2009 Suzuki SV650SF/ABS Review

Introduction

Middleweight sport bikes are known for their responsive handling, and the SV650SF is engineered to set the standard for its class. With its light and rigid aluminum-alloy truss frame and technically advanced suspension front and rear, it invites you to carve up the canyon roads with complete confidence. Now that you know the reason it was created, I invite you to further read how it was developed and improved through the years.

History

1999 Suzuki SV650

Suzuki launched the first SV650 in 1999 as an entry-level priced naked motorcycle. For the retail price of $5,999 that you would have paid on it, the bike offered great handling and sufficient power through the rpm range. It was the result of strong development concerning both chassis and engine coming from the TL1000S.

Combining light weight, rigid chassis, strong handling, and a 90-degree V-twin producing strong mid range torque, the SV650 addressed to beginners or experienced riders who needed a fast and cheap mean of transportation.

North America saw the first SV650 in two colors, red and blue but only without the fairing. The Suzuki SV650S, though, was present in Europe, as well as the “N” version of the bike.

The new millennium caught the Suzuki SV650 basically unchanged, but Suzuki took care to black-coat the wheels and to add a new black paintjob to match with them.

In 2003, the Suzuki SV650 lined up with the SV1000, the bike’s bigger brother and successor of the TL1000, and was introduced as a new, totally redesigned naked bike. It featured a new aluminum frame, similar to the one found on the SV1000, and the engine delivered the same output even though the carburetors were replaced by an electronic fuel injection system implementing Suzuki Dual Throttle Valve system (SDTV) and Auto Fast Idle System (AFIS).

Also new, was the instrument panel with the central rev counter, the window with liquid crystals for speed, mileages, engine temperature, clock and the indicator of reserve.

The bike’s sharp new appearance really made it stand out but no matter what Suzuki had in mind, every model would have to remind of the old one and to be similar to the bigger brother.

In 2004 the SV650’s passengers could enjoy the bike’s increase in comfort, given by the lowered subframe. It also featured a more compact rear fender and, like most of the ’04 Suzuki models, the SV650 presented only the classic Suzuki “S” logo on the fuel tank. Paint options were Blue, Black, or Yellow.

The 2005 SV650 saw a couple of minor changes. It was equipped with a meter visor that was color matched with the body parts and its center part was composed of a smoke-cleared shield. This made a new cockpit area. Also the front brake cylinder head got a new style. The radiator was redesigned and it was now 40mm narrower than on earlier models.

Some color changes were also present as the main frame, swingarm and the wheels were changed from Silver to Black for a sportier image.

2007 Suzuki SV650S

From 2007, both SV650 and SV650S model arrived with available ABS version and twin spark plugs for reduced emissions.

2008 brought the fully-faired SV650SF and SV650SF ABS. Blue and Gray are the color schemes that marked this model year although the ABS model only features the Gray scheme.

Competition

2008 Honda CBF600S

Honda unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show its new CBF600 and CBF600S machines which were derived from the Honda Hornet. The “S” model especially promises to be a very strong competitor for the new SV650SF because, as the naked version, it has an engine taken right out the CBR600RR. The Honda CBF600S has a lightened and reduced in size engine as a result of the 2007 revision of the Honda CBR600RR which also reflected on the half-faired model. The difference is that it is tuned for stronger low and mid-range pull. The Hornet was the inspiration source for the chassis and the innovative Mono-backbone frame has been adapted to the more relaxed riding position of the 2009 Honda CBF600S, Suzuki SV650SF’s strongest competitor. The half fairing is now sleeker and lighter.

2009 Yamaha FZ6

Yamaha also presents its 2009 multipurpose, go-anywhere do-anything middleweight bike, the FZ6, a machine that is just as happy taking you to work, for a brisk sport ride or on a weekend tour. A strong competitor for the Honda and Suzuki alike, the new FZ6 is ready to test its abilities against the best in the busyness. Like the CBF600S and different from the SV650SF, the 2009 Yamaha FZ6 doesn’t feature a full-fairing even though its bigger sibling, the FZ1 got one ever since 2007.

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