Sales of large motorcycles were much higher back then. Much more money available for development and lack of compromise. Hence V-Twin and a purpose built aluminium twin spar, vs P-twin and steel tubes. Suzuki keeps developing older power plants, and sometimes also chassis, because there simply isn’t resources to do as good a job developing one from scratch these days. The volumes simple aren’t there.

This is an adventure TOURER. Much more suited for large luggage haul outs, and even a pillion, for long trips; than the 890R. This is more of a GS contender, as far as usage goes. The DE has even gotten as big as the GS……

Not saying the 890R isn’t good at what it does. But it’s a very different bike.

Hi Steve, the engine is old but heavily updated… and no, our reviews have nothing to do with what spread Suzuki put on. Comparing the 890 to the 1050 is like apples and pears really. And the 890 is cheaper as it is made in China, by CFMOTO, which certainly helps the bottom line. But, bikes are getting expensive, all of them, they all cost too much!