Its accessible 785m seat height remains from the old model, though the saddle itself is now narrower and the side covers have been on a diet to give a more direct route for the rider’s legs to point towards the floor. As such, though now aging, it remains a respected machine both for inexperienced or smaller or female riders looking for a ‘first big bike’ and as an affordable, easy, sporty all-rounder for more experienced types buying on a tight budget. Check out our video below after 2000 miles:Īlthough a fairly basic, budget machine, the SV, in all its guises, has always won friends for its combination of easy, novice-friendly manageability (including a decently-low seat), great balance and ergonomics and impressively engaging handling. We took it to the Isle of Man for TT week, and even compared it with the bonkers 207bhp Kawasaki H2, with a very surprising result.
Related: Top 10 best first big motorbikesĭuring 2016 MCN ran a Suzuki SV650 on our long-term test fleet, and found it a lively, solid and rewarding machine. "It's far cheaper than the popular Triumph Trident 660 I'm running this year, and nearly as enjoyable for a rider of my level of experience." "With a list price of £6599 it's hard to ignore the Suzuki as a reasonably priced, high-performance naked," reports Gareth. In July 2021 he got a chance to revisit the SV on a Suzuki riding day, and came away happily reminded of its inspired handling and brilliant V-Twin motor, which makes every journey an event thanks to its huge torque reserves, distinctive sound and brilliant performance. It allows you to learn the bike at a leisurely pace, but it also sounds mega and has more than enough grunt for a 'first big bike'," said Evans. "One of the reasons I was so keen on the SV was its flexible yet entertaining engine, which has loads of braking meaning fewer gear changes. MCN's online editor Gareth Evans passed his test on an SV650 in 2019, and absolutely raves about it as a brilliant first big bike. If you're after a more retro take on the SV650 formula, check out the cafe racer-styled SV650X which is basically the SV with clip on bars, nose cowling, retro ‘ribbed’ seat and a different paintjob. Owner groups can be found online at or in various Facebook groups. The SV retains a strong following to this day. The standard SV650 model is available in white with a red frame or in black with a blue or gold frame, and the cafe racer-styled SV650X gets a new gold frame, too. The models’ long-lived V-twin engine has also been tweaked to make it through Euro5 emissions regulations. Suzuki unveiled new colour options available on their SV6 as pictured above. For 2021 both the SV650 and its adventure bike sibling, the V-Strom 650 (which uses the same 645cc V-twin engine), received further engine tweaks to get them through the new Euro5 emissions regulations. In 2019 you could have it in black with red detailing, white with blue details or black with blue details while for 2020 Suzuki announced another new set of colours – metallic silver with a blue trellis, matt black with red frame and wheels or gloss black. To address the ‘bland styling’ jibe, Suzuki ushered in various colour schemes for the SV650 during the bike's lifecycle. Owners universally praise it for its ease of riding, handling and superb engine and its manageability and affordability are worth highlighting, too. Overall, the SV is a fantastic real world, mid-size V-twin naked bike. Today the only question marks hang over its slightly anonymous styling, arguably basic, budget spec and slight issues over build quality – although reliability is rock solid. 
Highlights are its still characterful, effective and durable V-twin powerplant, sweet, entertaining handling and a price point that undercuts more modern rivals such as Yamaha’s MT-07. Reverting to SV form in 2016, Suzuki’s naked middleweight received another new chassis, updated engine and fresh styling and remains a temptingly priced ‘first big bike’. It was updated with fuel-injection and a new chassis in 2004 then replaced by the facelifted, renamed and reframed SFV650 Gladius roadster in 2009. It's a re-hash of the loveable 1999-2015 Suzuki SV650, which was available both in roadster and half-faired sportster forms. Related: Suzuki unveil A2-friendly GSX-S950.
The 2016-on Suzuki SV650 is a fun little V-twin roadster that appeals in equal parts to new riders and those with decades of experience.
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