Is there a rider anywhere that did not sit up with interest at the announcement of a new V-Strom? Honestly, it is hardly hyperbole to say that since the first sport-touring model — the DL1000 — appeared in 2002, little has changed aside from fairings and farkles. Yes, the hugely popular DL650 made its debut two years later. But Suzuki had gotten it so right with the V-twin that R&D found their own achievement hard to beat. ABS appeared in 2007 and in 2008 the bike evolved into an adventure-tourer with colour-matching hard luggage.
Largely dictated by increasingly stringent emissions standards, two generations followed (in 2014 and 2017 for the DL1000, and in 2012 and 2017 for the Wee), each with alterations that reduced size and weight while increasing torque and suspension. And the (in)famous beak?
The First with the Beak
While many believe the BMW GS pioneered the design, it was in fact Suzuki in 1988 with the
