2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE
Suzuki have today pulled the covers off a new V-Strom 1050 D/E model to spearhead a revised line-up scheduled to arrive in March next year.
Suzuki’s V-Strom has been a hugely popular all-roads adventure-touring platform for two decades, but the model has always been more of an all-roads tourer. Suzuki has seen fit to leave it to the Europeans to tread a somewhat wilder path to adventure.
This new DE (Dual Explorer) machine unveiled today though runs a 21-inch front for more sure-footed going in rougher terrain. The swing-arm is also longer on the DE and provides the model with a longer wheelbase, while up front there is also more rake to help the DE retain nimble handling, despite the 21-inch front.
The V-Strom 1050 DE also boasts an inch more ground clearance than the regular V-Strom 1050, 190 mm compared to the 165 mm of the 19-inch front V-Strom. Curiously the rear wheel on the DE is tubeless, but the front is not.
Suspension travel is also marginally greater with an extra 10 mm at each end of the KYB hardware, pushing it out to 170 mm of travel.
Also a new gravel mode and some extra electronic features debut along with a new 32-bit ECM. The rear ABS can be switched off on the DE model and is a new set-up from Bosch.
Now that is not going to challenge a hard-core adventure bike in the snotty stuff, but along with wider bars, a shorter screen and a few other touches, the DE model will have a bit more off-road chops than we have seen before from the V-Strom platform.
Currently, Suzuki Australia sell the 1050 XT model in Australia, and the new base model is essentially the XT but drops that moniker, loses the spoked rims in favour of ten-spoke alloys, and gains the same few nips and tucks across the drivetrain for further refinement that the DE introduces.
A two-way quick-shifter is now standard across both models, as is new five-inch colour TFT instrumentation.
The outgoing 1050XT model currently sells for $21,990 Ride Away, the new V-Strom 1050 will wear a sticker price of $22,990 Ride Away. However, early adopters will have that deal sweetened with a full alloy luggage kit, valued at over $3000, thrown into the bargain after they put down a $1000 deposit.
Buyers keen to get their hands on the new V-Strom 1050 DE for $24,690 Ride Away, and who are willing to place a $1000 deposit ahead of the bikes arrival, will gain an alloy top box worth over $1000 thrown in.
The 90-degree 1037 cc V-Twin engine on both models has been revised with new hollow sodium-filled valves.
An improved gearbox, with different internal ratios for first and sixth gears also debuts. A higher quality drivechain now turns a rear sprocket with four more teeth, to deliver more spirited acceleration.
V-Strom 1050 Gearing
| Gearing | New model | Previous model |
| Primary | 1.838 (57/31) | 1.838 (57/31) |
| Final | 2.647 (45/17) | 2.411 (41/17) |
| 1st | 2.666 (32/12) | 3.000 (36/12) |
| 2nd | 1.933 (29/15) | 1.933 (29/15) |
| 3rd | 1.500 (27/18) | 1.500 (27/18) |
| 4th | 1.227 (27/22) | 1.227 (27/22) |
| 5th | 1.086 (25/23) | 1.086 (25/23) |
| 6th | 0.913 (21/23) | 1.000 (24/24) |
Updates have also been made to the ride-by-wire electronic throttle along with an improved cruise control system.
2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050/DE Specifications
| V -STROM 1050Â | V-STROM 1050DE | |
| Engine | Liquid-cooled, V-twin 1,037 cc | Liquid-cooled, V-twin 1,037 cc |
| Bore x Stroke | 100 x 66 mm | 100 x 66 mm |
| Power | 106 hp / 79 kW at 8500 rpm | 106 hp / 79 kW at 8500 rpm |
| Torque | 100 Nm at 6000 rpm | 100 Nm at 6000 rpm |
| Compression ratio | 11.5:1 | 11.5:1 |
| Fuel system | Fuel injection, 49 mm throttle bodies, large bore, RbW | Fuel injection, 49 mm throttle bodies, large bore, RbW |
| Starter system | Electric | Electric |
| Lubrication system | Wet sump | Wet sump |
| Transmission | 6-speed constant mesh | 6-speed constant mesh |
| Ignition system | Electronic ignition (transistorized) | Electronic ignition (transistorized) |
| Fork | 43mm KYB inverted front forks, full adjustable, 160 mm travel | 43mm KYB inverted front forks, full adjustable, 170 mm travel |
| Shock | Link-type KYB mono-shock, full adjustable, 160 mm travel | Link-type KYB mono-shock, full adjustable, 169 mm travel |
| Rake / trail | 25°40’ / 110 mm | 27° 30’/ 126 mm |
| Frame | Twin-spar aluminium frame, Aluminium swingarm | Twin-spar aluminium frame, longer, aluminium swingarm |
| Brake Front | CBS, Tokico radial mount monobloc four-piston caliper, 310 mm rotors, ABS | CBS, Tokico radial mount monobloc four-piston caliper, 310 mm rotors, ABS /w rear cancel mode |
| Brake Rear | Single-piston pin-slide calliper, 260 mm rotor | Single-piston pin-slide calliper, 260 mm rotor |
| Wheels | 10-spoke cast aluminium wheels | Wire-spoked wheels, aluminium front rim |
| Tyre Front | Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A41, 110/80R19M/C 59V tubeless | Dunlop TRAILMAX MIXTOUR, 90/90-21M/C 54H tube type |
| Tyre Rear | Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A41, 150/70R17M/C 69V tubeless | Dunlop TRAILMAX MIXTOUR, 150/70R17M/C 69H tubeless |
| Fuel capacity | 20.0 L | 20.0 L |
| Handlebars | Tapered aluminium | Tapered aluminium, 20 mm wider per side |
| Footpegs | Aluminium, rubber-covered | Steel, rubber covered |
| Rake / Trail | 25°40′ / 110 mm | 27°30′ / 126 mm |
| Overall length | 2,265 mm | 2,390 mm |
| Overall width | 940 mm | 960 mm |
| Overall height | 1515 mm | 1,505 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1555 mm | 1,595 mm |
| Ground clearance | 165 mm | 190 mm |
| Seat height | 855 mm (+20mm) | 880 mm (Fixed) |
| Kerb mass | 242 kg with full tank | 252 kg with full tank |
| RRP | $22,990 Ride Away | $24,690 Ride Away |
