Suzuki SV650S Review

Overall Rating

Great bike for someone who has just passed their motorbike test even for those with a restricted lisence, fast enough to be safe on the road, power is plentiful and the brakes are fantastic.

Not too economic around town in stop-start traffic (but then no 650 will be) the seat will make your arse ache after about 2 and a half hours and manoevering the bike in small spaces can be tricky due to the large turning circle.

This is my third motorcycle to date and my first upgrade from a 125 since passing my test back in October last year. I really wanted a Kawasaki ER-6F and very nearly bought one but for some reason I couldn't find anywhere that would insure me for less than about £1100 on third party only so out of interest I did some quotes for the SV and got £739 on fully comp, with a 250 excess, legal cover and 30 days European cover, which for a young driver with two years no claims I think is fantastic! Anyway, on with the review. Being a rider under 21 I have a lisence restricted to 33bhp but being a V twin, the SV handles this with no problems. I've had 100 out of her and there was still a little bit left in the taps but I bottled it deciding enough was enough. Fuel economy isnt bad especially on a run, I took mine to Brand's Hatch last weekend (Craig Jones RIP) and got 150+ to the tank. The engine is brilliant, lots of instant low down power and about 6-7000rpm it really starts to scream. I actually test rode a Kawak ER-6F so if you're looking for a comparison between the two I can say some of the differences and similarities. Performance wise the bikes are near as makes no difference the same, both have twin cylinder engines producing around 70bhp unrestricted, both will do 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and both will reach a top speed of around 130mph. The main difference is the seating position and the handlebar set up (clip-ons for the SV); the SV is more race-ish than the ER but its not an out and out sports position like a GSXR would be. The only thing I will point out with the SV is the suspension under hard, last minute braking. The front has an annoying tendancy to dive quite a bit, giving the impression that the brakes are weak, which they are not. I've also found out after being a plonker with mine and dropping it, that the indicators actually bend inwards to reduce breakages and provide some protection for the fairings, a most practical feature I think. Upon getting the bike back on its wheels there wasn't a scratch on the plastics anywhere and only very very light grazing to the footpeg (which also folds in) and the plastic housing of the indicators. Thumbs up from me! There is some (limited!) storage space below the rear seat too, which is adequate for a few cd cases, a disc lock or perhaps a small sandwich box but anything more than that will require a rucksack. Perfect place for a scottoiler though. To sum up then, a nice middleweight spotsbike that is fairly economical, practical and a good choice for a rider looking to broaden their experience.