2017 SUZUKI SV650
FIRST RIDE
P98
By the looks of things, Su-
zuki may have been reading the
same book, because the new
SV650 feels uncomplicated and
happy in its own skin. This 2017
SV650 may as well be the first
SV650 of 1999; it's a stripped
back, blank canvas that can
tour as good as it can scratch,
commute as good as it can race.
There are not many bikes I can
think of currently in the same
league for similar money, save
for Yamaha's sensational FZ-07.
The 2017 edition has seen over
140 changes made to the engine
and chassis in an effort
to recapture what was so
good about the original
SV. Over 60 of those have
been designated in the 645cc
L-twin engine, mainly on lower-
ing its overall weight and allowing
a faster climb through the rev
range, more peak power as well
as increasing fuel range while
still allowing the motor to reach
the emissions targets set
by Europe for the 2017
model year.
Back to the future?
You could be forgiven
for thinking this was
the 1999 model, and
that's a good thing.
