Im getting one.....thanks for the input....

Any clutch chudder?

2021 maybe? If the 650 got cruise control it's a slam dunk for Suzuki.

​@@drewmorg. Maybe an 50cc upgrade? 700cc DR with two versions. Road and Offroad, like the T7. Could be big fun.

probably will have it next year

Wont come next year;(

Sadly I don’t think we’ll ever see USD forks or CC on the 650. The 650 needs to meet a tighter price point.

The old XT has 5 axis IMU.

Agreed. This bike would make a very good choice. I am considering for purchase later this year.

It's very satisfying and Ducati-like

Thanks! But - I've got the Tiger GT Pro at £12,800 and the Strom XT at £11,445? But yes, the Tiger has more gadgets; electric rear preload, heated grips, heated seats(!) and up/down q/shifter, more comprehensive function options and a flatscreen dash... if you're buying one, make sure you're ok with that vibration before you sign! And the Tiger is giving away a fair bit of engine capacity and while its probably just as rapid in real terms, the Suzuki really will crack on impressively.

I would worry about Triumph reliability, I would feel a bit more comfortable with a Suzuki.

@@raycollington4310 My 800XC was rubbish. My first (and last) Triumph.

@@JayBee-se8ou Sorry to hear that. When you say it was rubbish, do you mean it just wasn't very good or it was unreliable?

Thanks! John

Spot on! Totally agree!👌 You'd think it was obvious?

Ah, the watercooled oil cooler? I'm pretty sure I've seen this on a few bikes now - it doesn't directly affect the handling, ride or performance of the bike so it wasn't top of my list of thing to talk about... and heaven knows I missed out loads of stuff and went on about the looks far too much. Good point about the added weight of the centrestand and engine bars contributing to the extra weight this year - but then it's still, you know, heavier.

Takes me ages to make them look accidental 😂

I was talking to a friend and said I would probably be 99% road. She had adventured all over north and south America on an MT07.

second that

Been a while since I last rode a Crosstourer - I wish it wasn't! I remember its engine, its engine and its engine. It's like a tourer with long legs. It's a bigger, I suspect heavier (haven't checked) and more substantial machine than the Strom. It's shame Honda didn't update it and make it as flagship-spec as the Africa Twin (an AT drawback is still having only around 100bhp-ish to pull two people and full luggage; it can be done, but 120-140bhp would be better). The V-Strom will feel a bit less refined, I think. The V-twin is more active than the smoothy V4. The Honda's finish will be a bit more upmarket too, probably. The Versys is, again, a bigger bike and with more go in the motor - but inline fours and their transverse cranks aren't meant to sit so high off the ground and when you steer the Kawasaki, especially with luggage, you're instantly reminded why a Z1000SX hasn't got 150mm of wheel travel (although having said that, the old Z1000SX wasn't exactly twinkle-toes in the hairpins; apparently the new one is much better, on the launch, hic). All three can boogie a bit in the bends (hairpins aside) but the Suzuki would be more agile and handle its weight better. And it's miles better-looking imo. So for two-up touring, from memory I'd take either the X-Tourer or Versys before the V-Strom - which of course isn't to say the Suzuki couldn't or would struggle. And from an engine character point of view, I'd take the Suzuki or Honda over the Kawasaki. And from a looks point of view, I'd take the Suzuki. And from a sporty riding point of view, I'd definitely take the Suzuki.

That's why it's called an ADV , not a duel sport.

Thank you - the Strom can boogie. The stuff I couldn't use (a bit too fast, even in Spain) is even better ✊

If anything the new engine is a bit more feisty a low revs - I would say the engine vibration is about the same, but it has got a bit more of a performance edge, I think. It's more animated. This might be interpreted as roughness. I found the fuelling and throttle control pretty good too - but again, these days anything that doesn't snatch your wrist off is a bonus. I confess I didn't have a particular issue with the old bike's wind management - in my opinion almost all adventure bikes, especially in this class, have sub-optimal screens - they're not styled to be aerodynamic and as soon as the air starts moving over the beak and then hits whatever excuse of a screen has been fitted, the turbulence generated can be pretty bad - the previous 1000cc Africa Twin or F850 GS with touring screens are awful. In that context, I thought the Strom was pretty good - but must stress, I did very little sustained motorway riding.

Agree, my 2019 XT has 232 kg and it light. 15 kg is some weight.

I think the weight increase is due to the accessories which are standard on the new XT, like the engine guards. I think the centre stand was not standard too and is now on the new XT. Add on the weight of them and I think you will find the weight about the same. The guards I think are the heaviest.

You dont feel the extra weight when riding it at all.

I think with Suzuki it's not a complaint. I think what he's trying to say is it's proven reliable since 1997.

Between the GT and the Strom, I'd take the Suzuki. Between the GT Pro and the Strom... that would be tougher (the GT Pro has heated seats!)... and between the Tiger Rally Pro and the Strom, the Rally Pro would get the nod.

Simon Hargreaves : thanks for reply & opinion.

v-strom definitely.. V twin souds way better, is more powerfull, japanese quality... :)

Last July 2020, i bought the Tiger 900 GT. After 9000 km, i love it.

Yes. And a remap. And I'd gear it down a bit. It's got plenty of go in it but I'd like a bit more bark.

I think You need to remember that dl1000 had 2 and therefore slimmer cans, now the single can has to somehow do the job while being relatively quiet at the same time😉

Probably the Strom tbh - but would be perfectly happy on either (the caveat is the V85TT's seat - it killed my backside, but only after 1800 miles in 3 days on the hottest days of the year, so maybe it's not a fair test. Although I know of someone else who hated the seat as well - but I also know a couple of guys who rode two bikes to the factory and back without a problem! So who knows!).

@@writestuffmedia Thank you for responding. Yes - seats are a tough one. Everyone feels different about them and when they're uncomfortable they are pure misery. I appreciate the thorough review and look forward to the next one. Have a great week and stay safe.

Amen to that.

One on ebay already, in yellow £10.199.

I think, up until this Covid business threw a spanner in the works, it was almost certain Suzuki would have a similarly-styled Wee Strom in 2021. That *might* be delayed now... in the sense everyone has basically had their 2020 sales plans halved. Dunno how possible it is to adjust production plans like that - you never know, Suzuki might have already been gearing up production for an autumn launch and spring 2021 sales. But I'm pretty sure it'll happen at some point.

Soon as Suzuki build it and launch it, Bennetts BikeSocial will be there.

I get asked about that jacket all the time! It's a Tucano Urbano Gulliver (I think it's discontinued but you can still get them). www.motostorm.it/en/clothing/jackets/tucano-urbano-gulliver-jacket-dark-beige.html

I think the Multis look just as good as a V4 Panigale and the Pikes Peak is way better. If Ducati made a 1260 Enduro in Pikes Peak colours, I'd be seriously tempted (hahaha no chance!). Yes, the V-Strom's price rise is a bit more than expected and the boxes and extras (like heated grips!) don't help. Don't know if it's the same in your neck of the woods, but rest assured Suzuki will be fixing some good deals on them in around 12 months' time.

yeah, that would probably make it 260 kilos

@@ioandragulescu6063 Agree. I don't understand why people what that shaft drive. Chain is perfect, and light. Buy a BMW GS or YAMAHA XTZ1200 if you want that. 🙂

He didn't gush over it.................he just said he liked it pretty good. No more no less........

🤫 😉

It did sound like scraping pegs both right and left

Ah, but both having a 19in front doesn't mean a V-Strom and a GS have the same suitability off-road. Bit more nuanced than that! No single characteristic - say, having a 19in or a 21in front wheel - makes one bike definitively 'better' at off-road than another, because one bike might 'only' have a 19in front but also have a load of other elements, like wheel travel, or weight, or chassis design, that make it more suitable than another bike with a 19in front. So it's a simplification and a generalisation to say all bikes with a 19in front wheel share the same suitability off-road. It's waaaaay more complex. And add in the variety of terrain - is off-road a boggy field in winter, or a bone-dry firetrail in summer? - and rider ability as well... 🤯 But I would certainly say in standard trim, from the showroom, both the V-Strom and GS are far and away predominantly suited to road riding.

Simon Hargreaves fair comment, I’m just happy enough having a bike to ride on all roads, and when I’m riding gravel roads and tracks I just take it steady with no rush, you get to see more. I’ve had a couple of Vstroms over the years and had some wonderful rides through the Flinders Ranges in Sth Australia, to tip of Cape York 800k gravel, lawn hill national park Queensland etc only ever had one problem when I hit a rock on the gravel road it dinted my cast rim had to limp home stopping every 2hrs to top up tyre with air. I’ve been debating with myself over which bike to get and I’m down to the Triumph Rally Pro or the Vstrom 1050XT and leaning toward the Vstrom as I do 90% of riding on sealed roads and the Rally Pro is more of an off road bike. Cheers Ed

Ktm 1290 Sas 19" front wheel too

My thoughts exactly. Which isn't very nice for Suzuki... but, you know, tough.

Why not? How much cost the Africa and the Gs?

Shit I would. Bullet proof reliable, competitive and excellent value.

Hey Thiha, difficult to say because technically, no - if you're a confident rider you'll have some tricks and techniques to deal with it; I know guys under 5'7" who could handle a V-Strom, especially on its 850mm low setting. Suzuki have a low seat version which drops it to 820mm. I would say go find a dealer and sling your leg over it; it's the best way to find out!

I like the next one. I hope this is an excuse for something completely different in the future.

I have the same dillema. What did you choose and who?

1037cc 😂

Yes, it's these 👇 They're trials boots, so they're a bit more forgiving to ride all day in than full on enduro or MX boots. I love 'em. Comfy and fully waterproof too. TCX New Terrain 2 Trial Off-Road Motorcycle Boots | White www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00A2VJTZE/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_Ofg5Eb0NWBN72

honest words. wrote mine before i saw yours.