SV650 review

FOLLOWING its release in 1999, it didn’t take long for the SV650 to become one of the pillars of Suzuki’s range and in 2000 it was the second biggest selling bike in Europe (behind the Bandit, no less). People loved the SV for its versatile and capable character; from touring to back lane scratching to commuting and even racing, the SV lapped it up.

Over time, the naked SV became the Gladius (or SFV650 as it’s now called), sprouting a headlight that always makes me think of a bulbous hooter and gaining softer lines. Now it’s being put out to pasture because Suzuki is replacing it with this new SV650. The only thing separating the SFV and SV is the absence of one letter, so we went to Barcelona to see if this new bike is just an updated Gladius or a new SV, and whether it matters.

Click here to read the rest of our Suzuki SV650 review.

FOLLOWING its release in 1999, it didn’t take long for the SV650 to become one of the pillars of Suzuki’s range and in 2000 it was the second biggest selling bike in Europe (behind the Bandit, no less). People loved the SV for its versatile and capable character; from touring to back lane scratching to commuting and even racing, the SV lapped it up.

Over time, the naked SV became the Gladius (or SFV650 as it’s now called), sprouting a headlight that always makes me think of a bulbous hooter and gaining softer lines. Now it’s being put out to pasture because Suzuki is replacing it with this new SV650. The only thing separating the SFV and SV is the absence of one letter, so we went to Barcelona to see if this new bike is just an updated Gladius or a new SV, and whether it matters.

Click here to read the rest of our Suzuki SV650 review.