'08 SV 650

[gritsngravy]

Suzukis really been doing some cool stuff lately.  Now their sv 650s comes with a lower fairing and like last year abs is an option.  

[garry]

AFAIK, the lower fairing has always been an option. As much as I like naked bikes, the lower fairing really pulls the look of the bike together.

[pearsonm]

The little SV is a bike I've always wanted to try. If it were a 750 with a decent suspension I would've bought one a long time ago.

[Dichotomous]

The little SV is a bike I've always wanted to try. If it were a 750 with a decent suspension I would've bought one a long time ago.

if it were a 750 with decent suspension it would be priced with the supersports and then why bother instead of the gsxr750?  its just fine where it is, the suspension is easier to upgrade afterwards cheeply anyways, and there is always the sv1000 that has less power than the gsxr750 so that might be where to go....

[tourinoob]

Wonder why they are making this when they have the GSX650F? The 650F is slighty larger engine-wise and is DOHC, but i dunno....

[Dichotomous]

cause that bike is a bunch heavier, doesnt have the midrange or low end punch of the sv, and the sv sells so well that there is no reason not to make it.
I guess the reason is, why are they making the gsf650?

[pearsonm]

its just fine where it is

Maybe for you, but not for me. Have a nice day.  

[gritsngravy]

cause that bike is a bunch heavier, doesnt have the midrange or low end punch of the sv, and the sv sells so well that there is no reason not to make it.
I guess the reason is, why are they making the gsf650?

The gsf 650 with it's standard centerstand, large one piece seat, and smooth running state of the art four make for a better long distance mount than any version of sv 650.   I actually love the many choices of middleweight affordable bikes suzy puts out.      Try as I might I just don't see choice as a bad thing.  

[Heath3n]

cause that bike is a bunch heavier, doesnt have the midrange or low end punch of the sv, and the sv sells so well that there is no reason not to make it.
I guess the reason is, why are they making the gsf650?

+1 I thought the exact same thing.

[Dichotomous]

Maybe for you, but not for me. Have a nice day.  

but they make your bike, exactly the way you want it, 750, really good suspension, naked, vtwin, really good looking.....  it's called the aprillia shiver, and costs a whole bunch.  ducati also makes that, the 749 and other middleweight twins.

[Dichotomous]

that fairing would make the bike way easier to clean.... too bad I'm cheep and it's too expensive for me

[pearsonm]

but they make your bike, exactly the way you want it, 750, really good suspension, naked, vtwin, really good looking.....  it's called the aprillia shiver, and costs a whole bunch.  ducati also makes that, the 749 and other middleweight twins.

Why don't we let me speak for me, mmmkay? What I said is what I meant - SV750 with decent suspension. Thanks again.

[Zerosum]

The gsf 650 with it's standard centerstand, large one piece seat, and smooth running state of the art four make for a better long distance mount than any version of sv 650.   I actually love the many choices of middleweight affordable bikes suzy puts out.      Try as I might I just don't see choice as a bad thing.  

Yeah, Suzuki and Kawasaki both are really catering to the middleweight market.  SVs, V-Stroms, Bandit 650, Ninja 650R, Versys.  It's great compared to what the market looked like several years ago.  I think the US market is slowly maturing out of the sportbike/cruiser mindset, thankfully.  Maybe Yamaha and Honda will take notice soon, too.

[tourinoob]

The more I look at this the more I am tempted. Fair price, good styling, good power...almost enough to make me change my mind about a VFR.

[highside]

This bike was really due for an update this year, shame they simply gave it the "bold new graphics" treatement. The lowers have been a color matched factory option for as long as the S model has been available. It's nice to get them with the bike, but you coulda negotiated that with your dealership 5 years ago and walked out with virtually the same bike that you see here.

I would have liked to see some chasis changed and suspension improvements this year. I wouldn't expect to see a lot of changes to the motor because it does exactly what it is built for extremely well, but it does have weaknesses that could be addressed to improve the bike. Honestly I think this bike is going to stay the same as it is because the market for the bike is still there and isn't willing to pay extra for a new version.

[gritsngravy]

I don't believe a slightly larger better suspended sv 650 would sell well.   Suzuki's last attempt at an up level twin was pretty decent but few were sold.   Front line sporty suzys will always be gsx-r fours.  

[Mr Sunshine]

I just recently put a GSXR front end on my race SV.

Why doesn't Suzuki sell the bike with it?  Its a direct bolt on so its not more parts to make.  Crap make a R version of the S and price it accordingly!

[Ant]

cause that bike is a bunch heavier, doesnt have the midrange or low end punch of the sv, and the sv sells so well that there is no reason not to make it.
I guess the reason is, why are they making the gsf650?

The GSF650 is a different bike to the SV as "gritsngravy" (there ought to be a story behind THAT name! ) said, I own the Bandit and have ridden the SV. The Bandit is comfier for long distance and just feels more stable (probably because of the weight). The SV was an absolute hoot, light and nimble etc.
Both are great bikes, priced the same and target different markets (but without stepping on the toes of the really sporty bikes). I think Suzuki have a damn good line up covering all the bases  

[pearsonm]

I don't believe a slightly larger better suspended sv 650 would sell well.   Suzuki's last attempt at an up level twin was pretty decent but few were sold.  

I hardly think Suzuki's botched attempt at a v-twin race replica is an accurate forecast of how well an SV with a decent shock and set of forks would sell.

[gritsngravy]

I hardly think Suzuki's botched attempt at a v-twin race replica is an accurate forecast of how well an SV with a decent shock and set of forks would sell.

I do.  The SV sits in that delicate value/per $ zone that's makes the bike as it is today very appealing.   (especially with FREE lowers thrown it.)   Better suspension, more development on a larger motor, upgraded brakes would be great but then you're pushing toward ss 600 territory with retail pricing.    If all you need is "a decent shock and set of forks" then my god man get a sv and have at it.   Suzuki's not gonna build it for you.  

[JamesG]

In the TLs defense, it was a homogulation special designed to take advantage of a capacity/performance loophole in the FIM superbike rules (1000cc twins vs. 750cc multis), same as the RC-51.  Suzuki probably could have made it work successfully, but they never commited full resources to it so it never really had a chance.  Made a great street bike though.

It and its derivative the "S" did sell pretty well, not spectacularly, but Suzuki made money on it.  And it led directly to the development of the SV which sold VERY well.

[goodhawk]

yea, Suzuki has done great with midsize ( by todays standards, 450 lb is actually kinda small, the SV 1000 - 490 lb, more ' mid size). As mentioned, I see the SV as a sportier option, the 4 cy bandit / gs as more touring oriented.  pretty micro splitting of the market, but I guess it works.

I've always wanted Honda to do a modern version of Hawk GT - 699, suspension /brakes from F4, larger tank from the Revere ( English semi-hawk.) NOOOO.
So - TRIUMPH - street Triple.  Aprilia 750.

[pearsonm]

You're right, gritsngravy. There's no way Suzuki could put a set of previous-generation GSXR forks and a shock on the SV560S and sell it at a competitive price. What the hell was I thinking?

[Joey Stalin]

I do.  The SV sits in that delicate value/per $ zone that's makes the bike as it is today very appealing.   (especially with FREE lowers thrown it.)   Better suspension, more development on a larger motor, upgraded brakes would be great but then you're pushing toward ss 600 territory with retail pricing.    If all you need is "a decent shock and set of forks" then my god man get a sv and have at it.   Suzuki's not gonna build it for you.  

Those lowers ain't free. They raised the MSRP by $400, although truth be told if you want to buy those fairings for your 07 they retail for $567. So not a bad buy if you were planning on buying the lowers anyway.

[wilinfla]

I love to hop on my wife's SV650 occasionaly, it's a blast to ride. She doesn't mind it at all on an all day ride and she really loves it in traffic. I lowered it for her and had the seat redone, she is almost flatfooted on it. The best thigs is the economy, we bought her leftover 2006 in March of this year for $4700   She doesn't ride it hard and she gets over 60 mpg on it too! Her Sportsetr has fely very neglected since she got the SV650.

                                                        Will

[Zerosum]

I've always wanted Honda to do a modern version of Hawk GT - 699, suspension /brakes from F4, larger tank from the Revere ( English semi-hawk.) NOOOO.

I hear ya... sadly, I think the SV and Versys are the closest we'll ever get.  Forget about Honda doing anything interesting in the middleweight market.  At least that way you'll be pleasantly surprised if they do.  They've completely ceded that market to Kawasaki and Suzuki.

[FJRmgm]

I have an '04 SV-650s and it is a hoot to ride.

That v-twin makes plenty of power right in the area where I ride and the stock suspension works just find for my 5'8" and 150 lb body.

Perfect compliment to my FJR.