KIWI RIDER 11 2019 VOL2 | Page 94

Suzuki hasn’t just left the 2020 bike as just a styling upgrade over the 2019 V-Strom, though. For 2020 the Japanese manufacturer has finally started to catch up with the competition and is offering a host of electronic aids and added functionality which was starting to be noticed as missing from the previous generation bike. The XT model gets the majority of these upgrades, including an IMU, Hill Hold Control, Slope Dependant Control, Load Dependent Control and, of course, Cruise Control is also standard. Suzuki has also outfitted the new V-Strom with three different rider modes, offering three different levels of throttle response from the ride-by-wire throttle. A mode provides the sharpest throttle response, B mode provides softer throttle response, while C mode provides softest response of the three modes. Traction control also features with Suzuki updating the traction control system to let the rider be in control with more confidence in diverse conditions. The traction control mode is increased to three modes plus Off for diverse road conditions, or to match the rider’s preference more. Suzuki has kept to its focus of providing the best bang for buck in the class by refraining from equipping the 2020 V-Strom with a TFT dash, instead, the instrument panel presents all required information on a full LCD screen using an intuitive layout with information displayed in order of priority. Included in the display are the 94 KIWI RIDER speedometer, tachometer (full pixel digital display), gear position indicator, odometer, trip meter (A, B), instantaneous fuel consumption, average fuel consumption, driving range, fuel level indicator, engine coolant temperature indicator, ambient air temperature indicator, clock, voltage meter, service reminder, SDMS mode, traction control mode, cruise control indicator, ABS mode, hill hold indicator, engine rpm indicator light, freeze indicator light, turn signal indicator light, high beam indicator light, traction control indicator light, ABS indicator light, and neutral indicator light. The liquid-cooled, DOHC, 1037cc 90° V-twin has also been further refined for 2020, now meeting Euro 5 emission control standards while still achieving high power of 79.0kW @ 8500rpm and low fuel consumption (4.9L/100km). Suzuki partly achieved this by altering both the exhaust and intake cam profiles so that the amount of lift is increased and the cam timing has been set with less overlap. This provides better combustion efficiency and contributes to higher power output and low fuel consumption Suzuki claims. Rolling stock for the V-STROM 1050XT model is DID aluminium wire-spoked wheel rims, while the V-STROM 1050 model is equipped with 10-spoke aluminium cast wheels. Bridgestone Battlax Adventure A41 tires are standard equipped with a 110/80R19 radial tire on the front and 150/70R17 on the rear.