Suzuki SV650 - the "I iz n00b" review

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As mentioned in another thread my Rebel got rear-ended. I weighed up sorting the repair and claim my self (Ste's suggestion) but I thought "fuck it, YOLO" and got a replacement while mine's away for repair. I'm sure I'll regret my decision later down the line but that's the future and this is now

So this is what I'll have to slum it with for the next month or so:

https://i.imgur.com/eer3ebj.jpg?1

Yes, the aforementioned SV less than a year old with 3k on the clock. "This'll be a bit different!"

Accept it isn't. It's so very similar to the MT-07 from my Mod 1 & 2 you could call it nostalgia (if you can apply that term to events only a few months ago.) Let's start with the looks...

Overall I'd say I quite like it. Pretty much standard fair for naked street bikes these days. Paint scheme is quite jazzy in bright sunlight. Typical "I need fender delete" back end, modern frame, the front though? I'm not sure a traditional headlamp really fits. The MT-07 (which I will continually refer to 'cos I iz n00b) does have more of a "Transformers killer robot" vibe going on but at least there's a consistent look across the bike. Okay, so the SV is more curvy than angular but the lamp does look out of place. Maybe an LED one might be the ticket Looking at the back again maybe they should repeat the theme:

Front:

https://i.imgur.com/BB6ANWw.jpg?1

Back:

https://i.imgur.com/8uP8aen.jpg?1

Controls are all pretty standard and at least the ignition and info screen are the right way round Talking of the screen it's the typical information overload I've seen on modern bikes; I'm starting to appreciate the minimalism of the Rebel with it's "Speed and fuel... you need no more!" The factory mirrors are great (versus the MT-07 which are all but useless IMHO.)

Jumping on the bike I was pleasantly surprised, being a short-arse, that I could get both feet down. Admittedly flat foot on one side, tippy-toe on the other. I can actually walk the bike if necessary but it's not as easy-going as the Rebel so I mainly move it about by hand. Seat is pretty comfortable. I shall have see how comfortable if I get the chance to take it for a decent spin tomorrow.

What else? Hmm, foot pegs are in a fairly neutral position. Took me a moment to adjust after the Rebel (they're a bit further forward and the seating position is all different) but so close to the MT-07 the muscle memory was still there. Overall the ergonomics seem comfortable but unsurprising.

Time to start her up. And another "begging for a mod" will be the exhaust. Totally uninspiring but I think that goes for all bikes these days And off we go!

Certainly there's a lot more power than the Rebel from the start but not so much torque at the low end that you can get away with just using the clutch (bless you, Yamaha, you made my Mod 1 so much easier!) but after that it's actually the same as the Honda: smooth, smooth and more smooth. Feathering the clutch is smooth and predictable, the throttle is fine. I would say that 3000 miles has softened it up a bit but relative to the MT-07 (are you sick of the repeating comparisons yet? Soz, I iz n00b!) it's actually quite light.

Gear shift is light. Shame, I like some definite haptic feedback. Certainly I couldn't tell if I was moving through neutral from 2nd to 1st and loads of times I'd shifted up, wasn't sure I had, and checked myself by the succeeding engine revs. To be fair I think I need some new boots before winter.

Rear brake is perfectly fine. The front dual-rotors aren't quite as dramatic as one might expect and not at all grabby or bitey at low speeds which makes me wonder how effective they'll be if needed in anger. So far, in close to emergency stop speeds (I pull up to lights dramatically from time to time just to check the brakes will be there when I need them!) they have been... adequate. About the same feel as the Rebel (but that's a lighter bike with a single rotor.)

Talking of the rear brake I'd almost forgot how easy slow manoeuvres are on "bigger bike" (the Rebel is only an A2) I think there are some spinny bits that help stabilise the bike

Yes, let's take a moment to talk about the engine. V-twin? Nope, more like L-twin Parallel twin seems to be the vogue this season (feck! even the faux-cruiser Vulcan neglects a V and goes parallel) so if you like your engines a little different but don't want to join the arseless-chaps brigade the SV-650 is for you!

Obviously I don't have the experience to really express any pros and cons of such a cylinder configuration with regards to performance but one thing I did notice is that the bike seems super stable at sub-walking pace. Certainly if you were to challenge me to slow motorcycle race this would be my weapon of choice

Moving up a gear (haha! did you see what I did there) I can only get it up to 60 on my commutes but it performs as expected: if I was cruising with a touch of throttle in 6th on the Rebel the SV does the same in 5th. Acceleration gets to the speed you want a touch faster and handling/suspension, I can't quite put my finger on it, it's okay but...

It's like this: riding the MT-07 always felt like wielding a surgical knife - quick, precise but with danger of injury if not treated with respect. The SV doesn't feel quite as lively but then neither does it feel quite as dangerous. Depends what you want out of a bike. Don't get me wrong though: there's barely anything between them.

As mentioned, I will hopefully take the bike out on a proper run tomorrow. Ryka's or Ace Cafe perhaps. If anything surprising presents itself like a jump in the power band I'll let you know

And in conclusion. If you're in the market for a naked street bike then the Suzuki offers curves over angles and an interesting V (or L!) twin engine. Certainly comparable to the MT-07 (and probably the Z650 but I've yet to ride that.)

Personally it just feels like I'm riding around on "a nice bike" which is about the most damning thing I can say. And the kewl-factor from the L-twin will only excite bike nerds whilst it's stationary.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Kentol750]

The sv actually has clutch assist to prevent stalling when you pull away, it's not you improving yet! As for the dash, why is it information overload? Revs, speed, clock, fuel and gear indicator. Don't go drive a fully loaded Volvo, it'll blow your mind!
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Some bikes.

[redeem ouzzer]

SV650’s are shit.
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Be a REAL MAN!

[GSTEEL32]

[P.]

[wr6133]

This a courtesy bike or you actually bought another one?

I like the look of the SV now, though it needs a tail tidy. Shame they don't do a Thou.

[Easy-X]

[MarJay]

3,000 miles and already rusty as f*ck. We looked at these for the other half when she passed her test, but they were all completely ruined by corrosion. She has an ER6n now, which is basically the same bike except built like a proper Kawasaki and not some Chinese 125.

Suzuki have never been great at this, but the SV seems to have gotten worse over the years, which is surprising.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Easy-X]

I went out on it today but unfortunately it was for a job so the best I could do is going the long way home. I might have been a bit mean about the gear shift: there's a definite "click" that you can hear when wafting slowly about town but once you're on the road it's as I said.

I had a couple of goes at (almost) 0 to 60... well yes, it does it, pretty quick I guess (certainly faster than my Rebel) but it doesn't make you grin. Maybe the Rebel feels more fun as you're closer to the ground?
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[natefz6]

[MarJay]

[Easy-X]

On a scale of 1 to Chinese, how bad are the Suzukis for rust?
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[redeem ouzzer]

[doggone]

I did have one of the pointy ones for a couple of years, it was hard to fault but managed to get spots of rust on most shiny bits despite doing very little in winter.
I'm not sure all Suzukis suffer this I had a Bandit 1200 for several years stayed near pristine and did far more miles.

They can sound gorgeous with the exhaust changed, I found the seat and riding position uncomfortable on longer runs.
In short kind of boring but a good way to get more experience and very suitable for commuting.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

I was surprised to see someone had managed a 1:38 lap of cadwell on one - but iirc not in standard trim.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[MarJay]

[chickenstrip]

[chickenstrip]

[Easy-X]

I figured out this clutch boost thingy on my way into work today...

Stationary, at idle, releasing the clutch beyond the biting point blips you ~300 rpm. A feature I could do without.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[slowside]

I must say these are slipping off my what-big-bike shortlist after reading this (and other accounts).

I still want to test ride one, but my bike serves as commuter vehicle as well as weekend fun and several people have now told me how badly these go off once exposed to the winter.

What gets me is my little YBR, which gets used in all weathers is in great condition. Fork lowers and the chromed bits have a surface patina of rust, but frame, swing arm, engine casings etc are all in excellent condition.

[MarJay]

[Easy-X]

[redeem ouzzer]

Lol Noob thinks an SV650 is fast 🤣
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Be a REAL MAN!

[ThunderGuts]

I did my training and mod1 and mod2 on an SV650 (a 2017 one, so same shape as the OPs). I thought it was a good bike, simple, sounded quite good for a stock bike, narrow for town use and yet for a naked fairly comfy at 70mph.
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TG.

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