2023 1050 V Strom experiences please.

[the woodster]

I am having a deep think this winter about the costs of my motorcycling going forward. I have had three GSs since 2016 and my current bike is a 21' plate 1250. I have had a mixed bag regarding my ownership experience in that I have had problems with all three but the Mothership have been very good at sorting them out. I like the GS a lot - especially the current one - but I'm not a die hard BMW fan and would consider another make/model. My previous experience makes me think that the extended warranty is a necessity and for the second year in a row, I have only had one insurer quote for my business (GS + London postcode) and it was expensive. I go on at least two Euro tours each year and always ride solo. I am looking at a couple of bikes as potential replacements.

I'd be grateful for any thoughts about 2023 1050 ownership, especially if you've gone from BMW to this Suzuki (or the other way around, for that matter) but all welcome.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

I am having a deep think this winter about the costs of my motorcycling going forward. I have had three GSs since 2016 and my current bike is a 21' plate 1250. I have had a mixed bag regarding my ownership experience in that I have had problems with all three but the Mothership have been very good at sorting them out. I like the GS a lot - especially the current one - but I'm not a die hard BMW fan and would consider another make/model. My previous experience makes me think that the extended warranty is a necessity and for the second year in a row, I have only had one insurer quote for my business (GS + London postcode) and it was expensive. I go on at least two Euro tours each year and always ride solo. I am looking at a couple of bikes as potential replacements.

I'd be grateful for any thoughts about the 2023 1050, especially if you've gone from BMW to this Suzuki but all welcome.

I think KR has one ?
A friend has one and he’s had all manner of GS’s over the last 30 years and he really raves about his 1050 V Strom, for the last 2-3 years
Also the 800 DE seems a good bike too if you are solo riding

 

[the woodster]

I think KR has one ?
A friend has one and he’s had all manner of GS’s over the last 30 years and he really raves about his 1050 V Strom, for the last 2-3 years
Also the 800 DE seems a good bike too if you are solo riding

Hi JB. KR has a 650, which is also on my list. Thanks for your feedback from your bikermate. I rode the 800DE for a day in Gran Canaria and it was a good bike in its own right but the V Strom engine has gripped me!!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Hi JB. KR has a 650, which is also on my list. Thanks for your feedback from your bikermate. I rode the 800DE for a day in Gran Canaria and it was a good bike in its own right but the V Strom engine has gripped me!!

Ah right
I knew KR had one, but wasn’t sure of the cc
My friends Suzuki VStrom has been trouble free and he’s had it off-road in Pyrenees and Spain etc

He used to be a member here

 

[dave hendy]

I had 2 oil cooled and 5 LC GS’s between 2005 and 2022, then just over a year on a KTM 1290 SAS and have had a 2023 MY VStrom 1050 since May. I loved my 2 1250 GS but deciding to retire at 56 from a job I had come to hate, meant I had to make some cost savings.
I got the Vstrom 1050 rather than the 800 due to riding 2up most of the time. I like the Vstrom, although it obviously hasn’t the power of the 1250 or KTM and you have to get used to fork dive and chain maintenance again. My wife also misses the heated seats, although I never used mine. Once I got used to the lower power I find it enough although you have to think more about overtakes, especially more than one vehicle. I like the brakes, TFT, quick shifter. I have had to add a deflector to the screen as I was getting buffeting with my peaked helmet. I get between 220-250 miles from a tank and it uses no oil. I will not be using it through the winter so can’t comment on how it will be if used all year but I like the build quality and overall finish although some plastics look a bit cheap. The silencer is also on the large size but so far I have resisted changing it. My wife also says she finds the suspension a bit harsh on certain road surfaces, trouble is she had 17 years on the back of a GS. I got my Vstrom for £11299 (new) and think it’s excellent value for money and it has a 7 year warranty if it’s serviced at a dealer.
I would definitely try the Vogue 900 if I was looking now as that seems to good to be true.


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[stonehenge]

Great bikes. I have just sold mine to return to BMW with a new R1250RT. Mine is for sale at Motobox uk for a great price (£6.5k) and I would recommend it. It was pampered with me; I had it from new. The XT sounds like a better buy, but I would always advise the basic bike with cast wheels. A throttle lock sorts the cruise control issue and the wheels will not give you a headache as you watch the spoked ones corrode in front of you..... I have loads of bits (Yoshimura can / comfy seat / great screen / service reset tool / new rear shock) that I will advertise, probably on the uk V Strom forum.

 

[the woodster]

I had 2 oil cooled and 5 LC GS’s between 2005 and 2022, then just over a year on a KTM 1290 SAS and have had a 2023 MY VStrom 1050 since May. I loved my 2 1250 GS but deciding to retire at 56 from a job I had come to hate, meant I had to make some cost savings.
I got the Vstrom 1050 rather than the 800 due to riding 2up most of the time. I like the Vstrom, although it obviously hasn’t the power of the 1250 or KTM and you have to get used to fork dive and chain maintenance again. My wife also misses the heated seats, although I never used mine. Once I got used to the lower power I find it enough although you have to think more about overtakes, especially more than one vehicle. I like the brakes, TFT, quick shifter. I have had to add a deflector to the screen as I was getting buffeting with my peaked helmet. I get between 220-250 miles from a tank and it uses no oil. I will not be using it through the winter so can’t comment on how it will be if used all year but I like the build quality and overall finish although some plastics look a bit cheap. The silencer is also on the large size but so far I have resisted changing it. My wife also says she finds the suspension a bit harsh on certain road surfaces, trouble is she had 17 years on the back of a GS. I got my Vstrom for £11299 (new) and think it’s excellent value for money and it has a 7 year warranty if it’s serviced at a dealer.
I would definitely try the Vogue 900 if I was looking now as that seems to good to be true.


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Thanks very much for your insights on ownership. I have also taken the decision to take lower paid work in semi-retirement and need to consider adjusting overall costs accordingly. Pre-reg ones are as low as £10K now plus 0% finance and free cases, as long as you aren't fussed about the colours or don't mind waiting for a preferred colour to turn up. The Vogue 900 is fantastic value but it seems a big risk........and you know the saying about if something seems to good to be true!!

 

[the woodster]

Great bikes. I have just sold mine to return to BMW with a new R1250RT. Mine is for sale at Motobox uk for a great price (£6.5k) and I would recommend it. It was pampered with me; I had it from new. The XT sounds like a better buy, but I would always advise the basic bike with cast wheels. A throttle lock sorts the cruise control issue and the wheels will not give you a headache as you watch the spoked ones corrode in front of you..... I have loads of bits (Yoshimura can / comfy seat / great screen / service reset tool / new rear shock) that I will advertise, probably on the uk V Strom forum.

I think I read your departure post on the V Strom forum yesterday!! I am only interested in the non-DE version with cast wheels and as you know, the 2023 update sorts some of the other aspects that owners wanted: TFT, quickshifter, cruise control, etc. I am unfazed by non-electronic suspension as I am able to set up bike suspension myself. Mine will also definitely be pampered - I know no other way! Thanks for your comments and insights.

 

[stonehenge]

I think I read your departure post on the V Strom forum yesterday!! I am only interested in the non-DE version with cast wheels and as you know, the 2023 update sorts some of the other aspects that owners wanted: TFT, quickshifter, cruise control, etc. I am unfazed by non-electronic suspension as I am able to set up bike suspension myself. Mine will also definitely be pampered - I know no other way! Thanks for your comments and insights.

I test rode the 800de with a quick shifter and was unimpressed with the gear change. The additional electronics seemed to get in the way of the buttery smooth standard shift. My 1050 gearbox was a joy to use. And I used a mechanical cruise control which worked very well.
I replaced the shock with a YSS item sprung for 17stone plus luggage and occasional pillion. The forks received new oil and a proper set up.
I would still have it if it wasn't for an outstanding deal offered by Vines.

 

[dave hendy]

I think I read your departure post on the V Strom forum yesterday!! I am only interested in the non-DE version with cast wheels and as you know, the 2023 update sorts some of the other aspects that owners wanted: TFT, quickshifter, cruise control, etc. I am unfazed by non-electronic suspension as I am able to set up bike suspension myself. Mine will also definitely be pampered - I know no other way! Thanks for your comments and insights.

Mine is the non DE and I am pleased with the gold cast wheels. The 2023 update gave the bike most of the things I wanted and it fitted my requirements better than the previous XT.

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[squibb34]

Have you considered the Voge 900DSX - all the bells & whistles, including 3 box luggage, for c. £9199 OTR.

I ran a Strom years back, well the KLV1000 cousin actually - well priced back then, with a sound engine but a few low end fuelling glitches & budget suspension. The current bike looks to be out of that same mid-range/quality mould. However I'm always bemused by the screen & it's adjustment - what was the design rationale FFS.

 

[Arsey]

Have you considered the Voge 900DSX - all the bells & whistles, including 3 box luggage, for c. £9199 OTR.

I ran a Strom years back, well the KLV1000 cousin actually - well priced back then, with a sound engine but a few low end fuelling glitches & budget suspension. The current bike looks to be out of that same mid-range/quality mould. However I'm always bemused by the screen & it's adjustment - what was the design rationale FFS.

Voge is bargain of the year . Love mine ,
Re Vstrom 1050, have a look on YouTube at Richy Vida’s channel . He’s been using a long term loan 1050 on his Picos trips and loves it .
Such as

 

[the woodster]

Have you considered the Voge 900DSX - all the bells & whistles, including 3 box luggage, for c. £9199 OTR.

I ran a Strom years back, well the KLV1000 cousin actually - well priced back then, with a sound engine but a few low end fuelling glitches & budget suspension. The current bike looks to be out of that same mid-range/quality mould. However I'm always bemused by the screen & it's adjustment - what was the design rationale FFS.

I have looked at the 900DSX. Obviously the Loncin engine has a good reliability record in its previous iterations but in my mind, there is a large question mark about the remainder of the bike. In the future it may prove itself but I'll be long gone from motorcycling I suspect! Also, in some of the pros/cons videos I've watched I know those cons would really get on my tits quickly! The V Strom, along with others, has a long track record of reliability for the whole package. It's just playing the odds.

 

[the woodster]

Voge is bargain of the year . Love mine ,
Re Vstrom 1050, have a look on YouTube at Richy Vida’s channel . He’s been using a long term loan 1050 on his Picos trips and loves it .
Such as

Hi, yes, I've been waiting for Richie to do the full review of the bike but he hasn't yet. As you say, he really sings its praises and it was something I took into account when whittling the starting list of bikes down to about four.

 

[Arsey]

I have looked at the 900DSX. Obviously the Loncin engine has a good reliability record in its previous iterations but in my mind, there is a large question mark about the remainder of the bike. In the future it may prove itself but I'll be long gone from motorcycling I suspect! Also, in some of the pros/cons videos I've watched I know those cons would really get on my tits quickly! The V Strom, along with others, has a long track record of reliability for the whole package. It's just playing the odds.

The remainder of the bike ?
Same frame as GS, same wheels , same Showa suspension, Brembo brakes, Bosch electronics …..the only difference is from the waist up …ie seat , plastics , cockpit , lights etc

 

[Arsey]

Well, after much 5 minutes deliberation I’ve now got a 2024 Vstrom 1050 with 650 miles on clock.




Will be able to compare it directly with Voge DS900X

 

[the woodster]

Well, after much 5 minutes deliberation I’ve now got a 2024 Vstrom 1050 with 650 miles on clock.

View attachment 383310


Will be able to compare it directly with Voge DS900X

Looking forward to your thoughts on the matter.

 

[longdog]

I do like the Vstrom 1050

 

[Adventure Boy]

I bought one brand new year before last did the NC767 on it
bought it had the first service done before the NC767 and it seemed a be a very well screwed together bike, very sure footed and planted, real world fast enough, loved the fact that Suzuki would extend the warranty up to 7 years if you continued to have it serviced by them only thing I missed from the 1250GS I sold was Quickshifter and self cancelling indicators, rode all around Scotland on it but it developed a quite noticeable clunk between first to second that seemed to get worse as the miles went on it, it got me home fine but I was pulling away in 2nd most of the way home, phoned Suzuki and explained the situation and to be honest there response was not exactly what I expected so with that I traded it in, told the trade in dealer of the problem who was not worried about it at all, he said "Suzuki have normally got the slickest gearboxes out there, if it goes bang they will replace it"
that was the end of that, Panniers and top box was first class as was the comfort we did a couple of 14 Hour days without issue
Rob

 

[Arsey]

Sums up my thought so far





Got some SW-Motech Dusc panniers with quick release frames in the post to match my top box and looking forward to taking it to Spain/Portugal/France in mid-June