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................. IIIOtuiqcle, the V-8lrom,.......... . . . rl IP antdve In tIIe~ Fuel Tank: It's big, way big. The 5.8-gallon fuel cell will get you farther than you probably want to go. It's also designed to give the rider room to move. Mufflers: Suzuki says they went with highmounted mufflers (right) to give the V-Strom that "adventurous" look, we think they just look cool. The bikes we rode in South Africa were fitted with catalyzers, but U.S. models will not have them. Front Fairing: Nothing resembles off-road here. The V-Strom's front fairing (left) looks pure street, pure sport and pure trick, and the small windscreen is actually very effective. Knuckle Covers: When Suzuki announced that the V-Strom featured knuckle covers, we thought, "Knuckle covers? Oh, handguards." Even some full-on off-road bikes don't come with handguards. Nice touch. Motor: Suzuki has since discontinued the TL1000S, and we've heard rumors that the TL1000R might be the next to go, so that left Suzuki's wonderful 996cc 90degree V-twin fuel-injected motor (right) without a secure home - until now. In the V-Strom, the TL-derived motor is slightly tamed down (smaller intake valves. different cam profiles, different intake and exhaust cam timing, etc.), but still yields 98 horsepower at 7600 rpm. Hopefully, the motor will enjoy better success in the V-Strom than it did in the TLs. Fuellrl.iection and SDTV: The V-Strom features an updated fuel-injection system similar to that of the TL1OOOR, and also utilizes the same Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve System featured on the GSX-R series. Mercedes truck. Throw in a few busy argue that assertion.) roundabouts (traffic circles) and adventure Suzuki really wanted us No, the intersections, zero familiarization to experience was to actually get Frame: There's not much to the V-Strom's simple twin-spar aluminum frame (left), but it is said to be very light and strong, as is the time - all the while trying to keep away from all this city madness and aluminum swingann. Forks: The V-Strom features quality, noninverted 43mm cartridge-type Showa forks, but some sort of adjustments would be nice. There are no compression, rebound or springpreload adjustments - you just have to live with what you get (luckily, they're set up about right). your somewhat overzealous local head for the hills and countryside on tour guide in sight - and things can its all-new "adventure" bike. And really become a frenzied adventure. what better place is there to feel that But I don't think that this is the kind experience than in Africa - a coun- of adventure that Suzuki really had try in mind when it held its world press "adventure" more than any other? that perhaps best evokes launch of the new V-Strom 1000, ther than a hundred miles from Enduro Tourer," a machine they tourist-hopping Cape Town, but, claim is the first of its kind. (I'm hey, we were a long way away from sure BMW, with its Rl150GS, might Shock: The single shock rides on linkages and is fully (well, almost) adjustable. The shock features a hydraulically operated dial spring-preload adjuster, as well as rebounddamping adjuster. Compression damping is not adjustable. (Okay, so we didn't get much fur- which Suzuki describes as a "Sport Los Angeles.) Brakes: Dual 310mm floating disc brakes up front (right) and a single 260mm disc brake in the back provided plenty of stopping power for the VStrom. Instruments: Nothing too special here, though the entire instrument cluster is quite thin, thus taking up less space. The analog tachometer and speedometer feature LED backlighting. and the odometer, dual trip-meters, water-temperature gauge, fuel gauge and clock are displayed digitally. V-Strom: No, "Strom" is not a typo, though "Storm" would've worked just as well. So. what does Strom mean? According to Suzuki, it's a German word for a stream of wind. cue I e n e .... s MARCH 6, 2002 15