With all the commotion surrounding the new BMW R1200GS and KTM 1190 Adventure at last month’s INTERMOT show, Suzuki’s all-new DL1000 V-Strom “concept” almost got lost in the shuffle. It shouldn’t have. This bike is unlike most concepts in that the entire machine looks pretty much production-ready, complete with turnsignals and its very own beak.
The big, fuel-injected, dohc, 90-degree V-Twin that originated in the TL1000 many moons ago appears to still be in place but lodged in a new twin-spar aluminum frame supported by a burlier, inverted fork complete with adjustment knobs on top. In general, the new bike appears less “plasticky” than the existing 650 version and more cleanly functional in the BMW GS mold. Anti-lock brake rings are visible on the wheels (a 19-inch front/17-in. rear), which leads us to conjecture that Suzuki is probably on the traction-control bandwagon, as well. The 1000 still has chain final drive, which should please some potential buyers and disappoint others. Saddlebag mounts are obvious, though not in an ugly way, and the bags themselves are tucked in much more tightly than the ultra-wide panniers on the current 650 V-Strom Adventure.
Overall, the new DL looks like a big step in the right direction for Suzuki fans. Deep-throat sources at Suzuki tell us this bike is definitely coming to America, possibly not until later next year as a 2014 model, but maybe sooner. If Suzuki can keep the price anywhere in the vicinity of the current DL1000’s, we predict you’ll see a lot of these on the road. And more than a few off it. We’ll probably learn more at EICMA. Stay tuned.
