New 2016 Suzuki SV650 review first 600 miles

[SeniorBiker]

Hi, I am new to the SV650.org and I own a new 2016 Suzuki SV650 that has just completed 600 miles and is about to go for its first service. This is my review sorry it’s a bit long…. I got to say this was my first Suzuki but I have always rode Twins and the occasional Triple from Honda, Kawasaki, Triumph Moto Guzzi and BMW but this has got to be the smoothest twin I have ridden. I wanted to downsize to a smaller bike and looked at the unavailable Triumph Street Twin (till January) the Moto Guzzi V9 Roamer and the new 2016 SV650 but after reading the reviews on the SV650 and its history this was going to be the bike for me.

In the 600mls I have done I think it’s great!! So easy to ride very smooth and I have got to say I have not missed the reduction in BHP from my BMW F800R and at the 5000 RPM running in engine speed the mirrors on the SV650 are rock solid on my BMW they vibrated to the point of useless. Many people have commented about the SV650 seat being hard but I have not noticed this as I had the Low-Seat option on my BMW F800R which has thinner padding and as with the SV650 after 100 miles you need a break!! I missed a screen on the naked SV650 so at 300 miles I ordered a small screen from HPS (MRA Screens) the only manufacture to produce a screen for the new 2016 SV650 model at the time and came from Germany. The screen arrived within 7days and was easy to fit to the rear handlebar clamps with all the fittings supplied, the screen is high quality and I think it does not look out of place on the bike. The screen does a good job of reducing the wind pressure and makes the riding more pleasant, it would not give much weather protection but I am now a “fine weather” rider as I am retired so this is not a problem.

I don’t have to tell other SV650 owners how much I would recommend this bike, but as a new owner of the 2016 Suzuki SV650 it has brought back the fun side of riding as the new SV650 is so light and easy to handle and the engine feels smooth and very flexible at low RPMs and the new clutch- assist may help new riders but even for old timers slow riding in stop start traffic is a breeze, in first or second gear it means no slipping of the clutch and you can close the throttle feather the rear brake and the engine will not stall at any slow speed. I did order the Blue SV650 but Suzuki were late in delivering the new bikes to the dealers and as I pre-order mine I would have one of the first bikes at the dealers, but Suzuki were not releasing the blue model till late June (another month later). I was offered a Black or the White/Blue I chose the White but was not sure about the “Blue Wheels” but now I like the colour as the white is pearlescent with a hint of blue in the sunlight, the blue wheels are harder to keep clean!! It will be interesting to see other owners of 2016 SV650s options and reviews as I have not seen a bad review or youtube video. Fuel consumption is good during running in I am averaging 67mpg my best was 75mpg which matches the on-board computer display if you remember to set it to Imp miles per gallon and not US mpg. The only thing I miss is a main stand, but I have purchased a “Rollastand” from www.hardlineproducts.com which allows the rear wheel to be rotated for cleaning and chain lubricating.

Tony

[maviczap]

Hello & welcome. Nice review

An alternative to your Rollastand is the ABBA stand, which is esential for any rear suspension work.

[macamxthe1st]

Hello and welcome, if you think it's good now just wait till you get some decent miles clocked up. Sounds like we are about the same age group (retired) and have had all sorts of stuff but this really is good. I have nearly 5,000 miles on mine now and it just gets better and better.

Geoff.

[madjohn]

This is my 18th bike and my 5th SV. After being away from bikes for nearly 5 yrs i decidered to jump back on to bikes. I had no hesitation in buying another SV.

I was'nt looking forward to the running in peirod but it has'nt been that bad. Service is due soon. I find it very easy to ride and the handling is very good.

I'm round about 14 stone so the suspension can be a little firm. It's a lot better than the SFV i had as standard. I put a GSXR-600 shock in the SFV to sort out the back end and i'm looking to find one for this bike as well. Fuel economy is very good. I'm getting the same mpg as other members. I like the tyres. Very good in the dry but they give me no confidence in the wet but they weren't that good in the wet either when they where fitted to the SFV. Styling wise a huge improvment over the SFV and i really like it. There's a lot of black on the bike and i thought it might be a problem keeping the bike clean but it's not. I think the finish on the bike is a lot better then previous Suzuki's i have had. Brakes are ok. ABS is good as standard. It would be intersting to hear from other members if they have tried diffrant brake pads.

Over all i'm loving it. Very happy.

[Grant66]

Wondering if you tried the MT-07 before deciding on the SV?

[macamxthe1st]

I did and for me the SV engine was vastly superior. I also preferred the SV suspension and more conservative looks. Clincher was a cracking Suzuki dealer.

Geoff.

[moto2cool]

I'm glad you're enjoying it :) its a great bike :). I've tested the mt07, ( twice) better for street fighting but for riding SV is far better, smooth in low rpm but strong in higher. :) It have at the same time the two faces of the coin

[madjohn]

Wondering if you tried the MT-07 before deciding on the SV?

I would have liked to have had a test ride of one. Heard lot's of good things about them.

Not complaining thow. Still glad i went for a the SV.

[yamrdtez]

welcome to the world of the sv, enjoy

[SeniorBiker]

I went for the SV after looking at various bikes as I said in my introduction, but for me the SV has now a traditional look with a proven engine and what I was looking for in "downsizing" to a small bike in size not necessarily in CC. In the short time I have owned the SV it has proven to be the right decision the SV handles so well I referred to it as like a 125 because its so easy in town traffic but has still heavy enough on the open road to remain stable. There are better bikes available for specific types of riding needs but for a all round bike I don't think there is a better bike. I have reviewed many youtube test reviews and everyone agrees the SV is a good all rounder some say its build to budget but today budget does not mean "cheap" I have had many more expensive bikes like Triumphs and BMWs and the build quality of these is not twice as good even if the price is!!
Tony

[SV650rules]

I have been riding the new AL7 since end of April this year ( I ordered it as soon as I could - in February), just love it - the engine is absolutely a gem, so smooth at all revs I have never noticed any vibration on the mirrors and no numb fingers from higher freq vibration either. The low seat height means that I can get both feet flat, which gives me a lot of confidence - this bike makes me smile when I am just thinking about riding it, fueling and throttle response are spot on and it has plenty of power for me, I prefer torque over flat out high rev power any day of the week. More than happy with the handling, it feels very planted and un-flustered , keeps a line well and at the same time is very flickable. Getting over 70 mpg - I stick within the speed limit but like to get to it pretty quick so that is pretty good, when I was running in and staying below 5K revs I was getting around 80mpg (taken on miles covered and petrol it took to fill back up to bottom of neck in tank). Very happy with bike, getting on for 2,500 miles on clock now.

I fitted same MRA screen as original poster SeniorBiker but ended up removing the 70mm or so of the upturned 'lip' because it made all my helmets very noisy with the disturbed air being sent up to my head area, things are much quieter now, but still getting benefit from screen (although still more helmet noise than when bike was naked).

[moto2cool]

I agree that one can feel some noise with MRA screen. But in highway every cm in the screen makes the diference :)

[SV650rules]

The only way to get full protection is to have a tall screen that you can just see over top of - but would completely spoil the look of bike. May take screen off for summer months and put back on for colder weather only.

[macamxthe1st]

Normally about this time of year I am starting to look around for a new bike for next year. Not this time. I have enjoyed the SV tremendously and have no intention of changing it. Now that's a first in 49 years of biking. As an overall package (not forgetting value) it's unbeatable.

Geoff.

[SeniorBiker]

Hi, I agree with all the comments of SV650rules and I would add the SV is got to be the smoothest twin I have ridden but still retains plenty of engine feel and character. I think the MRA works fine with me but with all screens it’s a compromise between cosmetic looks and practicality. I have always ridden with a screen on my many bikes I have owned mainly more for comfort than weather protection. But those bike that have come with a screen option as part of the bike are usually designed for your average height rider and at 5”6 I find this does not make the screen work as designed. The MRA screen works for me and I noticed the difference after riding about 300 miles without, but I do think a number of factors should be taken into account when evaluating the efficiency of any screen is it cosmetic or practical, and the design of the crash helmet as they are designed to reduce the airflow and noise in free air. I have found over the years that a good test for evaluating a screen is to ride with the visor open at various speeds this will immediately give you a feedback to how efficient your screen is also the direction of any wind as a strong headwind will compromise a small screen and may feel worse than no screen. It will be interesting to see if and when Suzuki add a screen to the 2016 SV650 accessories in 2017 options or will it be a small cosmetic screen often fitted to other makes? I do feel from a looks point of view the 2016 SV650 needs a screen to finish of the look without spoiling the “naked bike” look.

Tony.

[SV650rules]

One of the reasons I bought the AL7 is that it is still made in Japan, its hard to find a bike these days that isn't made in Malaysia, India, China etc. etc. Even Triumph, that quintessential British bike has bikes made in strange places.

[moto2cool]

Is true, for example the migthy BMW with Kymco engines, and at what price :)

[SV650rules]

Is true, for example the migthy BMW with Kymco engines, and at what price :)

BMW message in their advertising is 'if you don't have a BMW you are a loser' - and it works with a lot of people - my mate just bought a R1200GS - spent £16K - that bike is a 600lb+ tank with a high seat and it would be a brave man that went off pavement on it. If you read the full story of Long Way Down the bikes failed on the off-pavement sections they tried. Another mate who has a Triumph Triple has dubbed the GS1200 the 'cl!toris - because when you see one there is a cvnt very close by.