Kawasaki Z 1000 SX versus Suzuki SV 650

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
Kawasaki

Kawasaki Z 1000 SX

Sporttourer
Suzuki

Suzuki SV 650

Naked

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2011 bis 2019
Built von 2005 bis 2025~
RRP 12.995 €
RRP 6.950 €
waveform
waveform
Pros:
  • Performance
  • Comfort
  • Equipment
  • Value for money
Pros:
  • Price
  • real V2
  • Harmonious overall impression
  • Pillion suitability in comparison
Cons:
  • Transmission very short gear ratio
Cons:
  • Material

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.440 mm
Length :
2.100 mm Height : 1.185 mm
Seat :
815 mm
Weight :
235 kg
Wheelbase: 1.445 mm
Length :
2.140 mm Height : 1.090 mm
Seat :
785 mm
Weight :
197 (max: 420 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Number 4 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.043 ccm
Hub: 56 mm
Hole: 77 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: V 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 645 ccm
Hub: 63 mm
Hole: 81 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 247 km/h
Performance: 142 HP at 10.000 U/Min
Torque: 111 NM bei 7.300 U/Min
Tank contents: 19 Litre
Consumption:
6 l
Reach:
327 km
Maximum speed: 205 km/h
Performance: 73 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 64 NM bei 8.100 U/Min
Tank contents: 14 Litre
Consumption:
4 l
Reach:
363 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Double profile frame (aluminium)
Front suspension:
41 mm upside-down fork (travel 120 mm)
Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 144 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 120/70ZR17M/C (58W)
Rear tyres: 190/50ZR17M/C (73W)
Frame type:
Tubular space (tubular frame steel)
Front suspension:
Telescopic fork 41 mm (travel 125 mm)
Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 130 mm)
Rear suspension:
Box swing
Tyres at the front: 17 M/C x MT 3.50 120/70ZR17 M/C (58W)
Rear tyres: 17 M/C x MT 5.00 160/60ZR17 M/C (69W)

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc ( 300 mm) Rear brake
Disc ( 250 mm)
Front brake
Double disc ( 290 mm) Rear brake
Disc ( 240 mm)

SX instead of Adventure

The Kawa is an interpretation of the theme of sports tourers with a clear focus on the sport. The live high, and so the SX competition grows from the own house in the form of the Versys 1000. This is more comfortable and equipped as an adventure bike with an upright sitting position. This is how most customers interpret the topic of touring bikes today.

The SX is aimed at a clientele that can't do anything with the high-legged adventures. They are looking for a super athlete who is suitable for travel. The Kawa is a top-notch offer: Very sporty and thanks to good, triple-adjustable windprotection and full cladding, it eats kilometres to the finish. If this is a winding pass – don't worry, she'll do it all.

The Ducati SuperSport, for example, does not have to hide behind the competition – and has around 30 hp more under the tank compared to this one.

The test bike was provided to us by Heller & Soltau in St. Michaelisdonn.

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: 12.995€
  • Used (3 years old): 8,000€
  • Years of construction: since 2011
  • Availability: good
  • Colours: green, black, blue

Conclusion - what gets stuck

For the everyday life of most motorcyclists, a Suzuki SV 650 is always enough. It meets the needs of motorcycling without great conspicuousness, the beautiful V2 engine is available as a unique selling point. Of course, the material quality could sometimes be better, especially the carbon replicas on the tank.

But: For 6,595 euros you can still invest in windscreen, suitcase or the chassis – or in everything or nothing. At its core, the Suzuki remains the unproblematic companion for every day. If you like it, you can spend more money: The V2 is of course also included in the "X" version of the SV, which is 7,300 instead of 6,595 euros expensive. There is a classy quilted bench, metallic lacquer, a small fairing and retro look.

The test bike was provided to us by zweirad-Technik Schielmann in Hamburg.

Price / Availability / Colours / Years of Construction

  • Price: 6.590€
  • Used (3 years old): 4,300€
  • Years built: 1999 to 2010, again since 2016
  • Availability: very good
  • Colours: black, grey, white