Suzuki SV650X Review, Jeff Ware

[@jonathanrashleigh8771]

Ditch those mirrors, that muffler and clean up the rear end a little and that is one nice looking bike!

[@TrustyZ900]

SV 650 all the way. Just returned from a long trip with my brother on a '23 SV. I was on a Z900 and we'd switch. The 650 is delightful. Excellent power, brakes {4 pot front}, handling in the twisties, and cool sound. Even pushing it, the bike got almost 60 mpg. And it's one of the most bombproof engines on the planet.Not many bikes have racked up racing victories like this one. Simple and what a blast.

[@SamuelMurrish]

Thank you for the black and white review. First I’ve seen that satisfies what I’d like to hear!

[@SiggyCloud]

I am so torn between a Suzuki SV650X, Honda CB650R and a Yamaha XSR700. I like each for different reasons and trying to decide between them is much harder than I was anticipating.

[@khehrainder]

Consider RE Interceptor 650 as well!

[@majorbrighton]

No, the Honda always sound so lame!

[@SiggyCloud]

@@khehrainder I'd rather the Continental GT 650 more my style.

[@SiggyCloud]

@@majorbrighton It also drinks the most, has the worst range, costs more and is a bit too futuristic for my liking. XSR has been coming up trumps a lot lately in my mind, think I'm going for one of those. One near me 4 years old with only 601 miles on it..Seriously considering it.

[@garyk8285]

Needs a shorter exhaust. Much like the MT07 setup. Then it would look red hot.

[@stephenkury3549]

I purchased a SV650x after seeing many glowing reviews even by taller riders like myself but let me tell you the CONS. I'm 190cm (6'3") tall. I found the clip-ons hard on the wrists after 20-30 min of riding even after trying to adjust them and and levers to my position. The engine breaking on that torquey twin and firmness of the seat makes you move into the tank unless you are gripping it like an equestrian. You will want some tank grips. When leaning down into the tank the position of the mirrors isn't quite in my vision. If you adjust the mirrors to be forward more then you see your arms. I found it was a choice of seeing the road properly or seeing my mirrors in my peripheral vision. Lastly because of the clip-on bars the bump stops they added do not allow much movement of the forks. This makes a wider turn at low speeds and more of a risk for dropping it if you hit those bump stops.

[@kidlikerizzle]

my experience has been similar.

[@Koofteh]

So do you regret your choice? Any other bike you'd rather have? Really digging the the SV650X but would like to know.

[@stephenkury3549]

@@Koofteh it has grown on me. Put about 6k km since posting that. Swapping the stock exhaust for a Yoshi alpha slip on greatly reduced the engine breaking which reduced pushing me into the tank, making it much easier to handle and hold a nice speed in the corners. Also because I'm not thrown forward it's less strain on the wrists. If I was to look at something else around the same size I'd look at Aprilia's new 660 coming out soon but it would have a much higher price tag.

[@Koofteh]

@@stephenkury3549 Thanks for the quick reply. Glad it has grown on you! They have amazing deals on 2019 SV650X and it's hard to resist. I'll check out the Aprilia. 👍

[@xtremechamp3165]

What is the price of the bike?

[@majorbrighton]

Nice thx. Am thinking of buying one, yet was a bit put off with the seat being that hard! I’m 64 so comfy seats are a must ha ha Great review, many have thought the same re front brakes, yet not hard to change. And very customizable as I have heard.

[@Mike-hk6rw]

Stephen Nicholas Corbin makes a seat among others

[@1MrBryn]

The black and white version, with a brown seat and upgraded brakes has been available overseas for about a year now. Any sign of the update for Australia?

[@garyk8285]

Its out in Oz. But LAMS only in White it seems.

[@Dan4096]

I thought something went wrong with my TV after he said he's ridden it in the rain.

[@raydon14ify]

Great review

[@rogerkay8603]

Sold!

[@c__walker__jr]

It's called "X" because the original design concept was "rally inspired". (shrug) I'd like to see what it looks like without the bikini/cowl fairing. Then again maybe that's the part that doesn't look good in pictures.

Nahh, I'd get a regular SV instead.

[@SiggyCloud]

Insightful comment!

[@michals1108]

Same me don't like this handlebar

[@Bernievids]

I’ve changed my attitude to you as a reviewer. It is an old piece of shit. Seriously. Wtf.

[@CikaDraza]

You sound like a dickhead