SUZUKI DEBUTS NEW V-STROM
W
hile the world was almost certain Suzuki
was planning to reveal a new DR-Big at the
EICMA show this year, it seems the company
wasn’t quite as committed to bringing back the
legendary moniker as the motorcycling world was
hoping. Instead, 2020 will see a new V-Strom 1050
which, although not a DR-Big, does lean heavily on
the styling cues from the legendary Dakar racer.
So let’s address that styling elephant in the
room. Suzuki says the distinctive styling
incorporates elements of both Suzuki’s legendary
DR-Z desert racer and the larger DR-Big.
The iconic beak design first adopted by Suzuki
stays true to the company’s heritage while also
further evolving the design to be more aggressive
92 KIWI RIDER
and bolder for the new generation V-Strom.
Gone is the once-controversial headlight of the
previous two generations of V-Strom and in comes
a heritage-inspired square LED unit much like that
which is found on Suzuki’s other heritage-inspired
model – the 2019 Katana. The headlight unit is still
two lights stacked on top of each other, however.
Ergonomically, Suzuki has equipped the
new V-Strom with aluminium tapered
handlebars, the shape designed to enhance
the off-road style and feel of the bike.
The cylinder head, magneto cover, water pump
case and clutch covers are finished with a bronze
colour for a beautiful contrast with the black engine.