Suzuki has also been teasing a new model in a series of videos released on YouTube. The first one was as per usual very none descript. After watching it and noting the several clues, I said to myself that’s a V Strom. Initially, I thought it would be a new updated 650 Vstrom to try and eclipse the dominant Yamaha T7. The 1000 Vstrom is also long overdue an update and modernisation, but it would be a bold move to chose the 650 over 1000 first.
KTM have been teasing too, read the latest on the new SuperDuke R
The first teaser shows a runner on the road and cross country. This said to me it had to be an on and off-road capable bike. Only the VStrom in the Suzuki range to does that.
Is the new VStrom a homage to the 80’s Dakar racer?
The second teaser shows us more. It’s visible to see it resembles a Vstrom in form. The red and white/ red and black paint jobs visible pay tribute to the old Suzuki DR750S Big.
Released in 1988, the DR750S Big was a 730cc four-stroke, single-cylinder. Starting life as a desert crossing race bike, getting a 9th place finish with Gaston Rahier riding. A road-going Dakar rep followed on quickly.
I rode the DL650 V Strom last year
The Big’s red white and black livery features on the teased model, this coupled with Suzuki’s seemingly lack of ideas, means a modern ‘Replica’ could be in the works. Suzuki has a habit at present of looking to the past to shape the future. (Cough Cough, Katana).
Additionally, to the old school, paint scheme shows a new, more prominent crankcase guard, which looks styled like the old BIG.
The last teaser is much more revealing and shows us the restyled figure. The peaky chin of the old model remains, however, the light unit and front screen is entirely different, and looking much like a BMW style. In fairness, it also looks similar to the BIG and last years Katana.
The windscreen looks height adjustable, but from this video, we don’t see any signs of trick bits compared to other rivals. No electronic suspension, like on the Versys 1000, or the MV Agusta Turismo 800, and we wait to see if we have a quickshifter.
One thing we do have is the digital dash first seen on the GSXR and the Katana. Whether this has had a full TFT upgrade remains to be seen, the old dash did look and feel quite dated compared to other bikes.
We find out more at the Suzuki World Premiere on the 5th of November in Milan. Check back to find out more info when we do!