2003 Suzuki SV650/S: First Look

By GARY MORELLO

One of the most popular mid-sized motorcycles both in Australia and overseas markets is Suzuki's SV650, and most people realise why when they ride one.

Combining the light weight of a traditional supersports bike, such as a Yamaha R6 for instance, with a different engine configuration - V-twin as opposed to inline four - you have a bike that has plenty of appeal.

Not exactly a jack-of-all-trades, it does come close, offering solid street riding, impressive cornering ability and a solid engine/brake package for those who like to go fast.

The styling has also been a big influence on the SV's popularity, and the new 2003 model continues Suzuki's understated theme with a bike that is easy on the eyes, yet somehow still manages to stand out in a crowd.

Two models are on offer, the SV650 and SV650S, the latter a slightly more expensive (and more practical) half-faired number.

Suzuki's new generation SV650 naked bike is now on sale in Australia, and will be followed in the coming weeks by its half-faired brother, the SV650S and its "big brothers", the all-new SV1000/S series, which are kind of the spiritual successors to the much-loved hooligan bike, the Suzuki TL1000.

"The original SV650/S series has been extremely popular and we expect the 2003 version to be the same with its exciting new styling, an all-new chassis, and the addition of digital fuel injection," said Perry Morison, General Manager Motorcycles, Suzuki Australia.

"It is combines nimble handling, rider comfort and real-world performance on a sporty V-twin fun machine."

As old Perry mentioned, the new for 2003 "Fun Machine" ditches the carbs in favour of digital fuel injection, which is controlled by a 16-bit ECU (electronic control unit), and a new chassis is claimed to improve rigidity and 'fun'.

Indeed, the SV650 pair feature an innovative new chassis made of an aluminium-alloy truss frame. Production consistency and torsional rigidity are ensured because large sections of the frame are produced as a single precision die-casting using a new high-vacuum-mould process.

This design means that the new main frame sections are lighter than conventional welded-up sections and the new model SV650 is 3.0 kilograms lighter than the previous version, at 165kg dry. The bikini-faired SV650S weighs in at 169kg, and while you'd expect the extra 4000 grams of weight to slow the bike up, its fairing helps reduce drag, making it quicker at higher speeds.

The proven SV650 engine is a liquid-cooled V-twin with "state-of-art engineering" and is tuned to deliver a broad powerband and crisp throttle response for class-leading power and torque from its full 645cc of displacement.

Like its SV1000 brothers, which are due to hit the Australian shores shortly, the Suzuki SV650/S now features the innovative Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve (SDTV) digital fuel injection system.

The Suzuki's SDTV system uses a secondary butterfly valve in each 39mm throttle body to control intake area and maintain intake velocity, which smooths the delivery of power via a 16-bit Electronic Control Module (ECM).

The 4-stroke, 8-valve, liquid-cooled, DOHC 90° V-twin 645cc engine likes to rev well 'ard, with peak power of 68bhp occuring @ 9000rpm. Meanwhile, peak torque kicks in @ 7000rpm providing for a very flexible powerband.

The shafts of the bike's six-speed transmission are vertically staggered allowing them to be positioned closer together and reducing the overall engine length.

While both bikes are very similar, there are a few minor differences: For starters, the final drive ratio of the naked bike is 3.000:1, while the half-faired SV650S ratio is 2.933:1. Further indication of its more sporting character is the SV650S's increased height: 1160mm compared to the SV650's 1070mm.

The naked bike is also wider by some 60mm, but this due to the flatter, dare we say 'stunt bike-ish' handle bars.

Rider comfort has always been a key factor in the SV650s feature list, enhanced in 2003 via the adjustable spring preload of the 41mm-tube front forks, delivering 130mm of wheel travel. The rear wheel travel is 137.7mm with the rear suspension also featuring adjustable spring preload.

Superior stopping power on the new SV650/S is provided via dual floating front discs brakes (with 290mm discs) that work with twin-piston calipers, while a single piston caliper combines with a 220mm rear disc to help reign in those pesky vertical wheelies.

The revised SV650S features a sleek half fairing, dual headlights, and clip-on handlebars while the streetwise "naked" SV650 has a single round headlight, tubular handlebars and a slightly more upright riding position.

All motorcycles in the SV series feature a funky new LED (Light Emitting Diode) tail light, laid out in two unique vertical strips underneath the steeply-angled tail section.

The SV650 and SV650S also share a modern instrument cluster that includes an analog tachometer positioned above a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) speedometer, odometer/tripmeter, coolant temperature gauge and digital clock, so you can time how long that last rolling burnout went for, divide it by your average speed, multiply it by pythagoras theorem and then calculate its exact length.

For those riders who are after something of a commuter bike, the SV is very compliant in this respect to boot, providing practical features such as a grab bar, luggage hooks and a large storage compartment.

The SV650 is now available in Metallic Silver and Pearl Black at a suggested retail price (SRP) of $10,290 including GST plus on-road costs, it undercuts its fellow 600cc sports bikes by quite a margin.

Its half-faired brother, the SV650S, will arrive in Australia by the time you read this and will be available in Metallic Silver and Candy Copper (which looks great, pity about the name) for a SRP of $11,190 including GST plus on-road costs. Both models come with a 2 year, unlimited kilometre warranty.