The Motorcycle That Makes Downsizing Your Garage Surprisingly Easy
The perfect way to downsize your garage without losing its versatility is to opt for do-it-all motorcycles. While middleweight adventure tourers top this list, sport touring bikes (especially crossovers) are the more practical choice for most riders. After all, we rarely see riders take on off-road terrain on bikes that cost thousands of dollars. This is also why we are seeing a lot of exciting new crossovers popping up. Speaking of which, there’s a new, more affordable player in town from Suzuki that banks on reliability and ease of riding. It packs a legendary V-twin engine, a lightweight chassis, compact dimensions, and cozy ergonomics for a much easier crossover transition.
Do-It-All Motorcycles Are Perfect For Decluttering Your Garage
Do-it-all motorcycles are perfect because they help declutter your garage of multiple specialized motorcycles with one or two options that can do all the heavy lifting. A do-it-all naked bike like the Honda CB1000 Hornet SP can double up as a spirited corner carver and a daily runabout. The Honda Gold Wing is a do-it-all luxury tourer with a surprisingly practical side, thanks to cunning technologies. The seven-speed automatic transmission leads the way in that regard.
Meanwhile, the likes of the BMW R 1300 GS and the Honda Africa Twin DCT are perfect choices for the best of on-road and off-road finesse. As good as these are, though, middleweight options outperform the flagship ones in desirability and daily riding practicality. Plus, they are more attainable for the masses without meaning serious compromises.
Middleweight Crossovers Are The Best For Downsizing
All the premium parts on flagship bikes drive up prices, which becomes the biggest deterrent even when swapping multiple bikes for one. So middleweights are the way to go. And for most users, sport-tourers make more sense as manufacturers design the components around on-road comfort, stability, and riding appeal. Furthermore, the middleweight options also hit the sweet spot of being compact and lightweight, balancing nimble urban runs and comfortable triple-digit highway rides. This is exactly the niche Suzuki is attempting to exploit with its latest launch in America. And it might arguably be the smartest downsizing option today.
The New Suzuki SV-7GX Makes Downsizing Your Garage Surprisingly Easy
Price: $8,599 (MY27)
A few months ago, Topspeed’s Luke Ziestman suggested the Suzuki SV-7GX would be a potential bargain if it were launched for under $10,000. Well, the prices are out, and it’s even better with a starting price of under $9,000. Despite the aggressive price tag, Suzuki hasn’t compromised on any aspect of its newest middleweight crossover.
A bulletproof V-twin engine powers the SV-7GX and pairs with lightweight underpinnings for a nimble yet stable riding experience in cities, on mountain roads, and on high-speed freeways. The design is sporty, but Suzuki has embedded practical touring-ready features without making the SV-7GX look awkward. Furthermore, a slew of touring-ready accessories is available, including a taller windscreen, luggage solutions (saddlebags, a quick-release tank bag, and a topbox), a more comfortable high seat, and heated grips.
A Legendary Suzuki V-Twin Offers Reliable And Versatile Power
Powering the new Suzuki SV-7GX is a well-seasoned 645 cc V-twin engine that has proved its mettle for over 25 years. It is the same engine as on the Suzuki SV650 streetfighter. This liquid-cooled 90-degree V-twin is famed for delivering smooth and controllable power and a broad, linear torque curve. There is character to this mill too, with its uneven firing order creating a distinctive V-twin pulse that has long defined the SV series. Suzuki has deployed a series of likable bits internally, such as an SCEM cylinder plating, coated pistons, and L-shaped piston rings to reduce friction and ensure long-term durability.
Furthermore, performance under extended load is supported by efficient piston oil cooling and a robust crankshaft design. Supporting components like downdraft throttle bodies with optimized injectors and dual-spark iridium plugs help improve combustion efficiency and throttle response. As for the numbers, the GX produces 72 horsepower and 47.2 pound-feet, sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed manual gearbox with a final chain drive system.
Complemented By Lightweight Underpinnings To Offer Breezy Riding Dynamics
The SV-7GX is underpinned by a lightweight tubular steel trellis frame that offers a balance of rigidity, a low center of gravity, and slim proportions for agile, predictable handling. It is coupled to a reinforced tubular swingarm with an oblong cross-section to ensure excellent torsional strength, superior rear-wheel tracking, and stability when loaded with an adult passenger and luggage. Suspension duties are taken care of by 41 mm telescopic front forks with 4.9 inches of travel, while the rear gets a preload-adjustable monoshock with 5.1 inches of travel.
Braking duties are courtesy of twin discs coupled to Brembo four-piston calipers. The rear gets a single disc coupled to a Nissin single-piston caliper. Grip duties are taken care of by 120-section front and 160-section rear tubeless tires wrapped around 17-inch lightweight alloy wheels. This Suzuki crossover gets Pirelli Angel GT II sport-touring radial tires, which should offer ample confidence on any type of tarmac, including spirited canyon roads.
Comfort Ergonomics And Touring-Focused Features
The Suzuki SV-7GX is fairly compact for a tall-riding crossover. The dimensions take into account both ends of its spectrum—stress-free daily riding and comfortable highway touring. It has a wheelbase of 56.9 inches and weighs 465 pounds, along with a seat height of 31.3 inches.
The rider sits upright with naturally set footpegs and a tall and wide handlebar for a comfortable riding posture. It gets a slew of standard touring-focused features like a three-step manually adjustable windscreen, integrated knuckle covers, and a standard molded rear carrier with large grab rails. The aluminum footpegs are serrated to improve control and comfort, and there is also a discreet under-seat helmet hook for added everyday convenience.
The Technology Suite Is (Almost) Perfect For The Price
The cockpit is adorned with a 4.2-inch color TFT. Multiple layouts and smartphone connectivity are present, where the latter enables turn-by-turn navigation, calls/message notifications, and various alerts for weather, speed, and even traffic. Vital data like real-time and average fuel consumption, ambient temperature, gear position, trip meters, and maintenance reminders are showcased in a crisp format.
All of its ride-enhancing, safety, and assistive electronic features are bundled together in the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (S.I.R.S.) suite. This includes ride modes, three-mode traction control, ride-by-wire, a bi-directional quickshifter, dual-channel ABS, Suzuki Easy Start System, and Low RPM assist. If not for the omission of cruise control, this technology suite would have been undisputed for the price and purpose that Suzuki serves.
The Suzuki SV-7GX Is The Most Value-Packed Do-It-All Motorcycle Today
This Suzuki crossover nails the pricing game, as its nearest modern rival, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660, is priced at $10,445. Even the seasoned yet rather outdated Kawasaki Versys 650 LT is priced at $10,399. The segment leader, the Yamaha Tracer 9, suddenly looks very expensive at $12,599. It is very impressive how Suzuki has played a strong pricing card with the SV-7GX. Even with all of its optional accessories installed, it will barely breach the $10,000 mark, and that is quite the flex.
Source: Suzuki Cycles
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