2006 Suzuki SV650 reviews

Over the last decade I have had many bikes. I started it all off with a 2003 SV650. Some time later, and a few bikes in between, I went with a naked SV1000. Again, it's a beautiful sport bike that was user friendly to beginner and expert alike. Finally after all these years, I have decided my bucket list of bikes must include a SV650 (again). My naked '06 has it all, plenty of performance, very nice curb appeal, and reliabilty needed in today's tough economical climate. I have added everything possible with a emphasis on comfort (risers, lowering pegs and blocks, Laminar Lip, Alaska Leather seat cover and carbon fiber Yoshi exhaust, chin spoiler and hugger. I love the way she feels and looks. She's a keeper. Show less

All the positive reviews you've read on this bike are for a reason. It's simply a great bike! No matter what situation you put it in, it shines. It's really light and flickable. This bike loves tight technical and canyon roads. that's not to say it lacks everything else, although I would recommend a seat upgrade for long trips. Compared equally, this bike really outperforms everything else out there for the money. Sure you could buy a better bike but for what you will pay, it can't be beat! I'm just over 200 lbs. and when I first got the SV, I got razzed by my riding buddies about it, but as soon as we got into the canyons all the teasing stopped! Trust me you will not be disappointed with the purchase of an SV! Show less

I have had this motorcycle for about 26 hours. I bought it in Northern Ohio and rode it home, 128 miles, pulled in to my garage with 608 miles on it. I am so impressed with light, steering, gas tank size even. This is my second bike, my last one is as old as I am, an FT 500 Ascot. This SV seems new from the future, different shape, design. I am very excited from going to work on it and going on a long traveling ride on it as well. Also so cheap for a new bike, it has been sitting in a persons garage for 3 years, I have to wash dust off now. At the very end of this thought I am excited to take care of this SV 650 and become older, and learn with it. Show less

7500 miles and running... No real complaints here. Addition of velocity stacks and the shortening of the intake snorkel gave this bike a nice kick in the rear as far as acceleration is concerned. Not that accel was lacking, but a noticeable boost with the additions. If you are on a budget and need to pick and choose upgrades, but also enjoy long rides, do yourself a favor and upgrade the stock seats! Ouch and Ache are all that I'll say about them. Huge improvement with addition of after market seats! I went with Corbin seats, pricey but worth the expense. A wind screen is another very smart improvement, mostly for those who ride the free ways frequently. The Givi A770 wind screen is sporty yet provides great wind protection at the chest level. Givi tends to be pricey, but much like the Corbin seats it's a smart move! If you wanna really set this bike off, add a slip on muffler, high flow air filter and power commander. M4 makes great slip ons at nice prices. All in all, the SV650 is a GREAT sport bike at a budget price. This bike has a huge following and as a result the market offers TONS of accessories for it! Show less

I bought the SV to turn into an economical, sport tourer which it does pretty well - especially the economical part. It has a great motor, frame, brakes, good ergos, OK suspension, and it'll run forever (I hope). Its price is well below anything; insurance and maintenance are cheap; 40 to 55 mpg; it doesn't eat through tires, chains, and sprockets very quickly either. After 14,500 miles I've had no problems with my SV - none. I replaced the rear tire after 8500 miles, the front lasted over 12,000. I added a center stand, a must-have for chain lubing and tire changing. For luggage, a tank bag, tail pack, and saddlebags, good for a week or more on the road. The biggest problem I had with the bike was the seat. I first tried the Suzuki gel seat, but it was worse than the stock. I'm now using a Corbin that was made a little thicker than normal, but I still lost a little leg room. I have to stretch my legs periodically when riding. It's not perfect, but I can ride all day, everyday. I just did over 1900 miles in 4 days and the bike was great. On the highway it was comfortable, even without a windshield. The ergos lean you slightly into the wind, with no weight on your wrists and no neck fatigue from holding your head up. I've really fallen in love with its light weight and don't think I can go back to a heavy bike, but you get blown around a little on the highway from crosswinds and trucks, but it's not too bad. The suspension is where Suzuki saves a lot of money. The ride isn't as plush on the highway as something like a Bandit, nor as composed in the twisties as a true sport bike. An Ohlin rear shock and a Race Tech cartridge emulator should cure this though. Range is good, with the 4.5 gallon tank I'll get 190 miles on back roads before the fuel light comes on, at which time there's still 1.1 gallons left. However, on the highway if you ride between 75 and 90mph the light comes on in about 140 miles. In the rain the rear fender doesn't cover the tire to well, so you get sprayed pretty bad, but that's what rain gear is for, right? Everyone I ride with has larger bikes and the SV has no problems keeping up. All in all I love the bike. It's close to perfect. If I can improve the seat and suspension I think it will be perfect. Show less

From commuter to canyon carver this is hands down the best bike for the money. Insurance is inexpensive, I don't go through tires/chains/sprokets like on my previous liter bikes and I can ride it all day long in comfort. I've done a few track days and embarrassed many full sport bikes...of course not in the long straights. I plan to wear this bike out and then give it to my son when he turns 16. I will probably buy a new one for myself at that time. Show less

Having ridden a MZ250, a Honda Magna, a Yamaha YZF600, a Vulcan 1500, a Ducati Monster 750, and a Yamaha FJR 1300 I didn't know what to expect from this little standard. I was hoping for decent performance in the twisties and bearable windblast on the highway, I was thrilled to whip through my favorite twisties and was surprised and pleased to find no windblast even at highway passing speeds. The aftermarket M4 exhaust has a gorgeous sound, especially the back burble, and the comfort was more than fine for an hour ride, even more so than the Ducati Monster. To find a bike with this performance at this price is amazing, and if you don't have fun on one of these then perhaps motorcycling is not really your cup of tea. I'll update after the 4K service. Show less

Great bike, torques enough to jump out of harms way, after 10 months, 22600 miles without a single worry. I will run this thing to the ground. It's survived two summers and a very harsh winter (I have no car ha!). I haven't had any gear last as long as the brutality I've been dishing out to this thing. Awesome product and to think I've actually bad mouthed Suzuki cause everyone elses brother had a Gixxer! I'm glad I was wrong. Show less

I had been away from motorcycling for many years when I discovered that I could (and did) purchase a new CT110 in Australia. My CT takes me back to my youth and is the perfect zip around down town ride but not the best commuter and defintely not for highway use. So, I needed a daily rider/highway bike since now I must be on two wheels whenever possible. Our weather here is fickle, it can be sunny and nice on the way to work and cold and snowing on the way home, so I thought about a KLR. The two reasons I didn't get the KLR are it is a bit high for me and (most importantly) it is normally aspirated. I go to work early to beat our miserable traffic and it is cold, very cold; therefore fuel injection is a great bennie. The SV was about all I could afford that was injected. What I really want is a true standard like a Triumph Bonneville but injected and with Japanese quality. A few bolt on mods and the SV is just about what I want (looks aside). This bike has been perfectly reliable and is great fun to ride. My modifications have downplayed the sporty looks of the bike and made it quite practical; people seem surprised when I blow their doors off if they try to ride my tail. My only two complaints are that I can't do much about the jockey style sport bike riding position of the foot pegs and the only tire choices are sporty street tires. Both of these are minor issues and only affect me because I am trying to make the bike more of a standard that it really is. The bottom line is that this is a great bike. The value is unbeatable and while it may not be extraordinary at any one thing, it is quite good at most things which makes it a fun yet practical sporty standard. I would recommend this bike 100%. Show less

After riding a dual sport for years, I wanted a street only bike to add some variety. Not being much of a sport bike fan, I opted for the naked. I love the riding position and the power this bike has. Its V-twin motor is smooth, confidence inspiring, and doesn't let you down when you need to grab hold of a little throttle! Light weight and a relatively low seat height make this a great bike around town and an absolute blast in the twisties! The seat is...well...the seat. It is a step up from the rubber band on my DRZ400S but the rumpus still aches after a couple of hours. This is my first true street bike and all I can say is A+! Oh...and did I say that this bike is SUPER cheap to insure?!?!?! :) Show less