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/287613
2014 SUZUKI SFV650 RIDING IMPRESSION P78 have certainly added to the cost and weight of the bike. To be hon- est, we did not miss ABS one bit on this particular bike. The SFV's suspension didn't do anything to wow us. The fork is overly soft and doesn't soak up the harsh jolts and square-edge bumps all that great. Overall ride is just okay at best – in general, a little harsh and springy - and there isn't much you can do about it. Neither the rear shock nor the front fork offer any kind of damp- ing adjustability, just some spring preload. The lack of suspension performance isn't a game chang- er by any means, but is something worth noting. The SFV comes with a simple yet effective compact instrument pod. It's part analog and part digi- tal and looks modern just like the droopy headlamp that hangs in front of it. Not only does the head- lamp look modern, it also throws plenty of good useable light ahead of you. Overall, we're glad to see "the sword" back in Suzuki's arsenal. The Italianesque-looking machine is a head turner, offers sporty perfor- mance and, best of all, is just plain enjoyable to ride. You're just not going to find too many other bikes that offer as much in the way of per- formance, fun and versatility for the price – as well as operating price – than the Suzuki SFV650. CN SPECIFICATIONS 2013-2014 SUZUKI SFV650 ENGINE: .......................Liquid-cooled, DOHC, 90-degree, V-twin DISPLACEMENT: ..................................645cc BORE x STROKE: ............... 3.19 in. x 2.46 in. COMPRESSION RATIO: ...........................11.5:1 IGNITION: ......................... Electronic ignition (transistorized) FUEL SYSTEM: ............. Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) fuel-Injection system, 39mm 10-hole atomization injectors, with Idle Speed Control (ISC) LUBRICATION: ................................Wet sump TRANSMISSION: ... 6-speed, constant mesh FINAL DRIVE: ........................................Chain FRAME: .........................................Trellis steel RAKE/TRAIL: ................... 25-degree/4.09 in. FRONT SUSPENSION: 41mm telescopic, coil spring, oil-damped, spring preload adj. REAR SUSPENSION: .. Link-type, coil spring, oil damped, spring prelad 7-step adj. FRONT WHEEL TRAVEL: ........................4.9 in. REAR WHEEL TRAVEL: ........................130mm FRONT BRAKE: ....2-piston calipers, 290mm floating disc, twin REAR BRAKE: .1-piston caliper, 240mm disc FRONT TIRE: ........... Dunlop Qualifiers Sport Radials 120/70ZR17M/C (58W), tubeless REAR TIRE: Dunlop Qualifiers Sport Radials 160/60ZR17M/C (69W), tubeless FUEL CAPACITY: ................................ 3.8 gal. WHEELBASE: ...................................... 56.9 in. GROUND CLEARANCE: ..........................5.3 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ................................ 30.9 in. CURB WEIGHT: ......................... 445 lbs. COLOR: Metallic Thunder Gray/ Glass Sparkle Black (2014), Metallic Mat Black/Glass Sparkle Black WARRANTY: ..................12 month unlimited mileage limited warranty MSRP: ........ $7999 (2013), $8149 (2014)