I had this engine in a 2004 DL650 for 9 years. Then came the day it was time to adjust the valves. I already knew all the plastic and the radiator had to be pulled, but when the shop manual said to pull the entire instrument package, I buttoned it back up and sold it.
Have a 2019 model and agree is a great engine although longer rides that seat is one of the most uncomfortable ones have come across and your wrists do feel it after a few hours in the saddle. Have a Yoshimara Alpha which really brings that exhaust note to life and R&G tail tidy sorts out the rear styling. Been riding over 30 years having just got back into it after many years and even as an experienced rider this bike is alot of fun. Although just watched your review of the Vulcan 650S and am very tempted for those longer cruises.
Suzuki has been making this bike forever. That also means they are out there on the used market in numbers. Since DFW is a motorcycle backwater you may have to wait a while to find a good one on Craigslist. Avoid any that have engine mods but the stock engine is as reliable as a hammer. It's the same engine used on the legendary 650 V-Strom. The forward riding position of any sporty naked bike is actually *more* comfortable long distance than a more upright position. Wind pressure supports your torso at freeway speeds. Riding an upright naked means you have to fight to hold yourself upright against the wind, which is tiring. For the new rider the SV650 is "Legitimate." Nobody who knows motorcycles will laugh at you. For that matter neither should they laugh at any Japanese 250-300. I've had a good 300 rider walk away from me on the Hill Country's legendary Twisted Sisters ride when I was riding over 700cc and 70hp more. Once you have a good bike it is really all down to how good the rider is. The SV650 is easy to ride but if you truly outgrow it you are better than me.
I was so busy looking at the Niken, I didn't see you put "Squirrel" on the screen until the third time I "rewound" the video to look at it. lol Coming straight at you, it really looks different than other bikes.
Dude riding in on that Yamaha Niken dropping his feet off the pegs at 2:52 should probably consider something a bit less expensive until he has a few more miles under his belt. He's going to cry when he drops it in a Walmart parking lot after owning it less than a week.
