BJ's Suzuki SV650X Cafe Racer Vlog Part 1

[@bwxmoto]

that titanium mesh on end style can would look sweet

[@Bredaxe]

Looks similar to the SC project ones some of the Moto GP teams use.

[@todd1737]

The silver would go really well with the tank silver.

[@kingy2063]

I too was drawn to the titanium looking mesh end style. Looking forward to next episodes.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Cheers!

[@menmentantan5591]

I agree with you. When I ride GSX-R1000, it is difficult to use power band area. (RPM 6000- 10000) I have to meet with police man every morning. Sv650 fit the real world

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Bang on!

[@richardsterna750GSX-R]

Hi BJ I like the titanium HCR, but I really liked the one you pointed to immediately after at 10:53!

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Got ya!

[@sireevessireeves5072]

Titanium with meshed end! Looks pretty GP.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Cheers Steven!

[@tasmanjones84]

I also own an sv650x, if I were to choose I would go with the Can on the top shelf with the sharply slanted end with the carbon look.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

I did like that one!

[@OveSandve]

Sv650 :) looking forward to the continuation of this vlog :) keep em comin!

[@MrCarletto007]

Good Sir! Do you recomend this bike for a new biker like me? For a first bike?

[@upsidedowndog1256]

Sweet bike. I liked the black can with the big angled endcap.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Cheers Upside, lots of votes for different cans means I'll have to show all the options on!

[@upsidedowndog1256]

@@benjaminkubascronin3082 Well that should be fun. Hearing them might help. My SV1000S has the big holes and sounds like thunder.

[@brockett]

Looking forward to upgrades and toys on this bike although I have the Standard SV ( because I am old and can't do clip ons any more) and looking for a "nicer" end can.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

We'll try and show off a bunch from SP before deciding Dave, and some other makes too in the long run.

[@bobagnew6070]

Wheres part 2? Must watch now

[@spiderdavis3296]

Titanium with mesh screen blends well with bike.Thanks for posting.

[@SportbikerNZ]

The silver can with the grate on the end looks quite unique. Would be cool to see how it looks on the SV.

[@jimboj5013]

Exhaust with the deepest growl 👍🏼

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Ahhhh, you're saying try them all!

[@adamstratford6740]

God I’m missing riding!! Bring on the sun ☀️ and warmer weather!!!! And i definitely share your thoughts on noise saves lives 👍🏻

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Saved me more than once, I'm sure of that!

[@adamstratford6740]

Benjamin Kubas Cronin we’ve all been there mate

[@AL3X2492]

I’ve got one myself. Would be great if you could do a sound comparison between the three exhausts.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Ep 2!

[@bryanhenderson736]

Go for the 1st pipe you chose, the one that you've had on past bikes. Curious to see where you take this

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Oooo, I did like that one! If we are allowed to do what we want to it for stage -2, I'm going to be very excited!

[@bryanhenderson736]

@@benjaminkubascronin3082 if you dont go that one, go for the titanium type with the mesh tip, that would also look pretty good, depending on how far back it goes

[@ragerider6283]

Go for the smallest, lightest & loudest can I reckon. Personally I'd also get a tail tidy, K&N air filter & probably some Rizoma mirrors. I'd also go for new pads & steel braided lines but Suzuki have at long last upgraded the front brake to a "modern" 4 pot one for 2019. Not sure if it can be retro fitted but that could also be an option?

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

I did see that and thought they looked a little different. I'll ask Suzuki, they don't tend to officially shout about changes like that (because then technically it should be classed as a new model, or something), but better calipers would be nice! Ones on there work fine mind, some new pads should give it the extra I desire, at least that's where I'll start.

[@ragerider6283]

@@benjaminkubascronin3082 Yer it's odd Suzuki aren't shouting about it tbh as everyones been saying it needs a better front brake for ever lol! Although as you said, they hardly ever seem to really mention upgrades on any of their models. As for the SV, most people just put some new pads in &/or braided lines & seem quite happy which is the cheapest & easiest way to sort it. Either way though I'll be interested to see how it plays out.

[@johningle8850]

Go for the the Dome GP can Dave put on the floor Looked good. Looking forward hearing the noise. Excellent first review

[@DB-so8zc]

This ^^^^^^ I know bits like this are subjective but I think it would complement the bikes cafe' aesthetics. The SV has a great exhaust note with a aftermarket can. L twin for the win!

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Cheers John, let's see which one we end up with!

[@777geeman]

My 650x was back to riding bike after some 30 year hiatus. I had it one year with a cycleworks slip on and tail tail tidy. 75hp and 200 kg approx was plenty at the time but after one year i traded up to GSX 1000Z 2007KG with 148hp. My god i laughed all the way home too. I found the brakes lacked bite and required a lot of hand force to stop quickly. The 1000z on the other hand has brakes and swingarm straight off the R and damn there good. I got the rear out cornering at 140ks and TC did its job, i just kept going all crossed up. Kind of reminded me of my dirt bike youth only twice as fast. Anyways the 650x was a fine bike that restored my confidence and skill set. Do i miss it, hell no.

[@michaelmcclean9687]

BJ. I bought the bike today in Spain. 6000 euros new on a promo deal. Have already ordered SP's HC-R Stubby Carbon Fibre can. Great vid. Hardly out of sorts! Honest, fluid presenting. Looking forward to seeing your future plans and mimic them if successful.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Nice! She'll sound ace!

[@MOTOTravelUK]

Great video, like to get a cafe Racer this year as a fun bike running around.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

It certainly is fun!

[@stratoszafeiriou7147]

So beautifull bike....for sure my next one.....i mean my first one!!

[@bobthomas2812]

I like your project, I am a 69 year young life long biker, currently have a fully adventurous KTM 690e. X Desert/Enduro/Trials/Flattracker. Thinking of adding a street/track bike of less expensive so your project would work. I know some guys teach RR schools and the use and recommend the SV650 for all those reasons. Also I cant afford to get off at 150+, just dont heal well and I have had several trip to the Hospital with long recovery’s and dont need that crap but still love to ride on my diminishing edge. Your thoughts on the right bike would be appreciated, thanks.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Hi Bob, already got yourself a good bike by the sounds of things! One thing I really like about the SV range is how solid they are - they may not be the very best in all the various departments compared to others (engine, handling, etc etc), but overall they are a wonderfully balanced machine (no matter the variant), and well worth your consideration. As with anything like this, a test ride is 100% recommended on the SV and a couple of its peers, ER-6, MT etc - that should tell you where you need to be far better than I can in just a few words. If you do, lemme know how you get on!

[@stephenwarnsby9701]

Interesting to see where this goes, I bought an SV650AL7 in 2016 and have put 26000 miles on it. I've been riding for 48 years on bikes from 150cc to 900cc and I have to disagree with "Loud pipes save lives" what happens is that noise upsets non riders and we start to see the introduction of sound tracking cameras (already being tested). Also, you treat big bikes with more respect? My experience is that people will always ride as fast as they can get away with and the introduction of electronics to tame wheel spin, and cornering antilock brakes will make people push the envelope further since they think the electronics will save them.

[@steve-wu7jp]

BJ get the moto gp style silver can with the mesh on the end. Looks like a perfect fit, the silver can will play well with the silver/grey on the bike.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Another vote for that one!

[@steve-wu7jp]

I have a new Gixxer and I still want an SV, classic looks and perfect Swiss Army Knife type bike. The V twin has so much charm and for the money it represents a great buy.

[@Uninfluenceable]

Back when I started riding in 2004, the SV650 was the single most common beginner bike in Southern California, they were everywhere and used ones were quite affordable. Nowadays, I haven't seen a single SV on the road in months. Like, they all disappeared and no one is buying new ones. It seems like the Ninja 400 is now the quintessential started bike and the market is absolutely flooded with them here.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

They're still out there! Most of the older ones are being raced (in the UK) mind you, and they still sell well, they must be somewhere!

[@Arcadiality]

You need to offer some cans up, so we can see what they look like. Interesting vlog. I shall be here for part 2 and beyond.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

That I may do, good idea!

[@JDeezle21]

Titanium Mesh!!! My vote from Washington D.C.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Nice one TJ!

[@deadbugdavey1744]

Daves such a good bloke, like him a lot! Can wise I'd say either the one with the mesh or the domed gp

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

He's a lovely fella!

[@cwg6324]

Sp can is what i have on my 1999 sv and will be looking at one for my 2005. Love the sv bikes

[@pags1981]

SVs are fun, the rear wheel can wag though with engine breaking so be careful :)

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

I'll try! ;-)

[@madnlooney]

I have a SP engineering exhaust on my gsr750. Love it

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Nice!

[@fnq-8890]

What did the Bike look like?

[@ukdnbmarsh]

Used to own a 2003 SV650S some years ago, lovely machine to be fair and a great track bike, and after recently owning a GSXR 1000 and ZX10R both of these bikes have been stolen from me over the past 3 years im now going back to the trusty SV650.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Ooof, nasty, had one bike stolen (a KR-1 in the early '90s), still not fully over it! As for SVs, the word 'trusty' nails them bang on!

[@petes_CE]

i like the looks of the slash cut one, it almost looks like an Akra

[@funguseater40]

Following this with interest. Thanks. DOME GP or the silver one with Mesh end !

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Ta muchly, fingers crossed we can eventually take this all the way to the plan's end, no spoilers yet though!

[@timothymills733]

Great to see a video series on this class of bike. Great fun as is, but wonderful platform for mods. And as to cans, maybe something with a reverse megaphone would be in keeping with the style.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Yeah I just wanted to spend some quality time on something like this, actually especially this as the SV range has been a little overshadowed by newer machines but I think it's still a more than relevant choice in the class.

[@anidiotinaracingcar]

Either full retro can or the honeycomb one

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Roger!

[@satchitysatch]

What happened to the GSXR1000 vlog?

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

That was when I was with my previous employers and they chose to keep that bike, so i don't have it any longer. I do actually plan to do one more vlog for that channel, just to end it off for those who were watching but, as I'm no longer being paid to do it, I'll get around to it when I can.

[@satchitysatch]

@@benjaminkubascronin3082 Cool was enjoying it.

[@HajtoTimaSek]

What's the jacket you are wearing?

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Spidi something or other, I'll have to check for the exact model.

[@layhervamp]

Where’s part 2?

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Up with part 3!

[@layhervamp]

Lol better late than never.

[@jhstony]

I went Dome GP on my Superduke R looks brilliant

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Noted!

[@exothermal.sprocket]

I understand what you mean about Vtwins having lost their thump and bark. Big bore, short stroke, big cam timing overlap have eliminated that character. Same reason the air-cooled Ducati 803 and 1078 two-valve engines are still so appealing, and probably the last Vtwin Ducati made which was barky and thumpy in a superbike was the 1098/1198. Parallel twins with 270° crank have identical firing interval and sound, but due to the piston throws being vertical and parallel, with a counter-balance shaft, the feel of the engine pulses and balance is very different from the 90° Vtwins.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Agreed, and even the 1098s etc were on their way to being revvy, in fact they were a great compromise between both ends of the scale, something which KTM are still doing time and again with their twins.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@benjaminkubascronin3082 Yes. Love KTM's big twins.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

@@exothermal.sprocket Should add, things like the Monster still have thumpy lumps in Ducati's range, being fair, it's mostly the sportsbikes that went the revvy route.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

@@benjaminkubascronin3082 True. Monster uses non-Panigale architecture engines.

[@wesgrainger9684]

Carbon diavulus? 1st one

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Thanks Wes!

[@Teh509]

My first big bike was a SV650, I miss it.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

What a cracking first big bike!

[@Woody_61]

Slash Cut can is my favourite.

[@shaunmcleod73]

Big bore looks and sounds great 👍🏻

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Should sound even better soon!

[@elithegreat6463]

One of the most reliable engines ever made...You can never kill an SV

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

They are mega lumps!

[@tomnorris1734]

Assuming you don't do big long wheelies then they are pretty much indestructible. I do miss the old carb fed engines that lost the front cylinder in heavy rain though. Not many people know that suzuki invented rain mode on bikes.

[@OldManTony]

The frame is quite different from the old SVs.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Had a few different ones over the years, remeber the big chunky one?

[@Bredaxe]

They need to come out with an SV 1000 like they did with the old models.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Make it a 1200 - go big! :-)

[@mraki1980]

I love your blogs BJ, but for god sake, buy your self an external mike :-) peace, mate, cant wait for another video :-)

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

Don't worry, we'll be sorting him out with kit now he's working with us.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

What BW said!

[@fatcole1152]

I am genuinely confused by looking at a wall of cans not sporting an Akrapovic logo (or any logo for that manner) and being asked to choose the one I like. After 24 years of riding, I have never been presented with that choice before.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

There are logos, they can be applied post fit. I'd love to try an Akra' on it but want to start at the lower end of the price scale first.

[@fatcole1152]

@@benjaminkubascronin3082 It's not really even the logos. I have never just walked into a shop with an array of cans on the wall. It just doesn't exist around here in the US. If it did, they would be considered a boutique and be way more expensive than the Akra pipes.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

@@fatcole1152 Ahhhh got ya! Just coincidence that where these guys manufacture them is down the road from me and they have a little showroom in their office with (only some, remarkably) of their product on the wall.

[@fatcole1152]

@@benjaminkubascronin3082 The whole thing is remarkable to me!

[@brucegeddes9658]

Carbon Diabolous!👍

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Cheers Bruce!

[@stanleyknife1967]

Definitely, the Titanium mesh job.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Looks like i'm going to have to have a few fitted then put it to the vote again!

[@steve-wu7jp]

earth to bj we need part 2 brother

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

It's up, and Ep3!

[@kellybrookman8109]

Everyone going titanium with mesh. Nice, I admit...but no brightwork on the bike for me. Bought a 2018...gotta be carbon black for me. The bike is the black with red trellis frame. I'll also confess to being a long time Yoshi guy. Cheers.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Red frame? Jealous! Did have a gander at the '19, I do quite like the new colours for it too.

[@kellybrookman8109]

@@benjaminkubascronin3082 Yeah, nice black with the blue frame and wheels for 2019 that looks sharp. I got a sweet deal on the new 2018 I just couldn't pass up. 2019 also has a matte gray / silver combo with the red frame. Also sharp. They upgraded the brakes for 2019 so I would have liked that...but $5800 for the new black and red 2018 I had to jump on it.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

@@kellybrookman8109 Nice work!

[@johna6968]

The only version of the sv I'v never been keen on.

[@risingphoenix1187]

You should have taken them out and put them beside the bike so we could have seen what they potentially would look like. All that said I think the old style pipe on the floor.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

May do something like that!

[@UncleWally3]

I look at that bike like my wife looked at me before we married; loved me so much that she couldn’t wait to change me. With better brakes, super suspension, criminal exhaust . . . hmmm, maybe steal some wire-wheels from a ‘Strom XT, a bit of bling here, a farkle there and voila! A bike worthy of a long term relationship!

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Ha! All fair points, though I'll be trying to keep mods as cheap as possible during stage-1, or else there's little point in getting a 'budget' bike, erm, I suppose!

[@bigg16]

A 650 a little thing????

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Compared to what I normally ride, it is really, plus I'm tall enough to look a little silly on it sometimes!

[@tallboy2234]

I vote for the retro look on the “GP” version (Black & Chrome). It will look best on that bike.😃👍

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Noted!

[@fuglbird]

47 mpg?? Really? I got 79 mpg during the last 750 miles on my SV650. 47 mpg was what I got in the seventies on the two stroke three cylinder Suzuki GT550 and other bikes of that time.

[@bobthomas2812]

Baloney cut would look cool

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

I must have missed that option!

[@CajunGreenMan]

Titanium. But really you would need to set them on the bike (not attach, just hold them or place it on top of the current, etc.) to see what the aesthetics look like.

[@samehsouissi6986]

Get the Titanium mesh, I know you want it too 😂😂

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

I do like that one! But others too, we'll do a Can-Off!

[@samehsouissi6986]

It's just i never seen such can. it might be expensive i wouldn't know. Ride safe

[@bazread]

Another vote for the Titanium can from me.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Thanks for that Barry :-)

[@Weracemachines]

I have the sudden urge to buy something from sp engineering.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

I have that problem any time I'm near a stack of bike goodies!

[@automotivediversity554]

Titanium mesh style can. Keep it retro cafe racer 👍

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Good choice!

[@獣神サイダー]

乗りやすいですか？

[@richardcollins586]

I’m relatively new to bikes, I never thought of the SV650, should of got a test ride last year. Passed my tests on an MT07, ended up buying a Ducati 797.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

They're all great for individual reasons. Enjoy that 803cc Ducati!

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

To be fair Richard, any of those choices would have been a 'correct' one! Great bikes all.

[@AlexanderBaldridge]

As others stated, hard to go wrong there. I'm 797 owner myself. Love that 803 with the Akra on it!

[@zackstewart4109]

People still go by "BJ" in this day and age?

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Heard 'em all already Zack!

[@damien9975]

The titanium HCR

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Noted!

[@iodineclip]

theres nothing cafe about it, except for tht fairing.

[@10secondsrule]

Titanium with mesh!

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Gonna have to try and keep count of the votes!

[@1990-t1j]

The standard SV looks so much better than this. 'Noise saves lives.' I agree, but some pinko will be on soon disagreeing. Can: the titanium one with the grate.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Noted with the can, agreed on the noise front, as for the bike's looks, it's always so subjective there's never any right or wrong answer!

[@earlebacciochi9796]

Dome GP 👍

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Cheers Earle!

[@exc911ence_channel]

It's a Suzuki therefore anything but a Yoshimura would be sacrilege.

[@waynerobertduprey8320]

If your that good a rider why do we not see you winning the tt

[@fuglbird]

Noise doesn't save lives. It makes your neighbours hate you.

[@balmoralpjk]

Wear any Levi’s jeans in particular with your leather biker jacket??

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Erm, huh?!

[@balmoralpjk]

Benjamin Kubas Cronin Wear any LEVIS jeans in particular with your leather jacket??

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

@@balmoralpjk Understood! Actually that day I was wearing some Hood motorcycle jeans, underneath some Spidi Adventure trousers (with the thermal/waterproof internal layer removed), because it's bloody cold at the moment and I'll never shy away from a little extra protection when roads are as shite as they always are right now.

[@balmoralpjk]

Benjamin Kubas Cronin Cool! Can you do another bike video in some Levi’s jeans and that zipped up leather biker jacket? Show full front and backsides....is it a Spidi or Wilsons leather jacket?

[@jeremyfeldman1]

hold them next to the bike

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Going to go one better and fit a bunch of them!

[@bigt4452]

Awesome bikes are the SV loved my 17 plate..could thrash the tit's of it and you never thought you'd get in trouble..one day i will have another !!

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

I'm convinced I'm going to get into a lot of trouble on it, it's partly why I've never spent more than a couple of weeks on bikes like this, far too easy to misbehave thinking you're not! I'm far safer with 3,000,000 bhp!

[@simonlanc1]

Slash cut!..:-)

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Thanks Simon!

[@dace8030]

Loud pipes do not save lives. It's complete BS. Fortnines video explains it perfectly.

[@kennykewn5182]

Yeah we get it, you ride big bikes, why keep saying " little bike", seen a few guys who vlog etc and ride litre bikes, say little bike about the sv, is it a macho thing, we know how big it is, does it make certain guys feel better saying little bike ? ...or am i being too critical?

[@lorentzinvariant7348]

I know I’m a little late to the game here but, M4 in Dallas has a really nice shorty for these. m4exhaust.com/suzuki/suzuki-sv-650/suzuki-sv-650-2017/

[@rockafella1690]

Thought this was Fast Bikes channel for a minute...whats going on? 🤔🤔🤔

[@BikeWorldTVshow]

BJ has come to the Dark Side!

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

One chapter closes, etc etc etc...

[@rockafella1690]

@@benjaminkubascronin3082 Cool man.

[@shekarwali6289]

I will take the mt07 over sv650 anyday

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

The MT is a terrific bike, but there's life in the SV platform yet!

[@Like_Whut]

Mt07 sounds horrible, you need to buy an aftermarket exhaust. Reliability is better with the Suzuki, and the fuel economy is also better with the Suzuki. The Suzuki also is more comfortable. Yamaha has many plastic parts, where the Suzuki has metal parts like the gastank. I have driven on both bikes, and of course it's personal taste. But don't say it like the mt-07 is the obvious choice, because logically and technically, it's not.

[@therealslimshady4555]

M4 exhaust is best for sv range. Cans make noise full system make power 💪

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

May do an M4 full system!

[@pfhenryIII]

big bore rounded lip muffler

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Cheers Patrick!

[@jeyzee691]

Titanium.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Noted!

[@bxl1121]

Please lose the mirrors! and tidy tail ;)

[@poulhansen2415]

Got no respect for you guys, when doing wheelies on public roads. unsusubcribed.

[@eclipsegfxable]

cry more

[@poulhansen2415]

@@eclipsegfxable I dont cry like you.

[@benjaminkubascronin3082]

Bikes are fun, in many aspects, farting about being just one of them. Time and a place for everything, if there's cars/buildings/people/whatever around, then of course not.