Suzuki SV650
Suzuki SV650 Video Walk Around and Startup
Scroll down for our comprehensive review of the Suzuki SV650S.
Fast Tube by Casper
Summary:
Engine Size: 645cc
Price (new): $8,899 CDN/$6,999 USD
Comparable bikes: Kawasaki Ninja 250R, Kawasaki Ninja 500R, Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Suzuki GS500, Yamaha FZ6R
A strong v-twin engine and a sporty chassis combined to make the SV650S one of the best all-around bikes you can buy. With both naked and faired versions, including versions with ABS, the SV650 is a bike that anyone can build to suit.
Our Suzuki SV650 Review:
There may be a bit of a bias in this review since the Suzuki SV650S is a favourite among many of the contributors to BeginnerMotorcycleReviews.com. Most of us prefer the faired version, though that’s not saying that the naked version of the SV650 isn’t a look either.
Regardless of which version you go with you’ll find yourself in command of one of the best all-around bikes you can buy, especially if you get the version with ABS (anti-lock brakes). A stiff chassis and sporty suspension allow the bike to really lean into the corners, though hardcore riders may find the suspension a tad bit soft when pushing the bike to the limits. A common modification to these bikes among those who ride them hard is to swap out the suspension for that of a Suzuki GSX-R600- an upgrade that most riders, including riders who race their bikes casually, won’t likely need or want to do.
The v-twin motor packs plenty of punch, with roughly 73 horsepower and 47ft-lbs of torque on hand. The best part is that all of this power is usable- full delivery is before 9,000 rpm, with maximum torque at 7,500 rpm. The v-twin may not redline at stratospheric levels, but its linear power delivery will keep all but the most advanced riders smiling as they twist and turn through the corners.
In fact, the SV650S is quite popular among the racing crowd as the bike is so balanced and predictable that you commonly see them placing ahead of some super-sport bikes. Thanks to a usable power band riders find that they can accelerate through the corner without worry of hitting a sudden power spike, something common on the super-sport bikes being sold today.
With a quarter mile time of 11.8 seconds, and a 0-60 sprint of just 3.6 seconds, the Suzuki SV650S will likely be the fastest vehicle you’ll ever pilot. All but the most exotic sports cars will only see your taillights if you so choose, and while doing so you’ll enjoy a consistent 45mpg.
One complaint we do have about the SV650S is that its engine is very responsive to every little input. While we grew to appreciate the engines responsiveness, new riders may find it intimidating until they get the hang of it. However, that being said, we feel that the Suzuki SV650S is probably the best “big 650” that a new rider could learn on. It’s smooth, very reliable, and not a bad looker either. Just exercise caution when you first get on, as if you’ve never piloted a motorcycle before the SV560S will be a fantastic, though somewhat daunting, experience.
As always, new riders should take time to get familiar with the bike before attempting to use the ample power it provides. Like the Kawasaki Ninja 650R, the SV650 is capable of reaching extremes that will exceed a new rider’s abilities. Being gentle with the throttle and brake inputs and the bike will reward you with a smooth and relaxed ride; twist the throttle quickly and be prepared to get to wherever you’re going in a hurry. In either case, the SV650 is capable of being a cuddly teddy bear or a raging bull- which one it is depends on how you want it to be.
The Bottom Line:
This bike may be too much machine for riders who are afraid to spending some time to learn its capabilities, but if you are willing to dedicate the time required to learn how to control it properly it will reward you with a great ride, good fuel economy, and smile after g-force induced smile. Highly recommended.
Related posts:
- The Suzuki SV650 as a First Bike: Our Thoughts
- Suzuki GS500
- 2004 Suzuki Katana 600 – Review, Pics, and More!
- Suzuki DR200SE
- Suzuki DR-Z400S
Category: 500cc-650cc, Featured, Suzuki
This is what I’m riding now and I love it. I couldn’t agree with this review more. Every time I get on this bike and start it (I have a Yoshimura exhaust) I am reminded about why I bought it: the grunt of the v-twin is head and shoulders above any 4 cylinder I’ve ever heard.
i like this bike quite a bit, but it is definitely hard to learn. as the review says, once you take the time to learn this bike it is SICK.
i would only tell more experienced riders to try this bike. My first day out I almost crashed multiple times… it is much faster than my previous bike LOL!
It was my own fault for trying out a bike too advanced for me – to sum it up, it’s demolished now. The handling was too hard, but someone who has been riding longer would be much better suited for this bike.
I have to disagree with the review… this was my first bike and I didn’t have any trouble learning on it. It took me a few days to get the hang of it, but I didn’t have any large troubles.
It gets great MPG for the engine size, so it’s a good bike if you’re looking to save some money.
not as good as a ninja, but still a pretty good bike. it is pretty affordable, so for that reason i consider it to be a better buy than a ninja, though in the end Kawasaki makes a better bike than Suzuki.
A very good bike indeed. I have to agree though, it just doesn’t measure up to the ninja. Maybe if it was cheaper it would be a competitor, but as of right now, it is ranked low in my book.
I like this bike, and I think it is not necessarily inferior to the Ninja. Maybe it is a bit slower, but it costs about the same, and runs pretty much the same. I think it doenst really matter too much, it just depends on your preferences.
I have just bought this bike and have had it for approx. #2 months. I love it and have pretty much figured it out… go’s like hell and is easy to handle… I am looking into changing the sprocket to a smaller size…..
The sv650sf is the ideal sporty 650…it handles pretty good out of the box and switching the suspension to gsxr makes it an extremely capable track bike. I tried the Kawa Ninja 650r and found the seating position way too upright….plus I love the torquey v twin in the sv.
This is an awesome bike. The review is DEAD-ON accurate. I just went back and read it after owning my naked dream 2007 SV650 with 1,500 miles for half a week, have to say that the things like it being a bit difficult to learn on for a (never riden bike before) newbie could be daunting and the touchy engine responsiveness…. (and all the good things) All exactly what I thought myself. It is a great bike to learn on if you have self control, take it real easy at first, and have somewhere to learn (at least the first few days) where you aren’t diving into traffic. My first time getting her in gear and going I had a scare with the engine response, seemed like a centimeter roared her up 6,000 RPM.. in hindsight I am sure I just made a newbie screw up, because I find the bike extremely compliant after just 3 days. Handling is an ease and amazing (though I am sure that when pushed to its limits the rear shock may be weak, I have not come close to seeing this first hand) the “typical” and sporty handling is PERFECT, smooth and predictable. In fact you don’t even have to countersteer, just angle your butt on the seat a hair and she will read your mind. Plus the bike is LIGHT. Great for a newbie stopping and starting. While the engine / throttle response is very QUICK and touchy, but after the first few minutes I had that under control (though from the first couple minutes of scares it was still slightly daunting)… Definitely is not an issue since the powerband is SO predictable (and the handling, braking, etc.. It is also good for a beginner in my mind with this powerband you can forget about shifting, leaver her in one gear and drive all kinds of speeds. 6th gear is good at 35mph and still has punch in the acceleration, the gears are longer than the kawasaki 650.. which is the ONLY reason it is faster 0-60, the SV is faster quarter mile, has a stronger engine and powerband, more hp and is a faster / better trackbike.. Those posts above have never ridden both. Though they say that since the kawasaki 650 is more lethargic than the SV it is arguably a better beginner bike, I would definitely rather have my SV. My only complaint is on the headlight, the brights are good, but the lows are barely adequate to me. If they discover a pothole or animal you have very few feet to respond and when going fast you quickly outpace your light on low. Buy the bike if you have a desire for a great do-it-all machine, the dumb dumb who poorly rated the SV’s handling was just scared and a poor learner, the reason the SV is a cult bike is because it is a good handling, predictable do-it-all over-achieving machine and that person was a poor learner.. Idiot rich people crash Lamborghini’s, but that doesn’t mean they handle poorly, it means someone couldn’t drive. Beginner or experienced, buy an SV, you won’t be disappointing unless you plan on spending a lot of time going faster than 130 mph.
Plus my insurance company doesn’t call it a sportbike, they call it a regular standard.. 25 yr old male, 1st time rider and $530 FOR THE WHOLE YEAR, full coverage and medical on a 2007 naked that can go 0 to 60 in 3.6 – 3.8 and mid to late 11 second 1/4 mile (depending on yr model / pro riders)
That is an awesome bike man great article. The only thing with the sv is finding used oem parts it can be tough.
thanks send me follow up articles please
The only name I recognised as female was the one disenter.
Any ladies out ther with opinions ?
I rode trials and cross-country bikes in my teens and twenties. Then got out of bikes for 20 years and got a 800cc cruiser. Liked the bike but nevous about the weight in traffic.
Looking at the SV650 now,, Is the SV650s set-up much more racy? (lower handlebars etc.)I’m looking for a used bike so need to know as much as possible going in.
I got the “N” variant (the naked style) as I don’t really like the snub-nosed profile of the S. I love these things. The acceleration from 0-60 will keep up with (or smoke) just about anything else out there. It just GOES.
That said, I have a hard time calling this a good bike for beginners. I started on an EX250, followed by a YZF600, and despite the YZF’s higher HP I’d say it was a tamer ride than the SV. This is because of the SV’s unusually high torque at low RPMs, and this is where it gets a bit dangerous for first timers. If not smooth on the throttle from a stop, a new rider could very well find himself looking at the clouds on these things. Many bikes take an instant or two to get going off the line. Not the SV (unless you hold it in check).
It is an amazing bike, though.
The SV650S as my first “big” bike, and I was just fine with it. So long as a new rider is smooth with the clutch they will be fine. It’s balanced, stops on a dime, and is a blast to ride. What more could you ask for?
I’ve owned my 2000 SV650, well, since late 2000. And I still think I bought the right bike, for my mostly urban driving.
It is light weight, agile, and responsive. When I read this is considered to be a “beginner’s” bike, or, perhaps, a middle-size beginner bike, I tend to snargle, if there’s such a word or concept. It is beginners only in terms of size and weight. Not in throttle response. This bike likes to (well, let’s say it cannot control itself) accelerate on you. You really have to get a hold of yourself to tame that acceleration. Try Zen to calm your spirits, if nothing else works.
Yeah, and why call it a beginner’s bike when it is a perfect “ender’s” machine? What more do you need in a bike that’s not made for long distance travel? Light is right, for an all-around bike. You only need hog weight for long trips, or big egos. And I don’t do those. If I want to go 500 or so miles, I’ll put in on the back end of my Nissan Frontier.
My only complaints are that I don’t have the Yoshimura exhaust, or the GSX-R600 front end, or the Pirelli Diablo tires that others wrote about. I will try the new fork oil, and more air in my tires, however. That won’t cost me an arm or a leg.
And, thanks for the tips.
I’m thinking of selling my ’07 SV650, but honestly I’d be afraid to sell it to a noob rider. I really feel like the uber-twitchy throttle off the line makes it as unsuitable for new riders as much higher HP bikes. I imagine Suzuki sells a lot of replacement parts for these things getting dumped all the time. And no, I never dumped mine (knock on wood)…but the prior owner sure did.
I didn’t think that the SV’s throttle was that twitchy when I rode it. I’ve also ridden a CBR 600RR any THAT has a twitchy throttle.