Suzuki SV650 The Legend Never Dies 

Just got one for a great deal used as my first bike. I absolutely love it.

So I'm 37 and decided to get my M license. Never ridden b4. Started doing research and decided the sv650 was the "type" of, if not the exact bike I wanted for my first. As fate would have it the day after I got my M license a local place had a used 99 with THREE THOUSAND MILES! The bike was basically show room new and its almost 20 years old. Runs great, plenty of power. I dislike nothing about my SV except the seat hurts my ass a bit (but I got an Airhawk cushion so I'm good now). I'm obviously not experienced with bikes, but I can still tell a good thing, and this bike is a good thing.

My DL 650 is bomber! 87k miles and just won't give up!

Recently purchased a 2nd gen 2004 bright yellow nice SV. I've wanted one for a long while and finally did it. Very enjoyable! It's my step up from my old Bandit 400 naked bike and my return to riding after too many years not riding. Can't wait to do more/longer rides with it, but may have to battle the rain to do it - so what, rainy day on bike better than sunny day mowing the lawn. Just love the naked bike looks and this bike helped make it popular (as well as my Bandit 400) and is truly the "poor man's Ducati" with that v-twin. I do wish I had a newer one with the added ABS and low rpm assist (extra intact valve at low RPM), etc. and the newer ones have a slightly lower seat height (yes, I'm short), but no complaints. There are rumors the SV will be discontinued soon in favor of an inline twin with the 270 degree crank - like all the other midsize bikes now..... Why? I get it - cheaper and easier to manufacture. But you can't beat the character of these bikes and you likely lose it joining the cookie-cutter options out there. Better to be different.

Just bought one of these as my third bike. Plenty of wack for the road and an awesome ride for someone like me who rides every day. Absolutely love it.

This exact bike.. is the one I bought, for my first street-bike ever. If it wasn't for quarantine, I woulda never ! Crazy times.

No doubt awesome bike. Just picked up 2019 X model- fantastic fun!!!!

I have a 2017 SV650 and I have to agree it’s a brilliant, awesome all rounder !!! Plenty of power to commute and to go out for a good blast at the weekend, excellent handling and a lot of fun !!

I've got a 2006 naked. It just passed 57,000 miles. Other than an ignition coil failing, the bike has been very reliable and lots of fun. I've got gold valve emulators and .95 springs in the forks, a Kawasaki ZX14 shock in the rear. Stock suspension was wimpy and soft, but after the fork and shock work, the bike can be ridden hard in the twisties.

Great video man, short and to the point. Perfect for everyday riders with the occasional weekend on the twisties. Keep up the good work!

Great video Alex! Thanks for this. Looking my first "big bike" after my test and I keep coming back to the sv650. Great review 👍

Had a 99 first year out! Loads of fun!!

It also has Easy start, you don't have to keep the starter button pressed until it fires up. Press it once, short, and it will turn the engine until it fires up and then it disengages the starter motor by itself. Sweet :)

Nice info about sv650... keep it up

I bought one just a month ago.. Fantastic bike.. Really 😊 happy

I've always liked the SV650. It isn't the best at anything, but it will do everything most riders could ever want or need in a motorcycle.

Great review. Actually looking at buying one. Thanks for uploading. Oh and I'm an Aussie

That bike is beautiful bro. Great color combo

Although I haven't put a lot of miles on my '17 SV, what you say is spot on. Great for beginners, rides well at freeway speeds, overall an excellent bike for the price. These things are a steal for what you're getting. Managed to get mine for $7k AFTER taxes with 0 miles.

Woo! SV650 crew where you at?

I got my sv650 a few weeks ago.I got the RED sv650 withOUT ABS. this is a really good bike. it does have 75HP......not 45hp like similar bikes. i get around 50-54mpg. and the bike will move,,,for the size. I've had mine up to 108mph(SHHHHHH, don't tell anyone). it has a quick take off. i can lift the front wheel up in 3 gears.( the bike is still NEW, don't want to push it too far). this bike cruses around 70mph at 5,000rpms in 6th gear. it handle the curve great. this is a fun bike to take on a curvy road. 60 - 70mph on the curves,,,no problem (30 - 40mph on the hairpin). the mirrors suck,,,they work, but need to be a bit further out to see past my arms. the seat....SUCKS BALLS. every little bump and I slide forward. the damn thing should have come with a windscreen,, I had to buy one. it cost $150 and make a hell of a lot of difference on the bike. the no throttle take off( LOW RPM ASSIST) works SOMETIMES, the bike can and will still stall. but if you know how to ride a bike you don't need the damn assist. and if don't know how to ride...PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. as far as the brakes go... well, for me they seem to be a little week.( not much stopping power for a small bike) I'd give this bike 9 out of 10 stars.

Agreed had a 2001s and 2009s Amazing bikes!

excellent bike. i got a beautiful one in great condition for $200. yes $200 i didnt miss a zero. 2003 with 13k miles. great bike.

Bought an 06 with 13k for $2500, very well kept. Smooth ride and sounds great with the new exhaust. Only issue was the electric fan $450 installed. So I've got a great daily rider for $3500. I have a 2016 390 Duke and I actually prefer the SV for cruising.

My first bike was a 04 model. Had some Hondas and a BMW, and finally after 12 years I found a SV1000 just the way I like (styling and paint was insane). This summer? Sold it... I just can't explain why. The soul the 650 had just wasn't there. At all. So next year I will try to get my hands on one of the black ones with red frame, believe this is a paint from 2018? Anyhoo, I CANT WAIT! Cheers, and thanks for that great video :)

I did my bike test (UK Mod 1 and 2) on this model. Highly recommended

A fantastic real world Bike

They do everything well. Maybe they don't do anything perfectly, but if you wan't a do-it-all bike (except maybe offroading), this is it.

Great video

Thanks, I have, a 1200 truimph bonnevvel, T120 But this SV Suzuki bike I want it for fun, and commute to work, thanks for this video. 😊👍🏼

The best review ever !

Absolutely perfect honest. Mine came with an aftermarket exhaust and screams to 120+ mph and hits 3's to 60 that is no toy! But the V-Twin will rip up anything and engine break down anything with bad ass roller coaster killer. Mild if you are a beginner just keep it under 4000 rpm and shift up early and often like a Harley that you can push up hill but will never have to because it always runs perfectly.

i thought i wanted a gsxr 600 as my first bike. now i know its an sv650.

I have 45k on my 06 and going strong. Power is great for around town, revs up to 6-7 k for normal highway speeds, so not the best but it can do it. Upgraded my suspension to Ohlins rear and Andriani cartridges front and the difference was well worth the cost. Looking forward to a break system upgrade in the near future. Love the bike overall though and cant say enough good things about it.

Worth pointing out that puttering along in 6th gear and need to pass? Just twist the wrist. Bang. No downshifting required. Just a great street bike for mostly-legal riding.

I bought my 07 for 1200 best purchase of my life so far. These bikes are really really easy to work on trust me I'm not mechanically inclined by no means and I've been able to maintain it with no problems at all.

Hey Alex great video. I ride a Suzuki VStrom 650 adventure. Same motor tuned a little different but the same. Love my bike but looking for a lighter bike and this may certainly work for me. Back in 98 or 99 when they came out and I just got my motorcycle license I saw this bike and reminded me of the Ducati monster 750 because of the open trellis frame. But a lot less expensive.

Great engine: both reliable and it performs. And they upgraded front brakes for 2019 to 4-piston units. Now if they would just give it a better suspension.

@1:59 ... and it is one of the best Ducati Monster ripp-offs.

I ended up choosing a Kawi 650 as my second bike, largely because of the discount. I got a brand new 2016 for $2k off the msrp back in October. I appreciate competent reviews as I contemplate my third bike, though. I dream about sport touring bikes at night.

Will it stall if the the clutch is release full instantly?

Exelent

Alex -- Hmmmm...would I really add a Suzuki to my (one day soon) growing stable? Because of you, I just might! Nice review...I'm all about bullet proof! Yeah, I did wave at the Penske truck...and good wishes to Greg Thomas below...heal up soon and get back on yer ride, bro'...plus, how's that baby girl doin', Alex? Best wishes to her and to her mom, too...

Excellent review. I have a 2007 Kawasaki 650R Ninja which I've had for 12 years, but I've always wanted to try a Suzuki SV650. There is a 2015 new non current Suzuki SV650S for sale at a nearby dealer, but I find the handlebars quite low, and I'm not used to low bars. I could have them raised though about 1" and a 1/2.

I bought a 2000 non running sv650s for $600. Put a battery and voltage regulator /rectifier on it and sold it for $1900. Wish I could find another one of those. I also ride a vstrom 650 which basically shares the same motor as the sv650.

Starting with the gladius and going to the new sv650 the riding position seems a little more upright than the older models. Does it seem like this to you? I would like to buy an older model to keep the price down but I don't want to be leaning excessively forward or have feet excessively high.

I’ve had two still have one... massive torque through every gear... will do 120 on my 06... do you need to go faster? It’s an e ticket ride every time... 100% correct on suspension only area lacking...

Man I hope this bike arrives in India after a couple of years . I will buy it , till that time lemme work hard and earn some money.🙂😍😂😈

Can confirm, good bike. 20k km in a year + winterriding + racetrack abuse for 1100€ with 24k km (Bj 2000) The suspension mod isnt necessary, in my eyes. I ride it with stock suspension (everything stock) and do at Hockenheimring times close to mediocre 600cc bikes. The stock suspension just destroys your Tires :0 - another downside, dont wheelie a carb SV for long time, the front cylinder wont get oil while in a wheelie :D

My Impreza does that too.. it's really hard to stall it. If you let clutch out slowly even up a hill, it'll just go.

I love those bikes too but for similar money i went ahead with the 1000.

It's the perfect 1st bike

its like the lancer evo of the motorcycle world

Great review Alex, does this 2018 model have preload adjustable front forks?

im looking at the sv1000 , but haven't test rode the 650 yet.

owned 1st gen bought new.Changed rare suspension from gixer front progressive with heaver oil.It felt like I was on rails.I pushed it to its limits never dropped. Weak points also breaks.I personally think Suzuki should of updated dated 2 piston breaks but they didn't hence its not the most effective.Some totally swap front forks to go with better break set ups and suspension.This is little more work since special parts are needed....In all honesty If you dont like pushing the bike to its limits then its fine as it is but if you are a canyon carver you need to update the suspension and breaks.

fyi you don't have to keep the starter button presses until it starts, from 2017 they have easy start button, just short press it and let go and bike will turn until it starts

I rode one recently. I love the engine and the clutch. So easy to ride especially on low rpm going on twisties. I just don’t like how soft the front suspensions are when braking hard or in twisties. Makes me feel like on the bike and not fit in the bike so the forks makes me feel i am going to leap forward when braking

I have two of them an 03 naked and a 2014 (not a gladius) sv650s they are fantastic bikes. Naked is probably more fun. Have you seen the sv650x concept, its a cafe racer sv650, they look badass!

Second generation is lighter (alu frame) and looks better. :) Dash is 300% better than LCD only. I think the 3rd gen is far better than Gladius but 2nd gen is unbeatable yet.

Just got one

Great review Alex! Would you choose an FZ 07 or this bike for a beginner?

Hey Alex, what naked bike would be good fit for me for my first bike? I'm 6'1" 260 pounds.

Just grabbed a 2005 sv650 for $1,100. Pretty excited for this little budget bike build.

The 2017 version has the RPM assist as well.

So Im a big guy and havent ridden since I was a young kid. Im looking to buy one Im 19 6,5 250lb and Ive been really reluctant to get a 300 just because of the size you think this would be a good option?

The MT/FZ 07 is exactly like the SV650, but like a slightly bigger and better brother. Bulletproof as hell (I've seen guys go 80,000km on them and they are still going!), easy to maintain, cheap to own and run, provides great torque, super easy to ride... and you cannot forget the sound it makes when you put an exhaust on it... it's absolutely insane how good it sounds for a little bike

Hahahha angas talaga ang suzuki..dami iiyak nito...

Going to put a deposit on an ex demo 19 plate with 88 miles on the clock tomorrow.. after 2 months of riding a 2000 xj600...

brakes are a bit squishy as well. I just bought a 2020 sv and I love it

I'm 6'4" and about 240lbs. Would this bike (and other types of bikes like this) be tolerable?

so what do you think about the suzuki gsx 650 F as a first motorcycle

Most likely I will find a used one ☝️ maybe 🏍🤘

SV's are nice but my favorite suzuki stays the Inazuma.

Bulletproof engine you say? Let me hold it for 3 months 😂

Has anyone stunted on one of these before?

This bike has replaced the suzuki bandit isn't it?

I had a 1999er SV650N for many miles. Now I have the new 2017 model. It is great to ride on and a lot of fun. Fortunately it's cheap enough to get some modifications. See my little "Snowcat" here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3iTeNCUIwJU.html

One wonders how long it's going to take him to find out about easy start...

The stone axe of the 650 class. But I will say this, Yamaha has done one better with the MT-07 (especially after the updates in 2018).

Gris

You dont need to hold the start button

2019 new version will come out.. SV700!!

MT-07 nearly has it beat, in a lot of ways. Yamaha hit them hard when they went with the garbage decontented SFV Gladius.

Too heavy new riders.

Why do i have to watch your face in 80% in the video instead of the SV?

Good review. However you should show the bike more and your face less..

nice bike for girls and beginners

So get out of the way and show the bike, let’s see the the bike this isn’t about you.