Suzuki Motorcycle Reviews


Read Suzuki Sv motorbike reviews. These have been written by owners of Suzuki bikes for the benefit of fellow bikers. Read other Suzuki owners' personal opinions of Suzuki motorcycle ownership. You can also submit your own Suzuki Sv review.

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All Suzuki SV Reviews
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Suzuki SV 1000cc Apr '03 (03)
Overall Rating:
Review
I bought this bike after having the 650 version for a couple of years. The first thing that you will notice is the extra shove from the 996 cc engine. After the 650 it just pulls so strongly from low down through to near the end of the rev range. It is revvy for a twin, the sweet surge of power comes in around 7000 - 9500 rpm but tails off after so running up to red line isnt neccesary. I have aftermarket BOS cans on which give off a deep engine bass tone, and transform in to an 'on song' howl at higher revs. The acceleration from 0-100 mph, and exiting corners is a match for sports 4 cylinders, and for normal riding is very spirited. It will lose out on the fours on top end acceleration but then twins are a different ride altogether anyway. The one gripe about the engine I have is that it is slightly lumpy under 4000 revs, so pull aways arent as smooth, and there is a slight vibration at around 3300 rpm, that at first seems concerning but is a charachteristic of these bikes. Another slight issue is on holding a constant throttle in 5/6 gears around 3500 rpm there is an occasional 'cough' from the fuelling and a resultant misfire, although this is rare and probably just something a fuel remap can eradicate. The seat is relatively comfartable and good for a couple hundred miles before I feel I need a stop, although the fuel economy will stop you long before this. It is thirsty, and a 100 miles will see the fuel light come on, with about 40 miles in reserve after this. Handling is superb, especially compared to my 650 which just felt a bit flighty and front twitchy. The 1000 drops in to corners with predictability and poise, and holds a good line through to the exit. The stock rear supsension setting is quite hard and can catch you out over bumps by bumping you off the seat and then rebounding and smacking you as you come back down, but again something some adjustment could fix. Brakes are strong, they are off the previous gsxr750 model and have more than once supplied the emergency stopping power needed as required in the presence of some errant car drivers ! Finish and quality is good, thankfully they have redressed the problem of the front fork pitting common on the older model 650's by coating the 1000 version forks in protective material. Unfortunately the pitting problem is still present on the engine and clutch casings but regular washing and coating with something like scotoiler 365 will keep the problem at bay.
This is a bike that is well recommended either as a 1st big bike, or a viable reasonable alternative to supersport bikes. Its not really what I would class as a litre beater, or full on superbike but it can hold its own against these bikes up to real world speeds. If you wanted to spice it up further dropping a tooth on the cogs would give very fierce acceleration, or just buy a 1000 four? Tyre wear is good, obviously higher than the 650 but a rear should see about 3-3500 miles before you need to think about replacements. At least if you buy a big twin you always stick out from the crowd, and most people love the sound of a thumpy twin :)
Submitted by
scott22neale in Gillingham, Dorset on 17/09/2007
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Comfort

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Suzuki SV 650cc Sept '06 (56)
Overall Rating:
Review
I bought the sv last year,its my second bike since passing my test,now i have been riding a year and a half.i have found that once i had run it in its such a nice and easy bike to ride,would recommend for first bike in the medium range.Its got plenty of power for over taking,a comfy ride,and found it loves being slung round corners,this bike has a lovely deep rumble and it will give you confidence in no time at all.
Submitted by
suzukisi in Hove, East Sussex on 15/04/2007
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Comfort

Handling

Braking

MPG

Reliability

Running Costs

Performance

Dream Appeal
Suzuki SV 650cc Apr '99 (T)
Overall Rating:
Review
I have spent two years hacking through the London traffic on my SV. Loved every second. It was my first bike and after 2yrs. Every ride still puts a huge smile on my face. In heavy traffic its not so head down, arse up as to hamper visibility and awareness and it is light and nimble when things get tight. It has done a tour round into France and a number of UK journey's and coped admirably. A fantastic all rounder with lots of guts and impeccable manners and if a dimwitted cager had checked his blind spot before executing an unsignalled U-turn in front of me I would be out there playing with it right now, not sitting here licking my wounds.
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 19/02/2002
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Suzuki SV 650cc Sept '06 (56)
Overall Rating:
Review
I bought this new and after running it in for 1000kms, took off an a 7000km tour of central and south-eastern Australia. Basically it never put a foot wrong. It managed the heat and the wet with no problems whatsoever.
Strengths.
1. Plenty of power for solo travelling with luggage. Obviously important when overtaking road trains which are long, wide and dusty.
2. Sounds fantastic.
3. Loves curves (as did I after punching out 5000 very straight Kms in the first part of the trip heading up to Uluru).
4. No problems mechanically
Weaknesses
1. Uncomfortable ride for a long tour. The guys on beemers looked way more comfortable. This may be more related to my build rather than the bike itself.
I upgraded to this bike after riding a step-through scooter for 2 years and found no hidden nasty surprises. Some reviews have stated that this may not be suitable for new riders. This may be so however the bike suited my needs well. I had a ball on it. Safe riding.
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 06/11/2006
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Suzuki SV 650cc Sept '01 (51)
Overall Rating:
Review
Nice and nimble, fast and fun. Really worth pirce. Comfortable enough up to 100 km. but gives you so much pleasure... Have one ! No good for passenger. Mine takes exactly 5 liter fuel in city and on highway with average speed 120km/h.(on highway of course). I love him :-).
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 05/07/2006
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Suzuki SV 650cc Sept '02 (52)
Overall Rating:
Review
I've had mine since 2003 and clocked so far 28,000 miles on it. Whilst it is a great bike in the dry, it handles well, it's light and nimble and fun on B roads, the SV has proved to be the most frustrating thing to ride in the rain, in particular these past 5,000miles. It cuts out, loses power (at one stage I thought it was running on one cylinder only) and, worse of all, it has occasionally stalled at very low speed. Not to mention the water in the tank which cannot just be condensation. To be fair, the first two winters the bike was ok in the rain after the spark plugs were sealed off with silicone. Problems with the electricals are often cited as a minus against this bike, and it would be good to hear that these problems have been addressed in the newer SVs. I'm not sure I would recommend this bike unless to someone in the Mediterranean.
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UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 21/05/2006
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Suzuki SV 650cc Sept '05 (55)
Overall Rating:
Review
It is a crap thing - its too small, its slow and it looks pathetic. I hate to say this but not being sexist its a girls bike and it is horrible to ride in the rain. Smooth engine but not alot of fun
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 07/04/2006
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Suzuki SV 650cc 98 (S)
Overall Rating:
Review
Get one. Read no further. Just get one. Who likes straight roads? An SV on a twisty lane cannot be passed unless your name is Whittam, J. Ask my brother on a 130+bhp Aprilia - he'll tell you how hard he tries to keep up. And he's not slow. Who likes heavy bikes? I skip mine up the doorstep into the porch every night. Try that with a 'Busa. Fragile sportster? Mine has been down the road twice with previous owners. It went end over end into a hedge by a mate, and I still rode it home. Try that with a gixer and see if you can be outside the pub next evening for under
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UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 04/04/2004
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Suzuki SV 650cc Sept '02 (52)
Overall Rating:
Review
Not too impressed with this bike. It's great in the dry, but in the UK where 90% of the time it rains thats no good. The fuel tank lets rain water in through the cap which mixes with the fuel and screws the bike up big time. Also the front cylinder spark plug is exposed to road crud which can make it misfire and in some cases cut out. Suzuki really should test their bikes in the wet as not all bikers are scared of the rain.
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 07/09/2002
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Suzuki SV 650cc Sept '02 (52)
Overall Rating:
Review
Nice light bike that handles well enough and looks good. Suspension is a bit on the soft side but thats the norm nowadays. The overkill large grippy radial tyres slow the steering down a lot which means I can't seem to flick the bike around as well as my mates GPZ500S. Biggest fault is the tiny fuel tank - only 16litres! Warning light comes on at 120miles which really sucks. I might trade it in against a new GPZ500S which is just as fast, but turns quicker and gets a much better tank range.
Submitted by
UKBike Archive in Hassocks, West Sussex on 27/06/2002
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