2022 Suzuki V-Strom 1050 DE Vs 1988 Suzuki DR 750S BIG

Gaston Rahier next to his mammoth race bike

In 1988 Suzuki birthed a production model of the race bike Gaston Rahier had been campaigning in the Paris to Dakar Rally. Gaston’s bike was an evolutionary leap from the DR 500, Marc Joineau, rode to third place in 1983, but it was never able to crack the podium of the great race. In fact, Joineau’s third-place still stands as Suzuki’s highest placing.

For 2023, Suzuki has made several updates to the V-Strom 1050 line, including two new models: the V-Strom 1050DE and the V-Strom 1050DE Adventure. They replace the V-Strom 1050XT and 1050XT Adventure models.

With such a beautiful historic motorcycle, I would like someone to explain me why the design department has come to this. This V-Strom is not ugly, but is, in my opinion, not nearly as good as the original