at the end of February, Oli the Belgian publishes the various machines for the 2016 season tests. He contacts me and asks if I'm available to pick up the first bike, the Suzuki SV 650. I reply without delay: "You bet... !!!"
on March 30, I leave work early, get on my Yamaha MT-09 and head for Kontich, where the Japanese bike is waiting for me. It's a day to remember, as it's the first time I've ever sat on a Suzuki.
when I see it, it's like déjà-vu... but I can't remember the model at the time. Once home, a quick Internet search tells me that the resemblance is to the Suzuki Gladius.
I leave my 850 with Kontich and set off with the 650 cc.
here's my opinion:
design
the round headlight at the front gives a classic touch, topped by a plastic cap. The single-screen LCD speedo is simple and clear to use. It includes: tachometer, odometer, two trip meters, speedometer, gear indicator, range, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption, fuel gauge and clock. The metal fuel tank is rather slender. The seat is elongated and tapered. At the rear, there are two cat-eye-shaped headlights. The frame is reminiscent of the Gladius, but much lighter in appearance. However, two things strike me when I see this V-twin: firstly, the radiator, which is very prominent and protrudes from both sides of the frame, with a crude mounting plate on the left and its filler cap on the right, surmounting the fan. A nice cover could have embellished all this. Then there's the muffler, which, in my opinion, is too bulky for the slimness of the headers.
riding position
the seat is very low, making the SV accessible to most riders. An average-sized rider will easily put both feet on the ground. The tank and saddle are very slender, making the seat comfortable. The position is natural, with little support for the wrists, and the arms are not too far apart because the handlebars are not very wide. The legs are not too bent, but after an hour on the freeway, the ankles and forearms become a little numb. Special mention must be made of the notched footrests, which literally stick to the soles of your boots, even in wet weather, and provide excellent support.
handlebar controls
the controls are well placed and easy to use. Easy Start" allows you to start the bike with a single press of the Start button.
the ride
whenever I try out a new bike, I'm always a little apprehensive about starting it up, afraid of stalling because I don't open the throttle enough. With the SV, there's no need to worry, because it's equipped with a clever and terribly practical device: Low RPM Assist. What's that? It's very simple: just shift into 1st gear and let go of the clutch without opening the throttle, and the bike starts up smoothly, making it easier to shift gears at the same time. The SV weighs in at 197 kg, which is noticeable both at standstill and on the road.
the engine sounds pleasant, purring and whistling lightly. Throttle rotation is smooth and strong in the first half of the throttle, but as soon as you pass the "hard" point, the lady becomes nervous and energetic, revealing the true character of the engine.
it's a really fun ride, but the bike's lightness sometimes makes you sweat when there's a good 3 Beaufort breeze on the freeway and you're going fast.
braking: on the N5, having had to brake urgently to let an ambulance pass in code 3, I noticed that the lever brake performs much better than the foot brake. Normal braking is progressive and measured out. Suspension is relatively firm and lacks rebound flexibility, especially at the rear.
minor faults
under the saddle, a multitude of wires and cables make it impossible to stow even a pair of rain pants or a snack, not to mention the fact that their exposure multiplies the risk of them being torn off in an accident.
as with most bikes, the passenger sits on a fairly firm folding seat, with no grab handles.
conclusion
the Suzuki SV 650 is a small roadster that combines liveliness, comfort, lightness, dynamism, sportiness, fun, aesthetics, safety and technological innovation.
I really enjoyed riding it, and I think it's a bike that's well-suited to beginners too.
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Bikers' reviews Leave a review - 42 reviews
Right now I've got a CB650R with which I can drive at 2,000 rpm in 6th gear, and when I accelerate (normally) it revs regularly, and if need be, I drop one or two gears, that's what a mechanical gearbox is for, isn't it?
But if you want a rocket, buy an R1 or a Panigiale! Rating : 5/5 Respond to Jeff2A
Yeah ... that's a cliché argument, isn't it?
I don't care about a rocket ... i don't really need one
For me, the FZ6 is soft at low revs, and I think I'm just stating the obvious. If you have to drop all the gears to get power, then that means the bike is soft at low revs ... yes, that's what I wrote
A gearbox is for shifting gears, we agree..
Anyway, the message has been sent about my impressions of the sv650, and I hope that this will reassure or at least help a potential buyer to make his choice
Best regards, Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
A good all-round bike, well-motorized and not too shabbily finished aesthetically.
The problem is that we don't see many of them, despite a very affordable price compared to that of the MT07, which it's very close to (except for the weight haha)..
Suzuki is really struggling to produce bikes these days that can match the success of the first Bandits of the late 90s.
And yet, their products are really very reliable (I've had a GSX-S 750 for 4 years without a single problem). Rating : 5/5 Respond to Jeff2A
Superb bike, having owned a FZ6 4-cylinder that was soft at low revs (98 hp version) and a Yamaha bulldog twin-cylinder (very nice but pulled short), I find this SV (euro 5 73 hp) to be the perfect mix of the 2: plenty of torque at low and mid revs, and enough reach to have fun
Hyper-handling (thin tires -well, that's relative-), thin bike. As a result, hyper-responsive
The engine always picks up, and you don't need to drop 2 gears to feel the thrust
Everyday motorcycle: work, ride. In the rain, in the wind. Always ready to go at 1/4 rev
A duo is possible: I take my wife to work every day (50 km round trip), but beware: change the saddle, the original one is really hard
As for the tires: the 2022 model changed from dunlop qualifiers, which made my colleagues scream, to dunlop roadsmart 3s, which are perfectly acceptable
In short: a sensational bike, not ridiculously powerful, functional, balanced and responsive. No futuristic aesthetics, just a basic, timeless roadster that's really fun to ride
I've been riding it for 8 years, and I'd still recommend it. Beginner's bike: yes, but for experienced riders too
A real bike, at its best :-) Rating : 5/5 Respond to Juju74
I bought my first bike, a 2022 SV (flanged, red frame and white tank), at the end of March and I'm now close to 6000Km with it
What can I say, it was everything I could have expected from my first bike
An extraordinary face (even if I'm not objective), it has a metal tank (increasingly rare), fuel consumption between 4L and 4.5L/100km depending on riding style (you can do less but riding like a grandpa haha), a great sound thanks to the twin-cylinder <3 (even original when you go up in the revs), Vmax and torque are more than sufficient, it's playful but not frightening, the clutch is not at all frustrating, it's very easy to handle (plus its small size makes it easy to ride between lanes), and the low-rpm assist saved me from many a false start XD.
For the time being, it suits me perfectly, and I'll be able to rediscover it with an A licence
To try and nuance my enthusiastic presentation, I'm going to give it a few flaws
- In 2022, I think it's a stretch not to supply the original led indicators (Suzuki is still stuck in 2010?)
- The headlight doesn't light up well, so it's dangerous to ride at night on an unlit road
- The saddle is really hard, and a good one is a must if you use it daily. (200e minimum)
- The original plate holder is made entirely of plastic, and looks very unattractive in my opinion
- the strap on the saddle is not very practical for holding on as a passenger (the passenger slides over the rider)
- Heavier than the competition (but once you get going, weight is no longer a concern)
Hope to see you on the road in SV! Rating : 5/5 Respond to SV650<3
In matte black with a blue frame, the lines are perfect and timeless. To each his own, then, as the line of the mt07 makes me... Run away!
Strength: the engine, which some say is aseptic: it allows for both flexible and dynamic driving, and its power is far from ridiculous. The chassis and suspension are equally reassuring. The brakes are powerful and easy to modulate
I use it on a daily basis and as a duo. It's such a pleasure to drive, it makes my journeys seem too short. A very reasonable pleasure, with an average consumption of 4.1 liters /100 kms
Only the original tires don't seem to have much grip, even in dry conditions (Dunlop)
Having paid well under €6,000 for it thanks to a special offer, I'll only be changing it for a bigger trail bike, more suited to a duo, but I'm not at all sure it'll give me the same everyday pleasure...
On top of that, I've got worry-free reliability and a very friendly susuki dealer nearby (much nicer than kawa or yam near me...). Rating : 5/5 Respond to Solb13
Kisses to all François Rating : 5/5 Respond to Françoid
I took up an sv 650 in 2018, after 8 years with Kawa and its z
I've rediscovered the same pleasure as my first 2004 model, playful, punchy, with a timeless round headlight. Regular outings with colleagues of my generation (displacement between 900 and 1400...) and at break time, they look at my little Suz on the roads of Auvergne or the Ardèche gorges and invariably say to me "Finally it's good enough..." Rating : 4/5 Participate in the conversation
superb motorcycle that I acquired at the end of 2018 just after obtaining my A2 licence
Motorcycle smooth and pleasant to drive daily both in town and on national road
The sv is a simple model that still works!
Even at 47.5 hp, it has enough punch to take you wherever you want to go
I wouldn't change a thing for the world
Have a nice evening. Rating : 4/5 Respond to Alex53
Being the best of the novices in the field, I've noticed the little fight between the bikes of the big brands. What I like about this Suzuki is its serenity. Its price, its beautiful, sober and simple lines. It knows how to keep a cool head. It doesn't have that many faults. While the mt-07 has an incomprehensible shock absorber problem, the more sober SV continues on its way. It's possible that the SV is better value for money than all the others, if not the BEST! Maybe my bike one day! To all of you! Rating : 5/5 Respond to Olive
On the economic side, it's good... nice sound of a purring cat... very hard seat... but it can be replaced... Motorcycle for short, pleasant rides
With 3000 km done I appreciate more and more the lightness and maneuverability of the machine. Rating : 3/5 Respond to Alf 2020
super bike, fun to ride every day, very maneuverable, great for weaving in and out of traffic. Fuel consumption is between 4.0 and 4.2 liters
in short, I recommend it! Rating : 5/5 Respond to Paul31
Superb little bike that I acquired in 2019, only downside is the front suspension too soft ... but hey it remains a great bike very maneuverable ideal young license!
!!! Pour info la version 2019 dispose déjà du freinage 4 pistons ! c'est la version antérieur où il s'agissait du bi-pistons !!! Rating : 4/5 Respond to Nonoo
Have a nice evening! Rating : 3/5 Respond to Kanaky63
As for the engine, whatever one may say, it's the best in its class! And yet I'm a die-hard Kawasaki rider, I ride a ZX-10R, but let's face it. In conclusion, it's not a good bike... C\' is an excellent bike! Rating : 4/5 Respond to Pierre GASPARD
Rating : 4/5 Respond to laurentg
Rating : 5/5 Respond to Louis
You mention \"Frugal, the mill consumes less than 4 liters per 100 km. M\'yeah..... Surely, but at stabilized speed in a hangar with a throttle that never moves. Does Suz want to play the same game as all the other manufacturers, announcing consumption figures worthy of automotive hypocrisy?!
Well, yes! Without paying any attention to ecological consumption during standard driving, I'm usually constantly under 4l/100. Only when I'm on a long trip with a series of mountain passes does fuel consumption rise a little, but I have to admit that I rarely use more than 3rd gear.
Excellent bike, the V2, that's the life! Rating : 4/5 Respond to TnT
On average, max speed depending on the gradient is 175km/h for a max of 190km/h; bridled I remind you!
The saddle is comfortable, a pleasant position (1m85 for me).
Unfortunately, the passenger has nothing to stand on.
You can go wheel-to-wheel in first gear on acceleration alone, and in 2nd gear if you really get the hang of it.
With practice, it's possible to lift into 3rd gear.
I wouldn't give it 5/5, though, because it's really lacking in accessories at the moment! Rating : 4/5 Respond to Kls
On the other hand, it's still heavier than the Z650 and especially the MT-07...it would need 15 kg less to be really competitive...I don't regret choosing the MT-07! Rating : 4/5 Respond to Jeff2A
Give it a more comfortable seat, a good wind hop, maybe some tires better suited to small roads, and off you go for mountain rides. It winds around corners without forcing itself, and on the straights, it's a real blast. An unsurprisingly pleasant bike. Rating : 5/5 Respond to Onalamoto
too bad the engine torque is so high. will try it soon.
bonne route a tous Rating : 4/5 Respond to math640
your opinion makes me want to buy it, what do you think compared to an er 6 or a yamaha mt 07? Rating : 4/5 Participate in the conversation
Today, nothing good comes out of them, and they're playing the "we're remaking a bike that worked well 15 years ago" card...
What's more, it's not as pretty as the original! It's a mix between the gladius (berk) and the SV injection
Compared to an MT07, it loses out on all fronts: it's not as pretty, it's heavier, less powerful, and the torque is 2000 revs high (which smells bad for the A2 bridle).
V to all. Rating : 2/5 Respond to Mael
I can't wait to try out this new SV 650, to see how Suzuki has revised its copy. I personally owned a Gladius, which I thoroughly enjoyed. There was of course the questionable aesthetics, with the horrible muffler and the no less unsightly headlight, but that didn't stop me. The bike was very nice and pleasant, thanks in particular to its engine. Only the quality of the suspension left something to be desired, with insufficient rebound braking. Although adjustable for compression, the forks also dipped quite a bit... In short, sporty driving on poor surfaces quickly turned into a rodeo. What will happen with the new SV? Let's hope that Suzuki has made the effort to improve the suspension a little more, with better-quality, judiciously-calibrated components, if still without adjustments... The SV's new styling at least corrects the muffler and headlight, so that's something, but as for the engine and electronics upgrades... were they essential? Once again, I hope that Suzuki's investments in these areas were not made at the expense of suspension and engine behavior, which was terrible... So, is the SV 2016 just a cosmetic makeover and electronic gadgets? Fingers crossed it isn't! Headlamp call. Dwitch Rating : 4/5 Respond to Dwitch
Rating : 5/5 Respond to gendaito