2018 Suzuki V Strom 1000 - Walkaround

[TLPower]

Brilliant.

[goat]

Hi All
         I got my new DL1000XT  3 weeks ago and I'm very pleased with it.I ordered one in white but yellow was the only colour available in the first consignment from Japan the dealer told me. I've done 4,000 Kms and it is very smooth and effortless to ride.Fuel consumption is slightly improved but it is early days yet to be certain. I had a DL1000 2014 and covered 40,000Kms on it. I bought this one as the old DL1000 was so enjoyable.The windscreen is an improvement on the older model. It is taller and narrower but gets rid of buffeting which was a common complaint with the older model.At low revs around town the engine is much smoother and there is no stalling. It came with a yellow stripe in the centre of the saddle. It matches the bike and looks well in a showroom but is not practical. It is impossible to keep clean and I removed  and replaced it with a Sargeant seat I had on the older bike.I would recommend if one is thinking of purchasing a yellow model to look for a black seat instead. I've no regrets buying the new model.
The best value at present is to buy the last of the older DL1000 models as they are being discounted to clear the stock.
Safe Biking
Goat

[sharealike]

Dealer I test rode at was trying to sell me the yellow demonstrator at a good discount. Turned out he didn't have anything else available. The yellow seat already had black stains in it from standing in the showroom that would not come out so that was first reason for a no deal. Never crossed my mind the bike could look fine with a standard seat. Do you know if the 2014 to 2016 stock Suzuki seat fits? For choice of colour a dealer might be happy to buy one in or the none yellow seat for 2017 on so they get the sale. A seat cost the dealer peanuts at trade.

[porter]

Called to my dealer today and seen the new 1000 and 650. Didn't like the thou at all, that yellow is ugly. Spokes would be a pain to clean and that matt black exhaust too.  Beak looked even more plastic than my bike. Screen looked better, I'll just buy the screen!
Liked the wee 650 better, nice in white.
Dealer said another few weeks for the white 1000's.

[stevecro]

I'd bet my bottom dollar an older one would fit, John. They don't change what they don't need to and several blokes out there went for after market seats - you may find one for a steal.
But what of that red Triumph Speed Twin?

[goat]

I agree the 2014 and 2017 DL1000's are not pretty looking bikes. I recommend to take one for a test ride before deciding on looks alone. It does handle well. The yellow grows on you after a while with a black saddle fitted. The standard 2014 saddle does fit the new model. Remember when one is poking the fire you are not looking at the mantelpiece.
Safe biking
Goat

[CHRISHAIGH]

Have I got the wrong end of the stick here Sharealike, but the 2014 model is 1037cc?

[vstroman]

Nice one Goat and the best of luck with the new bike, if I'm down in the rebel county later on this summer I might give you a shout. hi vis yellow is all the rage now, don't see what harm a bit of yellow on the bike can do, has to improve visibility,though it's better not to have a yellow seat, what whiz kid genius thought of that?
you are clocking up some serious k's in a few short weeks!!

[sharealike]

Yes 2014 year and on capacity is 1037cc. Either the most it can be taken out to competing in the silly adventure bike capacity race. More likely they needed the extra few mm of bore to fit the extra spark plugs in so it ran clean enough.

The new yellow might be the Suzuki signature colour like KTM have that orange. Important to be remembered and stand out in a crowded market. Could say it worked for them back in 2002 with the popularity of the first Vstrom.

[Loz]

I always associated Yellow with Suzuki (MX racing bikes) so perhaps its a hint back to their off road roots 

[CHRISHAIGH]

Same here, I raced an RM465 back in the day, as I remember the MX bikes were yellow since the early 70's.  KTMs were white. (Formerly known as Penton)