So, Suzuki SV650 ABS 2017. Who you are?

A German Sheppard. SV is a Sheppard dog.

I was looking for specific bike: both commuter and fun naked bike. Suzuki SV650 ABS 2017 is very long name to call it every time, so SV650.

SV is a white one .
Bikes where cramped in the ally between two streets and multi angle shot was not an option.
When you test drive your bike there is a limited time and a lot of impressions are stitched to route choice. So I have no idea how it drives on a highway. I can assume it stable and fast but can’t claim it. My route was among busy city streets with plenty of traffic lights and turns and some school kids event with police escort and school buses coming in and out. I can claim one thing for sure SV650 revs fast, comfortable in nervous traffic jams and overall quiet and has a quality of german sheppard dog. It can be fast it can be precise but it not as energetic and playful as Russel terrier. Different breed, you know.  

Is it beautiful? I would say no, as it not going to steal your heart and give it to motorcycle sales rep.

Is it attractive? I would say yes, as you going to look cool on it and your choice is not based on numbers and common sense. There is a passion to it.

Sitting position is upright, almost classical with some leaning forward. It puts slight pressure on your hands but nothing major. It not neutral as Yamaha FZ07 and not as pushy as Honda CB300-500F. You can commute on this bike for hours or ride it through the twisties. Seat is not impressive but good. Nothing bad nothing special. Controls are in place and I had nothing to reach for. It all where it should be.

As disclaimer I should say it fairly personal. It may be different story if you taller, shorter or just like it other way.

My blog here is solely about my personal impressions with some sprinkle of facts. I do that I find missing in many reviews. You can go and download detailed pictures and count spokes on the wheel, see list of the features (by the way, since this Suzuki introduces plenty of new technologies in the engine it has one. Long list). It not great interest for me, that what makes many of them copy paste.

Motorcycles are about special feeling.

Riding SV650 is a process with no hair raising but with plenty of surprises. Brakes are solid and sharp. Feel, progressiveness and effectiveness are in place and give birth to confidence and free your mind to do something more fun. Acceleration is actually impressive. As 650 now considered almost starter bike I find it not true. Anything accelerating in sub 4 seconds is no starter for sure. Gear choice in 50-100 km/h is your choice since they all work. You can stay in 3-d and be ahead of everyone or shift to 6-th and have decent acceleration. Engine pulls with solid push. It is not punch, but rather push. Sound is not loud but in line with many similar bikes. If you like to sound more sporty or angry get aftermarket exhaust. Shifting gears is not as precise as Honda and not as soft mannered as Yamaha. You feel every gear put in place. Nothing bothering though. Bike felt in place on broken roads and through several turns this test ride presented. But due to nature of the environment I can more claim busy city riding than fun backroads. In the city it handled perfectly. It felt bigger than Yamaha FZ07 and on par with Honda CB500F. Instrumentation gave everything you need and ergonomically fitted well city and backroad sitting positions. It all electronic, but that’s the trend.

It fantastic all around bike with some cool mindness about it and fantastic fuel economy. At 75 HP or so it not slow by any means. You do need to grab handlebars tight if you twist throttle aggressively. It not as nimble as Yamaha, but that could be a good staff if you go long distances.

So what will be the feeling from the bike? It like you have old friend who you talk to, drink some beer from local store on the backyard and even don’t bother to go to the pub to drink beer. You don’t need to bother. However you can tell him : “Man do you want to take our bikes and ride? It will be beautiful day and backroads calling!” And you know it will be great day and great ride. You never know how far you will go this day. 30-50-250 km.

As a notion, bike can definitely benefit from better tires like many other stocks they not the best.

Would I recommend this one? Yes. Would I buy one? May be. As usual there are many bikes with slightly higher price (or lower in case of FZ07) making choice rather muddled and number infested. By the way it the most fuel efficient option out there capable of putting ashame something with 300cc!