How This Suzuki V-Strom Delivers Africa Twin Performance Without The Sticker Shock

Adventure motorcycles are fantastic, but most of us don’t necessarily need dirt-ready ones that can keep up with dual sports on trails. They compromise a lot of on-road comfort for their off-road prowess. That’s where adventure tourers come in. These road-focused ADVs are designed for cruising long miles in comfort while still handling rough patches with minimal fuss. That’s why, if traveling the world is your goal, road-focused ADVs probably make more sense for most bikers.

That particular segment is packed with some awesome motorcycles, especially the Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES. While it’s not as expensive as its European rivals, it can still be costly for some people. The Suzuki V-Strom 1050 stands as a terrific alternative to the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES, offering a similar performance package for the long road (and an occasional dirt road) for a smaller price tag. Here’s how.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Suzuki Cycles and Honda Powersports.

Similar Adventure Touring Performance For A Friendlier Price Tag

Starting Price: $15,409

There are a few things that make the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES one of the most sensible options in the road-focused ADV segment. Its 270-degree parallel-twin engine produces V-twin-like power and is known for its bulletproof reliability, which comes in handy on long tours. Additionally, it features the right balance of highway comfort and city agility, thanks to its nimble frame design and Showa EERA electronic suspension. It also features a decent tech package, including a TFT display, Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC), and cornering ABS.

But if you want to save some money and want similar performance (and reliability), the V-Strom 1050 stands as an excellent alternative. Like the ES, this V-Strom is designed for pavement and can handle a bit of dirt roads, too. It even offers a proper V-twin engine that produces more power than the Africa Twin, along with fully adjustable KYB suspension and Suzuki Intelligent Ride Systems (S.I.R.S.). And don’t mistake it for a base spec V-Strom 1050, either. It is set apart from the V-Strom 1050DE due to its road-focused approach, which does not compromise on performance. That’s why we’ve picked the V-Strom 1050 as the cheaper alternative to its road-focused Honda equivalent, the Africa Twin Adventure Sports.

On the road, the two bikes, V-Strom 1050 and Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES, offer a similar performance that’s versatile, usable, and superbly reliable. Still, the V-Strom costs over $2,000 less. That may not seem like a lot, but it’s enough to prep your bike for the long haul or over 600 gallons of fuel. Yes, you do miss out on the electronic suspension, but Suzuki’s KYB suspension is fully adjustable and shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to set up for the ride. Suzuki also offers a more rounded-out suite of electronics. Think of the V-Strom as the underdog in the segment that can stand toe-to-toe with the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES.

Suzuki V-Strom 1050 vs. Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES

Powerful V-Twin That’s Geared For Mid-Range Pull And Highway Comfort

Power Output: 106 HP @ 8,500 RPM

What makes the Suzuki V-Strom 1050 special is its V-twin engine, but that’s not where it ends. On paper, the Suzuki makes five more horses than the Africa Twin, and the company claims this power is tuned for the long haul. As a result, the V-twin makes more power than ever but focuses more on a strong lower-RPM pull and fuel economy. In the real world, that translates to usable power that should not only make cruising on the highway stress-free but also crawling around in the city easier.

The V-twin is mated to a six-speed manual, with high gear ratios in the first and sixth gear, which further improves the bike’s usable performance in the city and on the highway. According to Suzuki, the first gear increases the sense of acceleration in the city, which is further helped by the Suzuki Low RPM Assist and Suzuki Easy Start System. Meanwhile, the taller sixth gear should help the bike feel more relaxed on the highway while improving fuel efficiency. This six-speed gearbox is paired with a Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS), the brand’s version of a slipper clutch.

According to Suzuki Cycles UK, the V-Strom 1050 returns around 45 MPG (US), which ideally gives the bike a range of up to 240 miles between fuel stops. For a big V-twin engine, this fuel economy is decent, adding to its highway touring abilities. Combined, the usable power, nifty gear ratios, and respectable fuel economy make the Suzuki V-Strom 1050 a capable adventure tourer that’s ready to take on the highway and handle a bit of traffic along the way.

Performance Specs

High-End Underpinnings That Make For A Versatile, Easy Handling

Frame Type: Twin-Spar Aluminum

The V-Strom 1050 continues the legacy of the durable twin-spar aluminum frame, which is tuned for adventure riding with a focus on comfort. Suzuki says this frame balances weight and rigidity, and it is designed to be nimble on all types of road conditions. For the V-Strom 1050, this should translate to nimble handling at low speeds, composure on the highway, and easy handling on a dirt road. Such a character is crucial for full-size adventure bikes, since they can be a little heavy to maneuver and handle at low speeds.

Adding to the bike’s versatile handling characteristics is the fully adjustable KYB suspension setup, including a beefy fork up front and a monoshock with an aluminum swingarm at the back. The monoshock features a remote hand-operated preload adjuster, too. With full adjustability, you can easily fine-tune the suspension to the riding conditions, whether you want stiffness for sporty riding or softness for broken tarmac.

The bike sits on a 19/17-inch wheel setup, which is ideal for road-focused adventure riding. The 19-inch front wheel strikes the perfect balance between lightweight handling and decent composure over bad roads. For off-roading, Suzuki offers the V-Strom 1050DE, with a 21-inch front wheel. Rounding out the underpinnings package on the V-Strom 1050 are a pair of Tokico radial-mount four-pot calipers at the front and a single Nissin caliper at the back.

Frame and Suspension Specs

Proper Adventure Touring Comfort, Supported By S.I.R.S. Tech Package

Seat Height: 33.7 in.

In true Suzuki fashion, the V-Strom 1050’s design isn’t going to win any design awards, but it doesn’t need to. It’s inspired by the DR-Z Dakar rally bike and the DR-Big dual sport, focusing on long-distance comfort and function. For instance, the windscreen and front cowl are wind-tunnel tested to ensure optimal wind protection and noise on the highway. The windscreen features seven height settings and can be adjusted by hand.

The adjustability extends to the seat as well, allowing it to be lowered or raised to suit your height. Even the tank is narrow at the back for more comfort at a standstill. The riding triangle should feel neutral for most riders, too, thanks to the tall handlebars and slightly rear-set footpegs. While comfort is subjective, the V-Strom promises to be a highly comfortable adventure bike for long days in the saddle.

This comfort is supported by a range of electronics and rider aids. The bike features a 5-inch TFT display, along with a USB port at the front. You also get to enjoy standard cruise control for the highway, a quickshifter for sporty riding, and Low RPM Assist and Hill Hold for the streets. Finally, ABS and traction control are always there to save your bacon. Suzuki also offers a range of Genuine Suzuki Accessories, including side and top cases, heated grips, low-profile seats, aux lights, and engine protectors.

Suzuki Intelligent Ride Systems (S.I.R.S.) Includes

• Cruise control
• Suzuki Bi-Directional Quick Shifter
• Motion Track Anti-Lock Brakes
• Combined Brake System
• Hill Hold System
• Slope Dependent Control System
• Load Dependent Control System
• Suzuki Drive Mode Selector (S-DMS)
• Suzuki Easy Start System
• Suzuki Low RPM Assist System
• Advanced Traction Control

Although You Do Miss Out On Some Tempting Features Of The Africa Twin

In motorcycling, you get what you pay for and vice versa. So, while you save over $2,000 with the V-Strom 1050, you do miss out on a few tempting features of the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES. The biggest of which is the Showa EERA semi-active suspension that adapts to various riding conditions on the go. It’s a brilliant piece of tech that takes the bike’s comfort to the next level, eliminating the need to set the suspension every time the road surface changes. As good as it is, it can be seen as one more thing that can go wrong, too!

Honda also offers the Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES with a dual clutch transmission (DCT), which may not impress purists but can be an excellent comfort add-on. This DCT gives the bike a twist-and-go character, so you no longer have to bother with shifting gears. Such things are bound to raise the cost, but if you don’t care about them, the Suzuki V-Strom 1050 stands as a more sensible choice. Like we mentioned, the money you save with the Suzuki is enough to buy gas for over 27,000 miles.