hmmm

[Ed]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/suzuki/2014-suzuki-v-strom-1000-abs-review-first-ride.html

[Bob]

Looks interesting! Lots of changes. One thing I noticed was that limited cornering clearance was mentioned twice in the write-up. I also see no mention of any suspension damping adjustment on either end. The price is 'ok' but you can pick up a 2012-2013 Tenere brand new for around $11k-$12k from some dealers, at least when I was looking at it a few weeks ago.

[Brick]

Hmmm... Bob was looking at used Tenere's???

I have read lots of good things about this new Big Strom... but they didn't put the best stuff on it... AND they added a beek!!! We don't need no steeenkin BEEK!!!

[Bob]

Hmmm... Bob was looking at used Tenere's???

I have read lots of good things about this new Big Strom... but they didn't put the best stuff on it... AND they added a beek!!! We don't need no steeenkin BEEK!!!

Yeah, its a "token beak", not a 'real' adventure bike of course, lol.

Yeah, I was looking, you know, just to see whats out there. But these were NEW, not used. I LIKE the Tenere.

[Ed]

Looks interesting! Lots of changes. One thing I noticed was that limited cornering clearance was mentioned twice in the write-up.

I saw the peg feelers mentioned- they unscrew, so that's an easy fix- and the lower edge of the exhaust can, which would give me the excuse to go aftermarket... all good!

I also see no mention of any suspension damping adjustment on either end.

Article says:

A fully adjustable, 43mm, inverted KYB fork and pre-load adjustable shock

you can pick up a 2012-2013 Tenere brand new for around $11k-$12k from some dealers

:shrugs: I haven't paid MSRP for a Suzuki yet, and have no plans to start now

[Bob]

Yeah, I saw the "preload adjustable" shock but thats just preload, not damping. As for the forks, it would be unusual to see rebound damping on the front end but not on the rear....guess it *could happen though. Its a great motor--you already got one...sort of.

[Ed]

Agree, will have to see what the rear shock actually brings to the picnic... generally Suzuki provides at least a range of rebound adjustment.

While I'm not duty-bound to the marque in any way, I've got enough time wrenching on Suzukis that I'm very comfortable with their practices and manuals... will keep an eye on this bike as more news comes out.

[Ed]

http://members.shaw.ca/glentaylor2003/DL1000_accessories.pdf

Accessories sheet, source Suzuki Canada.

[Bob]

Looks like a lot of touring-ready stuff available already.

[Ed]

Yep... found a link to the 2014 accessories catalog; the new DL-1k stuff starts on page 68:

http://www.suzukicycles.com/microsites/2014%20Accessories%20Brochure

[Bob]

Can you get a decent trade-in for the SV? Cold weather is the time to bargain....but the bikes aren't here yet are they?

[Ed]

IIRC the bikes won't be here until April-ish... I haven't really dug into the details.

Doubt I would trade in the SV1k; that'd be a good bike for Lynn. Not sure where I'd put a fourth bike at the moment, either tho ...probable that her XL would be the most-liquid motorcycling asset.

edit: Gossip on stromtrooper board indicates March arrival for the 'Standard', April for the 'Adventure'.

[Ed]

I promise not to post everything I find about the new DL but here, at least is some discussion on the differences versus the originals:

http://canadamotoguide.com/2013/12/02/suzuki-1000-v-strom-launch/

[Bob]

Well, it *does fill the bill for what you've been saying--long travel shocks, upright seating, light.

[Ed]

...and with improved range, hopefully! It'd be nice not to always be watching the odo to our next stop.

[Bob]

Cycle World March issue just arrived---guess what bike they reviewed?

[Ed]

mmm Lemme guess

The reviews I've read so far have been mixed- people who liked the earlier 'Strom generally liking the revisions, while the Euro-centric types point out its' faults relative to bikes costing thousands more... what does Cycle World have to say?

[Bob]

I think CW liked it. They liked the torque curve with max torque now at 4000 instead of 6400 for the previous DL1000 version. Thats a BIG change. (76ftlbs at the crank). Max HP is 100.6 @ 8000. "More than enough of the right kind of power" unquote. Mileage--Suzuki says 49mpg, but they were getting 38-42. No real major rants or raves but it was a "First Ride" article in which they usually don't say a lot. Pick up a copy at the newstand.

[Ed]

Cool, thanks.

Yeah, I'd seen that info on the revised torque curve; one of the things I liked about Brick's bike, during my brief ride was how much grunt it had 'way low on the tach and the linear feel that gave... after years of winding the n*ts out of inline fours gotten it's more and more appealing to have a larger measure of the power down where you can get at it.

[Ed]

limited cornering clearance

Hard to tell what's truly "level" in this shot, but even burnin' the peg feeler it's not all that shabby for lean angle:



With the feeler unscrewed, you could be over about as far as I'd probably ever go on the street.

For another few grand I could be into an 1190 Adventure, though and probably a happier boy... not sure that ±100 horses, low on the tachometer can set my heart aflame.

[Bob]

Ride one. Whatever you get, ride one first!!

[Ed]

Whatever you get, ride one first!!

This time, I probably will.

I'm honestly torn, though- between getting something "practical" to ride with the group, and yet still wanting another Hayabusa/ZX-14ish hyperbike... they are truly in another dimension, like being able to compress space and time on demand.

[Ed]

Where were the dealers with Super Teneres, Bob? ...any of them local/reasonably local?

edit: I see a blue '12 at Team... any significant changes from '12 to '13 (or coming in '14) -?

[Bob]

Here's a few using -->> http://www.searchtempest.com/

http://eastky.craigslist.org/mcd/4331922860.html

http://roanoke.craigslist.org/mcd/4302889014.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/3608582742 ... rid=229466

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/2713997968 ... rid=229466

Not particularly CLOSE but.......

[Ed]

lol Yeah, I hadn't checked in Wisconsin yet

[Bob]

Well, Roanoke is only 190 miles---a 2012 brand new Tenere for under $12K. I'll drive you up there. Even hitch up my trailer if you want to trailer it back....

[Ed]

Thankya have a trailer here too, the GTO pulls it easily.

Poking around on the web, I see the color changes but haven't read much about other year-to-year evolutions.

[Brick]

There are supposed be big changes for 2014... but I don't know for sure.


Brick

[Ed]

Just spent an hour going over the new DL1000 and 2014 Super Teneres (standard and ES models) side-by-side at a local dealer.

If I didn't have the SV1k, the DL1000 might be a contender- but it isn't enough different/improved compared to my SV1000 to add one to the garage.

The Super Tenere ES though, absolutely would be... for sure.

Hands-down what I'd buy, if I were in the market today.