[ Kenny Sagawa, Webike News Chief Editor ]

A press test ride event for the new SUZUKI “SV650 ABS” was held at the Tsukuba Circuit (Course 1000), located in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Kenny Sagawa, a motorcycle journalist will be presenting you this test ride report.

The weather condition at Tsukuba Circuit that day was unfortunately rainy. Since the drizzling occasionally got heavier, I couldn’t widely open the throttle or fully bank into the corner. Yet, thanks to this difficult road surface condition, I could get to feel the true virtue of the SV650.

The V-twin machine which returned to its origin to seek for the joy of maneuvering

The product concept of this new SV650 is “Origin Return”. It pursues the true joy of maneuvering a motorcycle.

It is regarded as a fun-ride sportsbike that mounts a water-cooled V-twin engine on its steel truss frame. The same engine was also adopted on the V-STROM650 or GLADIUS650. Both its appearance and its components looks rather simple, and there are no other prominent electronic control parts other than its ABS.

It is, in fact, the second model of the SV650, which had been brought to the market 17 years ago. Improvements were thought over during that long period. Yet, we might as well say that this new SV650 is a brand new model, for over 140 places in total were being modified from its base model GLADIUS650; 60 places even just speaking of the engine.

Incorporated the Low RPM Assist control function, solved its weak point, and became more easy to ride

What impressed me the first was its starting condition. V-twin engine gives out this crispy pulse feeling. However, as its torque widely fluctuates, the RPM condition at ultra low speed tends to shift a lot.
The RPM feeling of the SV650 had been smooth from the first place, but by having the Low RPM Assist function, it now could start even more easily, since this Low RPM Assist function automatically raises the RPM at its start and supplements the torque.

This function cleared up the worry of stalling up when starting up at green lights or when making U-turns. It is a simple feature, yet it is quite a practical function that takes the side of users.

[Webike Moto Report]
Test ride impression video of SUZUKI SV650ABS

Brought out the virtue of V-twin and achieved slim body construction and light weight

The excellent traction power of this model owes much to the V-twin engine too. On roads where there are so many puddles, you normally cannot easily open the throttle. However, when you are riding this SV650ABS, you can ride in a more relaxed manner, for you will be able to feel the motorcycle touch the ground even when the road is wet. You will feel the motorcycle kick the road surface while enjoying its comfortable pulse sound.

The vehicle body is also slim. Its design concept comes right to the point: “light, slim, and compact”. It weighs 196kg, which is not especially light for a 600cc class motorcycle. Yet you will feel it lighter than its actual weight once you ride it.
It further draws out the advantage of its slim vehicle body by adopting a 160-size rear tire, slim for its class.

The combination of an upright front fork and a link rear monoshock are used for its suspension system. For the brake, it adopts 2-piston double disc front brake and a single disc rear brake. All in all, they are quite orthodox, yet enough of what it is necessary.
Its ABS has also been upgraded from the GLAUDIUS version. Its as though the ABS steps in at the very crucial moment when you apply the brake on a wet surface road. Feels quite sporty, indeed.

The rain got heavier during the test ride. Thanks to the ABS!

Corrected the weak point of the V-twin and its less front load. Secured foot grounding property, too!

Its dimension balance has become better, too.
While being 9kg lighter than GLADIUS, the proportion of its front load is said to have been increased. I actually felt the grounding feel of its front becoming better and the cornering movement becoming sharp.
Since it was raining, I couldn’t push too hard, and I couldn’t tell whether the frame was either hard or soft. However, I could see that it was a motorcycle that everyone could instantly get used to, for it was a user-friendly motorcycle, including the movement of its suspension.

The seat height (785mm), which is relatively low for motorcycles of this class, and the effect of its slim body, made the foot grounding property excellent.
I also tried slalom running or making U-turns, imagining street rides. I could ride in an upright posture and the turning angle of the handlebar was sufficient enough. It could turn in a small radius. Further, the aforesaid Low RPM Assist function enabled easy handling at ultra low speed.

Its full digital meter display was designed in a modern style. It was easy to see, for the necessary information were all displayed there.
Personally, I liked the big gear position indicator which showed the gear you are actually using. I think it will become useful when riding on tracks.

A motorcycle that your true self can really perform a “sports ride”

Recent sportsbikes tend to become a high-performance motorcycle by loading lots of electronic control devices. However, this SV650 goes against this trend. Its function was made simple, and its design was brought to a style where unnecessary parts were scraped off. It may be not the same, but like throwing away your things and cleaning up your room, you can get more by dumping away unnecessaries.

Its light and slim body, and the upright riding position, enables the rider to casually ride this SV650 on streets. The rider will have no trouble going out on touring rides too. The engine that can handle 76 horsepower and traction power will exert its ability on circuit tracks as well.
Or maybe I should say that the rider can draw out and enjoy its limit performance. It should be a large motorcycle in which the rider himself can face the motor sports in a serious manner.

Of course it is also good for beginners, but it perfectly suits expert riders who want to reconsider their riding styles. From that point of view, it is an “Origin Return” model, indeed.

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