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The SV650SF as a Mid Sized Sport/Tourer

IT'S NOT THE SIZE OF THE DOG IN THE FIGHT, IT'S THE SIZE OF THE FIGHT IN THE DOG



I have been riding motorcycles and touring for 33 years and on a BMW R75/6 for 20 of them racking up 110,000 miles with most of them, touring miles. I believed a SV650S had the potential and was more than capable of ...quenching my motorcycle and touring thirst.

To make a long story short the SV650 makes a pretty good mid sized sport/tourer. The engine is a proven design that has been around since 1999. The SV's liquid cooled, 90 degree V twin engine by design has great torque for either solo or 2-up riding and easily pulls from very low revs. Also the light weight of the bike makes it a light, nible and agile bike that laps up twisites, commuting or touring. Accessories are readily available for anything you can think of.

I bought my 08 SV650SF with the vision of making it into a mid-sized sports/tourer and it performs this role without hesitation and very well. I am quite comfortable on this bike even though I am 6'4" and 215lbs. Clip-ons and the aggressive sport bike riding position have not proven to be too uncomfortable even for an old bloke such as myself being around the half century mark.

Generally on trips which are 2-up plus over 60+,lbs of gear the bike still averages around the 51 mpg which is quite impressive. The SV may not be the biggest, fastest or most expensive out there but will give most bikes a run for their money on highways, twisties or around town and not break the budget in the process. I think SV really does equate to Simply Versatile. It definitely is a jack of all trades but a master of none to be honest. It does it all well but nothing brilliantly stands out.

With a bit of thought and a few hard earned dollars the Suzuki SV650SF can be transformed into, I believe, quite a suitable sport/tourer that will make even the big boys stand up and take notice. Read Full Review