Concept: Dual Explorer – the Off-Road Flagship of the Big V-Strom Family, Inspired by the DR Big

With the 1050DE, Suzuki takes the Dual Explorer concept to full-size adventure-bike dimensions: a 21-inch wire-spoke front wheel, 170 mm of front suspension travel, 190 mm of ground clearance, a 40 mm wider aluminum handlebar, stronger steel footpegs, a longer swingarm and 40 mm more wheelbase, Gravel mode, switchable rear ABS, an aluminum skid plate, and crash bars – all standard.

Its visual inspiration is the legendary DR Big of the 1990s. Model year 2026 is technically unchanged. Suzuki reduces the price by EUR 760 to EUR 15,590 and adds three new color schemes.

Test riders describe the 1050DE as stable, predictable, and pleasant on the road, while remaining capable in light to medium off-road terrain. The message is clear: this is not an uncompromising dirt weapon, but a large adventure-tourer designed for mixed use.

Engine: 1,037 cc, 90-Degree V-Twin, 100 Nm – Refined, Linear and Strong From 2,000 rpm

Engine and core electronics are identical to the standard V-Strom 1050: 106 hp, or 78 kW, at 8,500 rpm, 100 Nm at 6,000 rpm, Bosch six-axis IMU, cornering ABS, cruise control from 25 to 160 km/h, and a bidirectional quickshifter as standard.

The DE adds Gravel traction-control mode and switchable rear ABS. From around 2,000 rpm, the V-twin pulls strongly and delivers power in a linear, easy-to-meter way. That predictability is particularly valuable on loose surfaces.

Top speed is around 195 km/h, compared with roughly 205 km/h for the standard model. Consumption is about 4.9 L/100 km; the 20-liter tank provides more than 400 km of theoretical range. The cultivated V-twin remains one of the motorcycle’s strongest arguments.

Chassis: Fully Adjustable 43 mm KYB, 170 mm Travel, 21-Inch Wire-Spoke Wheel

The fully adjustable 43 mm KYB fork is longer than the standard model’s unit and offers compression, rebound, and spring-preload adjustment. The rear shock allows preload and rebound adjustment. Compared with the standard 1050, the DE is tuned more softly and provides 170 mm of front travel and 169 mm at the rear.

The 40 mm longer wheelbase shifts the geometry toward greater off-road stability. Steering-head angle is 62.7 degrees instead of 64 degrees, while trail grows to 126 mm from 110 mm. The 21-inch wire-spoke front wheel rolls more calmly over larger bumps and rough surfaces.

Despite its 252 kg ready-to-ride weight, the DE remains surprisingly light-footed through direction changes and never feels genuinely cumbersome once moving. Compared with the standard 1050, there is a little more chassis movement in fast cornering – a small road compromise for a meaningful off-road gain. Braking uses radial four-piston front calipers on twin 310 mm discs. Rear ABS can be switched off, a DE-exclusive feature.

Electronics: Gravel Mode and Switchable Rear ABS on Top of the Full 1050 Package

The 1050DE carries the full S.I.R.S. package of the standard 1050 – six-axis IMU, cornering ABS, cruise control, Hill Hold, and Load Dependent Control – and adds two off-road-specific functions.

Gravel traction-control mode permits more rear-wheel slip without allowing the engine to spin the tire completely unchecked. Controlled drifts on gravel are possible, although the system obviously cannot prevent every crash. Switchable rear ABS is particularly useful on steep loose-surface descents, where locking the rear wheel can be an important part of speed control.

Ergonomics: Fixed 880 mm Seat Height, Wider Handlebar, Smaller Windshield

Seat height is a fixed 880 mm, 25 mm higher than the standard 1050 and not adjustable. For shorter riders, that is a real challenge. The handlebar sits high enough for comfortable standing, while its extra 40 mm of width and the broader steel footpegs significantly improve control when standing on the pegs.

The DE’s tinted windshield is 80 mm shorter than the standard model and can only be adjusted with tools, a recurring criticism. Wind protection remains adequate for average-height riders. Riders wanting more coverage can fit the standard 1050 windshield, while an optional quick-release adjustment lever is available.

Standard equipment includes an aluminum skid plate, crash bars, USB port, 12-volt outlet, center stand, and 5-inch TFT display.

V-Strom 1050DE vs. Standard 1050: Who Should Choose the DE?

The DE makes sense for riders who regularly include gravel roads and light off-road terrain, do not mind the higher seat, and want crash bars plus an aluminum skid plate as standard. It costs EUR 600 more than the standard 1050 and weighs 10 kg more.

Riders who stay primarily on pavement benefit more from the standard model’s tool-free adjustable windshield, lower 855 mm seat height, and quicker handling from its 19-inch cast front wheel.

Cost: EUR 15,590 – Better Positioned After the Biggest Price Cut in the 1050 Range

At EUR 15,590 before ancillary charges, the MY2026 reduction of EUR 760 significantly improves the 1050DE’s market position. Direct rivals include the Honda Africa Twin 1100 Adventure Sports, KTM 890 Adventure R, and BMW F850GS Adventure. Within Suzuki’s own lineup, the V-Strom 800DE offers less engine performance and displacement but more suspension travel at a substantially lower price.

Verdict

The V-Strom 1050DE is fundamentally a well-conceived large adventure-tourer: proven V-twin character, a complete IMU-based electronics package with genuine off-road extras, a 21-inch front wheel, and real protection hardware. Its 252 kg weight and fixed 880 mm seat height define the limits. Riders who can live with those numbers get a durable, versatile all-rounder at a noticeably fairer price for 2026.

 

Quick Check

+ 21-inch wire-spoke front wheel standard; Dunlop Trailmax 90/90-21 front tire.

+ 170 mm front / 169 mm rear suspension travel; 190 mm ground clearance; fully adjustable KYB fork.

+ DE-exclusive Gravel traction-control mode allows controlled rear-wheel slip.

+ DE-exclusive switchable rear ABS is highly useful on loose-surface descents.

+ Crash bars and aluminum skid plate standard.

+ 40 mm wider aluminum handlebar and steel footpegs improve standing control compared with the standard 1050.

+ Same 106-hp / 100-Nm V-twin; cruise control, cornering ABS, bidirectional quickshifter, and Hill Hold standard.

+ Despite 252 kg, the bike remains surprisingly light-footed through direction changes.

+ MY2026 price reduced by EUR 760 to EUR 15,590.

 

– 252 kg: 10 kg heavier than the standard model and a significant mass in hard off-road riding.

– Fixed 880 mm seat height is not adjustable and is challenging for shorter riders.

– Windshield is 80 mm shorter than the standard model’s and requires tools for adjustment.

– 170/169 mm suspension travel is appropriate for mixed use but limited for serious off-road terrain compared with more dirt-focused rivals.

– At 252 kg, this remains a large adventure-tourer, not a lightweight enduro.

– MY2026 technically unchanged since MY2023; no USB-C or cornering cruise control.

 

Technical Specifications: Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE (2026)

Brand / Model: Suzuki V-Strom 1050DE, Dual Explorer; available since MY2023; MY2026 technically unchanged; price reduced

Engine: Liquid-cooled DOHC 90-degree V-twin; 1,037 cc; two iridium spark plugs per cylinder; sodium-filled exhaust valves; 49 mm ride-by-wire throttle bodies; six-speed; chain drive; Euro 5+

Power: 106 hp / 78 kW at 8,500 rpm

Torque: 100 Nm at 6,000 rpm; strong power from around 2,000 rpm

Top Speed / Consumption: Approx. 195 km/h; 4.9 L/100 km; 20-liter tank; more than 400 km theoretical range

Frame: Aluminum twin-spar frame; bolt-on reinforced rear subframe

Fork: 43 mm KYB USD; fully adjustable for compression, rebound, and preload; 170 mm travel

Rear Shock: Monoshock; preload + rebound adjustable; 169 mm travel

Front Brakes: Twin 310 mm discs; radial four-piston calipers; IMU-supported cornering ABS

Rear Brake: Cornering ABS; rear-wheel ABS switchable for off-road use, DE-exclusive

Electronics: Bosch six-axis IMU; cornering ABS; three-level traction control + Gravel mode + OFF; cruise control 25–160 km/h; Hill Hold; CBS/LCDS; three riding modes A/B/C; bidirectional quickshifter; SCAS

Cockpit: 5-inch TFT with day/night mode; USB port; 12V outlet under seat

Windshield: Tinted; 80 mm shorter than standard model; tool-adjusted; optional quick-release adjustment lever

Wheels / Tires: 21-inch wire-spoke front with tube / 17-inch tubeless rear; Dunlop Trailmax 90/90-21 front / 150/70R17 rear

Standard Equipment: Aluminum skid plate; crash bars; center stand; USB + 12V; quickshifter; cruise control; stronger chain

Handlebar / Footpegs: Handlebar 40 mm wider than standard 1050; steel footpegs instead of aluminum

Weight: 252 kg ready to ride, 10 kg more than standard 1050

Seat Height: 880 mm fixed, non-adjustable

Wheelbase / Geometry: 1,595 mm wheelbase, 40 mm longer than standard; 62.7-degree steering-head angle; 126 mm trail; 190 mm ground clearance

Fuel Tank / Range: 20 liters; more than 400 km theoretical range

MY2026 Changes: Price reduced from EUR 16,350 to EUR 15,590, down EUR 760; three new colors: Glass Sparkle Black/Matte Black, Champion Yellow/Glass Sparkle Black, White/Black with Blue

Difference vs. Standard 1050: 21 vs. 19-inch front wheel; wire-spoke wheels; 170/169 vs. 160/160 mm travel; 880 vs. 855 mm seat height; 252 vs. 242 kg; Gravel mode + switchable rear ABS exclusive; aluminum skid plate + crash bars; smaller tool-adjusted windshield; EUR 600 more

German Price: From EUR 15,590 plus ancillary charges