2027 Suzuki SV-7S and GSX-10R first look

Suzuki has a history of keeping its popular engines in production much longer than we expect and pressing them into service in new models. That may sound less exciting than unveiling all-new shiny stuff, but it has actually resulted in some pretty good motorcycles. For 2027, Suzuki's taking that approach to create a new SV-7S, the successor to the iconic SV650, and the new GSX-10R and GSX-10RS sport bikes.

The SV carries on with a new name

Rather than focus exclusively on its parallel-twin engines and abandon its popular 645 cc V-twin that's been around for a quarter of a century, Suzuki updated it to meet global emissions standards and slotted it into the SV-7GX I tested a few weeks ago. I couldn't find much to complain about with the SV-7GX, and now those same upgrades have been put into the traditional SV650 roadster package to create the SV-7S.

That means you get the same steel trellis frame with the advantages of the upgraded engine with ride-by-wire throttle, three ride modes that can be customized with three levels of traction control, and a bi-directional quickshifter. In the SV-7GX, that combination produced excellent fueling and nimble handling, and since the SV-7S is the same package minus about 25 pounds of fairing and luggage rack weight, I expect the SV-7S to be every bit as fun and easy to ride.

Lights are LEDs all around on the SV-7S, but Suzuki retained the traditional round shape of the headlight. The 4.2-inch full-color digital display can be connected to your phone using the Suzuki Ride Connect+ app for notifications or navigation.

In the podcast linked above, about the SV650's enduring presence and popularity — it has done everything from introducing new riders to the joys of motorcycling to being modified and pressed into duty as a race bike — one topic of discussion was which version of the SV650 was the best one. With this new iteration carrying over all the good traits of the old bike and getting the upgrades to the engine and electronics, I'm confident in predicting that the SV-7S is going to be the best SV yet.

Unfortunately, we don't have information from Suzuki yet about the price or the date of availability. But there's reason to hope there, too. Suzuki priced the SV-7GX aggressively, with an MSRP starting at $8,399. The SV-7S should undercut that by a bit.

GSX-10R: The reincarnation of Dave?

During the years when sport bikes were selling well, manufacturers honed their top liter bikes and 600s into ever sharper weapons with a singular goal: The fastest possible lap time around a race track. Eventually that reached a dead end as these motorcycles became exceptionally competent at that one task but not much fun to ride on the street: too high-strung, too uncomfortable, too expensive to insure, etc. That led to a wave of new models that were more all-around capable and accessible, most of them powered by parallel-twin engines. But what if you still wanted that liter-class four-cylinder rush?

Suzuki's answer is the new GSX-10R and GSX-10RS. While we also don't have a price yet for these new liter bikes, Suzuki dropped words like "value" and phrases such as "combine race-inspired performance with everyday usability" and "designed to excel in real-world riding environments while remaining capable of delivering exhilarating sport bike performance" into the description. This could be the sport bike for sport bike fans not willing to give up performance but also not aiming to qualify for a World Superbike grid.

The GSX-10R uses Suzuki's "long-stroke" inline four that powered earlier GSX-R1000 flagship sport bikes (like Dave) but has since been replaced in that role by higher revving engines. The engine has since been pressed into other duties, such as the sport-touring GSX-S1000GT+, and its tractable power makes it a popular choice for anything short of professional racing.

The differences between the GSX-10R and GSX-10RS are a few accessories, basically: a solo seat cowl and different graphics. Suzuki may have enhanced the value proposition by using its old engine, but didn't skimp on other features. The GSX-10R comes with Suzuki's updated traction control system that includes slide control and a "brake hold control" system that works not just on inclines, but also on level ground or downslopes. Other features include fully adjustable suspension, a bi-directional quickshifter, an electronically controlled steering damper, and cruise control.

If Suzuki delivers the GSX-10R at an attractive price, as promised, it could resemble a modern incarnation of our own overachieving Dave the Gixxer, right down to the same 999 cc beating heart.

2027 Suzuki SV-7S		2027 Suzuki GSX-10R
Price (MSRP)	TBA	TBA
Engine	645 cc, liquid-cooled, eight-valve, V-twin	999 cc, liquid-cooled, 16-valve, inline four
Transmission, final drive	Six-speed, chain	Six-speed, chain
Claimed horsepower	72.4 @ 8,500 rpm	NA
Claimed torque	47.2 foot-pounds @ 6,800 rpm	NA
Frame	Steel trellis	Aluminum twin-spar
Front suspension	41 mm fork; 4.9 inches of travel	43 mm KYB fork adjustable for spring preload and compression and rebound damping
Rear suspension	Monoshock, adjustable for spring preload; 5.1 inches of travel	Single shock adjustable for preload and damping
Front brake	Dual Tokico four-piston calipers, 290 mm discs with ABS	Dual Brembo four-piston radially mounted calipers with ABS
Rear brake	Nissin single-piston caliper, 240 mm disc with ABS	Nissin single-piston caliper with ABS
Wheelbase	56.9 inches	57.2 inches
Seat height	30.9 inches	31.8 inches
Fuel capacity	3.7 gallons	4.7 gallons
Tires	Dunlop Roadsmart III, 120/70ZR17 front, 160/60ZR17 rear	Bridgestone Battlax Hypersport S23, 120/70ZR17 front, 190/55ZR17 rear
Claimed weight	441 pounds	471 pounds
Available	TBA	TBA
Warranty	12 months	12 months
More info	suzukicycles.com	suzukicycles.com