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.