As expected, Suzuki has updated its V-Strom 1000, turning it into the V-Strom 1050.
It doesn’t appear the V-twin engine is changed much for 2020, despite the name change that hints as much; displacement remains at 1,037 cc. Horsepower has increased, though (we’re seeing reports of 107 hp), and the engine should now meet Euro5 standards. Suzuki says there are new pistons and camshafts, with 49 mm ride-by-wire electronic throttle bodies for 2020, which explains the improvements.
Suzuki also updated the cruise control system for 2020, and refined the traction control system to allow for three different sensitivity modes. There’s now a new selection of three drive modes, allowing the rider to pick their power delivery characteristics, and the Easy Start System that was not available in North America will now be included.
Suzuki’s put a six-axis IMU in the new Strom that allows for refined ABS settings, and lean angle detection in the ABS system (it’s unclear if it also works for the traction control system). This was one of the major things missing from previous Stroms, and it’s a big upgrade for 2020. There’s also a new combined braking system for 2020, which applies the rear brake once a certain amount of front brake has been applied.
The brakes themselves are Tokiko monobloc radial-mount four-piston calipers with 310 mm discs up front, with a smaller disc mated to Nissin two-piston caliper in rear.
The new-for-2020 bodywork is supposedly designed from the old DR Big. The windscreen has tool-free adjustment, with 11 positions available over a 50 mm range.
The seat is also new for 2020, with some adjustability built in. Suspension is from KYB, with preload, compression and rebound damping all adjustable for the forks. The rear shock has a remote preload adjustment.
Curb weight is 236 kg for the base model.
The V-Strom 1050 is more pricey than before, with an MSRP of $14,399 for the basic new 1050A (compared to $13,499 for the 2019 1000 ABS), and a hefty $16,099 for the 1050XA (compared to $14,099 for the 1000X ABS). However, it includes touches like an LCD screen instead of the TFT screen used by much of the competition. There is a USB charging port on the left side of the fairing, and a mounting bar on the other side, for GPS and similar gadgetry.
As before, the base Strom comes with a 19-inch front rim and 17-inch rear, with cast wheels. Suzuki will also make adventurized versions of this bike, with spoked wheels, but the selection and naming seems to vary by market for 2020, just as it has in the past. We’ll see both versions here in Canada, though.
iIhad upgraded to the 2014 1000 from the 650 which i drove to Argentina,i was really hoping for a bigger fuel tankSuzuki had spoken to customers prior to the 2014 development,communication is lacking this time around.
Doesn’t make sense that you get cruise control only when you go off-roading on the XT…? Should have been at least an option since they went ride by wire 2 years ago.
You get what you pay for
As someone who is planning to upgrade from my 2012 Glee Strom 650 this spring I must say that I am a bit underwhelmed…Other than some styling changes (As mentioned by PBrasseur – not to my liking for the most part) there really isn’t a whole lot to back up the hype. I guess we will have to wait for some actual reviews to come out to know for sure.
Also, from what I have read so far the only way to get all of the electronic goodies is to go with the XT model. As someone who has no intention of ever going off-road on my street bike I would rather have all of these on the cast wheel model.
Ditto. That seems like a dumb decision on Suzuki’s part, to me. I also have no interest in spoked wheels or taking a DL1050 into any sort of real off road situation. And so no real need for the engine bars, either. But everyone can benefit from the IMU and related technologies.
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss! 😉
Not sure many will dig the rectangular retro style Suzuki seems determined to make.