It might have been designed for our worst road surfaces, so well does it handle itself. John Wheeler was totally at home on this sporty Suzuki.
Road-going motorbikes with off-road capabilities, in some cases more pretentious than real, have been around for over a decade. Now most manufacturers feature at least one, commonly known as "trailies" or in mainland Europe "motards".
Common characteristics of these bikes are large wheels, knobbly or dual-purpose tyres, long-travel suspension, an upright seating position and an engine with high torque capabilities.
Suzuki's recently introduced DL 1000 V-Strom is just one example, which it refers to as an "adventure sports" machine. Others of the same genre include Honda's Africa Twin and Varadero, BMW's F 650 and R 1150 GS, Moto Guzzi's Quota, Yamaha's TDM 850, Kawasaki's KLR 650 and Aprilia's Caponord to mention just some of the better- known examples.
Although not all would be at their happiest coursing over Saharan sand dunes, they can take the rough with the smooth.
We found that Suzuki's V-Strom felt and performed as if it had been specifically designed with Irish roads in mind. It proved to be as precise and stable on good surfaces as any "sports" machine and totally unfazed with some of the most atrocious examples of our road surfaces.
The V-Strom is powered by a 996 cc, 90° V-twin, DOHC, fuel-injected, four-stroke engine producing 97.9 bhp and 101 Nm torque at 6,400 rpm. It has a six-speed constant mesh gearbox; transmission is by chain drive. Front suspension is telescopic coil spring, oil damped. Rear swinging arm is the same, with adjustable pre-load and rebound damping, making for an extremely comfortable ride under all conditions.
The 22-litre tank, given the 38 mpg we experienced, should give a range of around 200 miles. Dry weight is 207 kgs. After a recent price cut, it costs €11,967.
The front fairing gives reasonable upper body protection and hand-grip shields are standard. Instruments are comprehensive and clear, although at night the red back lighting on the dials and LCD displays could be clearer. The headlight assembly throws a good beam on both main and dipped beams.
The oil cooler is slung low right behind the front wheel where it is exposed to copious amounts of road dirt. Though well-protected by a mesh grille, there are conditions, such as the spoil which M50 contractors seem to be dumping on our roads, where it could become clogged. A mud flap on the front mudguard might be advised.
In standard trim this machine comes with a short-height windscreen. A taller screen is an option and, really, should be standard. The short screen is ineffective until one achieves the sort of speeds that endanger one's licence. That apart, there can be few riders who enjoy eating insects.
A side-stand is standard, the foot of which could be more generous, given that this sort of machine is quite likely to be parked on soft ground. A proper centre-stand is available as an option - it, too, should be standard. That would make the business of chain care and adjustment so much simpler.
On the road such relatively minor failings vanish into insignificance, so capably and confidently does this machine perform. It glides over every kind of road surface with ease, never giving any impression that it is uncomfortable.
The high torque and long-legged gait and high gearing make for easy, unstrained progress. In sixth gear at 100 kph the engine runs at 3,500 rpm and feels as if it is just ticking over. Sixth gear is a true overdrive, not really practical until above 90 kph - a useful panel light comes on when this gear is attained. So tall do the gears feel that it would be easy to remain in fifth thinking you were in top.
Travelling for part of our test in company with a Kawasaki Ninja, Honda 1300 Pan European and Honda Deauville, the other riders were impressed with the V-Strom's excellent road-holding, acceleration and performance.
Seat height is 830 mm, the seat itself is very comfortable. Pillion comfort was declared "quite good" and the upright posture gives an excellent view.
It's rare to find a machine that can cope with city traffic, national roads, motorways and twisty back roads in such comfort and with such aplomb.
It's a machine you could take, and enjoy, anywhere this side of Calcutta with never a qualm.
THE TECH SPACE
ENGINE: 90' vee-twin, four-stroke, DOHC, 996cc, 97.9 bhp, 7,600 rpm, 101NM, 6,400 rpm, six-speed gearbox.
PERFORMANCE: 140 mph, 38 mpg on test.
DIMENSIONS: Seat height 830mm, weight 207 kg. Fuel capacity 22 litres.
CHASSIS: Telescopic front, swinging arm rear suspension with coil-springing, oil damping and on rear adjustable pre-load and rebound damping. Front brakes; dual disks, two piston callipers, rear single disk, single piston calliper. Front wheel 19", rear 17".
OPTIONS: Touring screen, centre stand.
PRICE: €11,967.