Took a 2019 1000 out for a test ride today so here is a rather long winded review. Had a DL1000GT way back in 2008 which I had for 5 years and 50,000-60,000 miles so I was interested in seeing the differences with the new one.
The one I tested was a XT in BMW blue with the taller seat. Only 258 miles on the clock so it was rather fresh.
Now having spent the last 3 years hoofing about on a Burgman I was a tadge nervous. Darn that thing felt tall! For the first few minutes I felt that I was going to hit low flying aircraft but soon I was remembering the view - on the Burg you sit at the same height as you would do in a car so I have missed being able to see over hedges etc.
The second thing I had flash through the brain was, it has gears, hopefully I can remember how to use them - luckily I have over 380,000 odd miles on ‘normal’ bikes so the body remembered and I managed not to stall it. The first roundabout was “interesting”. Tight, a strange camber, slightly downhill and only 400 meters from the dealers while I am still trying to remember how to ride an adventure bike! Not quite totally screwing it up it did give me an “oh sh@t” moment.
Took my time and did nothing heroic and kept to speeds that the plod would have been happy with. The V twin feel was a bit “that don’t feel right” at first but soon I was used to it.
About half way into the ride I finally felt happy enough to look at all the toys on the display. Mpg was hovering in the 56-60 as I was being cautious, then I noticed the blinking fuel pump symbol. Ah, a bit more pressing the selector and found the “miles to go before you are walking” info. Very handy if a bit suspicious- it sat at 32 miles to go for nearly 8 miles then jumped to 22. Still, I was hoping that that was miles to go until I hit reserve and that the last bar would blink for that.
Stopped for 5 minutes to have a good look around plus practice getting on and off - I still can not just sling my leg over as I used to. Once I worked out that I could get on and off the thing without upsetting my back injury I took off again. Did a good mix of country A/B roads and dual carriageway plus a wee bit of in town. No unclassified back lanes as I did not want to risk it given how out of practice I was. Got back to the dealers with 15 or so miles left in the tank grinning from ear to ear. Only tried to change gear using the dash selector switch once - it is how you change up or down on the Burg in Manual mode
Conns first.
Did feel front heavy but that may be due to coming from the Burg.
Waaaaay too good a front brake! So used to the usual Nissa rubbish the Vstroms front did take me by surprise more than once.
Minor snags
Wind buff was not too bad but I can see where people would complain about it - personally I liked it in this heat as the wind could hit my jacket vents.
Good points
Much better 1st/2nd gear response than I remember on my DL1000.
Far better Mpg
Seating position felt ‘better’, I think the seat is a tadge narrower on the 2019 over the DL1000 I had. Slightly more of a forward lean angle so some of my torso weight was taken on my arms which is a good thing for my back.
Gear box felt smoother along with the power delivery
Cockpit and the LCD display - very happy with that addition with all the readings etc plus the handy placing of the 12v outlet.
So all in all I was very impressed with the Vstrom in its latest form. For the price you are getting a very good package. When I went from my old DL1000 to a Yam XT1200 it felt so much more refined than the DL. In the 2019 version it feels as refined at the XT1200 but a far more capable road bike and for 20% less price.
No looking forward to picking mine up in several weeks time
