V-Strom 1000 Goes Full Bore Off-Road With New Upgrade Kit
Hessler Motorsports kit adds legit off-road performance to the Big Zook.
We don’t think that anyone ever confused a V-Strom 1000 for a desert racer – until now. Hailing from Germany, Hessler Motorsports focuses completely on Suzuki dual-sport/ADV machines. Their online shop offers products for the full range of Yellow bikes from small DRs to the V-Strom 1000, with some RMZ Rally stuff thrown in as well. What caught our eye, though, is Hessler’s latest full-bike build, the V-Strom Desert Express.
One of the main features of this overall build is that Hessler claims it is “the lightest two-cylinder travel enduro” available. Obviously, they must be talking about 1000ccs and up since there are smaller, lighter twin-cylinder ADVs out there (a few that come to mind are the V-Strom 650, BMW F 800 GS, F 700 GS, and Versys 300). Regardless, a stock V-Strom 1000 clocks in at a claimed 514 lbs (233 kg) and the Desert Express’ wet weight is a claimed 481 lbs (218 kg) which is a notable accomplishment. Along with a serious diet, this bike has upgraded and lengthened suspension, dirt protection, and bigger wheels pushing it from “light-duty,” to legit off-road capability.
Weight
Looking at the provided specs, the weight savings appears to be coming from a combination of replacing the stock battery with a lightweight lithium ion battery and a greatly simplified and slimmed-down subframe/rear fender section. Another possible weight savings is the rally seat. Stock seat foam is actually very heavy and by using a different compound of foam, an aftermarket seat can save pounds of weight that his high up on the bike (something to note: The rally seat is handmade and based on the Suzuki Genuine Accessories 34.6 high seat). We are also pretty confident that the Yoshimura muffler is much lighter than the stock can.
Performance
Performance wise, the motor is stock but they did change the sprockets to 45/17 from the 41/17. Obviously this will lower the overall speed but give the bike more power and response on the low-end, helping its off-road ability. Also, there is the aforementioned Yoshimura Signature R-77 Slip-On SS-SS-CF muffler to help the bike breath easier.
Suspension and Chassis
Moving on to what really transforms this bike – custom long-travel suspension and a spoked 21/18-inch wheelset. The fork has been upgraded with Wilbers Performance Suspension internals and has an increased travel of 8.7 inches from 6.3 inches. The lower triple clamp is also an aftermarket piece branded with “HRT” which looks to be cnc’d aluminum rather than the stock cast piece. Out back, the stock shock is replaced with a Wilbers unit that has 8.7 inches of travel (6.3 stock), an external oil reservoir, and adjustable high- and low-speed compression. Upon request, a shock with hydraulic preload adjustment is also available. The wheels have Excel rims laced to Haan hubs.
Extras
Some extra bits to round out the build include a HRT aluminum and carbon-kevlar skid plate, Zeta levers, full-wrap handguards, shift pedal tip, and brake clevis and pedal, HRT crash bars with plastic radiator bumpers, Pivot Pegz, and a custom decal kit. If you already have a V-Strom 1000, any and/or all of these parts can be ordered “a la carte”, or if you have approximately 20 grand burning a hole in your pocket, you can buy the whole shebang including the bike (shipping not included).
For more information go to www.dr-big-shop.de.
Suzuki V-Strom 1000 Desert Express Specs
Approximate Price: | $24,662.37 (€19,999) – with bike |
Sprockets: | 45/17 |
Final drive ratio: | 2.65 |
Fork: | Wilbers internals, 8.7 inches of travel |
Shock: | Wilbers Type 641 Competition, rebound and high- and low-speed compression damping, 8.7 inches of travel |
Brakes: | Steel brake lines |
Front Wheel: | 21 x MT 2.15 “+ 90-90-21” M / C TT |
Rear Wheel: | 18 x MT 2.50 “+ 140-80-18 “M / C TT |
Triple Clamp: | HRT aluminum, adjustable steering stop 36 ° to 31 ° |
Battery: | 12V 4Ah (power output 48 Wh) Lithium-ion with display, waterproof |
Seat Height: | 37 inches |
Weight, tank full: | 481 lbs. |
Ground Clearance: | 8.9 inches |
Tires: | Pirelli Rallycross |
Exhaust: | Yoshimura Signature R-77 Slip-On SS-SS-CF |
Chain: | DID 525ZVMX |
Skid plate: | aluminum and carbon-kevlar |
Shift levers: | Zeta |
Handguards: | Zeta full-wrap |
Sift pedal tip: | Zeta |
Brake pedal and clevis: | Zeta |
Crash Bars: | HRT |
Foot pegs: | Pivot Pegz |
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$25K for this bike or $16.8K for a KTM 1190 Adventure R.
You could buy a KTM for much less…
If you buy a KTM you’ll be paying the difference in upkeep. Suzuki will outlast KTM ten-fold.
Complete Bullshit. Vstroms are great but don’t put a ring in a sow’s ear. Pointless.
Buy the bike off the shelf that you need, and if you are one of the few (000000.1%) that actually puts an ADV though the stuff you see in magazine ads, buy the KTM and save $8000 or whatever it is.
that’s right. Get what you need and have the joy of adding worthwhile improvements as you go.
My 2014 Vstrom got a proper engine skid guard, a rise of 1 and 1/8 inches in the rear, crash bars, bar risers and proper hand guards. For that modest outlay it is a better bike than stock and has done 20K on various dirt surfaces.
It’s nothing to impress the expensive boys with but enjoyable and quietly capable
too right – I just talked to a guy selling his 38,000 km 2015 KTM 1190R. A “selling” point was that it had brand new engine bearings.
My poverty pack 2014 Vstrom 1000 has done double that mileage without anything apparently changing in feel from new. I like it more nearly 6 years on than when new.
And best not mention the engine heat of those powerful adventure bikes (that he admitted was his main reason for selling)
I have a 2018 vstrom 650xt. Put 7k on it in one month easy. 80% road 20k off. Gravel, sand, dirt, etc.. it did it all. Dropped it more than a few times picked it up and kept going. Nothing to brag about. It just does the job. I was loaded down too. Ate And camped off the bike every night. I put my own upgrades on it because I know I’m going to keep it for years!
Hi! Just curious about this upgrade kit.. How much does it cost?
They mention it in the article. About $20k for the whole thing.
Including the bike…
YES! Read the first line in the specs table!….
wouldn’t changing the front wheel size affect the ABS and traction control systems?