Editors' Notes
EDITORS' NOTES
CW TEST
2014 SUZUKI V-STROM 1000 ABS
RYAN DUDEK OFF-ROAD CONTRIBUTOR
The new 'Strom is a good value and nice streetbike that's great to travel on. My biggest gripe is that for a hard-core off-road adventurer like me, I need a machine with more dirt capability. The Suzuki is a handful on anything more gnarly than a hard-packed fire road, and the stock handlebar is too narrow and swept back, so I never felt in command of the bike. Would be nice if the ABS could be shut off like the TC can, too.
MATTHEW MILES SENIOR MOTORSPORTS EDITOR
-> My daily commute is mostly freeways mixed with neighborhood streets and business-park cul-de-sacs. In other words, no dirt. Which is just as well because I'm not as comfortable-or capable, frankly-riding "adventure" motorcycles of this size and weight off-road as are other members of the editorial staff. Suzuki appears to be fine with that. Why else would its engineers not fit this new V-Strom with an ABS off switch? Rocks, roots, and ruts on your route home? Proceed at your own risk.
MARK HOYER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Would you buy a Suzuki V-Strom that costs $17,000? My guess is no. Which is why the bike costs less than $13K and gives up a few performance points to other machines in the space. Even the Yamaha Super Ténéré is pushing $151(. But Suzuki's way has always been to chase the value customer, and the new V-Strom is no different. "Cheap" is sometimes used as a pejorative, but on the `Strom its spin is positive. It's a lot of bike for the money.
