Oh yes, the much loved Suzuki SV650 is now back in South Africa with many changes and it’s rather splendid on many counts. I’ve always been a fan of the little SV since its original appearance way back in 1999 so I couldn’t wait to get my sweaty palms on its ‘bars once again.
So what happened to the SV650 you ask, because the title reads ‘I’m Back’? Well it’s nobody’s fault but Suzuki’s I’m afraid. The ‘original’ SV650 enjoyed life in many forms over the next decade since its launch. There was the naked version, half-faired option and even a fully faired model, which people raced successfully here in SA and still do. But for the retail shelves Suzuki changed the name to Gladius in 2009 and sales sadly fell away. It was basically the same bike but much heavier and it instantly adopted the rather silly nickname of Gladys! Can you imagine telling people you ride a Gladys? No, me neither. Thankfully Suzuki SA decided not to bring in the Gladys, a wise move. But now Suzuki SA has made the right decision to bring us the new SV650 for 2017 and it’s simply called the SV650 once more - hurrah!
Don’t think the 2017 SV650 with ABS is an old bike in new clothes through because it’s riddled with new changes and updates to enhance the riding experience, with over 60 changes inside the engine alone. It’s still the hyper-reliable 645cc, 90-degree, DOHC, fuel injected, V-twin that we all fell in love with but Suzuki has gone on a mission to improve fuel economy and smoothness regarding power delivery. I really don’t want to write all of the 60 changes (meaning I only know a few), but inside there are a resin coated piston and frictionless cylinder coatings, not to mention a new bigger radiator and oil-cooler and camshafts and dual-spark heads, and, and, and…..
So you get the point and the new bike really is a soothing pleasure to ride with improved top-end rush for the riders who like that. In fact there’s 5hp more (now 75hp) and a 9kg weight saving (now 197kg fully fuelled) over the previous bike, which is nice.
Two modern additions for the rider are ‘Suzuki Easy Start’, where you only have to press the starter button once and not hold it until it fires up, just like the new GSX-R1000. Undoubtedly that’ll save thumb tendon fatigue over the next 50 years or so, how thoughtful. But a more ‘handy’ addition is the ‘Low rpm Assist’ function that is connected to the clutch and the twin 39mm throttle bodies. So, let the clutch out at low rpm and the throttle bodies open slightly at the same time to prevent stalling. A very considerate safety feature and ideal for new riders in the saddle, which surely this bike is aimed at, or maybe not?
You see that’s what I was thinking whilst riding, who will buy the new SV650 for a very reasonable R98,500? Well new riders of course or perhaps an older rider looking for Suzuki reliability, or a male or female commuter who wants a good-looking motorcycle with lively performance which can also be taken out for weekend fun. Either way it’s a ‘real-world’ bike without an unnecessary bag-full of complicated and confusing electronics, not to mention it’s very pretty to look at in this fetching blue/white, don’t you think?
Talking of looking, the clocks are new as well, again similar to the new GSX-R1000; fully digital with all the information you’ll ever need. A bit difficult to read in direct daylight sometimes when the sun hits them, but all makes of this type of instrument have the same problem, but at night they’re nice to view for sure.
The SV is certainly nice to ride though and then some. Whoever I let ride the SV loved it for its simplicity of operation. The new 14.5 litre tank and bodywork is thinner making the rider more part of the bike rather than on top of it. I even rode it at the recent Suzuki launch around a racetrack and had more fun on it than any other model they had there, which says a lot for the new and improved SV650. It’s a perfect daily commuter, great fun at weekends, madness if you desire it and oozes Suzuki’s SV range reliability. Do you really need to know anymore?
Go to www.suzuki.co.za to acquire a highly recommended test ride and to also view the new 2017/2018 range. 
