2002 Suzuki SV650

Brands Hatch WSB, what better journey to test out the SV’s capabilities. Used normally for commuting 40 miles daily and the odd jaunt down to the coast, the SV has returned an average of 52 mpg and used next to no oil in 4500 miles. Preparations for the Brands trip consisted of chain check and lube,tyre pressure check and the rear suspension was cranked up one notch to cope with the extra weight it would be coping with. The trip was the first serious distance I had undertaken on the bike, my pillion was to be my son and luggage included tents and sleeping bags. In order to keep weight evenly distributed I used a magnetic tankbag,the tank held the bag in place, given the dips and turns in it’s shape we had no problems at all. The bag proved very useful at deflecting the wind higher up my body and helped keep the weight off my wrists on long motorway stints. My son carried the bulk of the luggage in a rucksack, which he rested on the grabrail when in need of rest.

Once into the journey the bike proved stable at speed, the riding position however was compromised by the pillion / rucksack combination, the rider was forced slightly forward onto the narrower part of the seat with an odd reach to the pegs. This only really proved a problem on the second part of the journey when, due to roadworks on the M11 we missed a service area and had to cover a far greater distance than planned without a stop. We averaged around the 90 mph / 48 mpg mark for the trip and with stops and the M25 chaos it took us four hours to complete the trip. The SV proved both reliable and frugal, and given the amount of luggage was comfortable for the hour and threequarter tank range. Not the greatest tourer purhaps, but I would have no hesitation in undertaking longer trips, particularly if I was travelling solo.

The bike has now covered just under 5000 miles in six months and apart from a minor problem with gear selection (grease washed out of lever, fixed under warranty) the only service items used so far are three litres of oil, a cautionary oil change after the Brands trip.

All in all the SV has done everything asked of it, Commute, Tour and Scratch.