Faults:

Nothing so far.

General Comments:

Best saddle ever had. Extremely comfortable. Can ride miles without stops.

20 liter fuel tank will take you farther than any motorcycle in its category.

Ample power. Can ride curvy roads just as good as any sports bike.

Self maintenance, quite simple.

Faults:

I had upgraded to stator/crank sensor; two years later the crank sensor let go so I reinstalled the original parts. A little over a year after the original stator stopped working, I replaced the stator with a different upgrade. I must say that I had added a 1500 watt stereo and was charging my laptop and phone with the bike when traveling and touring in Europe for six months.

Wheel bearings let go when on a trip up to Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories in Northern Canada, but I suspect that it was because I had never changed the bearing and the road from Inuvik to Tuk I was travelling through over a foot of mud in many spots.

General Comments:

When I bought the bike it had an upgraded Sargents Seat and windscreen. So I can't attest to the functionality of the original parts. I can say it is a tough bike because I had an accident at 90-110 Kms and went over the handle bars. Luckily I escaped with minor injuries but pretzeled the forks. I ordered new tubs from China plus other minor parts from Ebay and put the bike back on the road with a little road rash for about 500 C$.

I did upgrade the windshield to a Givi Airflow which I am very happy with (a great investment). I am now travelling through Eastern Europe for 7 months and now in Turkey on my way to Kazakstan with that same bike with no issues other than normal wear parts.

With the bike, myself and gear we weigh 1000 lbs. The bike handles it without any issues. Most times I don't even downshift to pass, just time my passing.

I had been running a 16T front sprocket which worked very well. After almost 3 years running with this setup, I found that since I'm travelling so heavy I've returned to the original 15T because it's easier to handle the bike at slow speeds, off road and on the steep streets/roads in Europe.

General Comments:

The Suzuki V-Strom is the motorcycle for those who actually like to ride motorcycles rather than just keep them in the garage. Many claim that the bike is not sexy and not exciting enough. I would somewhat agree with the former, but definitely not with the latter. The motor is bulletproof and powerful enough for anything that any sane person would like to do. It does well on the highway (especially with an exchanged 16 T front sprocket) and has ample pulling power from low RPM. While the fairing may not be sexy, it is absolutely useful and well thought out. The V-Strom is a long-term love affair.

There are ample aftermarket options that anyone can use to customize and personalize the bike. Add a set of panniers (The Givi line offers excellent options) and your possibilities broaden from day rides and overnights to year long expeditions. I've found the bike no worse on fire and rougher dirt roads here in Colorado than any other street-oriented bike, but this one can be trail ready with a few of the before mentioned options, especially a skid plate. Anything that the V-Strom cannot do, and you are probably looking at dirt-oriented bikes such as the KLR or motocross.

If you want a motorcycle that is usable, generous, problem-free, and will serve you for many years, I can highly recommend the V-Strom.