2018 Suzuki SV650X launch review

Full power is making a comeback! At least where Suzuki Australia is concerned with its venerable SV650 middleweight naked bike family. Bucking the recent trend of only offering the LAMS-approved version of the SV650 – 47.6hp/56Nm – for sale, in 2018 Suzuki is also reintroducing the full power version to sit alongside the LAMS incarnation.

That should satisfy demand on that front, but the related news is that Suzuki is also adopting the same strategy for its new SV650X retro-themed machine, which Bikesales recently rode at the Australian media launch.

For a machine of the SV650X’s ilk that makes complete sense, and Suzuki Australia is estimating that about 85 per cent of customers will hand over their coin for the full-power version, leaving the much smaller balance to LAMS clientele.

Price will be $9490 plus on-road coasts for both SV650X café racers, while the SV650s are now $8990 plus on-road costs.

Related reading
2017 Suzuki SV650 launch review

Same DNA, different clothes
Suzuki announced the SV650X was going to join the 2018 line-up at the 2017 EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, the final step in a process that started at the 2016 Osaka Motorcycle Show in a rally-inspired concept form.

A more plausible production-inspired version was then displayed at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show – ditching the Yoshimura pipe, wire-guarded headlight and bar-end mirrors – which was sign that the company was about to give it the formal green light.

The SV650X is mechanically unchanged from the SV650, which means the venerable 645cc 90-degree V-twin gets to show its wares in yet another format. The differences come in the form of clip-on handlebars, a tuck ‘n’ roll seat, round headlight with slotted cowl, top fairing, and a slight revision to the shape of the tank – which also holds an extra 700ml over the SV650. Standard features include ABS, Suzuki low-RPM assist and a one-touch starting system, while the accessories catalogue is sparse with only fog lamps and side covers.

The SV650X's opposition includes bikes like the Yamaha XSR700.

On the road
Suzuki had a mix of LAMS and full-power SV650Xs to ride at the launch, as we inched our way out of Melbourne onto a freeway, and then negotiated some twisty fare before heading back to the Victorian capital.

The one-day ride certainly wasn’t a revelation in terms of performance – the evergreen engine has been a brilliant little campaigner since its inception, although it was nice to get the full 75hp hit again! – but instead a chance to get the feel for a slightly sportier take on the standard SV650 – and a much better looking one at that. Love the Glass Sparkle Black and Metallic Grey livery.

That extra layer of sportiness was evident as soon as we ambled out of our breakfast stop in North Melbourne – the reach to those clip-ons reinforces the fact that you’re cutting time on something a fair bit different from the standard SV650. And I was coming straight off a big sit-up adventure bike, so the impact of the reach was magnified…

It took a few minutes to sort out my ergonomic bearings and feel comfortable, which is always easier on a bike that is light (198kg wet), manageable and has a slim waist. The sporty theme is evident.

I rode the LAMS version first and, while it may lag a fair way behind its full-bodied sibling in raw horsepower, the torque deficit isn’t as pronounced – and through the city the difference is just about negligible.

The appeal of that V-twin is still apparent though, in all its forms – all very controllable and easy to use, which is why it has also been such a stalwart over the years.

The tuck ‘n’ roll seat is one of the biggest standout features on the SV650X, and the initial freeway burst was the perfect time to get a feel for it. It’s a nice pad for the derriere, but it’s certainly not an all-day seat.

The first photoshoot was around a dam north of Melbourne – those occasions where you can also test out the slow-speed manners of a bike with lots of start-stop work and plenty of u-turns.

The SV650X has a wide steering lock, and it’s easy to get your body weight just right to turn the bike on a dime – even with the clip-ons altering the weight bias compared to the SV650.

Nice and simple
The chassis combines a steel trellis frame with a suspension package – 41mm fork and monoshock – that now includes preload adjustment at the front to match the rear.

I made my way to the full-powered SV650X after the photoshoot, which produces 75hp (56kW) at 8500rpm and 64Nm at 8100rpm. Thanks to being only 8Nm ‘ahead’ of the LAMS bike, initially it didn’t feel like there was much of a gulf between the two, but as the tempo increased near the glorious surrounds of Mt Macedon, north of Melbourne, it was certainly nice to get the maximum flavour.

And it was yet more confirmation of just how well SVs march along when ridden harder than usual, with a nice bottom-end, strong mid-range and then a nice hit of power up to the 8500rpm power peak.

As good as it is in a pure road setting, I reckon this V-twin does its best work in the V-Strom 650 and V-Strom 650 XT, which are some of the best bang-for-your-buck adventure bikes on the market.

I wasn’t complaining, though. It was a glorious autumn day and the SV650X was not only easy to ride, but extremely manageable as well. It was spirited and fun, which are the key pillars of this new bike.

Summing up
Suzuki’s got this one right. There’s been no messing with the SV650 foundations that have  served the company so well for two decades (the underperforming Gladius incarnation aside), but the tweaks to the styling and ergonomics actually promote that feeling of something new and sportier.

Bikesales held onto the SV650X after the launch, and that narrative was a common theme among the staff – there’s obviously something resonating with this new jigger.

The SV650X’s a good-looking, well-made retro machine with that V-twin heart of gold.

SPECS: 2018 SUZUKI SV650X
ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, eight-valve, 90-degree V-twin
Capacity: 645cc
Bore x stroke: 81.0mm x 62.6mm
Compression ratio: 11.2:1
Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection
Emissions: Euro 4

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 75hp (56kW) at 8500rpm, LAMS: 47.6hp (35kW) at 8500rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 64Nm at 8100rpm, LAMS: 56.5Nm at 4000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed, constant mesh
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Steel trellis
Front suspension: 41mm conventional fork, adjustable for prelaod
Rear suspension: Monoshock, adjustable for preload
Front brakes: Twin 290mm discs with twin-piston calipers, ABS
Rear brakes: Single 240mm disc with single piston caliper, ABS
Wheels: Five-spoke alloy
Tyres: Dunlop Sportmax Qualifier, 120/70ZR17 front, 160/60ZR17 rear

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Rake: 25 degrees
Trail: 106mm
Claimed wet weight: 198kg
Seat height: 790mm
Wheelbase: 1445mm
Fuel capacity: 14.5 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $9490 plus on-road costs
Colour: Glass Sparkle Black and Metallic grey
Bike supplied by: Suzuki Australia
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres