V-Strom DL1000 overated and overpriced?

[Pickaxe]

Having recently taken several bikes out on test, including the V-Strom 1000, I honestly think the write ups in the press are misleading and wrongly praise the V-Strom 1000.

Compared with the smaller V-Strom, the larger bike is no better in most areas except power output and in several key areas, a lot worse. In fact thinking that you'd be getting a bigger, better version of the 650 is probably the worst presumption you could make.

Anybody looking for a bike in this class should try the KTM 1190 Adventure. It's worth every single penny of the £4000 extra.

The 650 has very little kudos, but is a gem of a bike at a bargain price. My search for a new bike continues..

[Timmo]

What other Bikes are you looking at to compare with the KTM ?

[Pickaxe]

Timmo, I've tried the V-Strom 1000, Kawasaki 1000 Versys, Triumph 1050 Tiger Sport and KTM 1190 ADV & ADV R. Yet to try BMW R1200GS and Ducati Multistrada.

[Timmo]

Hope you put them on the forum when you demo them,like to hear your thoughts especially the Multistrada.

[Pickaxe]

I wanted to like the bike and after reading many reviews, fully expected that would be the case.
It's often difficult to qualify or quantify the various virtues of different machines and it comes down to an individuals impression.
I'm not expecting anybody to be influenced by what I've said, but I would urge a prospective buyer to road test the bike first.
I didn't think there'd be so much difference between the high and low end bikes in this sector, but so far it seems there is.

[Blade]

Without pressing the dreaded quote button, I would refer you to again to Ali,s post. What was it you did,nt like? The handling, the ride, the brakes? The bikes you praise are all roughly 50% more expensive than the new Veek. Are they that much better, faster, better equipped or comfortable, I think not. My opinion, like everyone else's is worth exactly what you paid for it but for the sake of prospective buyers, if you're going to criticise, make it constructive..

[Pickaxe]

The reasons why personally, I wouldn't purchase a V-Strom DL1000:

1. There was a vibration throughout the rev range the bars that caused my hands to numb.
2. Seat uncomfortable for distance work.
3. Screen/fairing not sufficiently protective for touring.
4. Fuel injection glitchy/fierce.
5. Too expensive for what you get.

Every other aspect of the bike (brakes, handling etc.) was acceptable.

And yes, in my opinion the KTM is everything the V-Strom should be and worth the extra.

[Blade]

Fair comment Pickaxe, If I had experienced points 1 to 4 on my test ride I would have looked elsewhere too. The seat and screen are purely down to the individual but the vibes and crappy fuelling once again begs the question why are some dealers setting the bikes up properly and some not. Basic rule of business surely, present your product at it's best. Admitted the new Veek is not going to blow your socks off compared to the 150 bhp of the KTM but I think 8 grand for a modern litre v twin with fully adjustable suspension, radial 4 pot brakes, Abs and traction control is a fair price in today's market.

[Pickaxe]

Ali,

I didn't say I'd buy the KTM and I actually fancied the Suzuki. As you say, they can have reliability problems (as do BMWs), but that's a separate issue. I spent 20 odd years being paid to ride BMWs and ST1100s. Never had reliability problems with the Hondas, but the BMWs had much more character, albeit more time off road.

Not all V twins vibrate in a bad way, by comparison the KTM doesn't suffer from intrusive vibration and puts a smile on your face (well mine anyway) when you ride it. I was surprised with the vibes on the Veek because I put my hand on other parts of the bike and couldn't really notice any vibration.

At the moment I'm sticking with Glee.  

Regards

Dave

[Fat Rat]

When you read many of the Threads on this Forum it comes across that there is a desire in certain quarters to dislike this bike.

Ali, that's just daft  

People will either like it or not, they may have ridden one, they may not, they may have just seen the extremely poor finish close up and that was enough to put them off.

Either way, people are free to express their views. Nobody sets out deliberately to dislike a bike.

[kwarr]

I wanted to like the bike and after reading many reviews, fully expected that would be the case.
It's often difficult to qualify or quantify the various virtues of different machines and it comes down to an individuals impression.
I'm not expecting anybody to be influenced by what I've said, but I would urge a prospective buyer to road test the bike first.
I didn't think there'd be so much difference between the high and low end bikes in this sector, but so far it seems there is.

I must be missing something, does ANYONE buy a bike without test riding it first?........
And YES I also think there is a bit of 'anti-new strom' sentiment on this site!
IF I'd bought one, I'm not even sure I would have mentioned it here...and that's a shame!
I've'e test ridden one 3 times now -and thought it was great, my only comment is that (unfortunately) I cannot justify it to myself..... yet!!

[UK_Vstrom650]

I test rode the bike and thought the ride was great with none of the issues reported on here. However to me the bike is ugly so I wouldn't buy one at present.  Maybe it'll grow on me maybe it won't?? If I loved the look I'd have bought it at a price I'm happy with.

I like my Glee but my brother doesn't even though he's ridden it and says it handles great, he still wouldn't buy one, it's just not for him.

I don't think anyone is anti-Veek per se, just for some they were disappointed with the product and as a result wouldn't pay what Suzuki were asking for it, but that's their choice.

[tallpaul]

Strange kwarr, I got the impression that the tide was turning in favour of the Veek on here. I know some have had (or are still having) set up issues but I would have one, based on what I have read and after sitting on one at the NEC. Yes, I would have to test ride one and yes, at present I can't afford one, but I won't let that get in the way of me really liking them!

[MartinW]

However to me the bike is ugly so I wouldn't buy one at present..

I don't think anyone is anti-Veek per se, just for some they were disappointed with the product and as a result wouldn't pay what Suzuki were asking for it, but that's their choice.

Two very good points that sum up exactly what I think of it too.

[Pickaxe]

I must be missing something, does ANYONE buy a bike without test riding it first?........

Back in the day you couldn't test ride new bikes. They simply didn't have demonstrators.

[Pickaxe]

However to me the bike is ugly so I wouldn't buy one at present.  Maybe it'll grow on me maybe it won't?? If I loved the look I'd have bought it at a price I'm happy with.

.

I like the looks of the 1000 and find my glee a bit challenging in the looks dept  

[temporaryescapee]

Interesting debate - I like to look of the Veek but haven't had a test ride yet.  How does it compare size wise with the R800GS?

[Mr Nick]

I find the sentiments expressed here quite interesting. I have a 990 Adv and owners of them despaired at the 1190 release, and still do: poor build quality, reliabilty, being too road oriented and hugely overpriced being the usual gripes. However, the 990 is slated by those who have a 950 due to them being unreliable, snatchy as hell, more road oriented and have a drink problem....

I have yet to try an 1190 and I'm really in no hurry as it really doesn't do it for me.

I did take the opportunity to ride the Veek and some bits impressed me, others disappointed me - much the same as when I tried the 990 before I parted with a pile of notes. It will be a very capable bike in it's own right but I think it just lacked a defined character: it's the plain kid at the back of the class who just gets on with everything while one day hoping for a facelift - the 990 is the class hooligan who ends up spending time in detention (read workshop).

[Jacko]

IF I'd bought one, I'm not even sure I would have mentioned it here...and that's a shame

Why not mention it here? Overall I think the bike is in positive territory on here. Some folk don't think much to it, for various reasons, and some folk have bought one. The negative opinions seem to invite robust replies, however, the positive comments don't receive similar treatment from the opposite camp.

So, mention it here, please. Does anyone really think that an entire section of the community is going to pounce with ridicule for buying a particular bike?

[frez]

I can understand why people might think there is an anti-Veek feeling.

Most owners of the previous 650/1000 models loved their bikes. They may not have been at the cutting edge, but they were bargains, and you could spend a few quid sorting them to your own requirements and they were still bargains.

The new Veek came out and, I for one, had high hopes in would be in the same mold. Not necessarily cutting edge, but a decent price like the versys 1000 allowing the owner to spend a few quid on it and still feel like they had a good bike at a good price point.

When it hit the market at a significant premium to the versys 1000 at a very similar spec, and a similar price to other litre adventure bikes that offered more in different ways there was disappointment.

Like most bikes launched in recent times it has a few niggles to sort out, not least the inconsistent fueling that appears to accompany many of the bikes. I've no doubt Suzuki will sort the niggles over the next year or two, and that the bike will reach the price point the market feels fair.

This is not an anti-Suzuki or anti-new bike site, just look at how the glee was received.

Jacko is right, we don't ridicule people's bike choices on here, we might warn people what to look for when considering other bikes, but when they buy their new steed we wish them the best, a prime example being the recent new owner of a BMW GS who posted on this forum in the last week.