Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1547087
P90 RIDE REVIEW I 2027 SUZUKI SV-7GX tive, particularly over a full day in the saddle. But for most riders, the neutral relationship between the seat, 'bar and footpegs provides a comfortable compro- mise between sporting control and touring practicality. Suzuki has also given the SV-7GX several features that make it more useful for longer trips. The 4.6-gallon fuel tank provides the potential for more than 200 miles between stops, while a standard rear carrier, handguards and three-position adjustable windscreen make the bike considerably more practical than the naked SV650. There is also plenty of scope for turning the SV-7GX into a genuine touring machine. Suzuki offers luggage and other tour- ing accessories, and the basic motorcycle provides a sensible foundation for adding soft bags, a top box or other equipment without turning the machine into performance level, with basic ABS adding an additional safety net. The SV-7GX departs most significantly from its SV650 predecessor in ergonomics. The riding position is con- siderably more relaxed, with an upright stance and a handlebar positioned closer to the rider. Suzuki has also reshaped and thickened the seat, while the 31.3-inch seat height remains accessible to a broad range of riders. The 7GX feels immediately familiar but significantly less demanding. There's no weight on your wrists, and the relatively narrow chassis makes it easy to move around at low speeds. The riding position is particu- larly well suited to urban riding, where you need good visibility and easy controllability. For taller riders, the available legroom may feel a little restric- SV-7GX's basic hardware will reveal its limits rather quickly. The fork can dive under hard braking, and the rear can get a little bouncy on rough pavement or undulating roads, and upping the preload only goes so far. For the majority of street riders, however, the suspen- sion does what it needs to do. The calibration leans toward comfort without making the motorcycle feel vague, and the relatively long suspension travel helps the SV-7GX handle broken pavement that would make a more aggressively sprung sport- bike bounce across the road. And that brings us to the 7GX's strongest attribute: its handling. With a 56.9-inch wheelbase, 25 degrees of rake and a 160-section rear tire, the SV-7GX feels light and agile when the road starts to twist. The stan- dard Pirelli Angel GT II sport- touring tires provide plenty of grip while retaining the quick steering characteristics that make the motorcycle so enjoy- able in the first place. The steering is neutral rather than nervous. Tip the 7GX into a corner, and it responds pre- dictably, holding the chosen line without requiring constant correction. It's the sort of mo- torcycle that encourages you to seek out the next corner in a comfortingly friendly way. The braking system fol- lows the same formula as the suspension: straightforward, effective, but unspectacular. Twin 290mm front discs with four-piston calipers provide ample stopping power for the Several cafes have been visited since Rennie took delivery of the 7GX.