Adventure Rider Magazine was lucky enough to ride the new V-Strom 1050 alongside The Boss’ 2019 1000XT. A quick, non-scientific, head-to-head comparison was inevitable.
Suzuki’s all-conquering all-rounder first came on the scene as a 996cc, 90-dgree V-twin in 2002. It was offered as a ‘sports tourer’ and used the liquid-cooled, four-stroke, DOHC, four-valve engine from the hoo-aah TL1000 sports bike, but with revised low- and medium-speed throttle response. The donk was installed in a lightweight, aluminium twin-spar frame which also supported a bikini fairing.