First pictures of Suzuki’s finished V-Strom

You’ve seen our spy shots of the Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom, now here’s our first close-up and detailed pictures of the showroom-ready TL1000-powered V-twin.

No official details have been released on the V-Strom yet, but sources close to Suzuki suggest its being tuned for around 110bhp and 130mph.

The new pictures show more than ever this is a bike built for comfortable riding, mile-after-mile, much in the vein of the FireStorm-powered Honda Varadero.

With its weight expected to be around 205kg (451lb), it will be fitted with road-biased tyres, giving a firm indication of its purpose.

The stiff, light, alloy beam frame combined with the lofty riding position and high-level exhausts, should make this a bike capable of top speed of around 130mph. And when you throw the lofty riding position and high-level exhausts into the equation, the V-Strom should be a good back-road blaster when the mood takes you.

It’s set to be officially unveiled at next week’s Paris show. It should be available from dealers early next year, with a price close to the Honda Varadero’s £7450.

What do you think of it? Run-of-the-mill or run to your dealer to place an order? Follow the links right to check out the rest of the bikes of 2002 and to have your say about this one.

COMING SOON: Yamaha’s TDM900

More new bikes brought together in MCN, published September 26, 2001