SV and VStrom 650... End of an Era?

[M1C]

Sad news. Genuinely, IMO, the SV650 and VStrom 650 will no longer be sold in the UK.

It's been coming....and it's finally the case.

26 years for the SV!

I for one will be sad.

Any SV ( or VStrom) 650 love and memories still on here? I know there is....but perhaps we should use this post to lament its' passing?

[hiccy18]

Tilting a glass atm! Loved my AL7, shed a tear when I traded it in, never done that with any other vehicle.

[Chicken Chaser]

My SV650s nearly killed me but I absolutely loved it.

[trickywoo]

I had an AL7 as well. Brilliant bike.

Although it’s sad you won’t be able to buy a new one they will live on for years and anyone wanting one won’t have a problem finding one.

[TiminYorkshire]

I had a 2001 SV650s as my first bike, first crash, first tour, first track day, first bike trip to the 'Ring. I personally imported it from Belgium to the UK when I returned with work. Good memories from 20 years ago. The UK SV650 forum was very active back then, both online and in real life.

A great do it all bike for an introduction to biking.

A few photo memories.

Edited by TiminYorkshire on Saturday 30th August 09:17

[GriffoDP]

Ack, mixed memories for me! My first bike was a new SV650S Sport I think it was called. 2008.



I forget if I liked it at the time, did a silly low speed front wheel locking fall, then realised a bike in London was not for me, along with the having fallen off thing, and sold it after maybe a year.

Also either me or the dealer cross threaded the pillion grab handle thing so it kept coming loose :'D.

After getting much more refined/fancy/expensive machines later I always remember being bounced around on the SV with its - seeming to me, I apologise if your father is an SV shock and you consider this a personal attack - rudimentary springy bits.

Still, assuming it finally got ABS and they kept the price down, it probably serves/served a valid purpose.

[TiminYorkshire]

Yep, I had my springy bits tweaked, hagon rear shock and uprated ohlins springs and heavier fork oil up front, as well as the addition of preload adjusters as it didn't even have these on mine!

[MK3 Dan]

GriffoDP said:

Ack, mixed memories for me! My first bike was a new SV650S Sport I think it was called. 2008.

Exactly the same as my first 'proper' bike too. Loved the thing and did so many miles in all sorts of weather!

Keep thinking about having a go on another now but after having ridden so many other things I worry it would spoil the memory.

[AlunJ]

That’s a shame, Passed my mod2 test on a current shape sv650. Nice easy to ride bike.

[mikey_b]

I bought an ER-5 after passing my test, having done Direct Access on it, but quickly decided it was a bit lame and bought a brand new SV650S. Cracking bike, kept it for about 4 years and then sold it to a mate. He and I then did a tour of Europe the following summer, me on my R6 and him on the SV.

I was sad when it stopped getting MOTs for several years - but then about 3 years ago it was suddenly back on the road. Good to know someone is still enjoying WR02UCS!

[J__Wood]

mikey_b said:

I bought an ER-5 after passing my test, having done Direct Access on it, but quickly decided it was a bit lame and bought a brand new SV650S. Cracking bike, kept it for about 4 years and then sold it to a mate. He and I then did a tour of Europe the following summer, me on my R6 and him on the SV.

I was sad when it stopped getting MOTs for several years - but then about 3 years ago it was suddenly back on the road. Good to know someone is still enjoying WR02UCS!

May have to get your black armband out, MOT expired on
7 June 2025 currently SORNed...

[mrtomsv]

My first bike was 1999 naked SV (see last two letters of username).

I also miss the very active and friendly SV650.org forum back in the day.

[Tam_Mullen]

Had a K3 S for my first bike. As others have said, overhauled the forks with proper springs and some heavier springs. Then a rear shock from a ZZR1100 (I think) and it was quite the thing.

[carinaman]

It seems the engine is staying around. Could a V-Twin be a USP? It does make for a narrow bike.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2025/december/...

[dibblecorse]

The SV650 is the MX5 of bikes ....

I'm sure at one point 50% of the Visordown forum contributors rode one, it felt that way.

Great bits of kit.

[carinaman]

I wonder if they'll disinter the SV400 engine for the smaller capacity market?

The Internet reckons Suzuki didn't licence the 400cc SV motor it for any other manufacturers to use.