Suzuki further heats up the 600cc class

[MichaelInVenice]

Not exactly a direct competitor for the FZ6R/Ninja 650 sport/standards, but bringing back an SV650 variant and thankfully NOT calling it the "Gladius" anymore is a positive step for the entry-level 600cc class of bikes. Nicely fills in the niche for an aggressively-style naked entry-level bike that hasn't existed in the US since Kawi stopped selling the ER-6n here.

Suzuki Cycles - Product Lines - Cycles - Products - 2013 - SFV650

I think they did a nice job of getting rid of the funky Gladius graphics and color scheme in favor of a look that will probably appeal to a naked bike buyer.

I always thought the unfaired SV650 was one of the nicest bikes I ever rode. Quick to turn, good performance, good ergos. Will it outperform an FZ6R on the track? Doubt it, but that's not its purpose. Nobody's going to mistake the look (or the performance) for a Street Triple or a Monster, but it's nice to see 3 out of 4 Japanese manufacturers recognizing the critical importance of having a very capable entry level ride in the 600cc class. (4 out of 4 if you count the somewhat weird Honda NC700X.)

Sorry for gushing a bit, but it really is nice to see new options an a class that's been kind of ignored in the US for a while.

 

[MichaelInVenice]

Funny, the web page title still says "Gladius" but the listings everywhere else say "SFV650." Sounds like their webmaster reused an old template without renaming it, which is sadly typical for them.

 

[Superzoom]

I was going to say it still looks pretty much like a Gladius, which I am really not fond of. The black colour just makes it more palatable. Change the muffler, black out or get rid of the passenger peg arm cover, get rid of the radiator shroud, give it a more masculine headlight, and you've got a decent looking bike. The SV650 was a much better looking bike, still.

Calling the bike the SFV650 is just rebranding, in order to disassociate it with the sales disaster that was the Gladius.

 

[Nastybutler]

The $8000 price tag seems a bit steep for an entry level naked bike. I was going to add it to the list of bikes for my wife to consider until I saw how much they're asking. For $800 more you can get the base version of the Street Triple, Ducati Monster 696, or the FZ8. Any of which would be a better naked bike, although only the Monster would be considered an "entry level" bike since the other two have more power than a new rider needs.

 

[JSP]

Nope... When I get this 8 sold, I was going to pick up a 03-05 SV650 next season/when I can afford it. Can find them for $2k-$3k all day long. Have always loved the SV650. This new one just looks like a different Gladius.

 

[bleedinblue]

Nope... When I get this 8 sold, I was going to pick up a 03-05 SV650 next season/when I can afford it. Can find them for $2k-$3k all day long. Have always loved the SV650. This new one just looks like a different Gladius.

Your saling the 8? I remember seeing a thread about it, but I thought it was the r6 thread rising from the dead

 

[JSP]

Your saling the 8? I remember seeing a thread about it, but I thought it was the r6 thread rising from the dead

Yeah. Lost her job again. So I'm done with financing bikes/toys. Any toy will be bought outright with cash from now on. Hate having payments hanging over my head especially when this crap happens.

 

[JT]

Yeah. Lost her job again. So I'm done with financing bikes/toys. Any toy will be bought outright with cash from now on. Hate having payments hanging over my head especially when this crap happens.

Sorry to hear about that.... I feel your pain........

life is a bitch then you die.....

 

[bleedinblue]

Now that the wr450 is fuel injected, the carbureted ones are going to get cheap fast.Just throwing a little fuel for your budgets thought.Im really wanting to get ahold of one for winter.Being able to mod it to infiniti is just a bonus I swear.

Just for fun youtube Marat Kankadze wr450.I would post it, but im having trouble with my new ap