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New Suzuki's, and more than bold new graphics?


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Word on the street has it that Suzuki has a big anouncemet tomorrow where they will be anouncing the next version of their V-Strom. I've heard rumblings of it being a 825cc V-Twin that is set up more for dirt, but more street friendly than the current Wee-Strom. Should be interesting.......I'm amazed that no spy shots have leaked out.

 

Suzuki also snuck this new sport tourer into their lineup with very little fanfair.

Suzuki GSX1250FA

 

Adjustable seat, ABS, full luggage available, good price......shame it doesn't have a shaft drive. Still, it could be a winner if anyone buys one

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beemerman2k

I love this type of motorcycle. It's like a hybrid between a sport tourer, a sport bike, and the old time pain jane standard. A Bandit mixed with a GSXR.

 

Kawasaki made a model that I was wild about in the early half of the 2000's. A 1200cc, but it wasn't quite the ZX12R, or a ZRX12, maybe it was just called the ZX1200, but it was a very nice, chain driven, carbureted 4 stroke 4 that had gobs of power, comfort, and affordability. This Suzuki reminds me of that Kawasaki I liked so much.

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I love this type of motorcycle. It's like a hybrid between a sport tourer, a sport bike, and the old time pain jane standard. A Bandit mixed with a GSXR.

 

Kawasaki made a model that I was wild about in the early half of the 2000's. A 1200cc, but it wasn't quite the ZX12R, or a ZRX12, maybe it was just called the ZX1200, but it was a very nice, chain driven, carbureted 4 stroke 4 that had gobs of power, comfort, and affordability. This Suzuki reminds me of that Kawasaki I liked so much.

 

ZRX-1200, AKA "Z-Rex" A buddy of mine has one and loves it. His isn't the "Eddie Lawson" replica lime green, blue, & white, but it's still a sharp bike in red, white, & blue.

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Guest Kakugo
I love this type of motorcycle. It's like a hybrid between a sport tourer, a sport bike, and the old time pain jane standard. A Bandit mixed with a GSXR.

 

Kawasaki made a model that I was wild about in the early half of the 2000's. A 1200cc, but it wasn't quite the ZX12R, or a ZRX12, maybe it was just called the ZX1200, but it was a very nice, chain driven, carbureted 4 stroke 4 that had gobs of power, comfort, and affordability. This Suzuki reminds me of that Kawasaki I liked so much.

 

ZRX-1200, AKA "Z-Rex" A buddy of mine has one and loves it. His isn't the "Eddie Lawson" replica lime green, blue, & white, but it's still a sharp bike in red, white, & blue.

 

Great bike, as was the original "naked" Honda CB1300 (still sold in Japan). The Suzuki and the Yamaha, albeit good bikes, could not even compare to these two. They were (or are, in the case of the Yamaha) pretty much '80s vintage muscle bikes updated with modern technology. The ZRX1200 and the CB1300 can literally ride rings around them.

Kawasaki has updated the ZRX1200 (they built a completely new bike along the same lines to be more precise): Kawasaki ZRX1200 DAEG. But, of course, it's Japan only.

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I love this type of motorcycle. It's like a hybrid between a sport tourer, a sport bike, and the old time pain jane standard. A Bandit mixed with a GSXR.

 

Kawasaki made a model that I was wild about in the early half of the 2000's. A 1200cc, but it wasn't quite the ZX12R, or a ZRX12, maybe it was just called the ZX1200, but it was a very nice, chain driven, carbureted 4 stroke 4 that had gobs of power, comfort, and affordability. This Suzuki reminds me of that Kawasaki I liked so much.

 

ZRX-1200, AKA "Z-Rex" A buddy of mine has one and loves it. His isn't the "Eddie Lawson" replica lime green, blue, & white, but it's still a sharp bike in red, white, & blue.

 

Great bike, as was the original "naked" Honda CB1300 (still sold in Japan). The Suzuki and the Yamaha, albeit good bikes, could not even compare to these two. They were (or are, in the case of the Yamaha) pretty much '80s vintage muscle bikes updated with modern technology. The ZRX1200 and the CB1300 can literally ride rings around them.

Kawasaki has updated the ZRX1200 (they built a completely new bike along the same lines to be more precise): Kawasaki ZRX1200 DAEG. But, of course, it's Japan only.

 

Nice!

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russell_bynum
is set up more for dirt, but more street friendly

 

Will it also be really light and really heavy?

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Thanks for your post. The 1250 is an interesting bike. Think I'll head down to the local Suzuki dealer and take a look. ABS is good. No shaft not so good.

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I know someone who has the GSX1250FA.. I think he is on this forum, (if not, then BMWOA) "BUBAGAZOO" in Canada, He used to have a R1100RT. The bike isn't new.. only new in the US, been out for a couple of years. (Canada, EU) Bike has received some VERY GOOD reviews... My local dealer has one, nice.

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ShovelStrokeEd
Thanks for your post. The 1250 is an interesting bike. Think I'll head down to the local Suzuki dealer and take a look. ABS is good. No shaft not so good.

 

No shaft is a good thing, IMHO. Chain maintenance these days, depending on riding habits, is 5 min/day or week and the chains on my Triumph Sprint ST last in the neighborhood of 25K miles. A couple hundred bucks and 1.5 hours gets me a whole new drive train. I don't see a down side.

 

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Have to agree Ed.......not to mention you can keep an eye on how it is wearing and judge when its time to replace it.

 

beats feeling the rumbling of a failing final drive when you are two states from home.....BTDT :P

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beemerman2k
ZRX-1200, AKA "Z-Rex" A buddy of mine has one and loves it. His isn't the "Eddie Lawson" replica lime green, blue, & white, but it's still a sharp bike in red, white, & blue.

 

No, not that 1200cc Kaw. Strange how at one point, Kawasaki had 3 and maybe 4 different 1200cc motorcycles for sale: ZX12R, ZRX12 (the Z-Rex), and the one I was referring to which is the ZZR 1200. I really wanted one of these. It's really a Japanese Triump Sprint ST!

 

2005-Kawasaki-ZZR1200b.jpg

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ZRX-1200, AKA "Z-Rex" A buddy of mine has one and loves it. His isn't the "Eddie Lawson" replica lime green, blue, & white, but it's still a sharp bike in red, white, & blue.

 

No, not that 1200cc Kaw. Strange how at one point, Kawasaki had 3 and maybe 4 different 1200cc motorcycles for sale: ZX12R, ZRX12 (the Z-Rex), and the one I was referring to which is the ZZR 1200. I really wanted one of these. It's really a Japanese Triump Sprint ST!

 

2005-Kawasaki-ZZR1200b.jpg

 

I was on the track with one of those while riding my DL650... I gave the guy about 90 horsepower advantage and still passed him on the front straight.

 

I always thought the ZZR ("ZED") was the ugliest bike big K ever built. The siamesed turn signals/tail lights.. Blech.

 

 

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russell_bynum
Have to agree Ed.......not to mention you can keep an eye on how it is wearing and judge when its time to replace it.

 

beats feeling the rumbling of a failing final drive when you are two states from home.....BTDT :P

 

Yup.

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I recently got an older Wee Strom. a 2004. Wunderful bike. Similar to the 800ST but better ergo's. A lot cheaper than the 800GS. Got it all farked out for $4000. About a quarter of what I paid for the ST. The only thing the ST has over the Wee is 20 hp and better fuel economy. I can still eek out 55 mpg on the Wee vs 64 of the ST.

A newer bigger Strom would only be to go head to head with 800GS and the new Triumph.

But there is nothing wrong with the older design. Bigger ain't better for everyone.

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Word on the street has it that Suzuki has a big anouncemet tomorrow where they will be anouncing the next version of their V-Strom. I've heard rumblings of it being a 825cc V-Twin that is set up more for dirt, but more street friendly than the current Wee-Strom. Should be interesting.......I'm amazed that no spy shots have leaked out.

 

Suzuki also snuck this new sport tourer into their lineup with very little fanfair.

Suzuki GSX1250FA

 

Adjustable seat, ABS, full luggage available, good price......shame it doesn't have a shaft drive. Still, it could be a winner if anyone buys one

 

 

Keith:

 

Whatever happened with this?

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It was so exciting that I completely forgot. :rofl:

 

I don't know.......I'm off to the interwebs on the search for BS, lies, and motorcycle tidbits........

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............

A newer bigger Strom would only be to go head to head with 800GS and the new Triumph.

...........

 

Does no one here remember the DL-1000, Suzuki's 1000cc V-Srom?

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I do.. and didn't most favor the Wee-strom over the 1000?.. I was looking at getting one and I remember reading that guys had both and loved their 650 and didn't like the 1000.

 

I believe the 1000 had all sorts of FI issues... and needed a lot of farkling, etc.. to make it "right." I can't remember all the issues with it. What did you think of yours??? (I see you had one)

 

I remember that the Wee-Strom has a lot of wind buffeting and most replaced windshields as the 1st upgrade.

 

STROMTROOPERS.COM is their site. (as you must know)

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Delayed until 6/15 as far as I know. Some of the foreign Suzuki sites have some teaser pics, but nothing that anyone can make too much of.

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They're just gonna keep stringing everybody along for a few weeks or months with those stupid abstract drawings of the "middle class motorcycle"....to build EXCITEMENT of course. :dopeslap:

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I bought a 650 V-Strom not too long ago. I just mountain tested it in N.C. for the first time. About 1000 miles in 4 days including dirt mountain passes , streams etc. It's amazing on the street and did everything i wanted it to do. A madstad windshield bracket converted it into another bike. I'm very happy with it to say the least.

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Bill_Walker
Does no one here remember the DL-1000, Suzuki's 1000cc V-Srom?

 

I do, every time I go out to the garage!

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............

A newer bigger Strom would only be to go head to head with 800GS and the new Triumph.

...........

 

Does no one here remember the DL-1000, Suzuki's 1000cc V-Srom?

 

Sold my 650

Bought a 1000

Sold the 1000

Bought another 650

 

 

Now ride a 12GS...

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I love my Bandit 1250 for track days and short rides. It is no substitute for the RT, or really even the R1200R for a ride of several hours, but it has a flat torque curve from about 3K to 9K RPM that just is a blast to ride. True 100HP at the rear wheel on a 500 pound bike is just fun.

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I've been watching/waiting for Suzuki to show it's hand on the updated strom. My hopes are high that that they did something cool with it but expectations are low. As in - I expect a new fairing and that's about it. Number one hope is that they do something for the suspension.

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My guess is that they will toss in a larger updated version of the Gladius motor and redesign the Strom frame and body to fit it.

 

I never have expectations for stock suspension components. I don't even pay attention anymore because I figure I will have to remove them within 30k miles or so for something aftermarket. I'm 230ish and every bike I have ever ridden has been set up from the factory way too light for me. I had to crank up the preload on my RT all the way to max to keep from bottoming out. Toss the wife and luggage on the back and things got ugly quick.

 

best I can hope for is lots of travel.

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My guess is that they will toss in a larger updated version of the Gladius motor ...

 

I never have expectations for stock suspension components. I don't even pay attention anymore because I figure I will have to remove them within 30k miles or so for something aftermarket. I'm 230ish and every bike I have ever ridden has been set up from the factory way too light for me. I had to crank up the preload on my RT all the way to max to keep from bottoming out. Toss the wife and luggage on the back and things got ugly quick.

 

I agree a bigger motor would probably be a selling point. For me the 650 was plenty. any speed under 90 it had plenty of go, super smooth, great mileage and no problems. It's just a great motor.

 

I'm also about 230# and rode a 650 for 6 years. Not at 30k miles, but the first day felt the suspension was an issue. The fork springs were so soft it was silly. Same for the rear but cranking the preload made that workable. Up front I tried heavier springs and heavier oil.. that made ride harsh but net improvement. later I tried cartridge emulators, damper rod mods, oil weights and preloads. Made it better still but concluded there's just not much you can do for it. could never get that firm-plushness I wanted. some higher end hardware to start would be nice.

 

When I decided to trade up for the RT a big factor was.. if I replaced the rear shock for $6-800 (aka 25-30% of the value of the bike) I was still stuck with the front end. had that not been the case I might be riding it still.

 

(RT at 20k, finding rear shock is also a squishy pile of goo but the rest is all good. Keep preload cranked for now but I'll get around to it.)

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Bill_Walker
Meh, still not sure what to think about this. Was really hoping for an 800.

 

New Vstrom

 

Bold New Plastics!

 

Although apparently they've relocated the oil cooler.

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Guest Kakugo

Apparently they got rid of the oil cooler altogether! ;)

Usual Japanese nip/tuck operation, not bad since the bike was good to begin with but I would have expected them to do a bit of work on engine and electronics to bring fuel consumption more in line with the Kawasaki 650 and BMW/Rotax 800 parallel twins.

 

About the Suzuki V-Strom 1000/Kawasaki KLV-1000 I remember what a friend of mine who's head of maintenance in a big dealer told me about this bike. It was regarded as a bit of a "hangar queen" due to the fact the "tune down" from the original TL1000 engine didn't work out as well as expected. Overheating, rough running, bike shutting down at idle, fouled plugs etc. This is pretty curious since the "tuned down" engine used in the SV1000 worked very, very well indeed and is universally regarded as extremely reliable. Go figure.

There were rumors a few years ago about Suzuki and Kawasaki working together on brand new 1000cc parallel twin but, apparently, nothing came out of the exercise. Again with new European emission regulations coming into play this engine may still see the light of day.

 

Finally a word about Honda. It seems they finally decided to send the venerable 52° twin into a well deserved retirement. This engine started life as a 500cc, three valve per cylinder 500cc unit in the 1983 VT500 and it evolved over the course of time into the present 680cc, four valve per cylinder 680 engine used on the DN01, Deauville and Transalp (which I refuse to consider a Transalp but that's another matter completely).

A brand new Honda parallel twin has been spotted being tested in both Spain and Japan and it's rumored to be a 700cc.

Now that's an interesting bike, provided Honda gets their recent QC and reliability issues under contro.

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I've been watching/waiting for Suzuki to show it's hand on the updated strom. My hopes are high that that they did something cool with it but expectations are low. As in - I expect a new fairing and that's about it....

 

Did I call that one or what.. :Cool:

 

Can't say I blame 'em. if "it aint broke" and all. But what's with all the "big announcement" baloney and month long lead up?

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CoarsegoldKid
Apparently they got rid of the oil cooler altogether! ;)

Not altogether true according to the Suz web site.

The V-Strom 650ABS comes with a high-efficiency liquid cooling system to provide optimum engine operating temperature (the motorcycle also comes with a compact oil cooler).

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Yeah, oil cooler is tucked up under/below the headlights similar to an RT. I'm curious to take a seat on one of these. I was kinda turned off off the old strom with the front end look and cockpit view. Didn't like the gauge cluster and everything seemed way out over the tank area. This is all changing on the new one.

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