MCN Fleet: The Suzuki SV650X is like owning a puppy

Dan reflects on around 15,000 miles of fun with the Suzuki SV650X

Or at least I think it is… Over the last 11 months the £6199 Suzuki SV650X has wormed its way into my heart and I will be sad to see it go back to its true custodians in the coming weeks.

With just 75bhp on tap and suspended by rudimentary pre-load adjustable springs at both ends, the SVX is fully exploitable on the road. With a credible chassis and an engaging riding position, it’s a barrel of laughs in the bends and simply eggs you on to corner ever-faster, before firing it out the other side with a handful of throttle and a gentle growl from its Euro4-compliant V-Twin. 

With a lack of wind protection, uncomfortable standard seat and a poor turning circle, it’s as impractical as a puppy too, however if anyone ever tried to harm it, I would be absolutely mortified. I have always had a soft spot for the upright SV, however never imagined I would become quite so smitten with the café-inspired X. 

Used for my daily commute, as well as plenty of weekend riding and trackdays, the SV was often the first face I would see in the mornings and during the summer months I couldn’t help but grin at the prospect of a 60-mile blat to the office across rural Lincolnshire. 

On the way home, the idea of a crouching blast into the sunset along some of England’s finest sweepers was equally as appealing, despite the first 30 miles of A1 to endure before the twisties began.

A weekend weapon

It was much the same story in my leisure time and by mid-July, the Suzuki had started to replace my own Kawasaki ZX-6R as my go-to weekend toy. This was solidified by my four trackdays, which took place at Silverstone, Rockingham, Cadwell Park and Brands Hatch Indy.

All circuits offered varying lengths, topography and layout, with the Suzuki punching above its weight at every venue. Sure, the crude suspension may have caused the occasional wobble from the rear and dive at the front end under brakes, however the bike handled predictably and once the hero blobs were removed from the pegs, there was plenty of ground clearance for some kneedown action.  

This love affair continued deep into October, taking advantage of the unseasonably long summer, until the onset of winter threatened to spoil the party. I had always been warned of the threat of rust with an SV, however I wasn’t quite prepared for the amount that appeared over one winter from a sub-one-year-old bike. 

Busting the rust

Despite washing multiple times a week and the application of ACF 50, rust was able to appear on the fork stanchions, front discs, the chain and even the rear pillion pegs, where the paint had flaked away after a handful of two-up rides. The exhaust headers have also browned considerably and a thick band of oxidation appeared on the back of the optional £749 Yoshimura R77J end can I had installed, too.

If you were a real owner, this would be quite demoralising and my affinity towards the bike meant I began to become paranoid about the problem growing. With every ride and every passing splat of grit from an oncoming vehicle, all I could think about was the damage I was doing, despite rigorous cleaning.

The winter saw a continuation of the daily commutes, however it was no longer quite as fun and I longed for a fairing and some heated grips. Granted, this would bump up the price, but warm hands go a long way when the temperature is skating just above zero.

However, every so often I was given a dry day and instantly reminded of why I feel the way I do about this bike. Combined with a set of grippy Metzeler Roadtec 01 tyres, the SV bites the tarmac hard and dares you to up the pace once more. It’s always happy to play; regardless of your willingness to push on. 

The verdict

If you’re looking for that first big bike or are after a decent allrounder with enough poke to remain exciting, the SV650X is for you. Granted, it won’t fare well in the winter, however for those warm dry days it has to be one of the best value back road scratchers on the market.

For the price, it’s a steal and I will miss its playful nature every day, however I look forward to spending less on anti-corrosion spray and cleaner!

---

Tech spec

74.9bhp@8500rpm
47ftlb@8100rpm

198kg kerb weight
14.5 litres fuel capacity

Front suspension 41mm telescopic forks, preload adjustable
Rear suspension Monoshock, preload adjustable

Engine 645cc liquid-cooled V-Twin

What it costs £6342 On-the-road price

£149.44 finance x 36
£72.16 PCP x 36
£1200 deposit
143 miles @ 10.31 litres = 62.97mpg

---

Update 10: Upkeep on the Suzuki SV650X

Published: 22.01.19

Living with me was never going to be an easy task for the Suzuki SV650X. Right from the outset it was confined to a life of hard labour; carting me and an overloaded Kriega R30 rucksack full of kit to and from the office in all weather conditions.

In the summertime the weekends provided no respite either, being worked as hard as its 75bhp V-twin lump could manage along my favourite back roads and around some of England’s greatest race tracks. It’s also endured 200 mile rides down laborious motorways in all weathers for meetings and been the weapon of choice for taking passengers, thanks to my own bike being a single-seater.

As such, after putting up with months of daily use very impressively, a few smaller parts have wandered astray during rides. The first thing to go was the sole of the side stand, which disappeared at around 5000 to 6000 miles.

Presumably weakened by the constant manoeuvring on the driveway for maintenance and the action of kicking it down whilst sat on the bike, I was only alerted to the issue when I caught the stand on a piece of concrete, creating a toe curling scrape of metal across hard rock.

Although you wouldn’t spot it unless you knew it was there, genuine owners could be disappointed to discover such a thing dropping off of their brand-new motorcycle after just four months of solid riding. 

The fact that I continued to ride the bike blissfully unaware of it also means that I could well have damaged the shape of the stand base, making fitting a new one difficult. The lack of centre stand also means this job will need a paddock stand, or a willing volunteer to complete. 

Second to go was the left-hand bar end, which disappeared at around the 12,000 mile mark – taking with it all of the internal elements of the bar. I had previously tried to fit a bar-end mirror here, however that was a good few months prior. 

Again, this must have occurred mid-ride, as I only realised it was gone when I noticed an abnormally large amount of overhang for my left palm when riding. A replacement unit costs £27.19 from Suzuki directly.

The original piece that remains on the right-hand throttle grip has also experienced deep scratches forming in the paint, caused by prolonged use of Knox Handroid race gloves with hard scaphoid protection during the summer months.

A rusty chain

As the temperature plummeted and the gritters began to lay their corrosive salty concoction, the chain drive began to take a pasting, with the standard items beginning to experience multiple tight spots after 13,000 miles, making it almost impossible to keep it adjusted correctly. 

A decent lifespan for the standard item, as the tightest point was correctly tensioned, elsewhere there would be around two inches of play – leading to an audible clatter during rides and an unnerving judder by your left foot. Not only this, but despite washing it once a week and rinsing it twice, the whole chain was overcome with rust.

No matter how hard I seemed to clean it, lubricate it and generally look after it, I was fighting a losing battle. That said, had it not been stretched, I could have been tempted to soldier on in an attempt to find a cure.

For a replacement, I spoke to the team at B&C Express in Potterhanworth, who recommended a Tsubaki kit costing £103.31 with an optional £6 delivery fee. Located just outside Lincoln, they had all I needed local to me and now fitted, I am hopeful that this quality aftermarket unit can keep the bike slightly more rust-free until we go separate ways at the end of March.

Despite these issues though, the bike has proved a worthy companion thus far and continues to carry me on my 110-mile commute without fuss. The frugal engine has remained sound, as have the brakes and electrical components and although these replacement parts have been needed, the bike really hasn’t wanted for much after over 13,000 miles of continuous riding.

---

Update 9: Testing tyres is gripping work

Published: 27.12.18

The tyres you choose to equip a motorcycle with have a huge impact on its characteristics. Go for a flatter profile sports touring option and the bike will behave more lazily with slower, predictable steering. However, go for a set of taller profile, sporty rubber and the ride becomes more engaging on spirited jaunts – often to the detriment of tyre longevity. 

It’s a compromise that all riders face and one I have been experimenting with this year on the Suzuki SV650X. After the best part of 13,000 miles, I have tried five sets of tyres (should you include the OE set) in a bid to find the best all-rounder for commuting, weekend excursions and the odd trackday.

My eight months of fun began with a set of standard fitment Dunlop Roadsmarts at the tail end of the Beast of the East misery and I was initially quite sceptical at the bike’s ability to carve through the remaining winter sludge.

However, after around 1500 miles, I was pleasantly surprised with their performance. Although lacking some feel in serious downpours, they were perfectly acceptable for getting me to and from the office on my commute, as well as the occasional weekend ride when the weather allowed.

Michelin Road 5

Despite this performance, I was certain that better wet weather performance was achievable. After much head scratching, I opted for the new-for-2018 Michelin Road 5 sports touring tyre, which I had previously tested on its world launch in Spain in late February.

Offering wet weather grip unsurpassed by any other tyre I had tried to that point, I was certain that would be the rubber to unlock additional performance on the run up to the warmer climes of spring. Using dual-compound technology featuring a harder centre for longevity and softer shoulders for sporty cornering grip, they offered the performance I desired and then some.

With bags of grip when cornering and braking in the wet, as well as ample toe-dragging grip in the dry, they still showed plenty of life after 4000 miles of testing, when they were abruptly removed to make way for some sportier tyres to tackle some upcoming trackdays.

Dunlop SportSmart TT

I made the conscious decision to do this due to the front end occasionally skipping across the road surface when pushed hard on more aggressive rides. Keen to prevent waste, these were then passed onto a colleague to help run his winter hack for thousands of additional miles.

These were replaced with a set of Dunlop SportSmart TTs, which were recommended to me by colleague and Chief Road Tester, Michael Neeves, as an ideal sports-focussed road tyre.

Now in peak summertime, they transformed the handling and made my weekend rides much more engaging. They also supplied the perfect amount of grip for a brief stint around Brands Hatch Indy and Silverstone.

Managing the bike’s 75bhp with relative ease, once up to temperature, they inspired knee downs aplenty on track, as well as more confidence in the front-end when burying the bike into corners both on the road and on circuit.

Unfortunately, this performance made for a sacrifice in longevity, with the rear showing signs of squaring after just 3000 miles. In heavy rain, I also experienced a break in traction at 70mph on a dual carriageway with minimal throttle input, which leads me to believe this wouldn’t work as a year-round tyre choice.   

Metzeler Sportec M7 RR

Determined not to let go of the summertime fun (and not knowing that we would be blessed with 20-plus degree days well into October) I swapped the Dunlops for an old favourite of mine; the Metzeler Sportec M7 RR.

These have been my go-to tyre for my own road bikes since their inception and I knew they were capable of trackday fun, as well as coping with most, warmer downpours. From early August to around mid-November, I piled on around 4000 miles on these tyres, snatching the last of my year’s trackday excursions at Cadwell Park, as well as plenty of weekend fun.

As a tyre designed for faster, sporty road riding, the M7 RRs blew me away when the temperatures dropped, still offering huge dollops of feedback below 10-degrees in any conditions.

Had they not squared, I would have been perfectly happy to run them through the winter. However, with the middle band of tread dwindling on the rear, I decided to swap them out for a set of Metzeler Roadtec 01s.

Metzeler Roadtec 01

Again recommended to me by Michael Neeves, first impressions have been good. At the time of writing this piece, I have just returned from a 50-mile dash to see the tyres finally fully bedded in and I am astounded at the level of grip on offer for the December crud.

Reducing the Road 5s performance to second place, the grip available leaves you feeling like you’re gliding along a dry road, despite the drizzly conditions before you. The gentle, forgiving profile also makes handling predictable, with no signs of breaking traction from the rear end under hard acceleration.

Although it’s far too early to report on anything in detail, so far I am very impressed and can’t wait to pile on more miles. Now, where were my keys…

---

Update 8: The story so far

Published: 22.11.18

If you’ve been out and purchased the current issue of MCN (and if you haven’t, why not?) then you will know that inside there is a fabulous #MCNFleet special feature, detailing everyone’s riding year so far. For everyone else, you can get yours here.

Below is a summary of my journey so far, detailing my best and worst moments from the last eight months:

• Best ride A sun-kissed trackday around Silverstone’s GP layout. 
• Longest day Five hours in the saddle riding 224 miles from Lincoln to the New Forest. 
• What hurt first? My arse! The standard seat is only good for around an hour’s riding. 
• Anything to confess? I dinged a mirror filtering in London. 
• High point During my third trackday session at Silverstone, I took a bravery pill at the beginning of the third lap, and lunged up the inside of a Ducati 999 and brand-new Suzuki GSX-R1000 under braking.
  With my knee, toe slider and end can scraping in harmony I managed to make both passes stick before Maggotts and felt like a complete riding god for around 20 seconds. 

• Low point No more than 20 miles into a ride to London my ‘waterproofs’ began to leak around my crotch. 
• What do you most admire? It’s so much fun for six grand. 
• What’s it really good at? Putting a smile on my face. 
• And really bad at? Being comfortable. The stylish rolled seat lets down an otherwise capable commuting package. 
• What’s broken or fallen off? At the time of writing for print, nothing at all. However, no sooner had it gone to press had the left bar-end mysteriously vanished, along with all of the internals of the handlebar. 
• What irritates you most? Build quality. Despite constant cleaning, rust has crept in here and there. 
• Tell us a secret Projected fuel range plummets as soon as you exceed 85mph. 
• What did you think at the beginning? I couldn’t wait to ride it. I miss those summer rides now, but still love it.

Bring the noise: Installing the Yoshimura R77J end can

As well as exploring the Suzuki SV650X’s best and worst traits, I have also gone in search of more noise, opting for this £749 factory-fitment end can. You can read the full product review below:

After four months and 6000 miles of riding my Suzuki SV650X, I grew tired of the muted soundtrack provided by the standard can and so opted to install the official Yoshimura R77J slip-on.

It soon became obvious that the pipe wasn’t going to deliver the snarling V-twin grumble I had hoped for, thanks to a non-removable baffle fused within the construction. However, while remaining muffled, it will deliver the occasional bang under aggressive downshifts and pop during off-throttle coasting.

A lack of noise also means no hassle at trackdays, with the bike registering at just 89dB at Cadwell Park earlier this year.

Quality: 4/5 Value: 3/5

---

Update 7: Trying to bust the rust

Published: 31.10.18

I have been testing Suzuki’s budget café racer for the best part of six months now, using the bike as a commuter, weekend toy and trackday mule and I’ve experienced almost every weather condition along the way.

Picking up the Suzuki’s keys in early May, my first few weeks with the SV were spent battling the tail end of our unseasonably long winter, with road salt, sludge and low temperatures sadly being a daily occurrence.

Rust is a repeat offender

Despite my best efforts of regular rinsing, weekly cleaning and coatings of ACF-50, the bike developed a few rust spots around the top of the forks and the outer plates of the chain.

A symptom of its cheap £6199 price tag, the hard-fought battle with rust has been an ongoing one, with even the warmest summertime shower turning the chain a shade of Wotsit orange if left it longer than a day to fester.

The exhaust headers have also suffered, due to being exposed to the elements at all times. They are now a shade of browny-grey, with flecks of blue creeping through where the metal has changed with constant exposure to the heat.

Keeping the issue at bay is possible, however it requires plenty of elbow grease and a lot of cleaning tools and agents; all of which are costly and it’s a time consuming chore. I am prepared to do this, however newer riders (who often purchase SVs as a first big bike) may be unaware of such cleaning rituals, meaning unnecessary oxidation to their brand new motorcycle.

Sunday with the family at Mallory Park for Race of the Year. Couldn’t have asked for better weather and the racing was so close at the sharp end! #MCNFleet18 #ride5000miles pic.twitter.com/2tVvtaA0in

— Dan Sutherland (@DanielJS46) October 21, 2018

With the nights now drawing in and temperatures starting to drop, I have decided to take the fight directly to the winter roads this year, installing a series of modifications from R&G to help combat the poor weather.

Starting at the front end, I now have a £29.16 headlight shield, £51.66 radiator guard and £23.33 fender extender to help take the brunt of the rain, sleet and grit. The fender extender should also reduce spray to the front cylinder, which will hopefully slow the rusting on the corresponding exhaust header.

Moving further back, I have also taken to installing aero-styled £64.16 crash protectors and £31.66 engine case sliders because, although I don’t plan to have a spill, I want to be protected when the grip levels are reduced.

After two weeks of daily riding, we’ve treated the #MCNFleet18 @SuzukiBikesUK #SV650X to a thorough clean and anti-corrosion treatment to help tackle the now grit-laden roads. #ride5000miles pic.twitter.com/R78uo58KkV

— Motor Cycle News (@MCNnews) October 31, 2018

---

Update 6: Reader Q&A

Published: 16.09.18

‘How would it cope with being used in winter?’ – Jonathan Mahiques-Pearce

At the beginning of the year, I found that in order to keep on top of the winter salt, I had to apply plenty of ACF-50 anti-corrosion spray and clean the bike regularly in order to keep I tlooking presentable. This consisted of a rinse after every use and one thorough weekend clean per week. With that, the bike survived the crud quite well, however small pockets of surface rust were still able to form on the forks and outer plates of the chain.

‘What factory upgrades would you recommend?’ – Alex Jessop

I have installed a couple of factory modifications, with the most useful being the £25 paddock stand bobbins and a £102.64 replacement seat. As I travel around 500-600 miles a week on this bike for pleasure and commuting, maintenance on the chain is key. The bobbins give me great access to this and the back wheel for cleaning, lubricating and adjusting. The standard stylish rolled seat on the SV650X is simply too thin to be comfortable over long-distances and so I replaced it with the plainer, thicker seat from the standard SV650, which offers slightly more padding and fits perfectly.

‘Is the Café Street package any good?’ – Phil Boyes

The X offers a sportier feel than the standard SV with the ‘Cafe Street’ kit (£6378 for the bike and kit) as it comes with clip-on bars. Besides that, they are essentially the same bike and both are good value for money. However, you can’t get the Cafe in the lovely black and silver finish.

‘How is it over distance?’ – Alexander Thorpe

The seat isn’t great (as mentioned above), but besides that, it is fine. It’s not heavy on your wrists either, with the riding position feeling very similar to a 1990s sportsbike – you sit in it, rather than on it. Fuel-wise, I have seen 150 miles from a tank before I’ve run out of bottle, however the gauge has still been showing that there is some in the tank.

‘How does it compare to the old Suzuki SV650S?’ – Tracy Porter

The X is a much newer bike and benefits from ABS and preload adjustment on the front and rear suspension. Preload adjustment on the front only came in on the latest generation of SV650. There are also significant chassis changes. Obviously, the faired S model will offer more in the way of wind protection than the largely naked X and there will be more refinement in this latest bike’s Euro4 engine.

---

Update 5: How does the SV650X cope with distance riding?

Published 14.08.18

In my time with the Suzuki SV650X, I have been pushing myself to ride further and longer, in a bid to discover new routes and roads outside my local Lincolnshire favourites, as well as add to my #ride5000miles total.

So far, this pledge to myself has seen me travel south to Brands Hatch for a day with the Kent Fire and Rescue team and to New Milton on the South Coast. The first of these expeditions was a 180-mile ride from MCN’s Peterborough HQ with my colleague Shaun Collin to clothing and accessories experts, TranAm, who are based in New Milton, Hampshire.

Taking place between Monday, May 21 and Tuesday 22, and with the weather in a state of flux between glorious sunshine and torrential downpours, the ride was my first chance to assess the bike’s ability as a long-distance motorway cruiser.

Discomfort is a recurring theme

As previously reported, by this time I had already swapped out the standard seat on the SVX for something more padded from the upright SV650 after early complaints about discomfort and I was keen to see if the switch had worked. Sadly, it hadn’t.

For anything up to an hour of straight upright motorway riding, the SV650X – complete with replacement seat – is acceptable, however after that the comfort drops off a cliff and by the time I had made it to my destination, I was walking like John Wayne poised for a shoot out.

Unfortunately, this discomfort has a direct impact on the enjoyment of the ride, as you start longing for your destination, rather than taking in the view and enjoying the new roads – almost defeating the object of such a ride entirely.

There’s no escaping the road muck

Unsurprisingly, for a naked bike, the level of wind protection is also quite poor and although the fly screen really does help prevent a surprising amount of wind buffeting on your chest and head, there is no escaping the rain and road muck when the bad weather moves in.

I was keen to learn from this experience and make amends for future rides and so when I knew I would be riding 167 miles to Brands Hatch from my home, I fitted the bike with a £120 inflatable Airhawk seat cushion.

This quite literally saved my butt and with that additional cushion of air, all contact with the plank-like seat is removed. This made the motorway-filled journey a doddle, despite starting in the early evening and hitting plenty of congestion.

To gain comfort you sacrifice enjoyment

Unfortunately, in order to gain comfort, you must sacrifice a degree of enjoyment. This is because the Airhawk raises the rider off the seat by around an inch and makes them feel quite disconnected from what’s going on underneath them. This then makes it harder to negotiate technical B-roads with any real sense of urgency, as there is a limited amount of feedback from the bike beneath you.

Taking small sips

Thankfully, it’s not all doom and gloom and despite the discomfort, the SV is capable of good fuel returns when faced with the task of hours and hours of motorway misery.

The fuel gauge will show around 160 miles to a tank and is genuinely capable of that figure. As impressive as this is though, I would still be wanting to get off and stretch my legs and neck long before reaching this distance.

It’s not what it was designed for

As much as these trips have highlighted the SV’s pretty hopeless ability as a comfy touring machine, it is important to remember that the X simply isn’t designed for such a challenge.

This is a middleweight cafe racer, which is most at home scratching along backroads or cruising between coffee stops. Although it returns decent fuel figures, the lack of comfort spoils the touring party and if you wanted something to ride for big miles, you would be much better suited elsewhere.

---

Update 4: The Suzuki SV650X takes on Silverstone GP

Published 27.07.18

Having recently ridden the 2018 Suzuki SV650X at the Rockingham Motor Speedway’s nadgery infield National Circuit and the Brands Hatch Indy layout, I stated the bike was the perfect introduction to trackdays (you can read more in update 3).

Despite such a claim, I was still interested to find out how it would cope with a much larger, more open track and so when the opportunity arose to ride the iconic Grand Prix circuit at Silverstone, I jumped at the chance.

We’re at the @suzukibikesuk @silverstonecircuit trackday on the #MCNFleet18 #SV650X. With one session done, the bike is proving to be great fun in the bends, however lacks power along the huge straights. Stay tuned for more! #ride5000miles #mcn #motorcycle #sv650x #trackday

A post shared by MCN – motorcyclenews.com (@motorcyclenews) on Jul 17, 2018 at 2:21am PDT

With its exploitable V-twin engine producing just under 75bhp and only modest adjustment available to the preload at the front and rear, the near 3.2 mile track was the ideal test bed for finding out if the bike could really hold its own on a trackday, regardless of the circuit size.

Size isn’t everything

Lining up at the end of pit lane with the rest of the intermediate group and minimal circuit knowledge, I was hit with a burst of nerves.

Surrounded by an array of litre sportsbikes – some equipped with slicks and bespoke track fairings – I was worried that the SV (or should I say I) simply wouldn’t cut the mustard in such esteemed company. I needn’t have worried.

After using the first session simply to learn the layout, the SV once again began to shine as the great track bike it really ought not to be.

Still wearing the same Dunlop Sportsmart TT tyres as my last on-track experience, the bike remained planted and predictable through every corner – inspiring confidence in the rider and allowing you to hold plenty of corner speed through the faster turns.

‘It can feel unsettled on cold tyres’

In the first few laps of each session, the bike would sometimes feel a little unsettled, due to the cold tyres, and clumsily applying the throttle mid-corner could encourage a wobble from the rear end.  

On the straights the SV really does struggle though, with the bike monstered by pretty much anything, despite remaining as tucked as possible and the bike climbing to just 500rpm shy of its redline in sixth gear, before entering the next braking zone.

Having such confidence mid-corner though meant I could quickly regain time on these more powerful machines by spending less time on the brakes and carrying more of the speed I had just accumulated through every bend.

And with each big-bike ‘scalp’ came an even bigger smile on my face.

Ground clearance can be an issue

After just a few laps of the first session, it became obvious that the SV was struggling for ground clearance in the faster corners due to the bike’s hero blobs, which stick out by around an inch from each foot peg and drag on the floor at the earliest opportunity.

Wary of the rear wheel lifting, I was straight back into pitlane to remove them. Taking less than two minutes to do with the correct sized spanner, I would recommend it to anyone wanting to take a current-generation SV on track.

With the #MCNFleet18 @SuzukiBikesUK #SV650X struggling for ground clearance, we’ve removed the standard hero blobs ahead of this afternoon’s track action at @SilverstoneUK. pic.twitter.com/4p0YJIfEqB

— Motor Cycle News (@MCNnews) July 17, 2018

Suddenly, I could lean to bike over further without gritting my teeth, with the only audible scraping now coming from my knee and toe sliders. Excellent.

Unfortunately, by alleviating one problem, I accidentally then created another, with the additional lean angles allowing the metal shroud on the exhaust can to touch down instead.

Although only leaving a small, concentrated mark at the base of the unit, more continuous punishment could create greater issues further along in the ownership experience.

What does Simon Crafar think of it?

I was fortunate enough to be joined on the day by 1998 British 500cc Grand Prix winner, Simon Crafar.

After speaking together about the bike in the pitlane, I decided to offer Simon the keys for a lap during the final session of the day.  

Speaking to him after the ride, Simon said: “I’ve been looking for something for my son to play on track with. He’s ridden my 600 and 750 Suzuki trackday bikes and they’re too much for somebody who doesn’t have any track experience.

‘That little motor is beautiful’

“That little motor is beautiful, but it also reminds me of the bikes I grew up with before I rode with fairings. It’s fun, easy, nimble and really forgiving on gear changes, as it’s quite torquey.

“I think that’s the best thing I’ve ridden while looking for a bike for my son. No wonder you love riding it on the street!

“I’m used to a 1000cc bike, so I missed the speed on the straights, but in the corners it is so much easier. I’m super impressed. Also, that V-twin sounds good. I reckon if you put a different muffler on there, then it will sound super cool.”

---

Update 3: The SV650X is a true budget do-it-all

Published 11.07.18

Anyone who’s ever spent any time in a race paddock will know someone who’s competed on a Suzuki SV650. Born at the back end of the last millennium in 1999, they’ve littered the club racing scene for the best part of 20 years, and after just one session around Rockingham’s technical National Circuit, I can see why.

The £6199 SV650X is as basic as a current middleweight bike can possibly be, offering just shy of 75bhp, preload adjustment on the front and rear springs and conventional ABS at both ends.

However, for what appears to simply be a bargain-bucket but stylish commuter, the SV is actually an incredibly capable miniature sportsbike and when on a tight, nadgery circuit, or winding back road, it really shines.

‘The perfect introduction to trackdays’

Armed with a fresh set of Dunlop Sportsmart TT tyres, the V-twin is easily exploited, offering enough power to be engaging along the straights while never really threatening to break traction on aggressive corner exits.

It’s a similarly good story in the bends too, with the grippy tyres working with the soft, road-orientated suspension and clip-on bars to create a confidence-inspiring package throughout.

The only time the suspension lets the bike down is when you’re getting on the throttle, with the soft rear squatting and causing the front- end to go light, which can translate into the occasional mild speed wobble or pushing wide on exits.

Granted, it’s hardly a 600cc supersport machine, but it behaves far better than its six-grand price-tag would suggest and would be the perfect introduction to trackday riding; just so long as it’s a tight and twisty circuit to play to its strengths.

I will be attending a track event at Silverstone in the coming weeks to see just how the bike fairs on a larger, more open track.

Away from the track, the bike is also a delight on your favourite, technichal back road. Equipped with my new grippy rubber and two additional clicks of pre-load on the rear shock, the handling is predictable and the soft suspension helps soak up any bumps and ruts.

The engine also offers the ideal amount of poke to be fully exploited, without having to worry about any points on your licence.

---

Update 2: The seat is a pain in the arse

Published 06.06.18

In a bid to give the SV650X some added retro charm, Suzuki have fitted the bike with a thin rolled seat as standard, which sharpens up the rear and helps achieve a more aggressive stance than the standard SV.

Although a nice addition to the looks, it completely ruins the bike’s ability as a long-distance commuter, becoming unbearable after around 20 miles of motorway riding and directly contributing to impatient riding, as you desperately try to reach your destination sooner.

The rolled design also makes it very difficult to clean, with any splodges of dirt or bird poo (it’s happened twice) finding their way between each spongey crevice.

To combat the backside ache, I have replaced this bike’s retro fitment with the standard seat from the upright SV650. Retailing at £102.64, this option slots in with no adjustment and feels slightly thicker, offering additional comfort over a longer period.

That said, on rides where you’re unlikely to move around on the seat regularly, it will still leave you numb after around an hour in the saddle.

All clean and ready for the #MCNFestival tomorrow #MCNFleet18 #ride5000miles pic.twitter.com/APBS4Gbz0P

— Dan Sutherland (@DanielJS46) May 18, 2018

---

Update 1: Introducing the Suzuki SV650X

Published 20.05.18

---

0 miles

When I first clapped eyes on the Suzuki SV650X at its reveal at the Eicma show last year, I was hit with a mix of both intrigue and disappointment.

The X was Suzuki’s only real new release for 2018 and, clip-on bars and bikini fairing aside, was and still is the same basic SV650 the Japanese firm released back in 2016.

With the only other notable addition being preload adjustable forks, which now come as standard across the SV range, it appeared to just be a lazy attempt to tap into an already saturated part of the market.

How wrong I was…

Below is a breakdown of my first 1000 miles of riding on the bike and what I descovered along the way. 

---

100 miles

Styling aside, I have always had a soft spot for the standard SV650 and the inclusion of sporty clip-on bars on this model offer an added dimension to the already enjoyable riding experience.

With a fat tank and chunky seat, complete with sensible-yet-sporty foot pegs, the forward-focussed riding position is reminiscent of that of a late 90s 600cc supersport machine and reminds me of my own 2000-plate Suzuki GSX-R600, which I owned for three years as my first big bike.

It feels more involved and precise than its upright twin brother and the peppy 645cc V-Twin is the perfect tool for maximum fun at road legal speeds on your favourite technical A or B road.

---

300 miles

I am a keen all-year commuter and have been using Suzuki’s SV650X on and off since early March. Although we were largely out of the winter misery by this point, I was keen to keep the bike protected from corrosion.

To help combat the sludge, I applied a thin coating of ACF-50 every two weeks and rinsed the bike down with the hose and dried it after every trip. It was then thoroughly cleaned every weekend, ready for another week-long battle with the elements.

Unfortunately, despite my best efforts, surface rust was still able to appear on the inner sections of the front discs and on some of the outer plates of the chain, which I lubricate weekly.

This is disappointing when you consider the vast majority of SVs will only ever live their lives as commuting machines. Granted, at £6199, it’s an affordable motorcycle, however you would expect a bike of this nature to be able to survive the last month of its first-ever winter relatively unscathed.

---

600 miles

As with any new bike, there is a running-in period to adhere to. Although how to treat a motorcycle during this time divides opinion, I have never had to do it before and so was determined to stick to the guidelines in the SV650X’s owners’ manual.

Lasting for the initial 600 miles before the first service, the process included sticking to a maximum rev-limit of 5000rpm in every gear.

On country roads and through town, this is easily done and remains an enjoyable (if slightly sedate) riding experience, as most of the SV’s grunt is delivered from the bottom to the middle of the rev range.

Unfortunately, this limitation means a top speed of a speedo-indicated 68mph to 70mph – depending on how the bike feels on the day. On faster dual carriageways and motorways, this leaves you feeling quite exposed to the vehicles around you, as they buzz past at a considerably higher rate of knots.

Luckily, the manual also dictates that no constant throttle should be applied during the process, meaning these roads become largely out of the question, unless you’re happy to continuously twist your right wrist forward and back.

I don’t have this kind of patience and so the majority of my riding was restricted to back roads, which in turn added 15 minutes each way to my already hour-and-a-half-long daily commute, as I was forced to travel along the winding A15 from Lincoln to Peterborough, rather than directly down the A46 and A1.

When the SV was eventually taken for its first service after around a month, I began to explore the bike’s optional extras catalogue – opting for the instillation of a tank pad and paddock stand bobbins before it was returned to me.

That’s the first 600-mile service completed on the #MCNFleet18 @SuzukiBikesUK #SV650X. In celebration, we’ve treated the bike to a tank pad and some paddock stand bobbins! #ride5000miles pic.twitter.com/V2AExWp5sS

— Motor Cycle News (@MCNnews) March 28, 2018

Costing £22.50 and £25 respectively, these are imperative to the upkeep of the SV, which requires chain lubrication and adjustment around every 500 to 600 miles and the ability to use a paddock stand makes this job a lot easier.

Alongside this, the paint on the tank is also quite thin and had already scratched in several places before the application of the pad. While the paint is now protected from rubbing against the zip of my jacket, compared to some of the other tank pads in Suzuki’s range, this one appears quite bland and featureless.

---

1000 miles

Once run-in, the X’s sporting nature only improves. With full access to the bike’s 10,000rpm rev-range, it transforms from a plodding retro wannabe, to a road-going mini-twin racer.

Complete with impressively grippy OE Dunlop Roadsmart rubber, it is out-of-the-crate fun and the perfect tool for both new and experienced riders. Winding on the perky V-Twin motor is hugely addictive and, with just 75bhp on tap, is largely accessible at road-legal speeds.

It is only when you start to really push on that you begin to notice the softly sprung suspension, which lets the bike down in faster corners and allows the back end to wallow from side to side. However, with preload adjustment available at the front and rear, there is scope for future tweaking, should I decide it’s necessary!

READ MORE FROM THE #MCNFLEET18

• Ducati Scrambler 1100 Special
• Yamaha MT-09 SP
• Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sport
• Yamaha Tracer 900GT
• Ducati Panigale V4 S
• Triumph Tiger 1200 XCA
• Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE