If you spend time around enough riders you will bump into someone who owns a SV650. Or learned on one. Or sold theirs and regretted it forever. The bike has woven itself into motorcycling culture in a way few budget machines ever do. You don’t just ride an SV650, you join the unofficial clubs of riders who appreciate honest engineering and approachable performance.
So let’s break down the 2003 SV650: not just “a good starter motorcycle,” but a machine worthy of genuine respect from veterans and rookies alike.
When Suzuki launched the original SV650 in 1999, nobody expected a mid-range V-twin to become a cult classic. But by 2003, the second-generation SV arrived with a fresh frame, updated styling, fuel injection, and a whole lot of refinement.
When Suzuki launched the original SV650 in 1999, nobody expected a mid-range V-twin to become a cult classic. But by 2003, the second-generation SV arrived with a fresh frame, updated styling, fuel injection, and a whole lot of refinement.
And here’s the secret to its success: The SV650 wasn’t built to chase trends…It wasn’t a race replica, a cruiser, or a futuristic concept…. It didn’t pretend to be exotic.
It was simply a motorcycle that worked, every day, for almost every rider.
What works really well:
Strong mid-range torque and easy power delivery.
Lightweight rigidity.
Aftermarket support.
Durability.
Strong mid-range torque and easy power delivery - The SV650’s 645cc V-twin is famous for its approachability, but “approachable” doesn’t mean boring. Its real magic is the broad, usable mid-range torque that makes the bike feel alive without ever overwhelming you. In the city, it pulls from low RPM with a smooth, predictable surge that makes stop-and-go riding effortless.
Out on twisty roads, the engine delivers enough punch to shoot you out of corners with confidence, yet stays controlled enough for newer riders to explore their abilities safely. It’s the kind of power that feels honest, friendly, and always ready, no waiting for the revs to climb, no drama, just instant satisfaction.
Lightweight rigidity - Suzuki’s updated frame design gives the SV650 a rare balance of agility and stability. It’s light enough to flick through a set of bends, but rigid enough to stay planted when you start pushing harder.
This is where the SV’s personality really shines you’re not wrestling a track-focused supersport, but you also never feel like the bike is holding you back. Instead, it provides a stable foundation that encourages progression, whether you’re carving backroads or navigating daily traffic.
Aftermarket support - Few bikes enjoy the level of community-driven support that the SV650 does. Owners have spent decades experimenting, improving, and building their own interpretations of the platform, and the aftermarket has followed enthusiastically.
Sites like SVRider.com and Sv650.org plus countless forums, groups, and YouTube channels make upgrading an SV650 not just easy, but fun. Owning one doesn’t feel like having a motorcycle—it feels like joining a massive, always-active workshop.
Durability - One of the reasons the SV650 has such a loyal following is simple: these bikes last. When maintained even halfway decently, the 2003 SV650 regularly racks up high mileage without complaint. Riders often share stories of SVs crossing well over 50,000 miles, 70,000 miles, even six-figure odometer readings while still running strong.
A Motorcycle That Became Whatever You Needed
When the 2003 SV650 hit garages, something interesting happened.
People didn’t just ride them…They built them.
The SV650 became one of the most modified motorcycles of its generation. It wasn’t because it needed upgrades, plenty of riders kept them stock for decades. It was because the bike was a blank canvas.
Track riders turned them into lightweight weapons.
Tourers added luggage and taller windscreens.
Commuters left them bone-stock and racked up miles.
Stunt riders took advantage of its balance and durability.
Custom builders used the V-twin as the heart of everything from streetfighters to café racers.
The SV650 wasn’t just a motorcycle. It was a platform to build your perfect ride.
Riding the SV650 Today
Pricing a 2003 SV650 is about as accurate as the farmer’s almanac, you are essentially hoping. We found realistic pricing to range from $2750 to $6500.
But the aftermarket community thrives, the reliability continues and the legacy remains.
If you get the chance to buy one, take it, and ride it like you stole it.
