When Suzuki introduced the SV650 in 1999, it was trying to hit a sweet spot by building a sporty middleweight that was affordable and accessible. The fact that it’s only just going off sale at the end of this year confirms they hit the bullseye with it.
It was a time when most bargain middleweights were ‘parts bin specials’ – detuned supersport 600 motors shoved in a low spec chassis finished off with components from other models. Bikes like the Honda Hornet and Suzuki’s own Bandit proved it was a formula well received by buyers but, with the SV650, Suzuki created a bike that had its own character and soul.
The engine and trellis style frame were designed especially for the new model, which could be bought with or without a neat half fairing. It was sporty, but not too sporty, practical and inexpensive. As a first ‘big’ bike, it won plenty of fans.
V-twins were all the rage at the back end of the ‘90s, riding the coattails of Ducati’s spectacular success in superbike racing. Honda had built its VTR series of 1000cc V-twins, with which they would eventually win a world superbike title, while Suzuki sold a lot of its TL1000S – a fast but fiery road bike with a ‘widowmaker’ reputation.
The SV had quite a bit in common with the TL, which had first hit showrooms in 1997. They shared a lot of the same design language and, with its half fairing, the SV650S could be mistaken for its bigger brother at first glance (it also looked a lot like a Triumph Daytona T595 – Ed). What was unique about the SV was its mid-capacity V-twin engine. With around 64bhp, the 645 cc, liquid-cooled 90° V-twin wasn’t the most powerful thing around, but it was punchy and full of character. It ploughed its own furrow and arguably paved the way for Kawasaki’s popular (parallel twin) ER-6 range.
The SV sold well… very well, while the engine would also go on to see service in the V-Strom 650 adventure bike – which joined the Suzuki range in 2004.
Although the current, fourth generation, model has been largely unchanged for a decade, the SV650 underwent frequent updates in its early years. A second generation SV, which swapped carburettors for fuel injection, came along for 2003. It also had a new frame and traded curvy lines for sharper and more contemporary ones.
A further update came in 2007, the modifications (a new twin spark cylinder head and the option of ABS brakes) largely came to meet new legislation, although the ill-advised decision to ‘replace’ the SV with the oddly-named SFV650 Gladius in 2009 affected sales and damaged its relatively cool reputation.
And the ‘cool’ reputation came despite being a relatively modest machine. Popular with riding schools, new riders and commuters, it was also an unlikely race bike as ‘Supertwins’ and ‘Minitwins’ became highly subscribed classes in club racing. The classes used modified 650cc two-cylinder machines and the SV650 was a common sight at track days and club meets. It confirmed Suzuki’s reputation for providing well priced sporting bikes for the everyday rider.
Realising the folly of having a bike named the Gladius, Suzuki went back to basics in 2017 and broke out the SV650 badges for the fourth generation model. This era also included the SV650X, a sort of funky ‘neo/retro’ restyle of the base model, which was in the range for a few years. The Gen 4 SV (as with the V-Strom 650) remains on sale today, albeit with a solitary naked version. Alas this will be the last year we can buy an SV650 new in Europe, as Suzuki appear to have decided it’s not worth reengineering it to meet Euro5+ regulations.
Which is a shame because, while it isn’t the most contemporary of designs, it is still a cracking little bike. The trellis frame and V-twin engine give it the look of an older generation Ducati Monster and, at £6,749, it’s one of the cheapest middleweight bikes you can buy new today – and still a thrilling ride for novice riders.
These days middleweight twins are pretty popular and there’s plenty of choice. We’ve already mentioned the Kawasaki ER-6, which morphed into the Z650/Ninja 650, while models like the 689cc Yamaha MT-07 and the bigger Honda Hornet 750 and Suzuki’s own GSX-8 have taken the category to a new level – but without the Suzuki SV650, who knows if these would even exist?
Photos: Suzuki
