Suzuki is bringing back its V-Strom 1000 for 2012 and adding a new U.S.-only  “Adventure” version with luggage.

The 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 is unchanged from its previous version, last offered as a 2009 model. It’s powered by the same 996cc liquid cooled, fuel-injected 90-degree V-Twin engine as the previous model.

What is new is the V-Strom 1000 Adventure which is exclusive to the U.S. market. However, the only feature denoting the Adventure model are nylon (plastic rather than, say, aluminum) side cases and top box. This luggage set is more along the lines of traditional aftermarket luggage rather than the luggage standard on the 650 ABS Adventure. The 1000 Adventure also lacks engine guards and adjustable upper windscreen deflector that are standard features on the 650 Adventure

The base 2012 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 will retail for $10,399 while the V-Strom 1000 Adventure (available only in black) will cost just $600 more at $10,999.
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OEMs are getting hip to online publishing insatiable appetite for new news. Suzuki is the latest company to trickle out bits of info about its upcoming new model, in this case, numerous teaser images of what looks to be the 2012 V-Strom.

The biggest unknown at this point is what Suzuki has done to the old DL650’s V-Twin engine. It might be something as simple (and cheap) as a repurposed 647cc Gladius engine, but it might be enlarged to better compete with BMW’s F800GS and Triumph’s new Tiger 800 (speaking of which, check out our review of the new Tigers).

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Suzuki has released a another teaser for its upcoming “Middle-class New Motorcycle”.

We wrote about the previous teaser last week, speculating the new motorcycle is an updated Suzuki V-Strom, possibly a V-Strom 650 with a retuned version of the Gladius’ engine. A commenter named Steven suggested it might be a V-Strom 1000 instead. I guess it depends on how Suzuki defines “middle-class”. Perhaps the new model will split the difference with an 800cc engine to compete against the BMW F800GS and Triumph’s new Tiger 800.

The new teaser shows a bit more detail than the previous image … though not by much.

It also remains to be seen how “adventure” worthy the new Suzuki will be. The V-Strom DL650 is billed as a dual sport but it leans more in the road oriented direction.

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