SV650S serious fuel economy!
 

My little brother got a 2007 Suzuki SV650S recently, the first year of the twin spark head, and I have put a few tanks into it now. It’s EMBARRASSING how much better fuel economy it is getting than my CBR250R. Me and my dad did a sport touring ride up to West Virginia, and both my bikes would be terrible for that kind of distance riding, we’re talking 550 miles in a day, twice. So I took the SV, and my dad took his VFR 800. I was able to maintain a full tuck about 90% of the time on the way up there, and used pulse and glide. Me riding for a whole tank doing that gave my current record of 71 mpg. Keep in mind that this was on the expressway doing 70 mph keeping up with my dad. The fuelly average for the bike after 10 fillups is now basically matching modern CBR250Rs on fuelly at 64.4 mpg. Also, this bike is running stock 15/45 gearing and a very open delkevic exhaust.

Fuelly for it: Harley (Suzuki SV650S) | Fuelly

That was the best I was able to get unfortunately, because the kind of riding we did when we got to West Virginia while fun, was not efficient. ;)

I’m really digging that SV, it’s got serious torque, it accelerates even better than the 800 down low. Just think of the mileage I could pull out of an SV with full fairings, 16/42 gearing, milder V-Strom 650 cams, and a less ridiculous exhaust! I might be flirting with 90 mpg!

So, yeah. I want one now ;). I’m probably going to sell my VFR 400 after fixing it’s problems and then get me one of these fuel sipping torque monsters.

I also did an airbox video for it, so here is that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtcglXO9bE4

They are a pretty decent all-around street bike aren't they?

I bought a new N model (no fairings) in 2006, and it's been my daily rider ever since. Added some Michelin RSs, an Ohlins shock, Sonic Springs fork springs, a different seat, a slip-on muffler, taller black bars, RJL pads, a seat cowl, and a few other things I forgot...

Just purchased a set of intake stacks from a SFV to replace the super short stock ones. The SFV stacks are longer and increase the midrange, where there is a slight dip in the 6000 to 8000 range - where I run mostly. Haven't had a chance to try them yet.

My oldest boy has a VFR800 and we have done a few highway trips. Last one was about 6 hrs total at an average of about 80. The SV got right about 50 MPG. No fairings to speak of, and I don't tuck, so that's not bad for that speed. The longer stacks might even boost MPG, as it was right about 7000 most of the time. I have a +1 countershaft on it.

Heading to Arkansas for the Arkansas Mile LSR race next month, which will be about 1200 mi roundtrip. I'm hoping to get 50 or maybe better - but I don't think I'll come close to what you got!

They are quite decent! Surprisingly enough though, despite having more power all around than my CBR 250R, it almost makes me want even more power, or maybe it was the type of riding we were doing, but my CBR has never made me want more power. Weird. :confused: I am not excited about an SV1000, other than the stupid tall gearing, so i'll stick with the 650. :thumbup: Try those stacks out and let me know if they fit! When I was doing the airbox video for the SV, I did see some tiny little stacks which were pretty much flush mounted in the airbox.

If i were at all in the market I’d be all over your little VFR and let you buy a SV650 lol

The newer stacks will fit older SVs. There are a few guys on SVRider.com that have done it and said there was a noticeable improvement in midrange.

This is the SFV set -

https://i.imgur.com/UlJlVju.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Xda3Qit.jpg

This is the standard SV set -

https://i.imgur.com/q23ukMg.jpg

This is the thread on SVR - https://www.svrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=391215 . I'll update it after I get mine installed and have some seat time with it.

When the original SV was still new, one was driven below 3L/100km - about 80 mpg US - on an economy run

Challenge accepted.

Minus the carburetors..

I posted this today in the thread I linked on SVRider.com -

Finally got a chance to take it for a spin today after 2 days of record rains (12" in my area) and flooding like never before.

It is almost 20F cooler than it has been, so that could affect performance somewhat, but I think the stacks are an improvement.

It's mostly noticeable in roll-ons from low RPMs (4000), where it does feel like it pulls stronger and has more immediate throttle response. I didn't get a chance to really open it up due to traffic, but i don't think I'd miss a bit on top anyway if that was the trade-off.

I may order one more of the long/curved stacks to see what that does. The way it is now the shorter SFV stack sits right up against the bottom of the air filter screen, which I'm not crazy about. There's plenty of room to have a second long/curved stack in the box and directed away from each other.

I'll add more info if my impression changes when I get more riding time.

The SV650 was my first choice ~10 years ago when I was looking for a bike, before I picked up my CM400 for a steal. I like the idea of having a bit more lower rpm torque.

Most people with CBR250R's ride around in low gears to be sporty. Anyone that tries, as you are, will get 85 mpgUS. I got 99.5 on a 1,000 trip in the rain and get 105 in the Summer back and forth to work at 65 mph.

Are you ever going to see if you can swap a CRF 250L cam and header into your CBR 250? That should improve the low end power and maybe fuel economy too. I am no further with getting an SV of my own for now...

The cam for a CBR20R from an India bike would be lower rpm also. But I have no need to go inside the engine. 106mpgUS all summer again with 53,000 miles.

I do have the possibility of getting a 3rd motorcycle. :thumbup: Still a few months away, but planning is already underway!

My top three choices are the twin spark SV650S(or SF if I can find one), the Yamaha SR400, or the new Honda Super Cub that is coming out soon.

The SV would be a great choice as its got a cool V-twin, has plenty of modability, and is the most suitable for the long distance sport touring riding I want to get into. The Yamaha is kick start only, winning mucho cool points, and its just a good looking bike all around but otherwise doesn't have all that much going for it. And the little cub, it definitely draws me in, but its got some problems that I would need to spend a good bit of money to rectify. First off, no manual clutch, which means no coasting. Second, it will be far slower than the other two bikes, the yamaha COULD be used for touring, but not this thing. Lastly, I am worried about its maximum lean angle, would it bottom out early??

I really do like the SV, and I do want to go on more long distance rides, so it sounds like I have already talked myself into it.

Onto potential mods I would be doing for the SV:

Engine:
Shorten stock exhaust leaving CAT in place
DL 650 cam swap(put SV exhaust on intake, put DL exhaust on exhaust)?
^Buy all DL cams to match timing easily^
DL 650 intake trumpets
Hotter thermostat from 2003-2006 model
Block radiator partially
Block oil cooler completely
EDIT: Just discovered the SFV650 comes with a oil-water oil cooler, which should help oil warm up faster. Add that to the list!

Drivetrain:
16/39 gearing(or 16/38)
Michelin Road 5 tires
Brake drag reduction springs
Higher tire pressures

Aero:
SF fairings
Aero front fender(might need front fork swap for options)
Space fairings out at end to ensure complete leg coverage
Rear tire hugger

Comfort:
Lowered pegs
Tank rubber(also for tank protection)
Better seat

Other: TeeRiver Fuelbot


Should be capable of some pretty awesome mpg!

Got another record tank with the SV
 

I beat my 71 MPG highway tank, this time getting 74.8 MPG.

No modifications since previous record tank, excepting a nearly 3/4 radiator block. I was even running the OE spec tire pressures of 33F/36R.
https://ecomodder.com/forum/attachme...4&d=1540153075

The blocking was enough to keep engine temperatures around low 170s in the 45 or so degree weather. Operating temperature is 176F as far as I know.

This tank was lower speed riding while still tucking a good bit. Plenty of short shifting and putting around. The battery was dying, so I didn't shut off the engine as much as I would have liked.


Can't wait to get my own SV! Considering what I can do with this SV, I think pushing my MPG goal up from 90 to 100 is the right thing to do.

Good job!
What is your cruising speed and driving conditions,highway I guess?
What is the gearing set up?

This tank was mostly 45-55 on rural roads with some 65 mph highway riding. Gearing is actually the stock 15/45 as this is my little brother’s bike. When I get my own SV I will be running something ridiculous like 16/39.

Not bad then.
Your plan sound interesting.report us back when you are there.
I am interested to hear if the tall gearing will effect driveability. A dl650 I used to ride was surging badly (for my taste) when I was lugging the engine on high gear