For 2023, Suzuki did an overhaul of their flagship adventurer, giving it a significant off-road upgrade in the form of a 21″ front wheel, increased suspension travel and ground clearance, a more-rigid swingarm and subframe, larger serrated footpegs, beefier sump protection, a new dedicated Gravel ride mode, off-road ABS, and more. 

In the past, the liter-class V-Strom had been a smooth, reliable and comfortable mount with excellent low-end torque but Suzuki lagged behind the times as other top manufacturers made major advancements in the off-road capability of their big-bore machines. Now it appears Suzuki is playing a bit of catch up with trends in the market. Was it too little too late? Or better late than never?

We recently got our hands on a 1050DE and put it through its paces over several days of rigorous off-road testing. In this video, we evaluate its performance in sand, technical single track, whoops, hill climbs, and more. Plus we ring it out on some proper twisty roads and clock some hours on the super slab to see if its street prowess was retained after the updates.

Although, before we could analyze the true off-road potential of the big Strom, we had to swap out the road-oriented tires that come standard on the machine for some legit dual sport knobbies (rated 70% Dirt / 30% street) in the form of the Heidenau K60 Rangers. These offered a significant improvement in loose terrain that allowed us to push the limits with greater confidence, while still providing plenty of grip on the street for spirited riding.

So are the latest round of changes to the Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE a major upgrade in off-road performance? We have answers to all your burning questions and more. Thanks for checking out the video and let us know your thoughts and questions in the comments below.

Photos by Ely Woody and Simon Cudby

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.