Introduced in 2002, the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 received a significant redesign for the 2014 model year. Now, just a few years later, Suzuki is back with more changes to its flagship adventure tourer.
The 2018 model year V-Strom 1000 and 1000XT (in dealers next April at pricing TBD) get new styling, a wind-tunnel tested adjustable windscreen, and even a five-axis IMU to work with sophisticated rider aids. Here is the full press release from Suzuki:
2018 V-Strom 1000 & V-Strom 1000XT
The V-Strom 1000 and 1000XT’s bold new fairing design is achieved by a straight styling line from the tip of its beak back to the fuel tank. This is a sharp and aggressive refinement of the Suzuki DR-Big inspired appearance. The height- and angle-adjustable windscreen has a new shape and is 49mm taller. The windscreen was developed through extensive wind-tunnel testing to reduce wind noise and rider fatigue. Suzuki’s patented mechanism allows the windscreen angle to be easily adjusted by hand.
The V-Strom 1000 and 1000XT’s Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) has been updated with Suzuki’s new Motion Track & Combination Brake System. This system aids rider control during sudden braking, even in corners, and will help the rider continue cornering on the originally intended line.
- This advanced ABS system adjusts brake pressure during upright riding with other pressure adjustments when the motorcycle is leaning to either side, so the stopping force matches the available traction.
- Information about the motorcycle’s attitude is continually measured by a BOSCH five-axis IMU. Sensors on the front and rear wheels continually measure speed. The wheel speed and IMU measurements, plus the amount of brake lever or pedal pressure, are calculated by the ABS control unit to instantly adjust the fluid pressure to the brake calipers as required.
- Additionally, this combination system can apply rear brake pressure when the front brake pressure reaches a certain point to help stabilize the vehicle. This contributes to increase stability and maneuverability during cornering.
- The rider has customary, independent control of the front and rear brakes unless a situation occurs to activate the Anti-lock or combination braking features.
- Thanks to the new, advanced ABS control unit, the amount of kickback from anti-lock function to the lever and pedal has been significantly reduced.
Tokico mono-block front brake calipers are mated with 310mm floating-mount dual discs are connected to the new Motion Track Anti-lock & Combination Brake system for strong stopping performance.
Suzuki’s debuted its first motorcycle traction control system on the V-Strom 1000, which enables the rider to control the throttle with more confidence in a variety of riding conditions.
- The traction control system continuously monitors front and rear wheel speeds, throttle opening, engine speed, and transmission gear. It quickly reduces engine output when it detects wheel spin by adjusting ignition timing and air delivery.
- The rider can select one of three modes (1, 2, and OFF). Modes 1 and 2 differ in terms of sensitivity. Mode 1 has lower sensitivity; it allows a certain degree of rear wheel spin for good road conditions. Mode 2 has higher sensitivity; the system engages traction control sooner and is for poor road conditions.
The V-Strom 1000 features lightweight 10-spoke cast-aluminum wheels (manufactured for Suzuki by Enkei) combine nimble handling with sporty looks. Handguards with larger handlebar vibration damper weights and a lower engine protector are now standard.
The V-Strom 1000XT is supplied with new, large diameter, tapered style handlebars which have handguards with large vibration damper weights. The lower engine protector is also standard.
Color and Pricing for the V-Strom 1000 and V-Strom 1000XT are TBA with V-Strom 1000’s hitting dealership floors on March 2017 and V-Strom 1000XT’s hitting dealership floors on April 2017.
* The Traction Control System is not a substitute for the rider’s throttle control. It cannot prevent loss of traction due to excessive speed when the rider enters a turn and/or applies the brakes. Neither can it prevent the front wheel from losing grip.
** Depending on road surface conditions, such as wet, loose, or uneven roads, braking distance for an ABS-equipped vehicle may be longer than for a vehicle not equipped with ABS. ABS cannot prevent wheel skidding caused by braking while cornering. Please drive carefully and do not overly rely on ABS.
See more of MD’s great photography:
When did cruise control become such a big deal? I have a 05′ V-Strom 1000 with over 155,000 miles, and just finished a 12,000 mile trip around the country on my ’11 Multistrada without cruise control… I can only think of a couple times when it may have been handy… The new V-Strom looks awesome, can’t wait to try one out. Come on people… Put on your big boy pants and just ride the damn motorcycle… Dollar for dollar, cc for cc, I think the V-Strom is probably one of the best motorcycle values out there.
“When did CC become such a big deal?”
I think a significant percent of riders today are aging boomers. That includes me. I’ve been riding and racing bikes (motorized and pedal driven) for more than 40 years.
Our carpal tunnel nerves are shredded. I know it’s not just me. Plenty of friends have the same trouble. Thirty minutes and the right hand goes completely numb. If you’ve ever experienced it, you know what a PIA it can be.
I’ve tried lots of fixes. The only one that works is cruise control, which allows you to periodically take your right mit off the throttle for a minute or two to restore the feeling in the hand.
OK, fair enough… Though I have 38 years of riding, so I’m not far behind, but I have no medical issue either that make me need CC.
Don’t they make aftermarket cruise control?
Ya that’s me. I’m 49, and between 30 years of street riding, 7 years of road racing, 25 years of computer work, and (nerd alert) 20 years of bowling, my right wrist is a complete disaster. I added CC to my ’12 Super Tenere, and it is the single best thing I’ve ever done to any motorcycle ever. Without it I would not be able to pursue my latest bike hobby, LDR riding/rallying.
I’m with you on this. I can’t even imagine when I’d be able to use cruise control when riding. Im either throttling down for a corner or screwing it open on the way out. If I’m on the highway I’m usually commuting between cars with both hands on the bars covering the levers. I’ve done LA to SF a few times (once on the Ducati – never again!) but try to avoid Highway 5, sticking to the coastal Highway 1 for a more enjoyable time.
Stay away from boring, long, straight highways if you can and cruise control will no longer be required.
Lol todd you need to get out more my brother, expand your world. Ride with me from California to Ohio across Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana then back thru Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona and then tell me you haven’t found a use for cruise control.
Some people actually travel on motorcycles.
You Cali people crack me up. It’s like you think so Cal is the entire world lol. And todd it’s not just you, every motorcyclist I have met from So Cal thinks the earth ends at the Sierra Nevadas or something.
Na, I got family and when we’re traveling like that we usually take our Westfalia – or a plane. Traveling alone seems selfish to me but when I have to travel alone, I take my bike.
And oh, I’m from NorCal…
Don’t get to experience much in a plane. Isn’t a plane the ultimate cruise control?
Nor Cal/So Cal attitude is the same, there’s nothing beyond the Cali border. Actually there is a big world out there with wonderful places to ride a motorcycle and some of them are straight and lend themselves to using cruise control.
sounds to me as if you need a serious mc road trip…even if it is selfish lol
“Traveling alone seems selfish to me.”
I was going to say that this is the most ridiculous statement I’ve ever heard, but I just finished watching an enraged orangutan at a political rally.
Of course. If I’m going to take a long vacation, I’m going to want to bring my wife and daughter. I made sure my family wasn’t so large that we couldn’t fit in a Ural…
Besides, I ride by myself every stinking week day of the year. Its actually enjoyable to go on road trips with my family. I’m sorry for all you that don’t enjoy your family.
I think it’s just something shoppers check off a list of “current features on modern bikes”. I’ve got it and never use it. Every time I’ve tried using it, I spend more time setting, braking/cancelling, resetting, than actually “cruising”.
Set it, car passes and pulls in front of you and then settles into a nice leisurely pace about 2mph slower than you. Maybe it’s just the drivers in my area, but I personally find it to be a major PIA.
I have cc on my bike, and honestly I use it often – for maybe 30s at a time, just enough to flex and wring out my right hand. Still, I definitely appreciate having it, but I wouldn’t use it in traffic of any sort. And when I’m not working through traffic… well, my speed’s usually varying depending on what I see ahead or behind…
I wouldn’t put it on a must-have list at this point unless the bike is a definite touring bike and I’m expecting to cruise the wide open road, but it’s a definite plus.
An open letter to motorcycle manufacturers:
Dear Idiots,
You know all the riding modes you’re incorporating into modern motorcycle electronics? We don’t give a $hit about any of that. Truly. I’d be really surprised if there are a lot of riders togging between modes. We are setting it and forgetting it.
But cruise control? This is something that just about all of us can use. Along with TCS and ABS.
So please, take the R&D money out of stuff we don’t need and give us stuff we do. In other words, please get a clue.
-The Riding Public
You sir, are correctomundo. Excellent!
Bingo
Please, don’t look at it…
Its such an eye sore, really…!
Besides, I’d rather get The KTM 1090 Adventure…
Leave the Adventure Bikes to KTM and BMW, seriously…
G’Day!
Is the 1000 V-Strom comfy for long distance two up touring?
All touring motorcycles, even adventure-TOURING motorcycles, should have cruise control standard. With that exception, Suzuki did very well indeed both this 1000 and the 650 version.
In reference to the first post and this one, looks like cables on the throttle so it makes it hard to put a real cruise on, you pretty much need ride by wire. Love the cruise on my GS, use it all the time.
If you need cruise, you are riding roads that are too straight. Cruise control is the gateway drug to an 800 lb motorcycle. If that’s what you want, they are already out there from just about every manufacturer.
“If you need cruise, you are riding roads that are too straight. Cruise control is the gateway drug to an 800 lb motorcycle.”
Post of the week.
If I never rode straight roads I wouldn’t be able to leave my driveway, on a recent trip I had to do 300 km of freeway to get to the twisty bits and then there were sections of freeway interspersed throughout, used the cruise to keep my speed in check. Some of us actually tour on our bikes and during a 5,000 km trip you are going to encounter straight sections, its a necessary evil to some great roads.
Lol! That’s funny right there!
Seriously, though, I love cruise control. I have a Kaoko (mechanical) cruise control on a dual sport. I’d love it if every bike had electronic cruise control.
Weird.
Still better than the previous..
I’ve always heard that the wind protection on the big Strom was subpar for a touring bike. I’m in the market for a big ‘adventure’ touring bike, for touring and the occasional unimproved road. There are plenty of used ones cheaper than my current favored alternative, the Stelvio, but all day comfort is a must. Is the old Strom really that bad.
i know I should just ride one but…
Sorry I don’t mean to hijack the thread.
A buddy and I rode from Ohio to California and back 5500 miles in 11 days and he rode a V Strom 1000. He said it was perfect for that kind of travel, but yea you should ride one yourself and decide.
On the prior models the stock windscreen caused buffeting for a lot of riders, myself included, however $100-200 fixes that quite well.
Yes Rapier, unfortunately the basic screen is poor. I found wind buffering starts at 30 kph, which is shocking for a very recent design. I saw on reviews that those bikes had the optional(at your cost) touring screen fitted.
For Suzuki to upgrade it now, is an admission that they got it wrong.
And that touring screen was not much better either.
I’ve ridden ZZR1200’s, 2 of them, for 12 years and 80K miles and as an old fashioned sport tourer you get a lot of air. It’s a full blast on the shoulders and above but it’s smooth. The bike itself is almost impervious to head and side winds. I have ridden it with front quartering winds over 50 and it’s less effected than most cars. It’s Unbelievable.
However something without the sport touring lean into the wind and a sit up and beg riding position I am wary of this air management issue. Which is why I am leaning Stelvio currently. I’d love a last gen big Strom on price and reliability but worry about “buffeting” and stability in side winds. I don’t believe in bigger higher screens being a cure all.
I’m with you. I’ll take clean air over a “pocket” every time.
I’ve put almost 9000 miles on a 2014 V-Strom 1000 I purchased last spring, including 4700 miles on a trip last summer. I purchased a Puig Touring screen for less than $100, and I love it! The Strom has surprisingly decent weather protection, from the front fender that makes road splash almost nonexistent, to the fairing/bodywork that provides a reasonable pocket of quiet air in front of the riders head and chest. I can’t ask for much more than that! This surprised me, but the trick with the Puig screen was to mount it in the lowest position, and keep it leaned all the way back. It seems counter-intuitive, but that position seems to produce the laminar flow behind the screen that makes a windshield work at its best. By the way, I am 6’0″ tall, and usually ride with an open faceshield. There are still brand new 2014 DL1000As available for under $10,000.
The Mother of All Beaks.
Remember in the movie “Beetlejuice”, where the deceased homeowners distort their heads to frighten the new occupants? Yep, kind of like that. Maybe if we call out “VStrom! VStrom! VStrom!” the beak will disappear?
Woody The Woodpecker would be very proud of that front end. When will this farce of a styling trend end?
I personally love the minimalist feature set of my Strom – once you add a lot of features, you get a bloated sport tourer.
I wish they’d come out with a sport version that has a 17″ front wheel though. Or, for that matter that Honda would come out with a Sport Tour version of the 996 Superhawk. Hard bags, FI…
No cruise control? No mention of it in the story. If not, it’s a deal breaker for me.
Same here, Gary. If Yamaha can do it on their Super Tenere, why can’t Suzuki put it on this bike??