Suzuki DL1000 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
1,772 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 to 2016 model years. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 23 complaints (34.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 12 | 52.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 13.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Engine: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Electrical System: 6; Power Train: 2; Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Suspension:Rear: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2014: 6; 2015: 1; 2016: 4; 2017: 4; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10593691 · 2014-05-23 (May 23, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SUZUKI DL1000 MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE RIDING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE MOTORCYCLE SUDDENLY STALLED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORCYCLE AND CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO HIS LOWER RIGHT LEG. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. .... UPDATED 08/05/14 *BF UPDATED 08/11/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALLED VOLTAGE REGULATOR FAILURE TOOK OUT THE STATOR AND ROTOR. BUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10593691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10640782 · 2014-10-02 (October 2, 2014)
SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES WITH MY 2009 SUZUKI DL1000 VSTROM. INTERMITTENT STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS TYPICALLY COMING TO A STOP FROM 30 MPH AND BELOW. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SOME OF WHICH WERE CLOSE CALLS. THE BIKE STALES UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: COMING TO A STOP DOWN SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND AND OR 2ND TO 1ST. ONE OF MY CLOSE CALLS WAS COMING TO A STOP DOWN SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND AND BIKE STALLED AS THE STOP LIGHT TURNED FROM RED TO GREEN AND A VEHICLE BEHIND ME ACCELERATED AND NEARLY REAR ENDED ME. I HAD TO PUSH THE BIKE TO THE SIDE…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10640782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10167670 · 2006-09-08 (September 8, 2006)
SPROCKET ON REAR WHEEL HUB WOBBLES UNDER LOAD. THIS CAUSES CLUNKING WHEN SHIFTING AND VERY POOR POWER TRANSMISSION. IN ADDITION THIS CAUSES PREMATURE BEARING, CHAIN AND SPROCKET WEAR. THE CAUSE IS THAT THE REAR SPROCKET CARRIER DOES NOT FULLY ENGAGE THE HUB DAMPER. UNDER LOAD THE SPROCKET BEARING HAS LATERAL FORCE APPLIED TO IT. THE REAR SPROCKET WILL ACTUALLY MOVE WITH ONLY HAND FORCE! THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AFFECTING ALL DL1000 VSTROMS. MANY OWNERS (MYSELF INCLUDED) ARE FIXING THIS DEFECT THEMSELVES AS SUZUKI WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10167670 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10945365 · 2017-01-15 (January 15, 2017)
VEHICLE IS A NOS 2014 LEFTOVER PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2016. VEHICLE NOW HAS 2,500 MILES ON IT AND HAS INTERMITTENTLY STALLED UPON TAKEOFF IN 1ST GEAR AT LEAST 7 TIMES. EACH TIME THE MOTORCYCLE ENGINE IS WARM. UPON ENGAGING 1ST GEAR FROM A STOP, WHEN THE CLUTCH IS RELEASED AND THROTTLE APPLIED, THE MOTORCYCLE WILL COUGH AND STALL. THIS HAPPENS AT CRITICAL TRANSITION TIMES; AT AN INTERSECTION, IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC AND ONCE IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT CAUSING ME TO DROP THE BIKE ON ITS SIDE. I CALLED SUZUKI AND FILED A CASE/COMPLAINT AND THE VEHICLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10945365 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10175115 · 2006-12-04 (December 4, 2006)
LIQUID/VAPOR SEPARATOR BRACKET INSIDE FUEL TANK OF 2002 SUZUKI DL1000 MOTORCYCLE BROKE. UNSUPPORTED PIPE NOW SUBJECT TO FAILURE WHICH WOULD ALLOW ALL FUEL TO DRAIN RAPIDLY FROM TANK ONTO ENGINE. NOT YET REPAIRED. REQUIRES TANK REPLACEMENT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10175115 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
2002: 0; 2004: 0; 2006: 0; 2007: 0; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2016: 1