The Suzuki SV650 and variants are street motorcycles manufactured since 1999 for the international market by the

Suzuki Motor Corporation is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Minami-ku, Hamamatsu, Japan. Suzuki manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal com ...

, featuring a mid-sized V-twin engine and medium performance components. In 2009, Suzuki replaced the naked SV650 with the SFV650 Gladius. In 2016, the Gladius name was discontinued and the 2017 model was reverted to SV650.

First generation (1999–2002)

Suzuki introduced the SV650 in 1999 as a budget entry in the emerging

naked bike The six main types of motorcycles are generally recognized as ''standard'', ''cruiser'', ''touring'', ''sports'', ''off-road'', and ''dual-purpose''. ''Sport touring'' is sometimes recognized as a seventh category or integrated with the ''touring' ...

market and featured both naked and fully faired versions. The bike provided a sporty though easily manageable ride. The combination of light weight, rigid chassis, strong handling, and the V-twin's strong mid-range torque appealed to beginner and experienced riders alike. The 2003 SV1000 was marketed as a bigger alternative to the second generation SV650. The SV650 immediately became popular, but American buyers wanted the sportier 'S' version that featured lower handlebars, higher foot pegs and a bikini fairing and windscreen, available only in the European and Canadian markets. American magazines ran articles describing how to import it into the United States. In 2000, Suzuki began importing the SV650S to the USA. The SV650 with its relatively low purchase price and excellent handling characteristics became popular with racers which prompted a rebirth of the "lightweight twins" racing classes across North America and the SV650 began outselling the Suzuki GS500,

Honda NT650 The Honda Hawk GT (NT650) motorcycle was designated as model RC31 and was designed by Toshiaki Kishi, and was the second Honda with "Pro-Arm" suspension bike after the RC30 VFR750R. The RC model designation is for bikes up to 750 cc, thoug ...

and

Kawasaki Ninja 500R The Kawasaki Ninja 500R (which was originally named, and is still referred to as the EX500 and is known as the GPZ500S in some markets) is a sport bike with a parallel-twin engine, part of the Ninja series of motorcycles manufactured by Kawasa ...

, which previously populated the class.

Second generation (2003–2012)

In 2003, Suzuki redesigned the SV650 with a new pressure-cast aluminum truss frame, bodywork, swing-arm with revised rear brake caliper mounting, exhaust, digital speedometer display and electronic fuel injection/induction system to replace the carburetor. The 2003 SV650s also supported some first generation parts (like the rearsets and radiator). The subframe is also angled up higher than 2004+ models. The different subframe has year-specific parts, such as the rider seat, plastic frame covers, exhaust hanger brackets and passenger pegs. For 2004, Suzuki used a new, 40 mm lower subframe and a seat with a narrower design in the front. This made flat footing easier for shorter riders. The trail was raised by 2 mm, and the rear fender was restyled to clean up the area under the tail lights and provide more protection against flying debris. In 2005, the color of the frame was changed from silver to a matte black finish and the radiator size was decreased from . For 2007, both SV650 and SV650S added dual spark plugs per cylinder, and an exhaust gas oxygen sensor on California models for reduced emissions. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) was also added as an option. For 2008, alongside the traditional SV650 and SV650S models, Suzuki offered a new SV650 Sport (UK) or SV650SF (US) model with a more traditional complete fairing. The SV650S was removed from the US market. In September 2008, Suzuki Australia introduced the SV650SU, a de-tuned version of the SV650S, to augment their range of motorcycles that comply with the country's Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS). The 2009 Suzuki SFV650 Gladius replaced the SV650 naked version in the USA; however, a naked 2009 SV650 was available in Canada. Although the naked version was superseded by the Gladius, the SV650S model remained in the UK and Australian line-up through to 2012.

Third generation (2017)

The 2017 model released in 2016, SV650/A has returned to the more conventional styling of the pre-Gladius naked version. Suzuki claims the wet weight for the non-ABS model is 195 kg (430 lbs), and 197 kg (434 lbs) for the ABS model. Its engine develops an additional four horsepower and features a low-speed stalling prevention system ("low RPM assist") to make the bike more suited to beginners and easier to ride in stop/go traffic. It meets Euro 4 emission regulations. It has a new slim steel frame. Seat height is 785mm (30.9"). Fuel tank capacity is 13.8 litres, or 15.5 litres in the US market. It has twin front disc brakes and new 39mm slimmer and lighter throttle bodies. In November 2015 Suzuki announced at

EICMA EICMA (''Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo Motociclo e Accessori''), or the Milan Motorcycle Shows is an annual trade show in Milan, Italy featuring motorcycles A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-w ...

2015 that the SV650 would return in 2016 as a 2017-model year product. Preload adjusters are fitted to 2018 models. A cafe-racer version of the SV650 was launched in 2019 with a front pre-load adjustment.

Current market situation

Other twin cylinder motorcycles in the class include the Yamaha MT07 /

Yamaha XSR700 The Yamaha XSR700 is a motorcycle manufactured by Yamaha. The production takes place in the Yamaha- MBK plant in Rouvroy, France. The launch of the naked bike took place in March 2016. Concept Designed by the Japanese motorcycle customizer Shi ...

and

Kawasaki Z650 The Kawasaki Z650 (known as KZ650 in North America) was produced as a standard motorcycle by Kawasaki from 1976 until 1983. It had a four-cylinder four-stroke, DOHC, air-cooled, wet sump engine positioned across the frame with two valves per cyl ...

Kawasaki Ninja 650 The Kawasaki Ninja 650R, also called ER-6f or EХ-6, is a motorcycle in the Ninja series from the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki sold since 2006. The 2012 model drops the R suffix from its name. It is a middleweight, parallel-twin engined motorc ...

. The SV650 is more affordable than the likes of the

Ducati Monster The Ducati Monster (called in Italian) is a standard, or naked bike, motorcycle designed by Miguel Angel Galluzzi and produced by Ducati in Bologna, Italy, since 1993. In 2005, Monster sales accounted for over half of Ducati's worldwide sales. L ...

Ducati Scrambler The Ducati Scrambler was the brand name for a series of single cylinder scrambler motorcycles made by Ducati for the American market from 1962 until 1974. Its creation is attributed to the American Berliner Motor Corporation. Models were produce ...

, and

KTM 790 Duke The KTM 790 Duke is a naked parallel-twin motorcycle, manufactured by KTM from 2017. The Duke's liquid cooled eight-valve DOHC engine uses a 285° crankshaft in order to mimic KTM's 75° V-Twins. Its power output is 105 bhp. The Duke is K ...

, but has similar performance.

Specifications

, , - ! colspan="7" , Drive-train , - ! Primary reduction , colspan="5" , 34/71 (2.088) , , - ! 1st gear , colspan="5" , 32/13 (2.461) , , - ! 2nd gear , colspan="5" , 32/18 (1.777) , , - ! 3rd gear , colspan="5" , 29/21 (1.380) , , - ! 4th gear , colspan="5" , 27/24 (1.125) , , - ! 5th gear , colspan="5" , 25/26 (0.961) , , - ! 6th gear , colspan="5" , 23/27 (0.851) , , - ! Final reduction , colspan="5" , 45/15 (3.000) , , - ! Final drive , colspan="5" , #525 O-ring chain , , - ! colspan="6" , Valve-train ! , - ! Valve angle , colspan="3" , 14° intake, 16° exhaust , colspan="2" , , , - ! Intake valves , colspan="3" , 31 mm , colspan="2" , , , - ! Intake valve stem , colspan="3" , 4.5 mm , colspan="2" , , , - ! Intake valve lift , 8.1 mm , colspan="2" , 8.7 mm , colspan="2" , , , - ! Exhaust valves , colspan="3" , 25.5 mm , colspan="2" , , , - ! Exhaust valve stem , colspan="3" , 4.5 mm , colspan="2" , , , - ! Exhaust valve lift , 6.1 mm , colspan="2" , 7.3 mm , colspan="2" , , , - ! colspan="7" , Performance , - ! , 11.85 @ , colspan="3" , , , , - ! , 3.20 sec , colspan="3" , , , , - ! , 8.76 sec , colspan="3" , , , , - ! Roll on, , , colspan="3" , , , , - ! Braking distance
from , , colspan="3" , , , , - ! Fuel economy , , colspan="3" , , , , - ! Model year ! 1999-2002 ! 2003 ! 2004-2006 ! 2007 !2008-2009 ! 2017

References

External links

Suzuki SV650 (1999-on) review

Suzuki Gladius 650 (2009-on) review

Suzuki SV650 (2016-on) review

{{Suzuki motorcycles SV650 Standard motorcycles Motorcycles introduced in 1999