SUZUKI is taking its V-Strom 1000 Concept to this weekend’s WSB round at Donington to further plug the machine before it officially drops the ‘concept’ tag and becomes a full-on production machine next year.

Since it was originally shown last year Suzuki has admitted that the bike will go on sale in 2014, and aside from a few changes in terms of paintwork we’re not expecting to see many alterations when the showroom-spec V-Strom 1000 makes its public debut towards the end of this year.

Coming in late to the burgeoning adventure bike market, which remains dominated by the BMW R1200GS, the V-Strom 1000 revives the name of its predecessor, which disappeared from the range four years ago. It also brings back the legendary TL1000-based engine, albeit heavily revamped for the new machine to make sure it meets modern expectations in terms of emissions and rideability.

Where the old V-Strom was more jacked-up tourer than a real adventure bike, the new version takes its inspiration from the old DR Big, a real off-roader and the bike that first introduced the ‘beak’ that’s since become a styling touchstone for virtually everything in the giant-trailie market.

But with an already crowded market for such machines, and one that’s dominated by the BMW R1200GS, do you think the Suzuki stands a chance of being anything more than a fringe player?