There it is, Suzuki's answer to the question of what is needed in the middle class. For around 6,500 euros, the Suzuki SV 650 has something to offer that the competition can only imitate: a real V2 engine. Off to the test.
Such a supermodel – whether male, female or diverse – is always beautiful to look at. However, it probably can't cook, or lack another property to her or him. This can be transferred to motorcycles: A weekend with the Ducati Panigale V4 is certainly a very interesting and enjoyable affair – but forever?
For everyday life, the majority prefer sanitising motorcycles, the middle-class Naked Bikes. Okay, these are not as suitable for travel due to the lack of wind protection in the standard condition, but otherwise you get a whole lot of motorcycle for the money for six to seven thousand euros. Suzuki sends his SV 650 into the field against Kausaki's Z 650 and Yamaha MT-07.
The V2 with 76 hp is supposed to make the difference, and this presumption is credible. The competition tries to create a V2 sound image with tricks such as an uneven lifting pin offset of the crankshaft, which sometimes succeeds better, sometimes worse. Suzuki can refer to the original.
Another advantage of the mid-range bikes is that they are relatively light, the Suzuki SV 650 weighs only 198 kilos. Other special features: none. There is an ABS on board, the display clearly shows what displays display without electric helpers, and all controls are where you suspect them to be.
The seating position is nicely deep, together with the narrow seat, this ensures that even smaller people have a safe stand. side stand (no main stand) and start the motor.
Because let's go.
In fact, the V2 sounds unadulterated, which sometimes brings plus points. A bit more than idle, and the sound increases synchronously. When rolling there, the Suzuki can be heard discreetly, when it is throttled, it then rumbles off. That sounds great.
Like all V2s, the Suzuki engine does not have very low speeds, but it is by no means a rotary organ like the Honda CB 650. Once again to the concept and added value of the middle class: in 3.7 seconds it pushes the Suzi to 100 km/h. The KTM 1290 SuperDuke or the Ducati Monster 1200 S manage the sprint in our tests in about 3.3 seconds, but cost around 10,000 euros more and in the case of the KTM 177 hp. Sure, with Vmax beyond the 250 km/h or when passing through the two alpha animals of the SV 650 show the back – but without wind protection this is a theoretical matter.
The Suzuki does its service quite inconspicuously. The connoisseur likes the beautiful sound, otherwise the SV brakes, springs and drives and performs its service with a conspicuous inconspicuous inconspicuousness. The Suzuki engineers have succeeded in a harmonious composition. Pure motorcycling, so to speak. By the way, like to be two: The Naked Bike Suzuki SV 650 does not become a highly talented tourer, but in contrast to the competition, the Soziusplatz is not a penalty bench.
For the everyday life of most motorcyclists, a Suzuki SV 650 is always enough. It meets the needs of motorcycling without great conspicuousness, the beautiful V2 engine is available as a unique selling point. Of course, the material quality could sometimes be better, especially the carbon replicas on the tank.
But: For 6,595 euros you can still invest in windscreen, suitcase or the chassis – or in everything or nothing. At its core, the Suzuki remains the unproblematic companion for every day. If you like it, you can spend more money: The V2 is of course also included in the "X" version of the SV, which is 7,300 instead of 6,595 euros expensive. There is a classy quilted bench, metallic lacquer, a small fairing and retro look.
The test bike was provided to us by zweirad-Technik Schielmann in Hamburg.
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