2014+ DL1000 Vstrom

I'd sleep with Ducati for that bike

Personally, I don´t care so much about big horsepower. But still would be interesting to know, how much the new DL1000 will produce.

I mean, there´s already the Multistrada 1200 and now the new 1190 Adventure with 150hp, the Tiger Eplorer with close to 140, and even the newest 1200GS will have more top end power than before (dunno, how much the new Caponord puts out?) My guess for the DL1000 is about 120-130 hp, with hopefully a nice throttle response (but even more than that I´m hoping, that it´s not very lardy!)​

While I have an inclination to say there is no substitute for horsepower, it reminds me of the reviewers noting wryly how low on hp the Super Tenere is, but when test driving it I found it sublime in both grunt and power delivery. It kinda made me realise that I'd want 100 hp down low over 130 up high any day, and I'm hoping that they focus more on retaining the beautiful character of that twin.

Or maybe I'm just getting old...

New pic in Motorcyclist Magazine. According to them this will be a production model. Don't know about you but I'm liking it. Another Big Duallie choice. Certainly looks the part and even more dirt worthy which it wasn't before. Looking foreward to a test!

It´ll be a 2014 model, in some areas sales may begin at the end of -13, and you probably won´t get to read a test until at least July/August this year. Thread about it already exists:

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831026&page=17

While I used to be in the same boat, I recently purchased an Africa Twin with a staggeringly low HP of 60. But honestly when you ride it, its the last thing from your mind, and it makes such a nice power curve below 4500, that I rarelly rev it past there. Passenger and luggage appear to have no effect on the performance either.

The moral for me is its more important to have a rideable(is that a word?) power curve than a high HP number.

Now with all that said, I was always a fan of the Suzuki 1000 twins, the SV1000 rode beautifully.

+1. You can use that curve 100% of the time where the maximum HP is used 1% unless of course the maximum HP is 5.

People these days are having a whinge about 400HP per ton. It's getting a bit silly sometimes.

It's not about getting old it's about getting wise.

Some people may get old first though.

The Suzuki Platypus. Someone had to say it...

Have they actually kept the same mirrors after all that?

...the mirrors work great. You want change for the sake of change?

I love my 2007 headlights. As far as I can tell, they're the best in the industry. Why change that?

I agree with both of these statements

Actually I think those mirrors are some of the best on a motorcycle anywhere! Just the right amount of convex for a good field of vision but not so much it distorts things. I actually bought a set for my Beemer!

I still don´t get:
a) why would they make the 1000 look totally different than the 650, especially now that the "new" 650 looks just okay according to most people, and
b) why would they now get rid of the excellent headlights, and change to a single unit, that is probably just not gonna match the older models powerful lights?

I actually hope they still re-think the styling a bit. Bring it closer to the 2012-> DL650, and it´ll be fine.

+1

I would rather see a DL1000 version of the new DL650 too.

I am also hoping for the following:

curb weight around 500 pounds

adjustable seat instead of having to purchase a taller seat

center stand

enough available power for two sets of heated gear

bolt on passenger foot peg mounts (so the aftermarket has a place to attach racks)

reasonable price ( I love my Suzuki, but I won't pay BMW, Yamaha, Triumph prices for a Strom)

I see an anteater. It may be an incredibly cool, bulletproof, go everywhere ride, but I see an anteater: