Suzuki vstrom DL1000: YEAR/AGE important? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Suzuki vstrom DL1000: YEAR/AGE important?

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Dingo

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Im looking at buying a used 2003 Suzuki vstrom DL1000, low KM (less than 15,000) for decent price.

Understandably the model has been slightly revamped:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_V-Strom_1000


[h=2]Model year changes[/h]2003 (K3) Added fork pre-load adjusters. Alternator output increased to 400 watts. New Clutch Slave cylinder dust cover, later production models.
2004 (K4) Redesigned instrument cluster. Upgrade 16-bit to 32-bit ECU, some sensors changed. New turn signals, 20 watt without reflector compared with earlier 10 watt. Belly pan redesigned. Stronger hand guards attached to end of handlebar. New adjustable windscreen design. Left handlebar switch incorporates flash-to-pass & emergency blinkers (EU models already had this). Stronger handlebars. Revised Mirrors for less mirror breakage.
2005 (K5) Silver Frame revised to Black frame. Black rear frame covers vs previously fairing color. New quiet clutch cover. Headlight interrupt when starting.
2007 (K7) New clear turn signal lenses and new swingarm pivot covers.

It looks like 2004 was the year for major changes but reviewing what was listed, im not majorly concerned with the improvements. I dont feel like i would be missing out on anything (should i be????).

I am thinking since it has very little KM it should have lots of life left, age really isnt a large issue for me but I wanted to get input from other riders what (if any) concerns they might have.

The only major draw back i can think of is re-sale value/market, I get the bike will be 10years old next season but has had little wear, i have seen these bikes get 80,000 + km and figure i will be driving it until it dies so im not as concerned with this aspect.

I would appreciate any insight or feed back and a fresh perspective before i pull the trigger.

Thank You
 
Dingo said:
Im looking at buying a used 2003 Suzuki vstrom DL1000, low KM (less than 15,000) for decent price.

Understandably the model has been slightly revamped:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_V-Strom_1000


Model year changes

2003 (K3) Added fork pre-load adjusters. Alternator output increased to 400 watts. New Clutch Slave cylinder dust cover, later production models.
2004 (K4) Redesigned instrument cluster. Upgrade 16-bit to 32-bit ECU, some sensors changed. New turn signals, 20 watt without reflector compared with earlier 10 watt. Belly pan redesigned. Stronger hand guards attached to end of handlebar. New adjustable windscreen design. Left handlebar switch incorporates flash-to-pass & emergency blinkers (EU models already had this). Stronger handlebars. Revised Mirrors for less mirror breakage.
2005 (K5) Silver Frame revised to Black frame. Black rear frame covers vs previously fairing color. New quiet clutch cover. Headlight interrupt when starting.
2007 (K7) New clear turn signal lenses and new swingarm pivot covers.

It looks like 2004 was the year for major changes but reviewing what was listed, im not majorly concerned with the improvements. I dont feel like i would be missing out on anything (should i be????).

I am thinking since it has very little KM it should have lots of life left, age really isnt a large issue for me but I wanted to get input from other riders what (if any) concerns they might have.

The only major draw back i can think of is re-sale value/market, I get the bike will be 10years old next season but has had little wear, i have seen these bikes get 80,000 + km and figure i will be driving it until it dies so im not as concerned with this aspect.

I would appreciate any insight or feed back and a fresh perspective before i pull the trigger.

Thank You
Click to expand...

V-stroms are pretty solid machines, and if you treat them well, 80,000 kms is a drop in the bucket. I dont know much about the different models and such, but I do know the V-strom reputation and would not hesitate to buy one.
 
Last bike was a 'strom -- 2005 DL1000.

Bought it while living in the Yukon -- a better fit than my current ZX14 for the roads up there.

In hindsight, the wee-strom would have been a better choice. Lighter and better fuel economy.

As for engine issues of the earlier models -- see here:

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2207

"Comparing my '02 (also called a K2 in this model line) to a K4 or K5 is not
entirely apt. The K2 and K3 had two known issues, one which some owners had
success addressing with Suzuki ("some" being the operative word) and another
that has no mechanical impact on the bike, and that has a known workaround. The
first problem, a defective clutch basket, was apparently resolved with the
release of the K4 model. The seond, known as the "chudder" problem, is where the
engine groans and hesitates for a split second at ~3,500 rpm. There is no
evidence that this is caused by a mechanical defect, and can be readily solved
by re-mapping the FI optimally. Suzuki has still not done a good job mapping the
FI for the DL1000... dunno why. But guys who get the bike re-jetted or buy a
Power Commander report that the chudder disapperars entirely."
 
Check out www.stromtrooper.com and more specifically the DL1000 sub-forum for an endless resource to the 1000 and 650.

Also check out http://vstrom.info/ and the forum within for lot's more info.

As mentioned, they are quite reliable bikes with many happy owners of the '03 models. There is a huge aftermarket support for these bikes.

I would be more concerned with a bike that has such little mileage on it being improperly stored for long periods of time. If it has been well taken care of, then it should be a reliable bike.

That said, it's easily capable of well over 200k and there are riders with over 300k with only regular maintenance. I would personally take a 650 over the 1000 for the fuel economy and reduced weight. The extra power will only get me into trouble and the 650 is quite a capable bike even for 2up riding.
 
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The difference in weight between 650 and 1000 is minimal and the extra power you get with the 1000 makes it not worth thinking about. My 2008 DL1000 has 18,000 km on it, 16,000 of them my miles since late 2010, seems like it is just getting broken in, reliable as an anvil, but much quicker.
 
The low-rev throttle response seems to be the only issue specific to early DL1000s, but not all of them had it. Just budget for a power commander if it doesn't already have one.

Buffeting is a common complaint on all VStroms, so you might end up wanting a different windscreen. The windshield (and mounts) on 2002/2003 DL1000s is different than later models, so you'll probably have fewer aftermarket options.
 
2004+ is better, but if you get a pre 2004, I'd still buy it for the right price. I put 30,000 kms on a DL650, and then a couple of bikes later I'm now on a 2004 DL1000. It's a brilliant, brilliant machine - I have put 40,000 kms on this one (up to about 65K, I think) and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. In fact, when I break this one (whenever that is) I fully plan on buying another and transferring all my tasty bits over.

It does have a few small issues straight out of the box (fuelling is lean, some exhibit "chudder"). But the good thing about the V-stroms is their maniacal following. All of the issues have been sorted out, and the fixes are cheap and well-published.

Aftermarket is very robust.
 
I have a 2005 with 65000kms on it now and it runs great. Took it to James Bay this year without any problems. As Oomis said there are a couple of known problem, but the fixes are readily available. I have a bit of chudder, but it is outside the RPM range I ride so it is not an issue for me. I am rarely ever running in the 3000rpm range where it occurs.
Very versatile bike with reasonable mileage and a good cruising range. I made the 381 kms between fuel stops on the James bay road with just the fuel in the tank.(had about 2 L left)
I would also buy another one after this one as there are so many cool things available, like the GSXR four piston calipers I added this summer to reduce the brake effort.
Best thing you can add is a fork brace to increase the stability in the wind. Makes a huge difference.
 
Picked up the bike for $5200, it came **** load of options:

-3 wind shields
-gps mount
-back plate to mount Givi case
-back Givi case
-two side cases
-centre stand
-battery tender/charger
-extra break/clutch levers


Checking out the stromtrooper forum i think i will be picking up these (after crash bars)
http://shop.enduroguardian.com/stee...-upgrade-hardware-STROM-SK-ST-BRKT-HWY-UP.htm



Ash said:
The low-rev throttle response seems to be the only issue specific to early DL1000s, but not all of them had it. Just budget for a power commander if it doesn't already have one.

Buffeting is a common complaint on all VStroms, so you might end up wanting a different windscreen. The windshield (and mounts) on 2002/2003 DL1000s is different than later models, so you'll probably have fewer aftermarket options.
Click to expand...


Im thinking of getting a power commander but want to drive it a while to get used to it and will hopefully notice the difference after install.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.
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