Transmission type:
Chain
Frame type:
Aluminium
Cooling system:
Liquid
Category:
Sport
Engine type:
V2, four-stroke
Front brakes:
Double disc
Rear brakes:
Single disc
Dry weight:
169.0 kg (372.6 pounds)
Overall height:
1,170 mm (46.1 inches)
Overall length:
2,085 mm (82.1 inches)
Overall width:
730 mm (28.7 inches)
Displacement:
645.00 ccm (39.36 cubic inches)
Bore x stroke:
81.0 x 62.6 mm (3.2 x 2.5 inches)
Valves per cylinder:
4
Fuel system:
Injection
Gearbox:
6-speed
Fuel control:
DOHC
Front suspension:
Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped, fully adjustable preload
Rear suspension:
Link-type, 7-way adjustable spring preload
Front tyre dimensions:
120/60-ZR17
Rear tyre dimensions:
160/60-ZR17
Wheelbase:
1,430 mm (56.3 inches)
Fuel capacity:
17.00 litres (4.49 gallons)
Seat height:
800 mm (31.5 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Compression:
11.5:1
Starting life as a budget entry motorcycle in 1999, no one could have predicted the SV650 would still be partying like it was . . . the end of the century. For any Prince fans, we apologise in advance. And yet over twenty years later, the street motorcycle is still going strong. Long-time admirers would say it just Got the Look, that it was The Most Beautiful Girl in the World, a Sexy MF, a Prince amongst men <All right, all right, let’s not get Delirious! Seriously though, Gotta Stop - Ed>
Initially there were two models in 2004: the naked SV650 and the sporty half-fairing SV650S. It’s liquid-cooled V-Twin churned out a respectable seventy-three horses, and with a dry-weight of less than 168K it was nippy enough for beginners and experienced riders to suck the belly-in and make big-eyes in the 650’s direction. An exhaust the length of a small cannon helped draw attention, but at Shepsters we were always very fond of this motorcycle: powerful enough to with plenty of mid-range torque; responsive enough to weave through twisting bends; big double discs on the front wheel to settle the nerves of learners; all topped with great fuel-consumption and a friendly price. As per usual there was some Controversy as the American market received different options, the sportier Cream of the SV650S was only available for the Europeans with its lower handlebars, higher-foot pegs and Roman nose of a bikini fairing. Eventually they received access rights, only for Suzuki to remove it within a decade, which seems a little rude. ‘Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?’ the Americans may have said. Well, they might, right?
When it was first introduced, the SV650 could notch up a very respectable 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds and then a slow evolution began. In 2003 there were wholesale changes to the bodywork, swing-arm and frame, yet a year later the tweaks were limited to a lower subframe, and minor amendments to the seat trail and rear fender. True, in 2009 there was a flirtation with the awfully named Gladius before finally having a change of heart and switching back to the SV650 seven short years later. It would be like riding a sports-machine called the ‘Phyllis.’ Sometimes though you just have to Letitgo.
In a saturated 650cc market, the Suzuki still holds its own against household names (although admittedly perhaps only our household) such as the Street Triple, ER-6n, CB650 and FZ6R, shipping over 410,000 models over the numerous years. As far as easy-riding, reliable, relatively budget-friendly bikes go, the SV650 had it all. The Truth.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_SV650
https://www.visordown.com/reviews/road-test/living-2004-suzuki-sv650-k4
https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/suzuki-sv650s
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/suzuki/sv650/1999/
https://amcn.com.au/editorial/2017-suzuki-sv650-lams/
http://44teeth.com/suzuki-sv650-best-bike-ever/
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/sep/12/prince-50-greatest-singles...