2017 SUZUKI SV650

The latest edition of the venerable SV finally goes back to its original “simple and fun” roots

KENT KUNITSUGU

Ever since Suzuki punched out the engine displacement of the Japanese domestic market SV400 to create the SV650 in 1999, the model has remained a best seller for the manufacturer from day one. The company didn’t tamper much with the SV in the next nine years—and for good reason. Why mess with success? But then Suzuki made some changes to the SV in 2009 that included a switch to the somewhat peculiar “Gladius” moniker. A cheaper steel tube frame replaced the previous aluminum unit (contributing to a weight gain of around 20 pounds), and funky-styled bodywork was offered in various contrasting pastel colors. The SV faithful frowned, and sales figures dropped. Suzuki tried to mend the situation in 2013, rebadging the bike as the SFV650 and ditching the pastel colors.…

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Sport Rider (Digital) - 1 Issue, October - November 2016

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