Suzuki SV 650

The Suzuki SV-650 has been kept in more or less in its original design theme as compared to the version it was first launched in, with the intent of luring the retro roadster purists. However, in this process, the Suzuki SV-650 has stuck in the middle-ground, and is neither too appealing from the aspect of the retro design theme, nor is modern enough in its appearance. This makes it look a bit dated and odd when compared to other modern-day middleweight motorcycles.

The Suzuki SV-650 carries a simplistic approach starting from the front profile itself, as it gets a simple-looking round headlamp encased in a semi-spherical blacked housing and has chrome surround for it. This headlamp is flanked with clear lens turn indicators on its sides and has a small tinted sloping visor ahead of the instrument console.

The side profile of the Suzuki SV-650 too has got a very basic approach in terms of design, with the motorcycle getting a rather sporty fuel tank with simple long knee recesses and a long tubular trellis frame underneath it. The entire engine is here exposed completely and has been given a blacked-out theme. The twin exhaust pipes emerging out of the V-twin engine merge into a big and stubby looking exhaust pipe with a prominent looking chrome shield over it. 

Even the five-spoke alloy wheels, as well as sleek and curved rear side body panels, look too simple for today’s world, but they make the Suzuki SV-650 look proportional in a whole. At the back, the motorcycle gets a small LED tail lamp with a split design for it as well as conventional fender with turn indicators mounted on it. The Suzuki SV-650 is devoid of proper pillion grab rails but has a long single-piece seat which is one of the comfortable seats in the middleweight category of motorcycles.

The Suzuki SV-650 shares its fully digital blue-backlit trapezoidal instrument console with the GSX-S750, which is the only modern looking element in the entire motorcycle. This meter panels shows complete digital readouts for speedometer, tachometer, odometer, trip meters, gear indicator, fuel gauge, temperature gauge and MID on offer.

The simplicity of the Suzuki SV-650 is reflected in its mechanical components under the skin, as the motorcycle has a very basic chassis setup for a middleweight motorcycle. On offer in the Suzuki SV-650 is a suspension setup of conventional hydraulic telescopic forks at the front and an adjustable link-type monoshock at the rear. The Suzuki SV-650 does with a pair of disc brakes at the front and single disc brake at the rear, with the motorcycle having 120-section front tire and 160-section rear tire.

The Suzuki SV-650 is powered by a sweet and refined four-stroke, V-twin, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, 650cc engine, which it shares with the very capable V-Strom 650 adventure tourer. This engine, here in the Suzuki SV-650, is mated to a butter-smooth 6-speed gearbox and produces a maximum power output of 75.6 PS. Suzuki hasn’t revealed the torque output of the SV-650, but given that the same engine produces 62 Nm of torque in the V-Strom 650, it is expected to be nearby of it.

The Suzuki SV-650 carries a bare-bone approach even in the aspect of safety as well. Save for a proper dual-channel ABS, which too is not a switchable unit, the Suzuki SV-650 misses out on a number of crucial features, including a three-level traction control which is offered in other big bikes from Suzuki.

The Suzuki SV-650 is purely for those old school motorcycle lovers, who want a stress-free linear power delivery with ample refinement and torque whenever and in whichever gear it is required. The motorcycle lacks a number of crucial modern equipment, and its basic design may not appeal to the younger audience.