It's official! After years of saying that the V-Strom is not an off-road bike, Suzuki has done the unthinkable and given us a properly capable adventure platform in the shape of the 2023 V-Strom 1050DE.
Announced today via Suzuki's global press service, for 2023 the big V-Strom gets a number of big updates for both the standard and flagship models.
Key updates and improvements for the new bike - which will replace the XT model in the lineup - include the move to a tubed 21-inch front wheel while retailing the tubeless 17-inch rear wheel, full TFT instrumentation, factory skid plate and (FINALLY) switchable ABS as part of the six-axis IMU-backed SIRS electronics package.
Notably, the V-Strom 1050DE retains the proven 90-degree v-twin powertrain which comes with a bi-directional quickshifter for 2023. Suzuki really has thrown everything at the 2023 V-Strom 1050, which could be the last hurrah for the V-twin incarnation of Suzuki's flagship adventure bike with the engine tracing its heritage all the way back to the turn of the century.
As always, Suzuki has continued to refine its legendary V-twin to get the most out of it. For 2023 in addition to the quickshifter, the 1050's engine gets hollow, sodium-filled exhaust valves, and a taller 1st and 6th gear.
The new valves help reduce the temperature in the combustion chamber, which Suzuki claims not only results in better loading efficiency and a better feeling but also contributes to improving the durability of the engine. Making the bombproof v-twin even more so? Yes, please.
According to Suzuki the gearing changes make shifting into second, and from there through to fifth gear, smoother and deliver greater acceleration performance.
The 1050DE also features a new, stronger drive chain with sturdier links and larger diameter pins, as well as a dedicated new shift lever, better suited to off-road riding.
The chassis has been revised and along with the 21-inch front wheel for the DE version of the V-Strom 1050 which also gains 1-inch of ground clearance over the standard bike thanks to longer travel suspension.
The V-Strom comes in a bit on the heavy side with the 2023 1050DE having a listed kerb weight of 252kg compared to the standard bike's 242kg.
There is still a lot to unpack from the 50-page model info sheet, but we'll update you with more as we wrap our heads around it all.
Suzuki NZ is yet to announce local pricing and availability of the 2023 V-Strom 1050 and 1050DE but we expect an announcement in the near future. Watch this space.
