The Suzuki SV650 has gone through three generations with a small gap in production between 2012 and 2017. The current third generation is still available new and it's quite a budget-friendly and popular bike. Classic design, pretty simple technologies, and wonderful riding experience make it a good choice for many of us.
But what about the common problems with the Suzuki SV650? I've found all of them by talking to owners and also searching on forums. In this short article, I will tell you everything I managed to find.
Common issues with the SV650 model
It's hard to go general in this case because the new generation is obviously more problematic than the classic ones. But the older generations are now pretty old and have age-related problems of just high mileage.
So, I will try to generalize but will outline generations:
1) Several common rust spots
In the new generations, the swing arm can collect some water from the road and the corrosion is almost inevitable. You should locate it timely and cope with this problem if you don't want to lose the bike.
2) Poor welding
This also is true for the newer generation. The welding connections may develop tiny cracks and they will get larger over time if not noticed. Proper inspection is needed at least once a year and when buying used.
3) Rusted tanks
This is common for all generations. Check if your Suzuki SV650 has some rust inside its tank. It's poorly protected from rusting, so you should be careful with this issue and clean it once discovered.
4) Engines are good but demand good maintenance
This 4-stroke 8-valve V-twin engine is overall good. But if it wasn't maintained properly, it's going to freak out much. Oil quality is super important. If you are buying the used one, listen to the tapping sounds when the engine is idling. Are there any? Just run away!
5) Fuel pump issues
Although this is a minor problem, the fuel pumps on these bikes don't live long and happy lives. They tend to fail leaving you stranded.
6) Clutch sensor
The location of the clutch sensor is not really good and when you wash the bike, you can easily damage it with water. Be careful with washing as the water may also get to the spark plug wells under pressure and cause a lot of problems.
7) Suspension issues
If your bike has decent mileage on it, you will most likely have the suspension repaired pretty often. As owners say, this is a great bike with a wonderful engine but the suspension gathered from leftovers.
Overall, the SV650 is almost bulletproof
While the new generation is a little worse in terms of quality and overall life expectancy, it still has the same bulletproof engine. The bike is very reliable and can go a lot of miles without any serious damage or breakdowns.
But you should be ready that some minor issues will be there from time to time and you will have to invest money in solving them.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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