Suzuki's SV650X Brings Heritage to a Line that Has None

You would have to be living under a rock not to notice the heritage theme that has taken the motorcycle industry by storm.

That being said, Suzuki’s hibernation, as we like to call the company’s complete withdrawal from the two-wheeled space during the recession, is a lot like living under a rock.

Finally seeing the daylight, the Japanese brand is a bit late to the post-authentic retro game, and finds itself having to scramble to stay relevant. That is to say, this is how we read the fact that Suzuki has only one new machine for 2018: the SV650X.

Based on the venerable SV650 platform, the Suzuki SV650X is a café racer makeover for the popular v-twin sport bike. Mostly a visual exercise, the 2018 Suzuki SV650X makes 75hp and tips the scales at 437 lbs at the curb.

The design isn’t as effective as what we have seen from other Japanese brands, with the Kawasaki Z900RS achieving a better heritage result (it helps having the Zephyr in Team Green’s past, as well).

Conversely, we have seen Honda’s take on the retro movement, deciding to go more minimalistic and sophisticated with its new CB1000R design.

Meanwhile, Yamaha has been at this game for much longer, and the experience shows with hits like the Yamaha XSR900 and the entire “Faster Sons” custom program.

All of this is a long way of saying that Suzuki is bringing a knife to gun fight, with the SV650X. We are sure that it will interest some riders, and it can’t be all that bad considering how great the SV650 platform has been for decades.

Still, we are not surprised to hear that Suzuki Motor America has failed to announce the model for the USA, likely keeping the Suzuki SV650X a European affair.