SUZUKI SV650 (2016 - on) Review

Although a fairly basic, budget machine, the SV, in all its guises, has always won friends for its combination of easy, novice-friendly manageability (including a decently-low seat), great balance and ergonomics and impressively engaging handling. As such, though now aging, it remains a respected machine both for inexperienced or smaller or female riders looking for a ‘first big bike’ and as an affordable, easy, sporty all-rounder for more experienced types buying on a tight budget.

Its accessible 785m seat height remains from the old model, though the saddle itself is now narrower and the side covers have been on a diet to give a more direct route for the rider’s legs to point towards the floor. Suzuki has shown images of a 5ft 9in rider with feet flat on the ground and a 5ft 3in rider with the balls of both feet in contact with the floor.

The downside of that is the riding position is slightly cramped for taller riders, although even six-footers rarely complain about riding on the little SV. There’s not that much room for pillions although considering the type of buyers the SV attracts it’s not that much of a concern.

The SV’s slightly budget, non-adjustable forks were never going to be the most compliant, but they’re effective and don’t dive at the first sign of weight transfer under braking. The rear single shock has seven-step preload adjustment and generally copes well. Overall, though basic, the suspension is effective for the budget price, but will be one of the areas for attention for more demanding riders.

The twin-pot, sliding piston brakes don’t give the most feel but they are comparable with others in the class and do the job well enough. The ABS system works well and will be attractive to new riders while only interfering with the more experienced rider under heavy braking over sizeable bumps.

The liquid-cooled, 645cc, 90-degree, DOHC powerplant is one of the SV’s highlights and has long been regarded as one of motorcycling’s great engines for its combination of flexible, thrilling performance, character and durability. With a performance pipe fitted it sounds great, too.

The current Suzuki SV650's peak horsepower of 75bhp remains comparable to newer engines such as the parallel twin powering Yamaha’s rival MT-07 and is complimented by a flexible midrange. The extra 4bhp it gained in 2016 came from less internal friction thanks to resin-coated piston skirts and plated cylinders. This lets the bike rev harder than before and also contributes to it passing the new Euro4 emissions regulations. Further changes to the ECU and injectors got it through Euro5 for 2021.

The willing little V-twin gets into its stride at 6000rpm and charges on to around 9000rpm before the rev limiter kicks in somewhere north of 10,000rpm. Torque stays the same as the old bike at 47ftlb, but it’s now strongest at 8100rpm rather than 6400rpm. For more experienced riders, the new tune makes for a more rewarding ride. And being a V-twin layout, there's plenty of engine braking on hand too, meaning you use the brakes less.

The six-speed gearbox is typically Suzuki-smooth and fault-free.

Best of all is the SV motor’s rugged reliability. Despite sometimes ham-fisted abuse from novices or being at the wrong end of a thrashing by more experienced riders or racers, the little V-twin is almost entirely bulletproof with now reliability concerns whatsoever.

The Suzuki SV650's top speed is 130mph, if you can duck down and hand on for long enough...

Although updated and re-engineered repeatedly, evolving from the original 1999 SV650 to the fuel-injected 2004 version, followed by the 2009 Gladius and then back into the 2016 version, the basics of the SV have remained the same. That is as a budget-conscious, novice-friendly 645cc V-twin roadster that appeals to first big bike buyers and more experienced riders alike.

As such, and by being so consistently popular, the SV survives as one of the most proven, durable and refined bikes of the modern era – although it’s still not perfect.

The DOHC engine has now been around for over two decades and there are plenty of long-in-the-tooth examples bearing testament to tip-top reliability. Essentially it’s well engineered and sorted and, if looked after properly, will give years of reliable service – as many have.

Its chassis and cycle parts, however, can be less durable. The SV’s conspicuously built to a budget and that sometime shows, particularly with its metal finishes and vulnerability to corrosion. Although we’re dealing with the latest, 2016-on version, which is less likely to be affected simply because of its age, corrosion can still take place on exposed areas such as the exhaust header pipe or around the swing arm.

Check to for other signs of damage which can be the result of neglect or novice abuse. Scuffs and scrapes are not only common they’re a magnet for further corrosion. Poor novice maintenance can lead to a corroded, out-of-adjustment chain. Oil levels may be ignored. Control levers and more may need lubrication. These may not be inherent SV faults but they’re the kind of problems it can suffer from because of the type of buyer it attracts.

Our Suzuki SV650 owners' reviews show mainly positive comments, with plenty of advice for those who want to modify their bikes. There are a few comments regarding the bike's finishing, though, but you do need to take into consideration the price of the bike here too.

Although there are undeniably cheaper bikes out there, both to buy and run, when it comes to ‘first big bike’ middleweights of over 600cc there are few better than the SV650.

Cheap to buy, the SV is also impressively cheap to run with not only thanks to a claimed impressive average claimed fuel consumption figure of 74mpg (although in realty, especially if ridden hard, it’s nearer 60mpg) but also due to reasonable insurance rates, a more than acceptable hunger for other consumables such as tyres, brake pads, chain and so on and even undaunting servicing costs. A typical owner reported an annual service cost of around £120, which is lower than many.

• Related: Yamaha MT-07 vs Suzuki SV650 vs Kawasaki Z650

All that said, the SV is in a very competitive sector of the market. Yamaha’s newer MT-07 parallel twin has been a Europe-wide best seller since its introduction in 2014 thanks to its more modern design, slightly punchier delivery and more nimble handling, even if it is slightly more expensive. A number of variants are available, too, including the retro-styled XSR700 and Tracer 7 sports-tourer, both of which are more convincing than the slightly old and tired SV. All have also been updated again to meet Euro5 in 2021. Kawasaki, too, offers stiff opposition to the SV with its cute but willing, well-equipped and stylish ER-6n-derived Z650. At the end of the day, though, the SV is probably cheaper to run than both.

In 2021 Triumph's Trident 660 joined the party too, offering a compellingly low-cost package from £7195. It has a touch more power than the SV650, and it has loads more kit, more sophistication in both engine and chassis, and is available for low monthly payments on a PCP deal. Read our full list of the best naked motorbikes here.

The Trident's cost rose to £7395 in 2022, but the SV650's had also crept up to £6799. We reckon both bikes remain seriously good value, though.

Whether it’s better value is down to if you can accept the trade off in up-to-the-minute design and specification but it’s worth remembering that there are masses of used SVs out there, of all vintages and with many at tempting prices while, as a new proposition, Suzuki are masters of discount offers and the SV is often advertised with fuel or accessory vouchers enough to make it a mouth-watering buy.

The 2016-on Suzuki SV650 makes a virtue of being a budget-orientated, basic first bike which is based on a 20-year-old design so don’t expect much by way of fancy equipment. That said it does have more than enough for most, especially considering the fact that it’s targeted as a ‘first big bike’.

Its suspension and brakes are competent without shining but are pretty good when taken in context with the rest of the class. ABS brakes comes as standard, too (well, they are compulsory), its new ‘Low RPM’ mode makes pulling away and low-speed riding easier (it makes it very difficult to stall) and the latest SV’s dash includes helpful info like fuel range and current/average fuel economy displays.

Suzuki SV650 custom

The SV650 is also a brilliant ‘blank canvas’ for accessories or for owner customisation. Suzuki themselves offer the likes of a small screen and ‘comfort’ seat (desirable as the standard version is very thin and can be a bit uncomfortable after about an hour's riding) while the sheer number of SVs out there due to its popularity and long life span has fuelled an enormous market for aftermarket accessories ranging from performance exhausts and chassis upgrades, to crash protection, luggage, different types of fairings and screens, parts that can protect your bike from corrosion such as rear huggers and ‘fenda extendas’, radiator guards, heated grips and more.

Inevitably, the appeal of any of these things is subjective. But they can also not just add appeal but value to a bike and should be considered seriously – as long as they’re quality and fitted well – when considering any used SV.