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The updated Suzuki SV650 and V-Strom 650 could come in 2021

Suzuki was able to catch up with Euro 5 emissions standards.

Motodeal
Suzuki SV650

The Suzuki SV650 is a terrific middleweight naked bike with a few hints of classic flare. With its round headlight, exposed trellis frame together with its punchy V-twin engine, its timeless design has its own charm for people looking for a reliable beginner big bike. Yet, since its last update in 2017, the SV650 together with the V-Strom 650 has been fast approaching the point of being forced out of the market with the more stringent Euro 5 emissions standards. When COVID-19 brought major motorcycle brands to a halt, manufacturers petitioned to have the Euro 5 deadline extended to allow them more time to pick up from their financial losses and finish updating their lineup. With the aging SV650 and V-Strom 650, Suzuki was no exception.

Suzuki SV650

However, recent “homologation documents” were spotted by other motorcycle publications suggesting that the SV650 and V-Strom 650 could be given a new lease of life. The extension was eventually granted and gave manufacturers an additional two years to catch up. Luckily for Suzuki, they still kept themselves busy in updating its engine platforms fo meet the homologation requirements. 

Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT

Armed with the right tools to meet the Euro 5 requirements, the two bikes will carry over into 2021, mostly unchanged looks-wise, yet with a few albeit much-needed engine modifications. However, both motorcycles will have to sacrifice a little bit of horsepower and gain a few pounds in order to stay in the market for 2021. For the V-Strom, the engine update drops its power output from 73.7 to 73 hp which is still quite negligible. A bigger change happens with the SV650 as its power output is set to drop from 76.1 to 73.4 hp. In addition, it will now tip the scales 3 kg more at 200 kg. 

Most of the middleweight naked bikes that the SV650 competes with like Honda CB650R and the Yamaha MT-07 are all set in releasing its 2021 Euro 5 compliant updates. Suzuki was able to catch up since they were able to successfully homologate the V-Strom 650 engine to comply with BS6 standards in India, to stay in the market. Will the updated SV650 still be able to keep up with the hotly contested middleweight naked segment? We certainly hope so. 

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