Suzuki has unveiled the all-new 2014-model V-Strom 1000 ABS which is not only lighter, cleaner and more powerful than its predecessor but is also the first Suzuki to ever come with Traction Control. The V-Strom 1000 was originally introduced in 2002 and mildly updated in 2007, but in 2008 the adventure tourer was discontinued in Europe as it did not meet new Euro 3 emissions standards. Demand for dual-sport and adventure touring bikes remained strong, however, especially for the V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 650 ABS. All of this led Suzuki to doing a complete redesign of the V-Strom 1000 for 2014. Displacement of the liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, DOHC, 90-degree V-Twin has gone up from 996cc to 1037cc thanks to bigger 100.0mm pistons that weigh the same as the 98.0mm pistons they replace. Stroke remains 66.0mm, and compression ratio is still 11.3:1. The engine also gets new 10-hole-nozzle fuel injectors (up from four-holes per injector), iridium-tipped spark plugs (two per combustion chamber instead of one plug per cylinder on the previous model), more flywheel magneto inertia, revisions to the air box and a redesigned and lighter two-into-one exhaust system. The result is more peak horsepower, 99.2 bhp at 8000 rpm vs. 95.5 hp at 7600 rpm, and more maximum torque, 76.0 lbs.-ft. at 4000 rpm vs. 74.5 lbs.-ft. at 6400 rpm. And gains in the low-to-mid rpm range are even more substantial, according to Suzuki. The new engine and its revised fuel-injection system are also cleaner, and the V-Strom 1000 ABS now meets EURO3 emissions standards and has 16% better fuel economy. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox that works with a taller primary drive ratio, a taller sixth gear ratio and a new clutch with a Suzuki Clutch Assist System (SCAS). SCAS acts like a slipper-style clutch on downshifts while reducing clutch lever effort during normal operations, according to Suzuki. The revised powertrain is housed in a brand new, twin-spar aluminum frame that is more rigid and 13% lighter than the one it replaces. Wheelbase has gone up from 60.4 inches (1535mm) to 61.2 inches (1555mm) to increase stability, but agility has reportedly been retained by reducing the distance from the swingarm pivot to the front axle by 6mm and by going with more aggressive steering geometry, 25 degrees of rake and 109mm (4.3 inches) of trail compared with 26 degrees of rake and 111mm (4.4 inches) of trail on the previous machine. The chassis has been upgraded further with fully-adjustable 43mm inverted KYB forks and a KYB shock that is adjustable for rebound damping and spring preload via a tool-less remote adjuster knob. Axle diameters have increased front and rear, and the 10-spoke cast aluminum wheels (19.0 x 2.50 inches front, 17.0 x 4.00 inches rear) come wearing Bridgestone tires with higher speed ratings. And radial-mount, four-piston monoblock Tokico calipers have taken over for the old model’s two-piston pin-slide-type Tokico calipers and arrest the same 310mm (12.2 inches) dual front discs. The braking system also includes a Bosch ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) that cannot be turned off by the rider. The new single-muffler exhaust system, the new frame and a new radiator (which removes the need for a separate oil cooler) have reduced the “curb weight” of the V-Strom 1000 from 520 pounds (236 kg) to 502 pounds (228 kg). Finally, the V-Strom now comes with a standard traction control system, the first for any Suzuki streetbike. The system works by constantly monitoring data gathered from five sensors — front wheel speed, rear wheel speed, throttle position, gear position and crank position – and comparing that data with preprogrammed parameters. If rear tire slip is detected the new 32-bit Engine Control Unit (ECU) reacts by cutting ignition or reducing air delivery via the secondary butterfly valves in the throttle bodies or by doing both. There are three traction control modes. Mode One allows some rear tire slip, Mode Two allows less rear tire slip and the third setting is Off. The 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 ABS should be available in U.S. dealerships in late-March or early-April of 2014, but Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) was not available at post time.