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SPECS · PICS · RATING
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Review of the 2003 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom:Great All-Around Bike |
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Author: Matt Walker, 2007-04-07, viewed 184 times. | ||||||
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Good sport-touring bike with surprising Sport riding ability. | ||||||
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The 2003 DL-1000 is my current daily rider. This is the most enjoyable street bike I´ve ridden so far, and also the only V-twin I´ve ever owned. The motor´s power is great, broad torque curve that pulls from off idle through redline. Mine had Michelin Anakees on it when I got it, and I´ll probably stick with them. To my surprise, it almost keeps up with a sportbike in the twistys and can grind pegs with the best. You can pretty much ride it however you like, drop it into a turn and pull it up with the throttle, or take it in a little faster and lean it over. Maintenance is typical but a little high, partly due to all the plastic that must come off to get at anything, even the air filter takes 30 minutes. There are a few complaints I have with just under 15,000 miles on it: The front brakes are too small and inconsistent. Below 40 mph or so they feel grabby, not smooth or linear at all, even though the pads have lots of life left. The throttle is too snappy off idle. It can make it difficult to pull out smoothly, and watch out in the rain. There is also a flat spot at 3000 RPM that is beyond a nuisance. I´ve heard a Power Commander fixes both of these problems, but mine is bone stock. The manual says it needs a valve adjustment at 15,000 miles, so maybe that has something to do with it. The last gripe is personal, not the bike´s fault. The pegs are a little too close to the seat and a little too far forward for me. I´m 5´-11´ and 175 lb with a 32-33´ inseam. Maybe the seat and pegs would fit a slightly shorter rider better, but that rider wouldn´t be able to put their feet on the ground at a red light. I can get my feet down, but not flat. Overall, this is a great bike, with great throttle response that´s really fun to ride. |
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