I have owned and driven many motorcycles for about eleven years now, and always enjoy the versatility of a "middle-weight" bike. The Suzuki SV 650 is by far the greatest value on the market right now. For under $7,500 US you get a very sharp looking bike that performs well and does everything you ask of it. The SV 650 comes with fuel-injection, which may not seem like much, but once you get used to a fuel injected bike, starting up a bike without it will make you feel like you're in the stone age (you'd be amazed at how many "value bikes" that are still carbureted). So working from the inside out, I love the 90 degree v-twin. Almost every sport or "sportier" bike out there is an inline four (except Ducatis of course). The SV has a distinctive exhaust note that only a V-twin can give, and of course an after market exhaust pipe/system (and there are tons of options available) just compliments that sound. The SV 650 was originally dubbed as a "sport-standard" bike, which actually helped out significantly with insurance, due to not being categorized as a "sport bike". The best part, in my opinion, of a sport-standard is the upright and comfortable (more or less) riding position. Of course I need to point out that if you are going for comfortable, long distance touring, the SV 650 is less a sport tourer than many of the bikes out there, although I have done more than one 1,000 mile round trips on it will only mild "wrist fatigue". Back to the riding position, it is a hybrid of the completely tucked-in style of a sport bike and the laid back riding style of a cruiser. I would certainly recommend the fairing option if given a choice, I know the new models only come with a fairing. I happen to enjoy the aesthetics of the fairing, and I believe the headlights are actually better with the fairing as well. It may not seem like much of a fairing by touring bike standards, but it does provide a moderate amount of protection from wind-buffeting. The SV 650 has an electric instrumentation, with digital speedo, which I find pretty cool. The rear-view mirrors due tend to "buzz" and blur at high highway speeds, but I have not found many bikes that have fixed this problem. The seat is okay in reference to comfort, about as much as can be expected with a sport-style bike. The passenger seat "pillon" is even less comfortable, I'm not sure if there is an aftermarket seat available, as it has never bothered me enough the seek out a replacement. As far as performance is concerned, that is where the SV 650 really shines. The V-twin engine provides plenty of torque to get you through traffic or through the twisties! The performance of this bike is what truly makes it a bargain. I can definitely keep up with my 1,000 cc+ friends on the backroads. From a hard acceleration to using it's twin disc brakes to stop, the SV 650 will not let you down. Happy riding.
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A middleweight V-twin bike, the Suzuki SV650 is nimble, versatile and incredibly popular ... more
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Advantages: Cheap, easy to ride, insurance friendly, great first bike Disadvantages: Build quality, when you park it next to a 900 or 1000cc, you'll want rid
fezza101 10.04.2006 (10.04.2006)
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Review of Suzuki SV650
Advantages: Sexy styling, useful torque, sounds nice, well balanced, cheap to own and ride Disadvantages: Gearbox iffy when cold, forks and fixings can corrode easily, suspension OK but I'd like it a bit harder otherwise an excellent machine.
Breasts 20.07.2006 (20.07.2006)
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Review of Suzuki SV650