The Motorcycle That Makes You Appreciate Suzuki Again
Suzuki, just like its Japanese counterparts, offers some of the most reliable and refined motorcycles across various segments. But this brand has a downside: it plays it safe. This helps with longevity and relatively easy ownership, but it also diminishes excitement, desirability, and the eagerness to look forward to a new Suzuki motorcycle.
This is especially true of Suzuki’s performance motorcycles, which once made riders drool over its offerings. Today, Suzuki’s sport bikes and naked bikes are among the least desirable options in their segments. Stagnation in design, technology, and performance is to blame. But a new do-it-all motorcycle in town is an unexpected beacon of hope that makes you appreciate Suzuki again.
Suzuki Playing It Safe Hurts Excitement
Suzuki is often labeled as “boring” because it relies heavily on decades-old technology, unchanged designs, and stagnant R&D. This formula robs riders of innovative features in new motorcycles. Suzuki suffers because it plays it safe while its rivals take huge leaps forward.
As a result, the price and reliability advantage Suzuki offers doesn’t quite entice riders to choose it over less conservative competitors with more power, looks, technology, and excitement. The downward trajectory started after Suzuki’s 2008 financial crisis, when it sharply reduced its research and development budget to keep manufacturing costs and retail prices low.
As a result, for a long time, new Suzuki motorcycles received only subtle, mostly visual updates. The trend has always been about subtlety. While Suzuki’s current lineup includes a few exciting motorcycles, the broader theme of being boring robs these underrated machines of the attention and love they deserve. Prime examples include the bang-for-buck Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+ and the GSX-S1000GX+; both are distinctive takes on how a Gixxer sport bike engine can work in sport-tourers.
But There Are A Few Suzuki Bikes That Riders Look Forward To
Despite Suzuki’s dull image, a few other special motorcycles generate buzz and are appreciated for their excitement levels, too. Interestingly, many of these are now iconic and have built a cult following. The Suzuki Hayabusa takes the podium and remains a rare fusion of superbike performance and surprising touring potential.
Then comes the downsized but capable GSX-8R. While it is unfortunate that these bikes are replacing the inline-four legends like the GSX-R750 and the GSX-R600, the 8R offers a refreshing escape from Suzuki’s stagnation cycle.
The design is fresh and bold; the engine, although a parallel-twin, is highly versatile; and ample technology helps the new middleweight Gixxer stay relevant against its rivals. The new Suzuki DRZ-4S dual-sport and the DRZ-4SM supermoto revive the respective segments with modern technology, refined performance, and grin-worthy riding experiences. Suzuki recently added a brand-new motorcycle with engaging dynamics, advanced tech, and sharp looks. It offers a well-rounded package while still relying on an engine design more than 25 years old.
The SV-7GX Is The Newest, Most Value-Packed Do-It-All Suzuki
At $8,599, It Undercuts Every Serious Rival By Thousands
Before we delve deeper, let’s appreciate Suzuki for pricing its brand-new middleweight sport-tourer so aggressively. Priced under $9,000, it undercuts all its immediate rivals. Its closest counterpart is the $10,445 Triumph Tiger Sport 660. Next is the seasoned yet outdated Kawasaki Versys 650 LT, priced at $10,399. The most exciting rival is the Yamaha Tracer 9, priced at $12,599.
Even a fully loaded Suzuki SV-7GX will not breach the $10,000 mark, making it an insane value-for-money offering. Its accessories focus on making the SV-7GX tour-ready and include a taller windscreen, saddlebags, a quick-release tank bag, a top box, more comfortable seats, and heated grips. It packs a bulletproof V-twin, gets lightweight underpinnings, and has a likable and sharp design language. The technology suite is quite impressive, especially for the price.
A Refreshing Motorcycle That Was Long Overdue
Suzuki has made the right move by investing its resources and building a fresh motorcycle to take on the new wave of middleweight sport-tourers that are proving to be the best do-it-all motorcycles to downsize to. Inflation and rising fuel prices are making riders more frugal and pushing them to take a step back from the latest and greatest.
With the Suzuki SV-7GX, it’s a win-win because reliability, refinement, and frugality are already proven. Given Suzuki’s track record, its technology features are also well-tested and less prone to failure. And the secret to all of it? An engine that’s been quietly perfecting itself for over 25 years — and that story is more interesting than you’d expect.
Powered By A Near-Immortal V-Twin Engine
This sport-tourer is powered by the same V-twin engine that makes the SV650 streetfighter so easy-going. The 645 cc 90-degree, liquid-cooled mill is famed for smooth, controlled power and a spread-out, linear torque curve. It also adds character with an uneven firing order.
This helps create a distinctive V-twin pulse that has long defined the Suzuki SV series. On the SV-7GX, Suzuki tweaked this engine with a focus on touring. It produces 72 horsepower and 47.2 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed manual gearbox coupled to a final chain drive.
Refinement levels and efficiency are taken care of by a slew of targeted engine internals. Notable features include SCEM cylinder plating, coated pistons, and L-shaped piston rings to reduce friction and ensure long-term durability. Long highway runs are effortless for this V-twin, thanks to efficient piston oil cooling and a robust crankshaft design. Optimized injectors, downdraft throttle bodies, and dual-spark iridium plugs add engagement by improving combustion efficiency and throttle response.
Complemented With Versatile Underpinnings
This sport-tourer sits on a lightweight tubular steel frame. It claims to offer a balance of rigidity, a low center of gravity, and slimmer proportions that contribute to high-speed stability and agile cornering. The chassis is suspended on 41 mm telescopic front forks with 4.9 inches of travel. The rear gets a preload-adjustable monoshock with 5.1 inches of travel. While adjustability is limited, Suzuki claims to have tuned the springs for maximum versatility on all types of tarmac.
Braking duties are taken care of by twin discs coupled to Brembo four-piston calipers up front. The rear gets a single disc coupled to a Nissin single-piston caliper. Riding confidence and grip on highways and mountain roads come from 120-section front and 160-section rear Pirelli Angel GT II sport-touring tubeless tires wrapped around 17-inch lightweight alloy wheels.
Comfortable In All Riding Conditions With A Focus On Touring
The Suzuki SV-7GX is compact and is designed to suit a wide range of rider heights, including taller riders. This crossover’s tight dimensions help it ace both daily riding and stable high-speed highway runs. It has a 56.9-inch wheelbase and weighs 465 pounds. The seat height is fairly accessible at 31.3 inches. The rider sits upright with legs positioned neutrally beneath them.
The tall, wide handlebars offer a comfortable riding posture. Aiding in its touring duties are features like a three-step manually adjustable windscreen, integrated knuckle covers, and a standard molded rear carrier with large grab rails. It also gets serrated aluminum footpegs for superior control and comfort. Also included is a discreet under-seat helmet hook for added everyday convenience.
Impressive Technology Features Round Out This All-Rounder
A clean, crisp 4.2-inch TFT screen sits in the rider’s view. This display offers multiple themes and smartphone connectivity, enabling turn-by-turn navigation, call and message notifications, and alerts such as weather, speed, and traffic. All of its standard safety and assistive features are bundled into the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (S.I.R.S.). It 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. Adding cruise control would make this electronic suite hard to beat in its segment.
Source: Suzuki Cycles
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