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2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom Overview
For 2008, Suzuki offers the DL 1000 V-Strom as an enduro / off-road motorcycle with 996 cc on tap. The 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom is built around a Four stroke, 90°-V-twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 11.3:1. Out on the road, the DL 1000 V-Strom delivers 72 kW @ 7400 rpm of peak power and 101 Nm @ 6400 rpm of torque. Flat out, it's quoted at 207.5 km/h. In everyday use, the 2008 DL 1000 V-Strom tips the scales at 236 Kg, carries a 22-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 840 mm and spans a 1535 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 66.6 kg heavier than the average enduro / off-road motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom spec sheet below.
2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom compared with other bikes in the Enduro / Off-Road category
Measured against other bikes in the Enduro / Off-Road category in our database (up to 1434 models, one entry per model), the 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom comes out as follows.
- With 208 km/h, the DL 1000 V-Strom has the joint 35th highest top speed of 450 bikes in the Enduro / Off-Road category, 40% above the category average of 148 km/h.
- Engine displacement of 996 cc is larger than that of 1272 of the other 1433 bikes in the Enduro / Off-Road category.
- Only 106 of the other 773 bikes in the Enduro / Off-Road category have a heavier wet weight than the 236 kg of the DL 1000 V-Strom.
- Narrowing the field to the 140 models within five model years of it, the top speed of 208 km/h is higher than that of 110 of the other 139.
Versus the 2005 model
The figures we track are unchanged from the 2005 model: peak power, peak torque, wet weight, displacement, seat height and top speed all match.
2008 DL 1000 V-Strom - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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⚡
Strong power output: Peak output on the DL 1000 V-Strom is 72 kW @ 7400 rpm and 101 Nm @ 6400 rpm of torque - strong numbers for what it is.
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🔧
Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.
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🛑
Strong front braking: The disc front brake bites hard and stays consistent - a solid foundation whether it's stock or upgraded with braided lines.
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⛽
Large fuel range: With a 22-litre tank, this isn't a bike you'll be stopping for fuel every hour - a real asset on longer trips.
Considerations
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📏
Tall seat height: An 840 mm seat puts flat-footing out of reach for a lot of riders - sit on it in person before committing.
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⚙️
Chain final drive upkeep: A chain drivetrain is the most common setup in its class, but it's also the one that demands the most regular hands-on maintenance.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Cooling system servicing
With Liquid cooled, thermal management is largely automatic, but the coolant has a service life of its own - replace it on the manufacturer's interval to protect the water passages and thermostat.
Fuelling & injector care
Fuelling on the DL 1000 V-Strom comes from fuel injectionwith 45mm throttle bodies. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.
Brake disc and pad wear
2 x 310mm discs, 2 piston calipers up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.
Suspension condition on used examples
Suspension duties are handled by Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped, 43mm forks up front and Swingarm, coil spring, oil damped, adjustable for preload and rebound damping at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.
Final drive maintenance
Chain final drive on the DL 1000 V-Strom means routine lubing and tension checks are part of ownership - skip them and sprocket wear accelerates noticeably.
Frame & chassis check
The Aluminium, twin spar chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.
Handling the weight at a standstill
The DL 1000 V-Strom's 236 Kg kerb weight is worth factoring into how you handle it at a standstill - parking-lot manoeuvres need a bit more deliberate technique than on a lighter machine.
DL 1000 V-Strom - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
A pre-purchase check on the 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom with its 996 cc enduro / off-road should cover the same ground every time: service history, drivetrain condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. This model runs chain final drive, so check chain slack and sprocket tooth profile specifically - a worn sprocket is a cheaper fix now than after it's chewed up the next chain. Now 18 years old, this enduro / off-road is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept DL 1000 V-Strom settles to a smooth idle within seconds.
Oil and filter changes
Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for the DL 1000 V-Strom's 996 cc four stroke, 90°-v-twin, dohc, 4 valves per cylinder. - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. With an 11.3:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.
Fuel system care
Injector systems like the DL 1000 V-Strom's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.
2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom have?
The 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom uses a Four stroke, 90°-V-twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. engine with 996 cc of displacement. It is liquid cooled.
What is the top speed of the 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom?
The 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom has a factory-quoted top speed of 207.5 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom weigh?
The 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom weighs 236 Kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom make?
The 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom produces 72 kW @ 7400 rpm of power and 101 Nm @ 6400 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom?
The 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom has a 22-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 366-440 km between stops.
Is the 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom suitable for shorter riders?
The 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom has a seat height of 840 mm. This is towards the tall end of the spectrum and will require most riders under 175 cm to tiptoe at stops.
What brakes does the 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom have?
The 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom uses 2 x 310mm discs, 2 piston calipers at the front and single 260 mm disc, 1 piston caliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom use?
The 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom runs 110/80 R19 front and 150/70 R17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom have?
The 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.
Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom Spec Evolution
The Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom was produced across 8 model years (2003-2019). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2003 |
2005 |
2009 |
2013 |
2014 |
2016 |
2018 |
2019 |
| Max Power |
72 kW / 98 hp @ 7400 rpm |
72 kW / 98 hp @ 7400 rpm |
72 kW / 98 hp @ 7400 rpm |
72 kW / 98 hp @ 7400 rpm |
73.9 kW / 99.2 hp / @ 8000 rpm |
73.9 kW / 99.2 hp / @ 8000 rpm |
73.9 kW / 99.2 hp / @ 8000 rpm |
73.9 kW / 99.2 hp / @ 8000 rpm |
| Wet Weight |
236 Kg / 520 lbs |
236 Kg / 520 lbs |
236 Kg / 520 lbs |
252 kg / 555 lbs (with accessories) |
228 kg / 502.6 lbs |
228 kg / 502.6 lbs |
228 kg / 502.6 lbs |
228 kg / 502.6 lbs |
| Top Speed |
207.5 km/h / 128.9 mph |
207.5 km/h / 128.9 mph |
207.5 km/h / 128.9 mph |
207.5 km/h / 128.9 mph |
225 km/h / 140 mph |
- |
- |
- |
| Seat Height |
840 mm / 33.1 in |
840 mm / 33.1 in |
840 mm / 33.1 in |
840 mm / 33.1 in |
851 mm / 33.5 in |
850 mm / 33.6 in |
840 mm / 33.1 in |
840 mm / 33.1 in |
| Fuel Capacity |
22 Litres / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal |
22 Litres / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal |
22 Litres / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal |
22 Litres / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal |
20 Litres / 5.3 US gal / 4.4 Imp gal |
20 Litres / 5.3 US gal / 4.4 Imp gal |
20 Litres / 5.3 US gal / 4.4 Imp gal |
20 Litres / 5.3 US gal / 4.4 Imp gal |
| Displacement |
996 cc / 60.8 cu-in |
996 cc / 60.8 cu-in |
996 cc / 60.8 cu-in |
996 cc / 60.8 cu-in |
1037 cc / 63.2 cu-in |
1037 cc / 63.2 cu-in |
1037 cc / 63.2 cu-in |
1037 cc / 63.2 cu-in |
| Brakes - Front |
2 x 310mm discs, 2 piston calipers |
2 x 310mm discs, 2 piston calipers |
2 x 310mm discs, 2 piston calipers |
2 x 310mm discs, 2 piston calipers |
2 x 310 mm discs, 4 piston radial calipers, ABS |
2 x 310 mm discs, 4 piston radial calipers, ABS |
2 x 310 mm discs, 4 piston radial calipers, ABS |
2 x 310 mm discs, 4 piston radial calipers, ABS |
| Wheelbase |
1535 mm / 60.4 in |
1535 mm / 60.4 in |
1535 mm / 60.4 in |
1535 mm / 60.4 in |
1555 mm / 61.2 in |
1,535 mm / 60.4 in |
1,535 mm / 60.4 in |
1,535 mm / 60.4 in |
Key Specifications
Engine
Four stroke, 90°-V-twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
Power
72 kW / 98 hp @ 7400 rpm
Torque
101 Nm / 10.3 kg-m / 74.5 lb-ft @ 6400 rpm
Top Speed
207.5 km/h / 128.9 mph
Fuel Capacity
22 Litres / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal
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Full 2008 Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom Specifications
Year
2008 - 09
Make Model
Suzuki DL 1000 V-Strom
Seat Height
840 mm / 33.1 in
Wheelbase
1535 mm / 60.4 in
Ground Clearance
165 mm / 6.5 in
Height
1335 mm / 52.5 in
Length
2285 mm / 89.9 in
Width
910 mm / 37.0 in
Fuel Capacity
22 Litres / 5.8 US gal / 4.8 Imp gal
Wet Weight
236 Kg / 520 lbs
Displacement
996 cc / 60.8 cu-in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, 90°-V-twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder.
Bore x Stroke
98 X 66 mm
Compression Ratio
11.3:1
Cooling System
Liquid cooled
Fuel Induction
Fuel injection with 45mm throttle bodies
Ignition
Electronic ignition
Spark Plug
NGK, CR8EK
Starter
Electric
Clutch
Wet, multiple discs, hydraulic
Final Drive
Chain
Transmission / Drive
6 Speed
Frame Type
Aluminium, twin spar
Suspension - Front
Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped, 43mm forks
Suspension - Rear
Swingarm, coil spring, oil damped, adjustable for preload and rebound damping
Trail
110 mm / 4.3 in
Wheel Travel - Front
160 mm / 6.3 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
162 mm / 6.4 in
Brakes - Front
2 x 310mm discs, 2 piston calipers
Brakes - Rear
Single 260 mm disc, 1 piston caliper.
Tyres - Front
110/80 R19
Tyres - Rear
150/70 R17
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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