Suzuki SV650

The SV650 and variants are street motorcycles manufactured since 1999 for the international market by the Suzuki Motor Corporation, featuring a mid-sized V-twin engine and medium performance components.

First Generation (1999 - 2002)

Suzuki introduced the SV650 in 1999 as a budget entry in the emerging naked bike market and, as of 2008, offered both naked and fully faired. With a MSRP of $5999 in the US, the bike provided a sporty though easily manageable ride. The combination of light weight, rigid chassis, strong handling, and the V-twin's strong mid-range torque appealed to beginner and experienced riders alike. The first generation of the bikes aesthetics were modelled after the Suzuki TL1000S and that bike is still considered to be the "big brother" of the SV650. Currently Suzuki markets the SV1000 as the bigger alternative to the second generation SV650. First generation models are sometimes called "curvies", to differentiate them from the more angular second generation models, which are often referred to as "pointies".

The SV650 immediately became wildly popular, but American buyers wanted the sportier 'S' version that featured lower handlebars, higher footpegs and a bikini fairing and windscreen, which was available in the European and Canadian markets only. The SV650S was so desirable that American magazines ran articles describing how to import it into the United States. In 2000, Suzuki began importing the SV650S to the U.S.

Because of the relatively low purchase price and excellent handling characteristics, the SV650 became popular with racers, and "lightweight twins" racing classes were reborn across North America when the SV650 began winning against the ageing Suzuki GS500, Honda NT650 and Kawasaki Ninja 500R, which had previously populated the class.

The SV650 was made profitable by Suzuki by scrimping on suspension and brake components. Racers and experienced riders commonly replace the under-sprung and under-damped forks with inverted forks from the Suzuki GSX-R750 and newer Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636. The fork upgrade also replaces the two-piston callipers with four-piston callipers, some being radially mounted. Rear shock upgrades are also popular whether they are replaced with specific aftermarket replacements or rear shocks from the newer Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636.

econd Generation (2003 - Present)

In 2003, Suzuki redesigned the SV650 with a new pressure-cast aluminium truss frame, new bodywork, new swing-arm with revised rear brake caliper mounting, new exhaust, digital instrumentation and a new electronic fuel injection/induction system to replace the carburettor. The new model failed to gain initial acceptance by new riders, largely because the new angular aesthetic looked more aggressive and visually larger than the "curvy" first generation SV650. First model first iterations also had a problem with cranks failing when raced or ridden excessively hard.Fact|date=May 2008

For 2004, Suzuki used a new, 40 mm lower subframe and a seat with a narrower design in the front. The trail was raised by 2 mm, and the rear fender was restyled to clean up the area under the tail lights and provide more protection against flying debris.

In 2005, the frame was changed from silver to a matte black finish.

From 2007, both SV650 and SV650S models offered ABS and twin spark plugs for reduced emissions.

As of 2008, alongside the traditional SV650 and SV650S models, Suzuki offer a new SV650Sport (UK) or SV650SF (US) model with a more traditional complete fairing. The SV650S has been removed from the US market.

September 30, 2008, Suzuki Australia introduced the SV650SU, a detuned version of the SV650S, to augment their range of motorcycles that comply with the country's Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS). [ [http://www.suzukimotorcycles.com.au/newsdetail.php?intNewsID=559] Suzuki Further Enhances LAMS Range]

pecifications [ [http://www.suzukicycles.com/products/SV650K8] from the official Suzuki website]

Performance

References

See also

*Suzuki SV400
*Suzuki SV1000
*Suzuki DL650 V-Strom
*Suzuki DL1000 V-Strom

External links

* [http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Suzuki/Suzuki-SV650S-1999-current/?&R=EPI-441 Suzuki SV650S review] Road test of the Suzuki SV650 and SV650S
* [http://www.sv650.org/ SV650 Forum]
* [http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcsuz/99sv650.html Motorcycle.com 1999 Suzuki SV650]
* [http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/valuebike/00valuebike.html Motorcycle.com 2000 Valuebike Shootout]
* [http://www.suzukicycles.org/SV-series/SV400-SV400S.shtml Suzuki SV400 and SV400S model history]
* [http://www.svrider.com/ SVRider Internet Community]
* [http://www.socalsvriders.com/ Southern California SV Riders]
* [http://www.sv650.org/ United Kingdom SV650 Resource]
* [http://www.svdownunder.com/ Australian SV650 Resource]
* [http://homepage.hispeed.ch/sv.650 SV 650 Site]
* [http://www.sv650.it SV 650 Italian Blog]