Suzuki SV650X

By motoph admin on September 21, 2021

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The Neo-retro trend in the motorcycle scene has been on the upswing for quite a while now and it will probably stay that way in the years to come. Styling cues from the past that used to symbolize hooliganism now evoke a sense of style and sophistication. It’s a bit ironic if you think about it. Yet, the high the demand for these types of machines has prompted manufacturers to sell them at a premium minus some features that usually come standard in its price point. How’s that for irony?

Suzuki, however, seemed to have gone the other way and offered a modern interpretation of a café racer at a reasonable price tag. At P459,000, the Suzuki SV650X offers a little less chrome and a little more technology. Yet, it certainly has the character and charm of the racers of old. There’s no mistaking the headlight cowl and the clip-on bars. To complete the look, the gas tank sports a Suzuki logo in block letters on each side instead of the usual “S” badge.

The SV650X is propelled by a 645cc liquid-cooled, V-twin DOHC engine matted to a six-speed manual transmission and it produces 74.9 HP at 8,500 RPM. Power delivery is rather tamed on low revs, making it a perfect daily ride in the urban setting. This is made possible by the TI-ISC (Throttle body Integrated Idle Speed Control) which has a Low RPM Assist control function. When moving off or riding at low engine rpm, the ECM activates the ISC system. By opening the ISC circuits, the engine rpm rises slightly. Normally, in launching the motorcycle, engine rpm drops when the clutch is engaged. Low RPM Assist helps the rider achieve a smoother launch operation in the low rpm range. This makes it easier to ride at low speed in stop-and-go traffic.

Another thing that makes it a perfect city bike is the 790 mm seat height. Riders of all sizes won’t have problems straddling the SV650X at stoplights. Usually, the trade-off for this type of accessibility would be low ground clearance or a cramped leg position but neither is the case. Suzuki did an excellent job of creating ample space between the seat and the foot pegs, allowing a comfortable posture even for a rider an inch shy of six feet. The grips, however, are placed forward and at gas tank level so that the rider can crouch low during high-speed run. In between sprints, though, it was a tug-of-war battle of sorts between my arms and my lower back muscles.

Instead of analog speedo and tach, you get full digital display. In place of spoke wires you have cast wheels and tubeless tires. The front is fitted with twin discs and there’s a single disc at the rear. Anti-lock brakes also come as standard. The SV650X offers a rather firm ride but both the front fork and rear mono spring are pre-load adjustable.

Even with the current travel restrictions, there’s still traffic congestion in some areas of the city. This is of no consequence when riding the SV650X with its compact dimensions. It is not much bigger than an average 150cc commuter. Just take note of the narrow steering angle when filtering through idling cars. To be able to make a proper turn you lean the bike and commit into it. It’s not a problem, I suppose, as for most of us, this is the whole point of motorcycling anyway.

Suzuki SV650X Review