New V-Strom 1050XT, I'm so glad I switched over!
Hello! I'm Gin, a Webike staff member. I'd like to report on my review of the V-Strom 1050XT that I took delivery of in July, after riding about 4,000km, including touring in Hokkaido.
I used to own a V-Strom 650 until I bought a V-Strom 1050XT, but when I test rode the new V-Strom 1050XT, I was very impressed with its performance. I immediately switched to the new V-Strom 1050XT and was impressed with its performance. It's use was mostly touring, and in September my wife and I went to Hokkaido on a tandem with it.
In conclusion, I'm really glad I switched to the new V-Strom 1050XT. In my job, I'm exposed to a lot of different motorcycles, but the on-road touring big motorcycle genre? This is one of the best 2020's at the moment. I ride the highway a bit, I like winding up quite a bit, I can carry a lot of cargo, and I do the occasional tandem. If you're living the motorcycle life, if you want to go to the woods, but don't go off-road nearly as much, this is a best buy for you.
Good points!
What's so good about the V-Strom 1050XT? But I've actually put a few points in perspective after driving 4,000km. By the way, I think the design and appearance is a matter of taste, so I'll narrow it down to just the functional aspects.
1. Perfect engine management.
2. The front and rear linked brakes are too good.
3. Long live cruise control!
4. Clutch light!
5. Low-rpm assist is the best.
1. Engine management, but none of the jerky feeling that was common on motorcycles a while back. The same Suzuki GSX-S1000F I used to own had a tight jerky feeling when the throttle was turned back, so I had to adjust the ECU setting. The new V-Strom has 4,000k miles on it and I have not had any of those complaints.
2. Front and rear interlocking brakes optimise front and rear brake distribution based on information from the 6-axis sensors and make it much easier to drive, especially on downhill windings and when braking in tandem. Specifically, it reduces the front sinking to a reasonable degree. If you don't know any better, you may feel like you're driving better.
3. Cruise control is a great reminder of how much easier it is to take your right arm off the gas pedal on the highway to make your body and mind feel. It's now an essential feature for high-speed cruising.
4. As for the clutch, the heavier the clutch on a liter motorcycle, the harder it is for long touring. the clutch on the V-Strom 1050 is so light that even if you ride the motorcycle day after day on a long touring trip, you will not get tired easily.
5. Low RPM Assist is a humble feature that has been available on Suzuki's big motorcycles since the GSX-S1000 series, but it's a very good feature that makes the motorcycle friendly. When I ride other companies' motorcycles, I always feel that this Low RPM Assist helps me out.
I'm a little concerned about some things.
I don't think it's a good idea to list all the good points, so I'll try to summarize some of the things I'm not sure about.
1. My right leg is hot.
From the beginning of the ride, I've noticed that my right foot is hot when I stop, due to an issue with the placement of the exhaust pipe. I've been dealing with this by putting my left foot on when stopping.
2. The center of gravity is high and easily wobbled.
It's more noticeable when compared to the Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin, but perhaps it's a weight balance issue, but the V-Strom has a wobbly feeling at low speeds. It doesn't bother me when I'm usually riding with it flowing, but I need to be careful just before stopping.
3. The trigger is heavy.
This is also obvious when compared to the Africa Twin. The V-Strom 1050 is clearly heavier than the V-Strom 1050 in causing the side stand to come to a stop. I don't know if it's because of the point of force applied, or if it's a structural issue, but I think it requires a good amount of force.
If you enjoy traveling, V-Strom 1050XT!
The V-Strom 1050 has a more compact position and better footing than its predecessor, but it's still a liter-class adventure motorcycle. With a seat height of 850mm and a weight of 247kg, it's an imposing motorcycle. If you're not used to the motorcycle in your own way, you might think it's a bit harsh because of its size.
But it's also true that the motorcycle's size makes it easy to ride. The V-Strom 1050 is a proud Japanese touring motorcycle for serious riders who enjoy traveling.
