PATENT images from Japan show that the bike that could replace the Suzuki SV650 is coming along quite well.
The story of this bike is almost as old as the SV650 itself, having deep roots in the Suzuki Recursion turbo-charged twin-cylinder concept. In this form though, Suzuki has ditched the forced induction and gone for a more traditional approach.
Not only will the bike be replacing one of the most iconic and best-selling middle-weight machines in the brand’s sizable history, it’ll also be doing battle with the likes of the MT-07, incoming Triumph Trident and Honda CB650R.
Suzuki SV650 video review
While the patents don’t give masses away in terms of specs and techs, they do show us how closely related the machine is to the Recursion concept – a machine that itself even seems to be moving forward in boosted-form.
The images below show recent patent applications for the parallel-twin in turbo (on the left) and non-turbo form (on the right). While there are obviously some major differences between the two engines, the overall dimensions and sizes of the units seem fairly similar. While that could just be a result of the two machines close development paths, it could also signal the chance for riders to either opt for turbo or normally aspirated versions of the bike further down the line.
Away from the engine, the bike seems to be a fairly cost-effective mixture of a tubular frame, joining the steering head to the engine, and a steel or cast alloy backbone running top to bottom beneath the rider’s seat. The swingarm, suspension, and brakes get almost no details added to them in these images, meaning they are probably still in the works. We do though get a fairly clear look at the seat unit, fuel tank, and subframe.
The fuel tank seems to be an underslung item that reaches its way under the rider’s seat. This seems to be needed due to the large airbox, that normally resides behind the engine, taking up much of the available space above it.
The dual rider and passenger seats also look like fairly finished pieces of the puzzle, with Suzuki even going to the trouble of adding some contour to both the rider and pillion perches. That adds weight to the argument that these components are close to being finished. With that in mind, the overall riding position of the bike seems to be sporty but not too aggressive. There are no footpegs pictured here but, MT-07 riders the world over will recognise the ergonomics of this machine.
