2018 Suzuki SV650X Review - Quick Ride

Suzuki's SV650X takes the popular SV650 platform and applies the cafe racer theme, with clip-on 'bars, updated styling, cool paint and more aggressive overall ergos, to create a machine that truly fits the tag.
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[@michaelupholz3975]

What’s it like compared to a gsxr 600? Mine was flashed, tuned, anything to make it faster honestly. Weighed 400 something pounds. Looking for a sporty cruiser

[@MotoJournoKris]

Very different machines really, the GSX-R being an inline four just has such a different engine character too it, but I think the benefit of the SV is so much of the torque being available from lower. You can still be an absolute ratbag on the 650, but you don't need to be going as hard as on the GSX-R. If you're looking sporty cruiser I think you'll like the SV650X, but coming from a supersport you'll probably notice the difference in the brake and suspension spec, but that'll always be the case with any of the bikes in the segment.

[@giancarlolorena2506]

thanks for the review. Not a lot of reviews on this motorcycle. I'm interested in buying this as a daily commuter but you mentioned its a handful . Could you kindly explain. thanks! Looking to your opinion.

[@MotoJournoKris]

I found it quite heavy at low speeds and the ergonomics very aggressive when I was stuck in the really heavy traffic, some of which it's not possible to filter through around here due to the lanes being very narrow. It also needed a fair bit more concentration than most of the bikes I ride when it came to really rough, slippery surfaces in those conditions too, especially turning at intersections at very low speeds where the road surfaces where terrible and you were using small throttle inputs/clutch feathering. A lot of that will come down to what your commute looks like of course.

[@giancarlolorena2506]

@@MotoJournoKris thanks for the info

[@dry509]

Gosh all the bikes, this one or the regular SV650, R3, Ninja 400 sound good. I am shopping for a bike and hard to make up my mind. Difficult to get a test ride here in the US. I am In Texas btw. What would you get if you did not now have a bike? I am 6 foot tall at about 200 lbs without gear. I have some riding experience. Would I get tired of a smaller bike? I did get to test ride a pre owned Suzuki GSX-S1000 recently and it was fun and surprisingly nimble...thinking about tat one. Please try one if you can if you have not ridden one and let me know your impressions. My criteria is that it is fun! I don’t go off road. Was the sv650 more fun than your bike or just different? Or the W800?

[@MotoJournoKris]

If you've got some riding experience the SV650 is a great option for a larger rider, it's a little less aggressive in the ergonomics than the SV650X too. The GSX-S1000 is a nice bike, but the throttle snatch in some instances may be a bit off-putting depending on your level of experience, and which year model it is, I'd probably go for a GSX-S750 if I was looking at this model line, but it's a bit more compact than the 1000. If I was grabbing a first bike again probably an R3 or Ninja 400, but I'm 70kg and about 180cm, where for larger riders often the 600-650s are a better fit. The MT-07 (might be called FZ-07 in the US) is also a great alternative to the SV650.

[@dry509]

Moto Journo Kris Thanks..might be a good fit is one thing, but fun to ride is another. I did not find either the Mt-07 or the SV 650 that fun to ride even though they sort of fit me. Same with Ninja 1000...not that fun. Did not make me smile. I was asking which one to you is the most fun regardless of type, style, price?

[@MotoJournoKris]

@@dry509 It's a hard question to answer, as fun is fairly subjective and can change day to day, and in different riding conditions. Most fun to me would be my Daytona 675R on a good day, with nice roads and not too much traffic. I've commuted on it in peak hour traffic for a few years daily too, but in that situation I'd probably have more fun on a Ninja 400 or R3, which don't run as hot and are more suited to those conditions, meaning you can ride a bit more casual and make more use of the bike's performance. What kind of riding are you doing when you test ride the bikes, and what's your normal riding?

[@dry509]

Moto Journo Kris I am just riding around my neighborhood and out on the nearby country roads. I like curves, but we don’t have many, and going fast. Sometimes just cruising casually looking at the scenery but I want something that can book ( has a lot of pickup) if I want to and is nimble.

[@MotoJournoKris]

​@@dry509 You might find something with a bit more torque would be a bit more engaging, if you're finding those a bit flat. I thought the GSX-S750 was great for instance, not because it has more torque, but because being a bit smaller capacity than the 1000 you can really use more of that power and rev range day to day. It's more nimble than the 1000 too. I also really like the triples, like Yamaha's MT-09 it has a really aggressive engine characteristic, while the older Triumph Street Triples are smoother with quite a unique character. The Speed Triples take that to another level as more of a 'muscle' nakedbike.

[@jasongrange3671]

Hey, Great review! I'm considering getting this bike SV650X LAMs version as my first ever bike. Would you recommend for a complete noob? Do you think the seating position is too aggressive / uncomfortable? some people would recommend the standard SV650 (upright) however, I like the cafe styling on this bike. My second option is the new RE Interceptor 650. I also love the triple 660 LAMs but have heard it may be to powerful for a complete beginner? lastly I'm considering the ninja 400 as its highly rated in pretty much every review and great value for money and could see me until the end of my LAMS / beginner period. Please help!!! cheers

[@MotoJournoKris]

Thanks Jason! Having not ridden the SV650X LAMS I'm a bit hesitant to say too much, because a lot of that judgement comes down to how they have restricted that engine to be LAMS. I do think the cafe racer styling/ergonomics are going to make for a slightly more challenging first option. That's not to say you shouldn't do it, but the lack of steering lock, and slightly more aggressive seating/bar position are a small factor in the overall picture. I found the unrestricted version a bit more of a handful through the really super tight sections, where the more upright SV650 and most LAMS bikes are a bit more forgiving and just easy to ride. But the reality is that we all get used to the bikes we ride everyday, and how to ride around or to their limitations. I've just had an Interceptor 650 and I was really impressed, it's a nice lively engine, more relaxed seating position and sporty overall package, which is still ideal for totally new riders. The Street Triple is a lot like the unrestricted version when I rode it a few years ago, until you get up to high speeds (where the restrictions kick in) and it'd be easy to scare yourself, but the triple is still quite well mannered. It's definitely more suited to those with some motorcycle experience, even if it's dirt bikes. Just so you've got the basics down, because it's very hard to tell apart from the standard 675 Street Triple, and it's a reasonably big bike for a new rider. The Ninja 400 is great, but it's also a significant step away from the SV650X and Interceptor as far as styling and character. I'd definitely recommend it as a bike, but it stands out because it's basically 600 LAMS power in a 400 package, with a competitive price for the 300-400s (like the Z400). If you really like the SV650X or Interceptor 650 they should both be comparable to the Ninja 400 in performance. I guess I'm trying to say if you genuinely like the Ninja 400 check it out, but don't get one just because lots of people are! All should get you through your LAMS period pretty happily, as they are all up there as far as performance (having ridden all but the SV650X LAMS - but based on its specs), so it's more about which you like the most and suits you, and the ease of getting started in those really early learning stages.

[@jasongrange3671]

@@MotoJournoKris Thank you so much for the quick reply! I really value your advice. I know the Ninja 400 is a great bike and I'm sure I would grow to love it its just I like the character of the retro bikes (RE INT 650 & SV650X) I guess the only way to be sure is to test ride them and see which one calls my name most? thanks again, I've just subscribed and working my way through your videos as we speak..

[@MotoJournoKris]

@@jasongrange3671 Glad to help! Yea i definitely always recommend a test ride and sitting on the bikes in a dealership just to get an idea in person. Especially with the INT 650, the level of performance is similar to many of the retro 800s, so it's possible it could be a longer term keeper if you don't really want something more powerful. The SV650X should be similar performance. Definitely see if one calls your name, if none stands out you can weigh up the options a bit more.

[@korazon3spinado]

Surprisingly I might pick the ninja 400 over this because it has helmet hooks

[@GixxerZilla]

Kris this or w800? Thanks

[@MotoJournoKris]

If you're after something a bit sportier and with more performance, definitely the SV650X, if you something more relaxed and more about refinement than performance, I'd say the W800.