Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128144
This bike actually proved to me that it has no problems sustaining speeds up to 125 mph, all the while still feeling very stable and secure, even in gusty winds, which we experienced a lot of while riding in SA. And I know there's even more left in the V-Strom, as I watched our guide and some of the other riders in my group steadily pull away ·from me while I held a steady 200 "clicks." Luckily, the V-Strom comes equipped with strong brakes, so hauling in the bike from these speeds was a piece of cake. It takes little effort to get the VStrom through the turns, too. Even while cranked over, the big bike feels solid and stable. Considering how big the bike looks, the V-Strom feels remarkably agile, which might have something to do with its relatively low 33.1-inch seat height and easy-toreach handlebar, which combine to give you a lot of confidence. The bike does have its limits, though, as it requires a whole lot of effort to get the footpegs to kiss the tarmac. The roads in South Africa are quite good - in fact, better than most of the roads I ride on every day here in California - so the V-Strom's suspension got a light workout. But what bumps and lumps we did find, the V-Strom soaked up just fine. I did not feel the need to make any suspension adjustments for my l65-pound weight and somewhat conservative on-road riding style. The V-Strom shouldn't have any problems getting you into the deepest and darkest parts of Africa and back again on a single tank of gas. The electronic fuel gauge barely moved a tick after I had seemingly spent all day in the saddle. If you do plan on going away on a long trip on the V-Strom, don't plan on taking much with you, since the VStrom has no luggage bags. Suzuki says they are hoping to offer hard bags for the bike in the future (but don't hold your breath.) The V-Strom does, however, have a small luggage rack on the back that you can strap some stuff to. But for now, plan on wearing a backpack. Many people have told me that they thought I was crazy to travel all the way to South Africa to ride a motorcycle for just two days (a dayand-a-half, actually), and even I questioned my sanity a couple of times before I left, but the V -Strom made the lB-hour flight (24 hours all told) worthwhile. The bike is definitely fun to ride, there's no question about that, but the real question is, is America ready for another adventure/Dakar-type bike? Many similar models in the past have failed, but none of them, though, had the combined horsepower and sport-bike handling characteristics of the VStrom. Will this be enough for the new V -Strom to survive here in the U.S.? Only time will tell. eN rellote 1IlIt• • [J::Qc=aG)~c=a~ Now Available Through Cycle News Video Theater • Evel Knievells Spectacular .lumps • Travis Pestrana I Revelation 199 • Total Cheos • Seth: The Hard Way • 3EilD1 My Trip • Mike Cinqmars · e Stroke Cold Smoke 3 • On Any Sunday • On Any Sunday Revisited • An Twisted end Pucked Up • Full Leather .Ieeket • Urban Assault • Moving Violation • Las V~ Extremes interactive & web-connected features including a~er nate audio by Seth and Johnny Airtime, exclusive interviews & behind-the-scenes foetage, newlyreleased crash footage, outtakes and blooper from The Hard Way, detailed blueprints of Seth's launch ramp, interactive injury chart, and Seth's X-rays. From Impact Video. $29.95 rider profiles, Steve McQueen bio, scrapbook, and interview with Bruce Brown and Dana Brown. 60 minutes from X-Factor. $24.95 (#090) Full Leather Jacket OVO X-Factor Productions has unleashed Orlando's Chaindrive Freestyle Team featuring the fearless Jermaine "JT' Holt. With guest appearances by Adam "Chumboy' Chumita and Ryan 'Wonderboy' Bonneau. DVD includes full-motion chapter menus; digitally remastered; 5.1 Dolby digital sound, DVD-ROM compatible, preview of other DVD releases, photo gallery. 40 Minutes from X-Factor Video. $29.95 (#01793) Evel Knievel's SpectaCUlar Jumps OVO From .the legendary Caesa(s Palace crash to him impossible attempt at Snake River Canyon, Evel Knievel earned his reputation as the world's bravest daredevil. Relive his greatest triumphs and his bonebreaking defeats with this spactacular collection of every famous Evel Knieve/ jump ever filmed. From Whne Star/Duke Video. $24.95 (#016) 35101 My Trip • Mike Cinqmars OVO This DVD's title - "a pervasive pattern of instability" is an accurate description of freestyle legend Mike Cinqmars strange journey through life, You'll/nerally get a loek inside Cinq's head as the video works its way up to his near-death experience, Also featuring Jeremy McGrath, Seth Enslow, Tommy Clowers, Carey Hart and the MM. Includes DVD features on making the documentary, deleted scenes, 4O-sippin' featurette, extended hospital visn, and rider bios, Over 50 minutes from X-Factor. $29.95 (#0112) Urban Assault OVO (#013) Total Chaos OVO 2-1/2 years in the making, 1400 video clips, over 60 hours of foetage, cut down to the hardest core freestyle show ever made. This could have been 2 videos, but instead Skin Industries had AI Borda and Brian Deegan produce one long and strong DVD featuring 20 segments with insane lifestyle clips and the sickest riding ever. 11 choice bands make the soundtrack, including Gutterrnouth, Voe 000 Glow Skulls, Scyther, Innercourse, Rancid, Vision, 98 Mute, Pennywise, Against All Authority, 67 minutes trom X-Factor. $29.95 SLEDS (#01358) 2 Stroke Cold Smoke 3 OVO A high qualrly progressive snow machine film. 2SCS3 Showcases insane footage captured on both 16mm film and dignal media. Technical freestyle moves, crazy stunts, and a very loud soundtrack are sure to get your attention. 40 minutes from X-Factor. $29.95 Primarily shot in SoCal with DC's new rising star Jason Britton, Appearances by famed stunt riders Derrick Daigle, a.k.a. D-Mann, Pauly Sherer & Jolleen Farmer of LVX, Todd & Lori Colbert of Team X-treem, Jermaine Holt and Scott Tedro, 45 minutes from X-Factor, Bonus DVD features include deleted scenes and riders' bios, From X-Factor, $29.95 (#0113) Moving Violation OVO Derrick (D-Mann) Daigle, with Team X-Treme's Todd and Lori Colbert create a stunt video like never before. Appearances by Jermaine (Bad Ass) Holt, Ofer Nurkin, and Jason Britton - this video is the next level of extreme. See unbelievable police chases in Georgia and the famous Ghost Ride. With bonus DVD features including photo gallery, 5.1 Dolby digital sound, digitally remastered, previews of other DVD releases, and full-motion chapter menus, 60 minutes from X-Factor. $29.95 MOVIES (#074) All Twisted and Pucked Up OVO (#0199) Travis Pastrana I Revelation 199 OVO Features Travis Pastrana criss-crossing the country to race and ride with friends and heroes. The athletes include: Jeremy McGrath, Greg Albertyn, Robbie Reynard, Kenny Bartram, Mike Jones, Trevor Vines, Garey Hart, TJ Lavin, Ryan Nyquist and many others. Locations include: Budds Creek-MD, Travis' private track, Castillo Ranch-CA, Dumont Dunes-CA, Travor Vines' compound, Woodward-PA and more. 45 minutes from X-Factor. $29.95 (#011) seth: The Hard Way OVO Get up close and personal wrlh freestyle legend Seth Enslow, a story by 4Leaf Entertainment about chasing dreams and making them happen. A raw and sometimes frightening look at how this ordinary rider became a sub-cultural icon with some of the most wild & over the edge riding ever captured on film. Mad soundtrack matches the action. Best Overall Film Award at the 2000 X-GamesfTube Film Festival. 40 minutes from Impact Video. DVD includes special (#0140) On Any Sunday OVO Bruce Brown's classic 1971 film which covers virtually every form of motorcycle competition from the AMA's Grand National Tour to Motocross; Desert Racing to Ice Racing; the ISDT to the Widowmaker Hillclimb; the Bonnneville Salt Flats to the Elsinore Grand Prix. This special DVD directo(s ednion features the original movie trailers and TV spots, digitally remastered soundtrack, extended tribute to Steve McQueen, and a conversation wnh director Bruce Brown. Over 90 minutes from X-Factor. $34.95 (#01408) On Any Sunday Revisited OVO When Bruce Brown made the first OAS, hours of outstanding foetage never made the movie. This video goes back into the vaults to highlight the dirt track heroes' action from that period. The personalities from the movie reminisce about that grand period of the sport. Added DVD exclusives including Call to Order Today! California residents add 7.75% Sales Tax All disks listed ere OVO, free of shipping & handling charges from Cycle News Products. 9am-Spm PST (0#100) Las Vegas Extremes OVO Remember the insance sportbike antics introduced in FTP? Now we take it way out west, in Las Vegas Extremes, a whole mess of illegal & highly dangerous tricks performed by 3 insane guys in areas such as freeways, canyon roads, and even down the famous Las Vegas Strip. Not for the politically correct or safety conscious. Bonus DVD features include photo gallery, 5.1 Dolby dignal sound, dignalIy remastered, previews of other DVD releases, and full-motion chapter menus. 55 minutes from XFactor. $29.95 Prices subject to change - plesse use current edvertlsement as your guide. (714) 751-7433 Starring Team X-Factor's Jason Britton, Scott Tedro, and Dave Sanders wnh special guests Eric 'Dancing Bear" Monroe, Christian Smith and Big "N.Y" Daryl. Watch the sparks fly as they rail SoCal's legendary Ortega Highway at frightening speeds dragging knees, hands, elbows, and generally pushing the limits on one of America's most perilous roads, 55 minutes. Over 60 extra minutes of additional DVD features including bonus footage, deleted scenes, commentary, photo gallery, full motion menus, 5.1 Dolby, digitally remastered, DVD-ROM compatible. From XFactor. $29.95 O"'e,. not accepted from outside fhe continental USA. Allow 4·6 weeks for delivery, or Order Online at www.cyclenews.com cue I e n e _ s " MARCH 6, 2002 17