Suzuki SV650/S (1999-current)

The latest shape has a seat height more suited to the taller rider, but the seating position doesn't quite suit the larger frame. They are cracking bikes to ride, and the engine is fantastic, highly recomended.

I Purchase a new SV650 Sport in 2007 it has been faultless for over a year of mainly dry riding, easy to ride i have taken it over the Cat and fiddle giving me plently of confidence in its handeling (it loves to be pushed), and to the Isle of Man with soft luggage and covered 500miles in 3 days. i go out with my mates on a GSXR 1000 R6 and Fireblade. performance wise ive seen 138mph on dig speedo and from the light to legal speeds kept up with my mates pass legal speeds im sure they would leave me standing. you can feel a more budjet feel to gear selector and suspension than on the fireblade but if your in the market for a road bike not a track bike it is worth a test ride, i would recomend one, and my friend who have had them before moving up would do as well.

I am actually reviewing a 2002 SV 650S that I had a year ago, the reason I am submitting one now is that I have just realised what a mistake it was to sell it. I sold my bike to move up to a GSXR 600 K3, I then sold this and brought an 01 RSV Mille, these bikes may have been faster in a straight line but they didnt compare to my old SV, even the guys who I ride out with say that I could ride my SV faster than my newer bikes. It is such a great bike. The engine is so keen to rev and pulls and sounds so fantastic (especially with a twin port blue flame exhaust). The only thing I didnt like was the 120/60 front tyre, it sometimes gave you the falling off a cliff sensation commonally found on R6's, swap it for a 120/70 but you may have to tinker with the front mudguard to compensate. It is not just me either I have told my misses that I want to buy a 01 ZX6r or a 99 CBR 600F but she would rather me buy another SV. Also make sure you autosol the front downpipe as often as you can, stops it from corroding.

i really rate my 06 sv650s. passed in march and got it soon after. went from being nervous about leaning etc to keeping up with experienced riders on rideouts within 3 months (about 15 rides). it gives so much confidence with its low weight flickability and its low and mid v-twin grunt. was wondering if 70bhp would be enough, but below 3 figures it sure is. does 0-100 in a shade under 10 secs apparently. r6 owners etc tell me they have little grunt till 8-10k revs but this pulls nicely at 4-5 and is fully on song at 6-7k where it starts to sound less basey and more racy upto its 11k red. a beautifully linear power delivery makes it easy to keep up with the peaky 4cyls on all but the longest and straightest and it uses less fuel too! worst ive done is 48mpg. best 58! cheap insurance at under £220 with zero no claims. ultra reliable so far and with a scorpion can sounds like some sort of 5mpg v8/v12 with attitude! clueless about what to get next without lots of extra outlay and running costs. maybe a gsxr750 if i can justify, but if not i'll keep. dislike the ride on some poorer roads and lack of storage. its ok rather than great on m-ways with its smallish screen and you get loadsa flys on yer helmet, but id forgive it alot more. its best on the twisties but with great filtering ability due to its grunt and narrowness, its actually a strong all rounder. summer weekends = very happy days!

First big bike iv had but ridden loads of other 600s and this is the best by a mile. Sooo much fun and smooth but pokey engine, looks are great and handles excellent. Ant rode it through winter yet but i love every minuet im on it

Had my 2003 Sv for 1year and 1/2, and covered around 25000 miles on it.. went to the south of France with it twice, covering 4000 miles each time, only time it stuggled was keeping up the pace on the auto routes. but as soon as you get to the twistys nothing left it. also did a track day on it at silverstone, showed up my uncle on his fireblade but thats another story hehe.. only mods i really had were full fairing, which you need if your going to tour.. brembo hoses. to sharpen the brakes up.. and a new can and man does it rour. best sounding bike i've had.. my only wish was that i didnt need to use it all year round, but i did and it quickly deteriated in winter with all the salt and crap.. anyone starting off riding i highly reccomend,, cheap insurance..cheap to run..and a good looking bike in my eyes also can have ALOT of FUN! trust me

I bouoght a 99 reg SV650 S as my first road bike and it's been faultless, easy to ride with plenty of power to entertain on twisty A and B roads. I have fitted a Quill exhaust system which has made the bike sound fantastic as well as improving the mid range performance. As a first bike the SV would take some beating, it's reliable, cheap to run and comfortable on longer runs. Additionally they last well, mine has done 30,500 miles and still looks mint.

the bike is great, got mine in July '07. I've got the fully faired sport version. My only gripe is with the front suspension, it bottoms out over speed humps and pot holes, it's currently under investigation Feb'08. Apart from that everything about the bike is great, it's light and keeps up with the big to a degree

Everyone these days who waffles on about making makes "like a 250 gp racer" are complete loooosers. no one really wants a 250gp bike, but what people do need to get them on the start to being able to ride like a demented frence 250 works rider is a solid grounding in a bike that is simple and friendly. its very easy to say how the SV is less than the modern competition, but it is still for my money the best clip on bar budget bike you can get. lets look at why people want an SV? -They want a cheap first bike that isnt hard to replace parts and get serviced -Simple and easy power delivery letting you know how to get on the power earlier on -Unsung sportsbike so no ones always expecting toe down on a trip to tesco's. as well, the modern classic looks and still-distincting features endear this bike to be a real machine people will love to restore in 25 years time, just like the RD's are today. the best bit is the fact that after only 7 months of riding, and being 22, i am track-daying alongside the GSXR600/750 posse and in between trackdays, i spend hours on the roundabout GP telling people how to get knee/toe down everytime. always a treat, never a bore, SV IS the best first bike for pretty much everyone.

I've owned many bikes but have never owned a V-Twin. I've recently run in my 07 SV650S and it has been a hoot. It's light, handles like a bike should and is easy to ride. I had a foreign license (and 20 years riding experience) so had to do my CBT, theory and practical test, and I used a Suzuki GS500 (which was a cinch to ride), but the SV blows it into the weeds. I tested everything before I bought my SV, and whilst all had their good points, none came close to the bangs for bucks deal the SV offers. If you want a totally reliable, easy to handle and good looking bike, buy one of these. Never mind what the reviewers say, I ride in the real world and don't get much chance to explore the top speed of ANY bike, and in the real world this bike is the real deal. Go on, wind up Ducati owners by having something more reliable, annoy CBR600 owners by having something more "exclusive", show FZ6 owners that your bike will pull out of corners in any gear and above all, wind up an SV650 and revel in the sound of a V-twin. It's addictive. Plus points - everyone loves the looks, it's easy to ride, reliable and sounds great. Minus points - ride for more than an hour and the seat begins to numb your bum. I can't reccommend this bike enough.