For 2020 the big V-Strom got a new name, the V-Strom 1050, and an “all new” designation from Suzuki. It would follow from the name that the bike must have received a bump in displacement for 2020 much as Honda’s Africa Twin enjoyed for 2020. But this is where things get a bit fuzzy. The V-Strom’s displacement in closer to 1050 than 1000 at 1037cc but it is the same displacement that the bike had as the V-Strom 1000. There have been improvements to boost power including increasing valve lift, compression rates and larger throttle bodies combined with a new engine management which is ride-by-wire but displacement has remained the same. There are other technical improvements including increased radiator cooling capacity, a liquid cooled oil cooler and a slightly revised exhaust system.
What is most noticeable about the 2020 V-Strom is the front end styling changes that are said to pay tribute to the DR Big and DR-Z Desert Racer. The new look is chunky in the front with a big square stacked headlight that looks as though it may have been borrowed from the new Katana and a new height adjustable windscreen said to reduce turbulence. Behind the headlight is an all new, multifunction display.
So is it all new or revised? We are going to go with a revision of what was already a good offering be it called a 1000 or 1050.
