36 Honda 2002

Red shows why it’s Big.

42 RC51

For your inner Colin Edwards.

46 Milan 2002

New models from Italy.

49 KTM 950

Austria's V-Twin makes some noise.

50 CIV Q&A: Ivano Beggio

Moto Guzzi makeover.

52 Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom

Enter the "sport enduro tourer.”

54 Suzuki DR-Z400S

Dual-purpose redone.

56 Ducati ST4s

Ducati's sportiest-tourer.

58 Sport-Tourer

Spotter’s Guide

Ones for the road,

60 Freedom at Last!

Victory tweaks its V-Twin.

62 Captain America

Triumph chops the Bonnie.

66 Vertemati C500

Bucks-up berm-blaster.

67 BMW Adventure GS

Boondocks Beemer.

68 Green Streakers

Kawasaki KX125 &KX250.

72 KTM 125 SX

Why Austrians yodel.

84 Long-Term Wrap-Up

Harley-Davidson FXDXT Dyna

Super Glide T-Sport.

88 Dainese T. Age

Professional Leathers

The T stands for technical.

90 Acerbis Carbon G Gloves

Five-fingered flak jackets.

100 Roberts Disarmed

Kenny’s conundrum.

-by Kevin Cameron

10 UPFRONT

Wind machine.

-by David Edwards

14 LEANINGS

Canadian Ducks.

-by Peter Egan

18 TDC

Anyone can do it.

-by Kevin Cameron

■ *

20 Hotshots

26 New Ideas

28 Roundup

86 CW Library

124 Service

128 CW Showcase

138 Slipstream

AS MODEL NAMES GO, “V-STROM” MAY NOT

have the staying power of GSX-R. Katana

or even DR-Z. Good thing this new

TL1000-engined "sport enduro tourer” has

other merits on which to stand. In fact, if Suzuki’s

gushing description of the new DL1000 is accurate,

buyers will likely care less what name is plastered

to the fairing sides; they'll just want to ride.

And ride. And ride.

Begin with the engine, a derivative of the liquid-

cooled, dohc, eight-valve, 996cc V-Twin that in TL

trim produced 105 horsepower and 68 foot-pounds

of torque at the rear wheel. For the DL, Suzuki

spec’d a new fuel-injection system that borrows from

the new GSX-Rs. Twin 45mm injectors are managed

by two throttle valves, a primary unit

controlled by the rider via the twist-

>5%*^ grip, and a secondary operated by

an elec-

tronic

servo

motor,

which

opens the

valve progressive-

ly to maintain

maximum intake

velocity.

The DL also

makes use of a new

“Auto First Idling

System,” which

sets both primary

and secondary throttle-

valve openings when the

engine is first fired.

Engine coolant tempera-

ture is continually moni-

tored, and idle speed is

upped until the coolant

reaches normal operating

temp. Smaller intake

valves (36 vs. 40mm) and

shorter camshaft timing

with reduced lift are the

only other internal engine

changes. The six-speed

transmission, meanwhile, has

wider ratios, and the clutch is

larger in diameter with addition-

al plates. Hydraulic actuation

eases effort at the lever.

The chassis is a twin-spar alu-

minum affair, with a convention-

al 43mm fork and linkage-type

rear suspension mated to an aluminum

swingarm. Both the cartridge fork and

preload/rebound-adjustablc piggyback shock offer

more than 6 inches of pothole-swallowing travel for

the radial-tired 19/17-inch cast-aluminum wheels.

Up front, dual 310mm discs and twin-piston calipers

manage braking. A single 260mm/single-piston

setup resides at the rear. Steering geometry is conser-

vative, with 26.5 degrees of rake and 4.3 inches of

trail. Wheelbase measures 61.0 inches. Claimed dry

weight is 456 pounds.

You’ll need a lengthy inseam to tackle the nearly...