The Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE is the off-road optimized version of Suzuki’s travel enduro flagship. Everything about the adventure bike in the driving report. Plus: pictures, data, price.
- Two equipment variants
- Stable bike in all situations
- Fair price
Suzuki is sticking with the V-engine for its flagship travel enduro and, after decades of focusing on the road, is bringing out an adventure-ready variant for just under 16,000 euros with the V-Strom 1050DE. When it premiered in 2002, the V-Strom came with a one-litre engine in the exclusive 90-degree V2 configuration. Even then, this was a real unique selling point. Today, when in- line two-cylinder engines are almost exclusively used in the medium and upper displacement categories , the Suzuki V-engine seems almost exotic.
Extra for off-road use
The fourth generation of the long-running model is now rolling along the roads of this world, in two equipment variants : In addition to the standard V-Strom 1050 model, trimmed for asphalt as usual with cast wheels and a 19-inch front wheel, the Japanese delight adventurous travelers with the DE variant – the abbreviation stands for Dual Explorer and offers, in addition to standard off-road protection, wire spoke wheels and a 21-inch front wheel. The DE has hardly lost any of its travel qualities, so a luggage roll can be easily secured on the standard wide luggage rack. Due to the longer suspension travel and the larger front wheel, the non-adjustable seat height increases to 88 centimeters , which places certain demands on leg length. This results in an upright posture with open knee angles, only the wide handlebars force medium-sized riders to lean forward slightly. This gives a lot of control when cornering, but becomes annoying in the long run. People of average height feel well protected behind the relatively short and narrow shield, which can be adjusted by five centimeters, and standard hand guards also help to avoid the cooling wind.
Well-thought-out display
The infotainment system with its colorful 5-inch TFT display is well thought out and easy to read even in the sun. A 12-volt connection is conveniently located on the left side of the instrument, and a strut above it is perfect for attaching the navigation system. In terms of the implanted electronics, the V-Strom impresses with its simple operation and menu navigation via the clearly structured handlebar element: the V-Stromer uses this to control the lean angle-sensitive traction control, the cornering ABS/CBS and the engine characteristics completely independently of one another.
In the test: 107-hp engine
The three engine maps always release the full peak power of the 90-degree V-shaped engine, but the 107 hp and 100 Newton meters of torque come with different levels of fire: The fierce A mode is only recommended for aggressive attacks on country roads, C only in the rain. The B mode is the first choice for enjoyable tours: sensitively responsive, easy to rev and largely free of load changes, it gets the best out of the 1037 cubic centimeters.
There is clean pressure right from the bottom of the rev range and furious speed from the middle to the top, as well as well-controlled propulsion on loose surfaces. The only criticism comes from the standard blipper, which only needs to be activated with force.
Harmonious chassis, stable in curves
The engine is as harmonious as the chassis. The increase in suspension travel to a moderate 17 centimeters results in pleasant driving comfort , supported by sensitively responding, multi-adjustable suspension elements. The DE reaps a considerable amount of precision from the 21-inch front wheel, which the Suzuki uses to achieve understandable, honest handling in the varied curves. The not particularly light 252 kilograms can be leaned effortlessly over the wide bar and maintains the prescribed line unswervingly even over weather-beaten surfaces. The modified geometry, together with the longer aluminum swing arm, provides even more reassuring stability in all driving conditions ; even heavy braking maneuvers in curves do not unsettle the Japanese bike thanks to the integral cornering brake. It should be clear that so much persistence comes at the expense of agility , but nobody would describe the 1050 as unwieldy.
Suboptimal in rainy terrain
On asphalt, the newly mounted Dunlop Trailmax Mixtour pair plays along without complaint as long as it stays dry. The same applies to dirt roads, because when it rains, the little negative profile gets clogged up in no time. On dry surfaces, traction is generally good, and thanks to the tame unit, there is exactly the propulsion that the right wrist demands. Whether you select the G(ravel) mode of the traction control or deactivate it completely is a matter of taste, but deactivating the rear wheel ABS for steep descents is the only option. Fortunately, the DE version comes with a robust aluminum underbody guard and sturdy crash bars, which make it a little more relaxed on rocky terrain. Despite the relatively high center of gravity, leisurely to ambitious enduro hiking is no problem – if you take the tight steering angle into account before the bend. Tough off-road expeditions are out of the question.
Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE: Technical data, price
To keep things accurate, we use only the official Suzuki’s website for technical details.
| Manufacturer’s Components | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Motor | Liquid-cooled 90° V-twin, 1037 cc displacement, 79 kW/107 hp at 8500 rpm, 100 Nm at 6000 rpm; four valves/cylinder, dohc, injection, six-speed gearbox, chain |
| performance and consumption | Top speed 195 km/h, 5.2 l/100 km |
| chassis | Light alloy bridge frame; 43 mm USD telescopic fork at the front, fully adjustable, 170 mm travel; cast aluminum double-sided swing arm at the rear, central spring strut adjustable in rebound damping and preload, 169 mm travel; steel spoke wheels; tires 90/90 R21 (front) and 150/70 R17 (rear). 310 mm double disc brake at the front, 260 mm single disc brake at the rear |
| assistance systems | Cornering ABS (two-stage and switchable at the rear), traction control (four-stage, switchable), three engine maps |
| dimensions and weights | Wheelbase 1595 mm, seat height 880 mm, weight ready to drive 252 kg, payload 198 kg; tank capacity 20 l |
| Price | 15,800 euros |
Conclusion: Sovereign travel enduro
The proven indestructible Suzuki package of the V-Strom 1050DE masters the triple requirement of being a potent touring machine, fun in curves and off-road enthusiast on unpaved paths quite confidently, and all for 15,800 euros, which has to be described as fair considering the good equipment standard.