I was at the Suzuki shop the other day, and they had a used '06 SV 650, so I took it for a ride. Damn that is a fun bike. That thing is almost exactly the kind of bike I am looking for to have fun and go to track days with. the price was the best part. They only wanted about 3 grand or so for the one I rode, and the new ones are only about 6 grand or so. Does anyone else own one? I was curious if these are good bikes or not, and if you guys had any pointers on it. Thanks in advance. Mikey:tour

My son owns one and likes it a lot. I wish I was taller so I could give it a try! You can't beat them for the price and reliable, too!

Good to hear. I never gave them a thought until I rode it. the FZ6 was fun, but it definitely weighs more than the SV, and the SV has a V twin, so more torque!! I had to wind up the FZ to make power, and the SV pulled pretty much from idle. Im just looking for something to beat on at the track. (road track)

I was at the Suzuki shop the other day, and they had a used '06 SV 650, so I took it for a ride. Damn that is a fun bike. That thing is almost exactly the kind of bike I am looking for to have fun and go to track days with. the price was the best part. They only wanted about 3 grand or so for the one I rode, and the new ones are only about 6 grand or so. Does anyone else own one? I was curious if these are good bikes or not, and if you guys had any pointers on it. Thanks in advance. Mikey:tour

I had an '02. (non EFI older version) Liked it alot, but sold it to get my XL.
Would have liked to keep it as a second bike. What I liked about it was its simplicity. Its not so esoteric that you can't touch the thing.
Its a very basic motorcycle, but with things about it that (apparently) make it handle really well on a track.

I don't know of anyone who had one, who didn't like it and respect it.

I had the SV100S before Ichanged to a Harley and you'r right it sure is a fun bike to ride but my back told me it was time to change.
http://xlforum.net/photopost/watermark.php?file=21691&size=1

That is exactly what I was looking for, a simple motorcycle. change oil and GO!! I was going to use the bike to learn how to cut it up on the road track with this bike, and just have fun.

i really like the one without the fairing.

very good looking standard bike. from what i've read, they're probably one of the best all-around standards ever made.

if i had more money, i'd have one (along with the other bikes i lust after)

if i was going to get a rice rocket style bike the sv 650 or 1000 would be my choice

Good to hear. I never gave them a thought until I rode it. the FZ6 was fun, but it definitely weighs more than the SV, and the SV has a V twin, so more torque!! I had to wind up the FZ to make power, and the SV pulled pretty much from idle. Im just looking for something to beat on at the track. (road track)

The low end torque thing is very deceptive. An FZ6 is about 2 seconds faster to 100 mph, and winding up a 4 cylinder is just a matter of twisting the throttle. The SV650 is a great bike, and a great track bike, but won't have the performance of the 600s.

Here's a good comparo: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/roadtests/middleweight_motorcycle_comparison/

I almost bought a new one before I got my Sportster. They only thing that stopped me from getting it was that the insurance was going to be so high. The lower payment on the SV plus the higher insurance payment equaled out to be the same cost of my Sportster. I decided on the higher HD payment with the much cheaper insurance.

I still like them, maybe someday I'll get one as a second bike.

Yeah, I thought about that whole insurance thing too, but on a used bike just paying liability, it shouldnt be bad. I know what you mean about the I4 Vs the V twin, but the V twin feels better. The 600 four cylinder bikes are insane on performance. if I was going for a four, I think I would go for a GSX600R or the new CBR600RR. The SV wins out because of overall price, availability, and ease of riding and maintenance. (read no flaring)

Does anyone else own one? I was curious if these are good bikes or not, and if you guys had any pointers on it. Thanks in advance. Mikey:tour


I had one for a while.....excellent bike.I went for the naked version (prefered the upright riding position). Heaps of aftermarket stuff available for the SV's too. And they sound great with a decent can.....;)

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500//Hotham_125_Custom_.jpg

Here's mine. I spent about 18 fun filled months with mine. Fantastic little bike and I often wish I still had it for a quick blast through the hills. :)

http://xlforum.net/photopost/data/500/suzi_650.jpg

I had the carb version SV650 for 5 years before I traded it for my 883R. It's a fantastic bike with a really good balance of power, performance, handling and braking. It's not outstanding at any of them, it just all gels together. It's a 'charming' bike.

Two probs with mine. In heavy rain the front cylinder would occasionally cut out, and to change the valve shims invoved taking the cam-shafts out.

Then why did I sell it? I always wanted a Sportster and I had the finances to get one. It was the right choice.

this is way interesting to me how many Sportster folks either have or had a relationship with an SV.
Kind of makes sense.

As far as the insurance: on my '02 naked I made sure to mention to the insurance co that it was the naked version - which is technically a "standard" rather than a sport bike.
Insurance was EXACTLY the same as for my Sporty.
weird, huh?
so the ins on a $3000 bike was costing me the same as comparable coverage on my $10,000 bike.

I didn't notice any difference to my insurance premium when I changed from the SV1000S to the Sportster!

I didn't notice any difference to my insurance premium when I changed from the SV1000S to the Sportster!

Back when I was pricing everything out, the insurance for the SV came out to be around $127 a month, I'm currently paying $51 a month for the Sportster. This is all threw Progressive, the best they could tell was the SV was sports bike and once I'm over 30 my rates will drop.

I test rode an '05 SV 650 and really liked it. I was hopeing my brother would buy one, but he ende up getting an older Harley.

When I was working for a Suzuki dealer, I received the first models for the french market. I had very funny moments riding that bike.
More funny than the SV 1000 which is only a sport bike.
The 650 can be a sport bike and a roadster, even the naked version...

I have a buddy with an SV650, and he rides the crap out of that bike. I mean he rides it really hard. Its nothing for him to be cruising around and boom, he just pulls the front wheel up and can keep it there for awhile. Or he'll even take it through the grass like a friggin dirt bike, its kinda funny.
I think it tops out around 135mph or 140, so its no R6, nor a sporty either. But it does have similar character.

That's V-twin !!!:clap:clap

Sounds like my kind of bike. I dont have any experience with the carb models, I rode a 2006 sv650. way fun bike, the previous owner geared it down so he could run stoplight to stoplight better (That is what he said) in reality, it was for wheelies. that thing got light on the front pretty easily. I didnt wheelie it, because it wasnt my bike. Im kinda surprised to see how many of you guys had this bike, but then it is a standard V twin, and it was a way fun bike. I checked out a Triumph Speed triple yesterday, and I think I will go with the SV for 9 grand less. Mostly because I am a broke college student. ah well. Thanks for the outstanding response. Not only is this forum good for sporty info, its good for all things with two wheels!!

If I hadn't rented a Sporty in Chicago in June when I was there I'd be riding an SV650 now!

I definitely like the way they look, similar to a ducati. I guy at my work has one...

Well, I almost bought one, then ended up with a 1995 Speed Triple, that makes tons more power than the SV, and is a whole lot more unique than the SV to boot. only one other guy in Colorado has one. they look like this
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd132/havi94gt/IMG_1059.jpg

My neighbor loved his until he rode a 'Busa and traded it in for the 'Busa.

The low end torque thing is very deceptive. An FZ6 is about 2 seconds faster to 100 mph, and winding up a 4 cylinder is just a matter of twisting the throttle. The SV650 is a great bike, and a great track bike, but won't have the performance of the 600s.


True, if you're only concerned with which one gets to 100 mph faster.

The beauty of the V-twin is the broad powerband when you're riding in the twisties or on the track. When you're on a V-twin, for any given corner there are 3 gears that will get you through the corner smartly. When you're on an I4, you better be in the right gear before you enter the corner or you're going to be the last one out. One gear too high, and you're not going to have any drive on the exit. One gear too low, and you'll be bouncing off the rev limiter after the apex before you can get the bike upright and shift up.

The V-twin is so much more flexible, its just plain easier to ride fast. Of course, if your last name is Stoner or Rossi this may not be of concern.

Edit: I just realized that I replied to a post that is like a year old.... duh!

hey, its cool, I still watch it. I just posted because I had finally got my sportbike. BTW, thats the beauty of the Triples from Triumph. they pull from about 3500 all the way to 13K or more for the 675, and the 1050 pulls at all RPMs, regardless of gear. best of both worlds, really, as they pull like a V twin, but rev like the japaneese I4 bikes.