Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

handled by a standard link-type, singleshock unit with seven-way adjustable spring preload. Again, there are no damping "clickers." Bolted to the lower fork legs is a pair of very capable twin-piston, 290mm floating disc brakes that are supported by a single 240mm disc brake out back. Our SV650 came fitted (and so will yours) wi th Metzeler radial tires wrapped around three-spoke cast-aluminum rims, 11 la the Bandit. Suzuki also slightly altered the ergonomics of the American SV650 from that of the European version by going to taller, chromed tubular bars rather than lower-mounted clip-on bars. This gives our SV650 a more relaxed upright seating position. Hanging out in plain view of the rider is a centrally mounted speedometer, and offset to its left is a smaller, white-faced tachometer. Both gauges are electronically powered, which eliminates the need for bulky and ugly gear- . driven ca bles. Up front, you can't help but notice the gigantic, circular 55/60-watt headlight. Luckily, its looks are made tolerable because of its clear lens. When you swing a leg over the SV650 for the first time, you might be a little surprised by the bike's extremely casual sitting position ~ at least I was. I was expecting a more aggressive stance (or a middleweight sportbike, but, to be honest, this didn't bother me at all, since I'm a big fan of being comfortable on a motorcycle. After all, whenever I plop myself down on a motorcycle seat, I'm usually there for a while, so the SV and I hit it off right away. The bike, however, did at first feel a little small for my 6foot-I-inch frame, but I quickly got used to that. The SV scored more points with me as soon as I opened up the throttle and was rewarded with a handful of torque. Again, the SV surprised me by the way it surged forward, pulling hard yet steadily through all six gears. Don't let· the numbers fool you: This 645cc motor - which pumps out upward of 70 hp has plenty of gusto, and delivers it in a way that only a V-twin can. According to the tachometer, the SV starts signing off around 9000 rpm, but the rev limiter kicks in at 10,500 rpm. But rarely do you have to scream the little motor this far to have fun. For casual sport riding, it's perhaps most fun to silort-shift the bike and let the torque carty you from turn to turn. In typical Suzuki fashion, changing gears is sweet and simple with the SV. Rarely did I miss a shift, and thanks to a smooth-working clutch with a light pull, launching the bike from a standstill is a breeze. Unlike some of the more performance-orientated V-twins around town, very little engine vibration is transmitted through the frame to 'the rider's hands and feet. Our SV seemed to be jetted spot on, as throttle response was always immediate, but we did have some.l'roblems WiTh the bike cutting out while riOing in (Above) Instrumentation is pure and simple. (Right) The SV tracks well out of the turns and makes surprisingly good power. (Left) There's room for two on the SV650. (Right) The 41 mm forks are basic but work well for casual sport riding. Overall, the SV's ride Is plush. (Below) The SV relies on Metzeler tires to grip the road. the rain. In one particular episode, our SV nearly quit completely in a heavy downpour, leaving me momentarily stranded on the side of the freeway until the rain let up. We never did pinpoint the problem, but it was obvious that some electrical component or connection somewhere was getting wet. In the dry, how.ever, our bike ran like a top. Railing the turns is one of the SV's favorite things to do. The well-thought-out aluminum-buss frame and overall chassis is more than capable of hanging with the strong motor. This featller-light-feeling bike corners extremely well, needing only a little coaxing from its master to initiate the turns. Having to muscle the SV through the switchbacks is not necessary, because this bike is ready and willing to respond to whatever you tell it to do. If you do start pushing it, though, the SV's suspension can start feeling a little mushy and a little wallowy, and you'll start wishing for those damping adjustments that you don't have. If you find yourself going into a turn a little too hot, no worries with the SV650. The large dual discs up front and the single disc out back are no doubt strong enough to haul in a machine like the mighty Hayabusa, let alone a 323pound (claimed dry weight) 645cc Vtwin. Need I say more? (Well, the rearbrake pedal is adjustable.) Even though the Suzuki engineers put most of their thinking into the SV's motor and chassis, they didn't forget about the little things that make everyday riding more pleasurable. Some of these things include rubber-eovered aluminum footpegs, positioning the rearview mirrors to where they're actually useful, placing t~e foolpegs low enough on the frame to where your knees..aren't 1999 Suzuki SV650X Specifications Engi_ type .... Uquid·cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, TSCC, OO·degree, V-twin Bore x MI'ok•......... 81.0 x 62.6mm Displacement 645cc Compression ratio 11.5:1 Cartouretlon (2) Mikuni BDSR39 Lubricallon s ~ Wet sump Exhaust system 2 into 1 Transmission .. 6-speed, constant mesh digging into your chest, conveniently mounting the choke lever on the handlebar, designing a comfortable seat, and providing a fuel tank tha t holds plenty of gas. The SV relies on a low-on-fuel light to warn the rider, as there is no petcock. What didn't we like about the SV650, you ask? Okay, here's the list: Electrical . . . . Spe'" plug Frame Reke/traH S lon Front Rear Not very long, is it? If you're thinking about taking the SV650 to the track, ·then Suzuki is going to try to push you over the edge by offering a special road racing contingency program for the SV650, which will be eligible for payout at 57 regional club events in each club's appropriate Twins class. For more details, check your local Suzuki dearer or log on to Suzuki's web site at www.suzuki.com. Evidently, there are already a lot of people out there who know a good motorcycle when they see one. According to Suzuki, the SV650, which has only been available for a few months, has been selling like crazy. For some reason, this doesn'fsurprise us. _ Wet multi·plate Clutch Final drive ratlo DrIve chain 3.000 (45/15) .D.I.D 525 . O·ring chain, 110 link Digitally mapped NGK CR9E A1uminum truss·type 25°/99mm 41 mm telescopiC forks. oil damped (non-adjJ Link-type, single·shock, 7 -way spring preload Brakes Front " :·.Two twin'piston pin-Slide-type Rear calipers, 200mm discs .single twin-opposed piston caliper, 240mm disc nres Front 120/60 ZR 17 Metzeler Rear 160/60 ZR 17 Metzeler 01 A ..81.5 in. OIA wldth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29,5 In. Ie""'" ... .. .. I..... . OIA height ....... , ... , W.... Ground clearance s..t height, Clai dry _Ight GVWR Fuel capacity MSRP . .41.7 in. 56.3 in. 5.5 in. ". " .31.7 in. 363 Ibs. 885 Ibs. , . .4.2 gal. 55699 11

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