Craig380
01-04-19, 09:20 AM
Having put 500 miles on my 18-month old AL7, here are my thoughts on it compared with my previous K6S. This may well repeat what others have said about the AL7 :)
Engine: we all love the SV engine, and Suzuki has managed to improve it still further for the current bike. It's smoother and seems even punchier. Throttle response is still sharp and instant in any gear, at any speed. The torque peak has moved higher up the rev range but it doesn't feel that way - crack the throttle at 4,000 rpm in 6th and the bike still pulls like a frisky border collie. Even though the dash now has a gear indicator, I've still tried to change to 7th :rolleyes:
Interestingly, checking the factory specs, all the internal gear ratios are identical to the K3 onward bikes, and the final drive is the same as K3-onward nakeds (45T rear sprocket). It's definitely more economical - about 10% better in my style of riding. The standard silencer sounds great too.
Handling: the frame geometry is different, the AL7's handling is much livelier and turns in more easily than older SVs (obviously helped by the higher / wider bars). But it feels just as planted once it's in the corner, and the forks are MILES better. Firmer but still compliant, and no clonking! The rear end is completely unobtrusive, it just does its job without twitching, bouncing etc.
Brakes: frankly, not as good as my old K6. They stop the bike just fine, but the initial bite and feel isn't there. I could squeal the front tyre with two fingers on my K6: the AL7 needs three fingers to get the same level of braking. The calipers and discs are identical, so I can only assume it's the lengthy ABS plumbing which has robbed the feel. I got used to the (lack of) feel of the new brakes in a few dozen miles, but compared with the dynamics of the rest of the bike, they're disappointing.
Ergonomics: many people criticise the seat for being too thin / too tilted forward. For my backside, it's fine - better than the factory gel seat on my K6. Yes, it IS thinly padded, but because it's wide & flat, I'm happy for 2 to 3 hours at a time with no problems. Your @rse may vary ;)
I will probably get a screen of some kind as I'd forgotten just how obtrusive windblast can be: my old S spoiled me, but I don't miss the aching wrists and @rse ...
The new dash is busy and has lots of toys (fuel range, instant MPG, average MPG etc etc) but it's easy to get the info you need, and it's easy to read quickly even in bright sunlight. I would prefer a dial revcounter but the 'bar' readout is OK. The revised clutch actuator makes the clutch action better, and the 'low rpm assist' is completely unobtrusive. You only notice it if you try to notice it, which is as it should be.
In conclusion, I wasn't looking to replace my K6, I was very happy with it. But the AL7 has been very quick to show its charms (apart from the brakes), it really is an excellent evolution of the SV line
Engine: we all love the SV engine, and Suzuki has managed to improve it still further for the current bike. It's smoother and seems even punchier. Throttle response is still sharp and instant in any gear, at any speed. The torque peak has moved higher up the rev range but it doesn't feel that way - crack the throttle at 4,000 rpm in 6th and the bike still pulls like a frisky border collie. Even though the dash now has a gear indicator, I've still tried to change to 7th :rolleyes:
Interestingly, checking the factory specs, all the internal gear ratios are identical to the K3 onward bikes, and the final drive is the same as K3-onward nakeds (45T rear sprocket). It's definitely more economical - about 10% better in my style of riding. The standard silencer sounds great too.
Handling: the frame geometry is different, the AL7's handling is much livelier and turns in more easily than older SVs (obviously helped by the higher / wider bars). But it feels just as planted once it's in the corner, and the forks are MILES better. Firmer but still compliant, and no clonking! The rear end is completely unobtrusive, it just does its job without twitching, bouncing etc.
Brakes: frankly, not as good as my old K6. They stop the bike just fine, but the initial bite and feel isn't there. I could squeal the front tyre with two fingers on my K6: the AL7 needs three fingers to get the same level of braking. The calipers and discs are identical, so I can only assume it's the lengthy ABS plumbing which has robbed the feel. I got used to the (lack of) feel of the new brakes in a few dozen miles, but compared with the dynamics of the rest of the bike, they're disappointing.
Ergonomics: many people criticise the seat for being too thin / too tilted forward. For my backside, it's fine - better than the factory gel seat on my K6. Yes, it IS thinly padded, but because it's wide & flat, I'm happy for 2 to 3 hours at a time with no problems. Your @rse may vary ;)
I will probably get a screen of some kind as I'd forgotten just how obtrusive windblast can be: my old S spoiled me, but I don't miss the aching wrists and @rse ...
The new dash is busy and has lots of toys (fuel range, instant MPG, average MPG etc etc) but it's easy to get the info you need, and it's easy to read quickly even in bright sunlight. I would prefer a dial revcounter but the 'bar' readout is OK. The revised clutch actuator makes the clutch action better, and the 'low rpm assist' is completely unobtrusive. You only notice it if you try to notice it, which is as it should be.
In conclusion, I wasn't looking to replace my K6, I was very happy with it. But the AL7 has been very quick to show its charms (apart from the brakes), it really is an excellent evolution of the SV line