Years sold: 2002-09
MSRP new: $8899
Blue Book retail value: $4720
Basic specs: A 996cc, dohc, 90-degree, fuel-injected V-Twin with standard-bike ergonomics and an integrated half-fairing. Its 85 rear-wheel horsepower propelled the 486-pound (dry) machine to an 11.93-second quarter-mile at 110.17 mph and a top speed of 126 mph.
Why it won: Versatility, that’s why. Originally designed to satisfy the Germans’ penchant for adventure-touring in the Alps, the DL1000 V-Strom turned out to be a fabulous do-it-all machine. It’s a wonderful commuter, an ideal rough-road knockabout and a surprisingly capable backroad scratcher. And thanks to a sit-up, perfectly natural riding position, a nicely protective half-fairing and one of the best seats not found on a big-rig tourer, the DL is a great all-day or even multi-day ride that will carry you and your favorite passenger just about anywhere you care to go.
From the Ten Best Story: “While the Paris-to-Dakar-inspired styling, long-travel suspension and Bridgestone Trail Wing tires hint at it being an adventure-tourer, the DL1000 has no off-road pretenses, and with power from the potent TL1000 Twin, it’ll flat smoke any BMW GS, Cagiva Gran Canyon or Triumph Tiger.”
Useful resources: You can often find used V-Stroms listed in the Cycle Trader and classified ads in local newspapers, and occasionally one pops up online. But unlike what you get with some other bikes, Googling “Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom” will only lead you to a few related sites rather than scores of them. Most likely, this is because the big ’Strom was never a high-volume seller, despite its outstanding all-around capabilities. You will find a forum or two, though, along with numerous sites hawking a wide variety of new and used aftermarket hardware.
