Suzuki reveals new V-Strom 1000 tech details

New V-Strom 1000 gets 100bhp, traction control, ABS and three colourschemes as it enters the adventure bike market priced around £10,000

Suzuki is continuing to stretch out pre-launch information surrounding the new V-Strom 1000 adventure bike but at least now it has confirmed some concrete details about the much-anticipated motorcycle.

Suzuki revealed further details of the bike at the final round of the World Endurance championship at the Le Mans 24-hour race last weekend.

With so much speculation surrounding the bike, which was unveiled in thinly-disguised ‘concept’ form at the end of 2012, it’s nice to finally have some confirmed details. We now know the bike has a heavily revised version of the V-twin engine which was first seen in the Suzuki TL1000S in 1996. The new motor has been increased in capacity from 996cc to 1036cc with power confirmed at 100bhp at 8000rpm. The torque is a healthy 76ftlb at just 4000rpm, which is likely to make the bike feel lively from the get-go.

Suzuki has also revealed details about the bike’s traction control, class-leading fuel economy and weight and UK pricing ahead of the official launch of the bike at the Milan motorcycle show in November.

While other manufacturers have been chasing huge power increases in adventure bikes Suzuki’s most attention-grabbing figure is a claimed 59mpg which gives a potential range of nearly 260 miles from the 20-litre fuel tank. This, combined with the lightest in class 228kg kerbweight, means the 100bhp could well be more than enough for decent performance and the ability to maintain decent pace even when loaded up with luggage and a pillion.

Suzuki is making a big play of the traction control system which was developed with the knowledge the firm built up while it raced in MotoGP. The new system analyses information from five sensors on the machine, helping to deliver optimum traction with precision, and features multi-function settings, too.

The new bike has a kerbweight of 228kg, some 8kg lighter than the original V-Strom 1000 and in part of this weight loss can be attributed to the all-new twin-spar aluminium chassis. As well as reduced weight, the new bike boasts a 19-inch front wheel – a must have by adventure riders who tackle more than paved roads.
Suzuki’s lightweight ABS system is combined with new radially mounted brake calipers. Suzuki say it will be priced around £10,000 which undercuts most potential rivals.

See the full story in this week’s MCN, on sale Wednesday at the newsstand, and in electronic form on iPad and Android.