Bought my First V Strom, 1000, 2005 Model. Got on it and Drove it home ( 760 km - Not Riding Fit as I have not been on a bike for 2 years ). What a Pleasure !!

So, here it's Sept of 2022 watching a video review of an 08 Vstrom in 2016.. I gotta say, it's still relevant. I had a 04 DL1K about 8 years ago for 6 years, terrific machine as American Flyer has demonstrated.. since, I've been through a Bandit 1200s, 1250s and a Miata- a bike with doors ;) just this month, picked up an 06 DL650 (Weestom) and I must say, it's really an ideal bike, also still relevant especially if folks don't have tons of cash for the newer stuff.. $3K +/- can get you something totally usable and actually 80% as good as the current offerings at multiple of thousands more, if you don't mind not having abs, ride modes, etc..also they are known for stunning reliability.. the 650 does, really well, it does lack that hard 1000cc pull, but it really does quite good, plenty for traffic.. will hold 80mph just fine with a decent reserve, just won't freight train up to 120+++ like the big brother.. I spend less time managing the bike and more time enjoying the ride..

Ray romano reviewing bikes :)

One of the nicest and most honest bike review I´ve ever seen on YT. Great job :)

I bought my 2014 VStrom 1000 because I was tired of getting beat up on bad roads on my 2004 Honda VTX1300C. My Strom handles gravel roads with ease and floats over rough asphalt and concrete roads without injuring me.

Great review. I own a FJR1300 and a 2014 V Strom 1000. I got the Strom for the same reasons you mentioned - better handling on rough roads, the ability to explore a little more on gravel roads, etc. However, I discovered that the Strom is actually more comfortable than the FJR on the highway, for me at least. The seat is better, and the great leg room is a blessed relief for my knees. And the Strom vibrates less than the FJR at, ah, cruising speeds. The FJR is a terrific machine, and I like the electric wind screen, shaft drive, and the cruise control is somewhat useful, but for me, the Strom is more enjoyable, day to day. It’s a do-it-all machine.

Watching in 2024, going to look at a 06 strom today. 20k miles on it.

Great review. I sold my ZRX a couple years ago and found one of these used and am seriously considering getting it. BTW you sound like Ray Romano with the helmet cam LOL.

I have this bike. Runs great. I have a lot of bikes and I am getting ready to sell this one. Mine is a 2007. Very nice review and I agree with everything you said. I got into soft sand and went down with it. Hurt my ankle pretty bad when I first got it. Definitely a fun bike.

Great bike. I've got the same 2004 1000. Bought new, and still looks and rides as new with about 21k miles. I've test ridden many bikes over the years, and this is the best all around bike. Very versatile and comfortable. Still love it.

A++ review, thumbs up for the 3rd person angle camera

love that 113A and the corner by the church with that beautiful field at 9:12 ...Glad you started talking about the suspention in there ,,My Triumph Sreet Scrambler I would be standing on the pegs . Thanks for the great clip ..

Awesome review. NO BS... also, I am from New Hampshire, haven't lived there in years. You made me homesick. In a lot of ways, I think NH is the best motorcycling state.

Bought a 2002 dl1000 in 2008 and after 4days left Athens to Milan, Corsica and back still have it. Never opened the engine.

I have the Delkevic exhaust on my dirtbike and I have to say that thing would drive me nuts on a touring bike! NO WAY, I agree with you

Winfield Jung: Thank you. The crappy 1st to 2nd upshift has annoyed me since I got the bike. Don't know of a fix. And I have no problem crawling along in first gear whether in traffic or off-road. And I do have a Power Commander. Seems to work just fine. However, when I first bought the bike it would occasionally stall at red lights. Hasn't done that in over a year now. Mysteriously fixed itself. I still enjoy the bike very much. I rode a Ducati Multistrada 950 recently (video coming soon). And while the Duc is a better bike in almost all respects (as it should be for the money), I liked the Suzuki V-twin better than the Duc V-twin!

Enjoyed every minute

I agree withe the others in saying you did a excellent video with an objective review of the Vstrom 1k. Two days ago, I bought a used 2007 V 1k with 45k miles on the odo. Yesterday, I took the bike out for a spirited run with some buds, and I was quite impressed with the ergo and comfort of the bike. On the matter of power, you mentioned impressive power of the engine up to 7k rpm, but didn't say at what rpm point this power could be tapped. My experience yesterday found the instant power was much available below 4k or 4.5k rpm. I also felt the shifting from 1st gear to 2nd was not as smooth as I would like. The one significant negative was what I perceive to be inaccurate fueling while pulling away in 1st gear. There was a definite roughness felt there. The characteristic compression braking of the V twin engine, perhaps combined with what might be some transmission and drive line slack caused for some irritating slow speed riding on the streets between traffic lights. I wonder whether you or other Vstrom 1k owners might comment on these last couple of negative items. Are these negatives common to the Vstrom 1k and if so, what might be the modifications or adjustments that would provide some corrections to what might otherwise be a great bike for distance touring? (On the fueling issue, I'm considering a Power Commander as a modification.) Thanks for a really well done video.

Love your review on the DL1000. The V-Twin delivers power in a safer way than the inline 4 cylinder IMO. You crank on it and BAM!!!!! ...and the power pulses have more significant gaps between them that act as a passive traction control. The tire gets a chance to hook up between pulses, even at high levels of throttle. Yeah I love my TL1000R. Love that V-Twin Motor.

Galfer steel braided lines and EBC pads.....Make Brakes Great Again!

I hear that clunk into second gear!! My 2002 does the same

An proof reading correction to my post...I meant to say: "...instant power was not much available below 4k or 4.5k rpm."

I really enjoyed your review. I'm deciding an the Suzuki V-Strom 1000, Yamaha FJR 1300 or Honda ST 1300.

I heard there are 4 cylinder engines with good torque at low rpm too (e.g. Bandit 1200/1250).

They are great bikes. However, the foundation of the G Strom 1000 engine was the early GSXR 1000 engine. Once those became non-competitive in Cafe racing Suzuki designed a new engine for the race bikes but kept this engine for touring bikes.

Im considering buying a 2008 dl1000 with 70,000 miles. Is that high mileage and should i be concerned? What can i expect in terms of maintenance and issues that this bike faces especially at that number of miles?

Well done,,,I think I like the big even more now...thanks

Great video as I am looking to buy a used 2008 DL1000. I recently moved to the Great Northwest, Washington State. The roads are to die for here so just have to get another bike after leaving SOCAL. Can you tell me what you were using to record the audio and video on this ride. The audio was great even a road speeds.

I have a 2011 650a and I too think it leans WAY too far over on the side stand. I’m short of inseam and will be putting lowering links on soon, 3/4 inch. Should help with the lean angle on the side stand.

Very nicely done video. I haven't owned/ridden a bike for over 12yrs and I'm 59yrs old, 5'9 tall, bout 220lbs. I've been shopping on local CL and found 2011-2015 V Strom DL650's for sale. My last bike I owned was a 90's KLR-%650. I was really leaning to get a 800-1100cc Cruiser style bike/ But I'm not crazy about all the Harley-wana be style Cruiser looks. Though there are alot of Cruisers for sale near me for very low prices, I just think I'd like the V Strom/Honda Versys 650's as my new to me, re-starte bikes. Was gona go look at some this coming week then I found a 08 V Strom DL1000, 13K miles for sale just right down the street from me. And its at the same or bit less price of the DL650's I planned to go test drive this week. Just wondering if the DL1000 might be too much bike for me as a re-starter bike. I would only use the bike mostly just for Sunday morning rides with a buddy who rides a 800 Vulcan. I'm not trying to be a speed-demon or ever any off-roading for me. So maybe a Cruiser is what I need. But I just like the looks and stance of these DL650/1000 bikes. Guess I should at least go see the DL1000, Just think it might be too much, too soon for me.

Super video. Thanks

Great review

just got my first bike strom1000

What about the valve adjustments?

Nice vid..how so far the Vee with you is..?!" BAM..the power always there.." Keep ride..look around..

what do you think about reliability on these bikes of these years?

Is it worth selling 650 To buy 1000?

Nice review👍

How does this bike behave on rough terrain?

Turdy Time. Lol 😂 😂 😂

Turdy time 😅😅.

Turdy time! Lol

No offence man.. but you ain't see "Crappy" roads yet.. i mean.. tarmac "crappy" road for real..

The clutch suffers from chudder horrible sound and suzuki still ain’t fixed it

Somebody PLEASE tell him its an L twin not a V twin......the brakes are more than adequate for what the bike is capable of on and off road I've been riding over 50 years love my DL sorry to nit pick