My newly acquired V-Strom 1000 meets my 1250 Bandit, New Year’s Day, 2011
Ever since I returned from my second Alaska ride last July, I’ve wanted to post a few thoughts on the two bikes that carried me there. For those just tuning in, both were 2007 Suzuki’s that I purchased new. A Bandit 1250 was my mount in 2008. And a non-current model V-Strom 1000 was used on the most recent ride, one that took me all the way to Prudhoe Bay. Obviously both traversed the length of the Alaska Highway and back, and crossed the vast prairie lands of Western Canada in the process.
The Alaska Highway, July, 2008
Both machines were totally reliable, with a minor electrical glitch on the Bandit taken care of under warranty being the only issue. As I’ve stated on this blog before, the Bandit’s inline-four is superior in power. The Strom’s 90 degree v-twin just can’t match the four’s wide power band and low end grunt. The Bandit will easily lug down to 2500 RPM in 6th, whereas anything under 3000 RPM or around 60 mph has the Strom asking for a downshift.
The Alaska Highway, July, 2011
As a practical matter, there was nothing on the ride the Strom’s motor couldn’t handle. Both bikes knock down mileage in the low forties, with the Strom having a slight advantage of a couple MPG. Combining that with its 5.8 gallon, versus the Bandit’s 5.0 capacity gives it an edge in range, around 240 to 200. But since the longest stretch on the Alaska Highway without services is about 120 miles, neither bike had me worried about having to push them. The Dalton Highway is another story. From Coldfoot to Prudhoe Bay it is 240 long, lonely miles with no services whatsoever. The Strom made on one tank, but literally on fumes; it died in the parking lot of the Arctic Caribou Inn. I did not ride the Bandit that far north, but extra fuel would have been mandatory if it were to go the distance. And I did carry an extra gallon on the Strom for insurance.
Arctic Caribou Inn, Prudhoe Bay Alaska, July 2011
Comfort wise, the Strom’s larger fairing, upright riding posture and better saddle made the five to six hundred mile days much more pleasant than on the Bandit. In fact, the latest ride’s final day tally of 1400 miles in 28 hours probably wouldn’t have been possible other wise. Both bikes carried the same set of Givi luggage: PLX 35 side cases and 46 liter top box. Even loaded with a large amount of gear both bikes were completely stable, even on the worst frost heaves in the Yukon.
To expound a bit on the subject of handling; even though equipped with budget suspension components, both machines were solid performers. One particular hundred-mile stretch of the Alaska Highway stands out. Loaded with twists and turns, the road gives the suspension, tires and brakes a thorough workout. Both bikes stuck to the pavement and were an absolute blast!For the record, the Strom was shod with Bridgestone Trailwings, and the Bandit rode on Avon Storm AV 46 Azaros. Each set of rubber did the job, however the rear tires were in need of replacement far sooner than normal. The roads of the north eat rubber. For the Dalton Highway, I had a set of Continental TCK 80s installed in Fairbanks. I am sure that they were largely responsible for my surviving the muddy conditions I encountered there.
Atigun Pass on the Dalton Highway July, 2011
The pair still reside in my garage, and I don’t plan on selling either one! The Bandit is now used for short hops, and the Strom will be my serious travelling machine. This is mostly due to its superior level of comfort. As an aside, this was not my last ride to Alaska. The next trip will center on the western side of the Rockies, and take me to Hyder Alaska. From there I’ll head for Haines Junction , home of the Village Bakery, the best in the Yukon, as I work my way to Haines Alaska for a ferry ride south.
Eventually, I would like to ride the Canol Road and the Demster Highway, both of which terminate in the Northwest Territories. And maybe even take another crack at the Dalton. However, my experiences on that road have convinced me that nothing larger than an 800 should be ridden, as a lighter bike would be of great value. The newly revised V-Strom looks interesting, but as a 650 I don’t think the power output will match the still substantial weight. It is after all based on the ten-year-old 1000. Hopefully in the next few years Suzuki will come out with a truly new adventure–tourer. I have been a big fan of their machines since my teen years on a TS-90 Honcho and TS and TM 125s. I would like to continue the tradition.
