2014 SUZUKI SFV650
RIDING IMPRESSION
P74
SFV650 received some coloring
touches, getting a more overall
gray/black tone and a distinctive
red frame that now highlights its
unique steel trellis design. (The
SFV650 we tested was a 2013
model, which is nearly identical to
the 2014 model sans the red paint
and a more compact and lighter
fuel pump. According to Suzuki's
specs, the 2014 model is about a
pound or so lighter than the 2013
version.)
We recently got the chance to
spend some quality time with the
SFV650 and again became quite
attached to the spunky little ma-
chine before we had to return it
to its rightful owner. In fact, they
– our friends at Suzuki - had to
pry our fingers off it after receiving
more than one, okay, maybe five
or six, ignored emails demanding
its return. Some motorcycles are
just worth fighting to keep.
Fun. That's the single best word
to describe the SFV650. Two
words would be – fun and eco-
nomical. Priced at $7999 for the
2013 and $8149 for the 2014, the
SFV650 isn't that far out of reach
for most people who are in the
market for a full-size, hard-work-
ing yet fun and, not to mention,
exotic-looking motorcycle for the
street, and the SFV is rather inex-
pensive to operate, its two medi-
um-sized cylinders sucking just
enough fuel to get you upwards
of 55 miles per gallon, depending
how much fun you and your right
wrist are having. You can cover a
lot of ground with its 3.9-gallon
tank. Plus, it has no problems be-
ing fed cheaper 87-octane fuel,
despite its somewhat high 11.5:1
compression ratio. There's no
sticker on the tank saying you
(A) The headlight
has a modern
look while still
doing a good job
of lighting up the
road.
(B) Compact,
simple and
effective.
(C) The heart of all
the fun.
(D) The 2014
SVF650 is nearly
identical to the
2013 model. It
gets a bit more
color and a more
compact and
lighter fuel pump.
A
B
C
D
must get the good (expensive)
stuff. That's a big deal.
The SFV's DOHC 90-degree V-
twin motor, with dual spark plugs
and four valves per cylinder, de-
livers excellent power for just
645cc, via its 3.19-inch bore and
2.46-inch stroke configuration,
offering up a good mix of high-
revving excitement, midrange pull
and low-to-mid torque to keep
things interesting at all times. If
you feel like just plonking around
from stop sign to stop sign or
from turn to turn, no problem, just
short-shift it through its six gears,
