Suzuki V-Strom 1000 XT 2017–2019: Specs & Facts

The Machine's Character

The V-Strom 1000 XT spends its money where a touring rider actually feels it. The 1037 cc 90-degree V-twin makes 101 hp and 74 lb-ft, delivered wide and low so you rarely need to stir the gearbox, and it sits in an aluminum twin spar frame on a 19-inch front wheel with adjustable suspension at both ends. The rider aids are present but restrained: ABS with a cornering function, traction control, low-rpm assist, and an easy start button. There is no color screen, no ride modes, no electronic suspension. In this class that reads as a deliberate choice, not a shortfall.

Ride it and the character is calm instead of sharp. It settles into a rhythm you don't have to manage, and it ages the same way: service work stays simple, parts stay cheap, and the running costs never sting. That makes it a strong pick for riders who cover real distance, load the bike up, and want to come home with nothing on the fix list. The honest caveat is what's underneath. With 6.3 in (160 mm) of travel at each end and 6.5 in (165 mm) of ground clearance, it's happy on gravel and graded dirt and out of its depth on genuinely rough trail.

Hard Numbers

Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.

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Key specifications
Power	101 hp (74 kW)
Torque	74 lb-ft (100 Nm)
Displacement	1037 cc
Engine	90° V-twin
Cooling	Liquid-cooled
Gearbox	6-speed
Final drive	Chain
Fork	Upside-down (USD)
Front tire	110/80-19
Rear tire	150/70-17
Ground clearance	6.5 in (165 mm)
Front travel	6.3 in (160 mm)
Rear travel	6.3 in (160 mm)
Seat height	33.5 in (850 mm)
Wet weight	511 lb (232 kg)
Fuel capacity	5.3 gal (20 L)
Fuel economy	49 mpg (US)

Equipment check

Chassis

Front Suspension Adjustable Standard
Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard

Comfort

Heated Grips Optional
Luggage System Optional

Safety

ABS Standard
Cornering ABS Standard
Traction Control Standard

Known issues

Clutch shudder / chudder at idle

drivetrain occasional

Some owners report a low-speed clutch shudder or rattle, often appearing after the first break-in oil change. It does not affect performance but can be annoying. Changing to a different oil brand may reduce the noise.

The Expert Benchmark

Where this Suzuki V-Strom 1000 XT pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.

What kind of bike this is — character vs. the class

Long-Range Trust

Offroad Credibility

Suspension Range & Load Control

Luggage-Ready Escape Value

Low-Speed Balance

Rider Command While Standing

Torque in the Dirt

This bike Class average

The shape of the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 XT — numbers and character vs. the average Adventure

Head-to-head: Suzuki V-Strom 1000 XT vs. its rivals

Power

101 hp This bike 95 hp Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 112 hp Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere 102 hp Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 8V 105 hp KTM 890 Adventure

Torque

74 lb-ft This bike 72 lb-ft Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 84 lb-ft Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere 83 lb-ft Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 8V 74 lb-ft KTM 890 Adventure

Displacement

1037 cc This bike 998 cc Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 1199 cc Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere 1151 cc Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 8V 889 cc KTM 890 Adventure

Wet weight

511 lb This bike 534 lb Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 575 lb Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere 600 lb Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 8V

Seat height

33.5 in This bike 34.3 in Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin 33.3 in Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere 32.3 in Moto Guzzi Stelvio 1200 8V 32.7 in KTM 890 Adventure

The Long-Haul Verdict

Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the V-Strom 1000 XT is actually built for.

Aerial view of a winding asphalt road cutting through volcanic terrain on La Gomera, Canary Islands. The road curves through sparse green vegetation with rocky volcanic peaks visible in the background and a settled valley to the left. Clear lane markings, dry climate, partly cloudy sky.

Best touring motorcycle for long distance?

For long weeks aimed at Trail Ridge, Beartooth, and Going-to-the-Sun, this fits: comfortable, steady when loaded two-up, cheap to run. Budget for the missing cruise control on interstate days.

Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road

Best motorcycle for Highway 1?

Made for 200 to 400 mile days on the Blue Ridge Parkway or Highway 1. It's plush and easygoing rather than sharp, so if you want a hard edge through the corners, this isn't your bike.

Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway

What's new versus the previous generation

If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.

Previous generation · 2014–2016

Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (DD)

The V-Twin That Overdelivers

Compare to the previous model →

Alternatives to the Suzuki V-Strom 1000 XT

If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.

Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Suzuki V-Strom 1000 XT. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.