.990Aud for the addition of cruise control and a couple of other tech feature's? Cheaper than a BMW GS and the KTM 1290. Still way under the Triumph 1200 tiger, but it's a personal choice. Great value for money and a tried and tested machine. Ride it and see what you think. It may well surprise you. Thanks for the video mate.
Well it's good to hear that I'm not alone in my disappointment with the screen. And I agree with the adjustment system - having to get off the bike to adjust screen height isn't exactly user friendly! I have to take the demo bikes as they are but it's great that you made mods to your bikes to make them work better for you 👍 I do hope to ride a V-Strom650 in the near future and I do expect the nature of the bike to be quite different to the 1050 - more engaging to ride I suspect.
Thanks for nice review. Which bike was better for you - Kawasaki Versys 1000 or this Suzuki 1050?
Hi, great question! If you had asked my back in 2021 I would have chosen the Kawasaki, but today, now I appreciate adventure bikes more than I used to, I think it would be the Suzuki. But the Kawasaki would probably make the better long distance bike purely for roads.
@@RikkyTang Thank You for answer :)
Good review, I purchased a street bike , naked as my first bike, not good experience on Hwy at high speed, it limits you to where you want to go, try to avoid hwys, driving on side roads to get to some good roads add a few hours to your ride which will be very tiring on a naked bike, so I am looking at this option for next bike.
I hope you are able to get a test ride on the bike so you can see if it is a good option for longer distances 😊
Decent review. A bit confused by the lugging test? Never lugged motors or expected to, that's what the gearbox is for.
I like a tractable engine and I'm sure I'm not the only one! I've owned bikes that can pull low revs in high gears and so it's something I think about when riding other bikes.
Thanks for the real-world review, the best I've seen! I have a test ride booked this weekend. I'm looking for a load-lugging tourer, and Suzuki reliability is a big plus for me, so could fit the bill. I'm 5'11 . . . how did you find the standard seat height for getting your feet down etc?
As a relative newcomer to the bike-reviewing scene I really appreciate your comments! 🙏 The V-Strom has been around a long time and so it should provide many miles of reliable load-lugging! I'm only 5'7" with 32" inside leg and I could get the balls of my feet down on both sides... at 5'11" I'm pretty confident you'll be able to flat foot it unless you have a freakishly long torso!! 😁 Comfort was reasonable but I didn't do big miles - if you can wangle an extended test ride that would be useful. Hope the test ride goes well!
Bill & Shell I have previous model with standard seat height of 850mm. Minimum on the 1050 is 850mm. you will be Ok. I have on mine the Suzuki lower seat for my model which helps on steep drive. Anyway try one with the seat lowered.
Bit confused Ricky you say this is not an adventure bike because it has a 19 inch front wheel, & to be a proper off/road bike it must have a 21 inch front wheel. You go on to say the BMW GS 1250 is a proper adventure bike so it must have a 21 inch front wheel is this correct Ricky ?
I apologise for the confusion and I'm sure it won't be the only mistake I make... I was using the 19" front wheel as part of my reasoning behind describing the V-Strom as a road biased machine. Taken in isolation, I think you'll agree that the Suzuki isn't really meant to do serious off roading. And yes, the GS is a properly capable off-road machine, moreso that the V-Strom but also with a 19" front wheel. So it was a bad comparision on my part. Thanks for pointing that out and I'll try to think more carefully about how I compare bikes in the future 👍
Suzuki doesn't make a touring standard bike.....this is it I guess if u don't want a c90 or Hayabusa. I like it. Great efficiency....smooth power. butt I think there are better things available...I'd wish they'd put this motor in something different a smaller streetbike. Ps I have a 1250 too. Its got dale walker holeshot mods . Great bike
Yep agreed with your points about the V-Strom - it's basically a good machine that doesn't do anything wrong but it's up against strong competition. For a long time I wanted an SV1000 as it happens which I think was a good use of this engine.
I enjoyed my 1250 a lot - still miss the grunty low revving nature of it - my bike sounds like a 600 by comparison! Those Holeshot mods make all the difference don't they 👍
@@RikkyTang yea buddy. They could Make a few sv650 and a new sv1k with premium showa or ohlins suspension, wheels, nice lookig swing arm and a tft (to make the ones happy that cry about gauges) LED Lighting . Ship them with the most crappy cheap exhaust... so u can put your own on....fix the fueling charge a 2.5k premium and call it a day.
I'd pay 9k for a brand new warranted sv650 with bad ass wheels tires and suspension. Led lights with a nice looking tft with blu tooth built in. Basically the way a rider mods the bike after they get it...for about the same money...but u don't have to do the work. Make it a dealer installed kit or something Idk why they don't do it. They'd sell in the usa anyways
The front brake is off the GSX1000. Should be good.
Another nice video. Not the bike for me though!
what throttle mode were you in during this ride mate?
I think I spent most of my time in "A" mode.
@@RikkyTang subbed 👍👍
@@ShiteLines Cheers! I'll return the compliment 👍
Has it got a 19 inch front wheel?...😜
Yep its a 19 Incher 😊
Jacket?
www.amazon.co.uk/Richa-Pinto-Motorcycle-Jacket-Black/dp/B00B4ZZX4I It's about three years old now so may be discontinued
This is the only V Strom 1050 review I've seen on RUclips (and I might have seen all of them) where a reviewer complains of wind buffeting.
Does this guy only ride full faired and screened tourers normally I wonder? Certainly not naked bikes! All other reviews report good wind protection from the factory screen.
Well, all I can tell you is what I experienced. Hopefully the bike will be OK for you if you take it for a ride.
As for what I usually ride, my current bike is an BMW S1000R; before that was a Suzuki Bandit 1250S (half faired… I had a nightmare with buffeting on that bike too but I’m not alone in suffering with the wind on that bike and you’ll find that out with a Google search). Before that was a Yamaha FZ8 naked and before that an old Yamaha R1. Not many full dress tourers in that list!
@@RikkyTang There looked to be additional adjustment on the screen bolts? On my previous model I found screen not good enough for me. Changed it to a GIVI Airflow. Not perfect but i have found positions on the screen that work for me. Wonder if GIVI will do a screen for the 1050?
@@edwardt1941 Hi, the screen bolts sit in little recesses moulded into the screen itself so I don't think there's any more adjustment to be had sadly. The screen doesn't work for everybody but still many owners are happy with the standard item. Others screens are available, including a Givi one.
I don’t know where you got that info from. I own one which is fantastic and the standard screen is awful. If you seen nearly all the reviews up you will see that many, many reviewers mention the screen as not being overly good!!!!