2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE Unveiled With More Off-Road Capability

Suzuki has announced the 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 adventure range, and the XT model has been discontinued to be replaced by a new V-Strom 1050DE promising more off-road capability. The DE variant will be offered alongside a standard V-Strom 1050, with both bikes getting a new 5-inch, full-colour TFT instrument console, which replaces the LCD screen of the outgoing model. Both bikes also get a standard up and down quickshifter, standard centre stand, handguards, as well as USB and 12V charging sockets.

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The 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE is the more off-road capable model with wire-spoke wheels, longer travel suspension with more ground clearance, compared to the standard V-Strom 1050.

The 1,037 cc, liquid-cooled, 90-degree v-twin engine has been retained and puts out 105.5 bhp at 8,500 rpm and 100 Nm of peak torque at 6,000 rpm. The engine remains the same, but gets new hollow, sodium filled exhaust valves that are said to help reduce heat in the combustion chamber and add improvements such as better longevity. There’s also a taller first and sixth gear and the DE gets a claimed stronger drive chain, as well as some new electronics.

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Most of the changes to the DE variant seem to have been done to improve the bike’s off-road capabilities. The new V-Strom 1050DE features more suspension travel, with 170 mm travel up front (compared to 160 mm on the previous model) and 169 mm travel at the rear, compared to 160 mm on the outgoing model. The extra suspension travel has also improved the bike’s ground clearance, which is now a respectable 190 mm in the DE variant, up from 165 mm in stock form. 

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2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 models to get new 5-inch full-colour TFT screen, updated electronics, and suspension.

Both models get Suzuki’s 6-axis IMU which offers a two-stage lean-sensitive ABS, plus hill hold control. An updated ride by wire throttle also assists with cruise control, three-stage traction control and three power modes. The DE also gets a new ‘gravel’ or G mode as part of the traction control settings which allows more rear wheel slip while riding off-road.
 

The 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE is still a heavy bike, with a kerb weight of 

Rake and trail on the DE have been increased with the wheelbase increasing by 40 mm over the base model, thanks to a new aluminium swingarm. The DE also gets chunkier foot pegs offering more grip for off-road boots, and 40 mm wider handlebars, said to provide better ergonomics and control when riding off-road. Suzuki has also added new aluminium castings and extrusions along certain sections of the frame, to produce a lighter, stronger chassis. However, the standard model is still a hefty 242 kg, while the DE has a kerb weight of 252 kg. So far, there’s no confirmation of whether Suzuki India will introduce the new V-Strom 1050 in India. 

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The 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 range could be introduced in India. But so far, there's no word on that. If Suzuki Motorcycle India manages to assemble the new V-Strom 1050 in India and offer at competitive prices, it may prove to be a popular choice in the adventure bike segment in India.

Suzuki Motorcycle India has discontinued the previous generation V-Strom 1000 in 2020 just before the Bharat Stage VI (BS6) norms kicked in, along with other more models, including the Hayabusa, GSX-R1000, GSX-S750, and GSX-S1000. The updated Hayabusa is now assembled in India, and has gone out of stock every time the model was offered on sale in limited numbers. The new V-Strom 1050 range could also be offered on sale in India, and if Suzuki India manages to price them competitively, like the Hayabusa and the new Katana, the 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 range could get a new lease of life in the adventure bike segment in India.