The Suzuki SV650 is one of the most legendary motorcycles to ever come to the American shore. Being launched in early 1999, the SV650 became one of the best-selling motorcycles from Suzuki's product lineup, and that can be attributed to the many lovable traits offered by this middleweight naked bike. Anyone who swung their leg over the SV650 instantly became a fan of it thanks to its punchy performance, smooth and comfortable ride quality, unmatched quality levels, and precise handling. All of these things are still retained in the brand new 2022 SV650, which is now available for sale at an MSRP of $7,749.

Being one of the longest-running production motorcycles in the United States coupled with the torquey V-twin motor held on by the well-engineered frame and suspension setup, Suzuki has always prioritized all the generations of the SV650 lineup, which helped them to reign success for the past 22 years. With the arrival of the 2022 iteration of the SV650, this fun to ride and beginner-friendly middleweight is here to compete with the likes of the Kawasaki Z650, Yamaha MT-07, and the Triumph Trident 660.

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10 Smooth And Refined V-Twin Motor

SV650AM1_action06

Powered by the same DOHC 90° v-twin motor as the outgoing 2021 model, the 2022 SV650 is capable of producing 68.2 hp and 42.9 lb-ft of torque. Even though that doesn't sound like a lot, the SV650 is quite punchy throughout the rev range. The initial grunt on offer makes it a great city commuter. The excellent mid-range of the motorcycle helps to overtake the fast-moving traffic on the freeways, too.

2022 Suzuki SV650

However, what makes the ride even more enjoyable and fun is the refinement levels offered by this V-twin. The vibrations are minimal, helping the rider to focus more on the roads. As a result, the rider fatigue is quite less. The throaty exhaust note and the slick-shifting 6-speed gearbox make the ride far more enjoyable than many of the rivals of the middleweight naked segment, which offers more performance.

9 Reasonably Sharp Handling Equates To An Enjoyable Riding Experience

The 2022 Suzuki SV650 gets the 41mm Kayaba conventional fork with spring preload adjustability for the front and KYB shocks with preload adjustability for the rear. Even though it is not the sharpest offering of the lot, the suspension setup of the SV650 makes the ride pretty enjoyable on the twisties, offering great confidence and a wide grin for the rider.

2022 Suzuki SV650

The steel tube trellis chassis makes the SV650 corner more effortlessly, and this can be experienced especially during the back-to-back comparison with the second generation Suzuki SV650, which came with a pressure-cast aluminum truss frame. The braking performance is impeccable too, shedding the speed of the SV650 with minimal effort.

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8 Comfortable Riding Ergonomics

2022 Suzuki SV650

Designed as a daily commuter as well as a weekend getaway machine, the SV650 has got one of the most comfortable riding positions. The rider sits almost upright, with a slight forward lean to the handlebar and the pegs that are a bit back, making it quite comfortable during the long rides. The city riding is relatively stress-free, too.

2022 Suzuki SV650

With a low seat height of 30.9", the SV650 is one of the best motorcycles to get if you are short. The lack of weight and easy handling are some of the qualities it has, has made it a popular choice with women. A well-crafted fuel tank that helps the rider grip, narrow and supple seats and many more are added benefits equating to a comfortable ride.

7 Not Too Overwhelming For Newbie Riders

The characteristics of this V-twin motor make the SV650 the perfect choice for newbie riders. The motor is quite relaxed and doesn't overwhelm the riders with the tarmac-curling torque and lightning-quick acceleration. The throttle is relatively smooth, and the clutch is quite light, both of which are beneficial for budding motorcyclists.

2022 Suzuki SV650

Even though the Suzuki SV650 has a wet weight of 437 lbs, which is slightly higher than the Z650 and the MT-07, the weight is distributed perfectly that the motorcycle feels much easier to ride and control during slow-speed riding.

6 Old School Design Language

2022 Suzuki SV650

The SV650 retains the classic design of the yesteryear monikers. It charms the motorcyclists with its round halogen headlights, blacked-out fenders and engine cover, and the beautiful looking Trellis frame and aluminum wheels that comes in different shades depending on the color you choose.

2022 Suzuki SV650
Via Suzuki

In comparison to the rivals, the SV650 is the only motorcycle that has retro vibes to it due to all these inclusions, making it stand out. Along with that, Suzuki has also managed to come with the 2022 SV650X moniker, which looks even cooler due to the café racer design. Nevertheless, both the motorcycles are almost identical under the skin.

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5 Impeccable Fit And Finish

Suzuki SV650
Via suzukicycles.com

Even though the SV650 is one of the most affordable naked of the segment, fit & finish is not one area in which Suzuki skimped. Being in continuous production for quite a long time, the SV650 feels as tough as ever. There are no panel gaps anywhere, and even the most abused motorcycles have very minimal rattling and squeaks. Suzuki has perfected the SV650 over the years, too, with each model year becoming better than before with regard to fit and finish.

2020-Suzuki-SV650-ABS
via: Drivepedia

With most of the parts like footpegs, handlebars, and the tank being rubber mounted, the 2022 SV650 will surely feel as fresh as ever even after all the tortures it faces on the racetracks and the roads. However, some of the parts like headlights, instrument cluster, and engine cowl doesn't feel as upmarket as that of the Triumph Trident 660.

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4 Lots Of Mod Potential

Being one of the most successful naked motorcycles, the Suzuki SV650 gets unmatched support from the aftermarket, both in terms of cosmetic and performance mods. All the basic mods like handlebars, LED headlights, digital instrument clusters, integrated rear taillight with signals, gel seats, etc. can be had for next to nothing.

2022 Suzuki SV650

When it comes to the performance mods, the opportunities are quite endless. An aftermarket exhaust is one of the most prominent mods for anyone getting the SV650, as it gives out better performance and fruitier sound. Both the full system and the slip-on are available in plenty, and they are relatively inexpensive too. Along with that, the upside-down forks, upgraded intake cam, and performance air filter are some of the ways to extract more horses from this V-twin motor.

3 Supple Ride Quality

2022 Suzuki SV650
via YouTube

Designed to be an enjoyable motorcycle for the twisties, the 2022 SV650 not only manages to put a smile on your face with its excellent riding dynamics. It is also one of the most comfortable motorcycles around. The front Kayaba forks are adequately soft, helping to absorb all the irregularities of the road that you encounter.

2022 Suzuki SV650
suzukicycles.com

The preload-adjustable KYB rear shock makes sure that the pillion stays comfortable too. The rear shock is also tuned to the softer setting from the factory, making it a superb proposition for munching miles. However, the pillion seat is quite firm and that can make the ride a bit uncomfortable.

2 Not Too Many Electronics To Intervene

2022 Suzuki SV650
via InsideRACING

Being an old-school motorcycle, the 2022 Suzuki SV650 misses out on many electronic aids and features, all of which help it to cut the price down as well as to rank high in terms of reliability. The only standard safety feature on offer with the SV650 is the ABS, which is a definite necessity for both newbie and experienced riders.

2022 Suzuki SV650
via topspeed.com

Along with that, a digital instrument cluster is on board too, which adds a bit of versatility, due to the gear position indicator, trip information, and a few more vital data being offered. Even though it misses out on many features, this is one of the reasons why many of the SV650s and Gladius' are still running on the streets without any issues. The motorcycle also feels quite raw and simple, which many riders prefer.

1 Bulletproof Reliability

Reliability has been the mantra of the SV650. With the top-notch build quality and precise engineering, the 2022 Suzuki SV650 is surely one of the very few motorcycles which could get you to more than 100,000 miles with just regular maintenance. Many of the owners have also reported the same in the SVRider forum, which is a forum for the SVR riders out there.

2022 Suzuki SV650

The bike can run flawlessly with regular oil and filter changes, tire changes, and valve clearance checks (every 15,000 miles). What makes it an even more enticing option is the vast number of online resources and tools that are available, making it one of the best motorcycles to learn how to wrench and get your hands dirty.