Suzuki seem to be good at doing that! Just take a look at the Katana.

You’re becoming a bit of a regular 👍🏼. Love it! 😃. Appreciate it, bud! 😁. The XT Is a great contender and, to be honest, a similar set up that KTM may have missed. 😳🏍💨 I love a V-Twin and, while not perfect, the V-Strom, unlike before, would most certainly now be on my hit list.

Hi Mr TPR. Thanks for dropping me a little line. It means a lot. Did you buy one?

You're welcome and thanks for your support.

Thank you, squire. This is one of the reasons why I think it hits the sweet spot.

If you call 15k reasonable! At least it was tje MSRP here in the states.

@@12masterr well bmw is about 25 - 30 k, so yeah , 15k is reasonable

Just found 2020 KTM 1290 SA R 16710 out the door.... Really wish the xt and xta were closer to 11/13k.....

April 2021,pre-Reg one for £8895 for a 'Marlboro' painted one...an absolute steal,50% of it's European competitors

Thanks for your comment, Matthew, and the thumbs up too. While it was my first experience with a V-Strom, I was certainly impressed. The hunt for a really good all rounder is over for some. One bike not to be overlooked until you've ridden it. It'll get you thinking.

Thank you Gordon. I appreciate that. Did you take one for a test? How did you get on? Who was the dealer?

Thanks for your comment. It's appreciated. I prefer a more raw of a bike, but personal preference aside, this would be the bike I would have any day of the week. For its price point, I could ask for any more.

Thanks Kevin. I appreciate the feedback. Yes, the dealer said the same. I can't comment on spokes though as not had first-hand experience of this. I hope the purchase isn't too far away!

Thank you. I appreciate the feedback, Martin.

Hey smiffter97 - in 2010, I couldn't decide between a BMW GS and the KTM 990 SMT. I chose the SMT because it was simple and raw. I still ride the SMT today. By present standards, it's hard to find a decent all-round tourer with minimal electric aids. Still, if presented with a GS and XT it would have to be the Suzuki 1050 XT. Enjoy. 😉👍🏼

Hey Cisco Song, no, thank you! So great to hear positive response. You must take one for a test ride; I am sure you won't be disappointed.

@@o75uk I definitely will take one for a ride.

Thanks for your comment. Appreciated. Personally, I find yellow and gold rims work in the flesh. That said, I prefer black.

Thanks for your comment. While it was my first time on a V-Strom, I was so impressed, it should on any biker's shopping list looking for a bike of this ilk.

Sold my 2009 DL 650 for a 1050xt in champion yellow. Do not regret that descion since I only have room for one bike.

Hi Greg, thanks for your comment.Isn't it just? I'm sure aftermarket deflector can be applied to the top of the screen just to take a further edge off of it.

Wow Walter, you do like covering miles with the V-Strom. Good on you! I really do think your pennies saved will be well spent. As for its forerunner, that would make it an all-win situation.

o75: While I’m a Canadian, one of the reasons I’ve bought ‘Stroms is because I’ve ridden them a lot in Mexico and Central America. In the back of my mind I’ve figured, worse come to worse, I can write off a stolen or crashed bike should it be the wiser choice. Irony is, aside from an iffy moment or two in Guatemala and El Salvador, I’ve never had any problems in third world countries and I’ve still got a ‘Strom in my garage. I sold my ‘12 ‘Strom to a friend who now has well over 100 000 kilometers on it, and now we’re planning to head out on a long ride through Canada’s Northern tundra - two of us, on ‘Stroms! So yeah, for many reasons I’m a ‘Strom fan. Take care, ride safe and stay healthy!

Hobbs Lane. I’m not an expert, and as you likely already know, much depends on what type of roads that 70% represents, and what type of off road you’re wanting to experience. I’m in my late 60’s now so most of my riding is on some type of groomed surface; if I’m single track riding, it’s going to be on a light bike designed for single track. So I’m still keen on the V-Strom, well farkled, even the DL650 works well. And they’re reliable, cheap, and don’t make you sad when they topple over. It’s a perfect second or third motorcycle. And sadly, while I’m hoping to ride the Trans-Lab Highway again this fall, my time deep in the north is likely over. That type of black fly damp morning mud riddled ride ‘n camp can be adventurous, but it takes a toll. So whatever bike and route you ride, my only advice is that you give yourself time to enjoy the places you stop as much as you enjoy getting there. Good luck; be safe.

Hi Sierra Nevada, Thank you for taking the time to comment. That's the thing with some bikes. Aesthetically, I wasn't sure looking at the pics but the more time I spent with it in the flesh, the more I liked it.

Cheers Torqueix. Well, if was able to bring you into the saddle then that's my job done then. Nah, it's wrong when you ride on the right! For me, it's natural to ride either side. France is only two hours away from where I live. I just love our historical country twisty roads - keeps you on your toes and to be prepared to expect the unexpected as you never know what's just around the bend. Certainly raises the skill levels! Thanks for watching and do subscribe - it'll be great to have you along for the ride.

@@o75uk - Yes, riding on a motorcycle there is but one road, doesn't really matter because you're using every space given. :)

I think Suzuki are aiming for a no-nonsense bike approach with its price point being key but I think you're right; I think this would be a smart-model choice.

HI Paul. Thanks for taking the time to comment. It's all down to personal preference but I think, for the money, the XT a smart choice. For resale, consider the black.

The black one is dope!!

Hey Rage Rider, thanks for your comment. I hope they don't. It is a great bike. For the price, it certainly hits my sweet spot.

Welcome Jay B and thank you! Good to see you here. That is one point I will scribe into my notebook. I very much appreciate the feedback.

Quickshift makes for swift shifting up through the gears without touching the clutch. Most can be retro fitted for added fundability to riding. That said you could try clutchless shifting.

Quick shift for me is like riding a scooter... No thanks and you don't get the benefit of it when caught in traffic to give your clutch hand a break before it doesn't work well at low speeds. So I don't want it, paying extra for what? You might as well ride a scooter. I ride a bike because I like using the clutch 👍🏼

Hey Sheldon. Thank you for your comment. I agree, Suzuki's bikes are good. That said, with innovation, gadgets and gizmos, comes increased costs. I feel the price point from Suzuki is key for this wonderful beast and it certainly hits my sweet spot.

@@o75uk Agree. Perfect bike for old school guys like me, that like simplicity and don't need all the fancy electronics and gizmos.

I recall on my short test-ride on the XT first is snatchy. Changing it to mode C helped soften it but found acceleration was still very progressive. It's a great bike and if I was in the market for one today, this it what I would have.

@@o75uk thanks for your reply. I know if I go on Auto trader now I'll end up buying one so I'm holding out till next year, hopefully I would have saved enough by then.

Onya Rogerio.

Hi Batts on Bikes, someone's done their homework! Fantastic. Answers I wasn't able to get my hands on prior to the first-impression review. £352 for toasty fingers? I wasn't expecting that kind of price. Still, at least there's plenty of room to make the bike your own, even if it means buying third-party parts for a lesser price. I think the price point is key for Suzuki and, as I mentioned in the video, I feel they've hit a sweet spot with me on this one. Thanks for taking the time to drop us a line. It's appreciated.

Batts on Bikes , i had Suzuki heated grips on one of my V-Stroms and they only heated the inside of your fingers and didn’t seem to get that hot. So i swopped them out for some Oxford Touring heated grips, which for £80 as a opposed to way over £300, are excellent. They get really hot, are easy to control and very easy to wire in. I do think that heated grips are more essential than rider modes to ride all year round in the uk.

@@bikerantics5001 Agreed Biker Antics...

Hessler rally screen looks the business,If it was available in black...he does all the bits,racks,sump guards etc

I should put in a sales commission claim with Suzuki from the comments I've received with people off to buy one. To be fair, it's a bloomin' good bike. Enjoy the ride and ride safe.

@@o75uk thanks for that I will do my best to enjoy this ride ATB 👍🏻

Hey Ride Around, what's your reason for the change? I must admit, if I was looking for bike for around this budget, it would be on my list.

o75 the bike was a company bike and I was commuting into London emergency plumbing , as I changed jobs I had to give the bike back , I have the new shape sv650 I brought new and I have been to Europe three times on it , I like having a new bike and BMW’s are wayyy to over priced no matter what they say. This new v storm ticks all my boxes and every where I went in the alps etc all I see was gs’s boring lol.

Take the Africa twin.. More light more beautiful and a true adventure

Thanks for your comment, and apologies for the tardy response. Motorcycling is very much a personal preference but either way, I am sure your decision would be the right one for you. Which one did you opt for?

@@o75uk no worries at all. I went with the 1050XT. I figured out that the, 650XT would really be a minuscule addition to the 500cc I currently have and also the riding position will not be appropriate for me. I'm 6foot so I needed some leg room.

Hi Jeff, I can't help here as never owned a 2014 model.

Understood. It's an issue that has plagued the V-Strom 1000 since its inception, and it usually doesn't become evident until a few thousand miles have been put onto the drive train. I love my V-Strom, but will not purchase another until I know that the issue has been resolved.

@@jethromcbutterpants8762 same boat as you! I have a 2018 and after first oil change (few hundred miles) it started. Mostly when it's hot and the bike in neutral with the clutch released. They say it's idle hammer. But it's definitely dependant on clutch lever position. I think we're talking about the same thing.

Sorry for the very late reply. I've been offline. Yes. 6-speed constant mesh.

If you matched it to it’s closest higher specified parallel twin 853cc BMW F 850 GS Adventure, the price is from £10,895, some £400 cheaper compared to the larger v-twin 1037cc Suzuki 1050 XT. Comparing the spec, I’d still stick with the Suzuki. That said I haven’t tried the F 850 GS to be able to properly compare. www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk/en/models/adventure/f850gs-adventure.html#/section-highlights-of-the-f-850-gs-adventure

Problem is you cant buy a standard GS without getting laughed out the shop. It was a Strom, ktm790 or GS for me a month ago, decided not to take £12000 worth of bike off road so bought the Strom because its brilliant. Then saving pennies for an old off roader.

Yellow did grow on me which I didn't think it would but personally, I would opt for black if I were to buy one.

Sounds great though but I'd expect it to sound even better with an after-market trumpet.

For others reading this, could you elaborate? For motorcycles that are all rigorously checked before every ride can often be a great way to buy nearly new models at a reduced price.

. :)

While yellow wouldn't be my choice, I think the black looks pretty awesome!

While I would agree, some prefer the all-you-need-to-see dash. It also helps to keep its price in the good value zone.

I appreciate your concern but that’ll be my lung condition. I try to be as active as I’m able. I need to move the mic to suppress it; it’s too good. 😉

I think he just overall exciting and heavy breathing is from the excitement. Happens to me on a new bike aswell

😄👍🏼

o75 no worries the only time I breathed like that was riding sand in the Desert ( and was completely stuffed ) hardest riding I ever done ) if it’s a weight thing thing with your lung condition try Keto - iv lost 10kg & brother-in-law’ 30kg - just cutting out ALL carbs , eg breeds , rice , potato’s “ but can eat meat , daily eggs basically any thing but carbs . It’s not a diet just a healthy way to eat

Mate, thanks for you reply. Riding in the desert? Where and what were you doing? Not your average ride out. 😉 You seem to be on it for healthy eating. I like a pint of ale or two but far less than a few years back. As an average bone-dense chap, I’ll look into with what you suggested diet wise. 😬👍🏼

Yes, it is a little weighty. Here's a rough comparison. The Suzuki XT 1050, with a full tank of fuel, weighs in at 247kg. The standard Suzuki 1050, 236kg. The Africa Twin is around 232kg but DCT variant is slightly heavier than the XT at 248kg. The KTM 1290 Adventure S is 238kg; R, 240kg, Versys 1000, 239kg; and the Tiger 1050 at 235kg.

@@o75uk I don't mean that are better choices only for the weight.. Are better choices overall.. Of course this is only my opinion..

@@o75uk just I saw the bike on a shop and I can say that on video the bike looks different.. The bike is very beautiful!!!specially the black one

Different in the flesh. Photos doesn’t do it justice really. Did you take it for a ride?

@@o75uk true.. The photos unterare the bike.. I didn't ride her.. Just I saw her.. I don't have the money to buy her so I considering the KTM 1190 adv.. Different animal..