Suzuki Gladius / SFV650 Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Suzuki Gladius, also known as the Suzuki SFV650.
The Suzuki Gladius / SFV650 is a naked motorcycle introduced by Suzuki for the 2009 model year with the intention of it being a replacement for the SV650. In most countries, the SV650S was sold alongside the Gladius until 2014.
The Suzuki Gladius SFV650 features a new more modern looking design with a tubular trellis style frame more similar to the first generation SV650 and an upgraded engine in an effort to increase fuel economy, lower the emissions and increase peak power and low to mid-range torque. Suzuki also lowered the seat height by 15mm (a bit more than half an inch).
The Suzuki Gladius SFV650 never really took off. Fans of the earlier SV650s didn’t like its rounder styling, and the name Gladius never helped (people think it sounded like “Gladys”). Which is unfortunate, because it’s an excellent bike, and is technically almost identical to the third-generation SV650 that replaced it in 2016.
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Suzuki SFV650 Gladius Service Intervals
Overall, the Suzuki SFV650 Gladius has 3400 mile / 6000 km or 6-monthly service intervals. At every service, change the oil, and do a once-over check of the motorcycle for leaks, parts that need lubrication, and the condition of cables and pipes.
Every 7500 miles / 12000 km, change the spark plugs, and inspect/adjust the valve clearances every 14500 miles or 24000 km.
Be sure to regularly change the coolant and brake fluid (every two years for both), and regularly maintain the chain, adjusting its tension and keeping it lubricated.
What you need to maintain your Suzuki SFV650 Gladius
If you’re going to do work on your SFV650, you’ll need some basic motorcycle maintenance tools. But apart from that you’ll also need a few other extra things.
| Part | Suzuki SFV650 Gladius |
|---|---|
| Oil | Suzuki requires engine oil with JASO MA spec, or at least API SF/SG or SH/SJ spec. Many oils fit this. Suzuki recommends SAE 10W-40 weight Suzuki motor oil, but I wouldn’t over-think this, and use another popular high-grade oil like Motul 5100. |
| Oil filter | Use a Hiflofiltro HF138RC, which is a drop-in high-quality replacement. |
| Air filter | Use a K&N air filter as a drop-in replacement, part number SU-6509. |
| Spark plugs | The standard spark plug is NGK CR8EIA-9. |
| Brake fluid/Clutch fluid | Suzuki (like most motorcycles) requires DOT 4 brake and clutch fluid. |
| Brake pads | A popular drop-in upgrade (that’s cheap) is to use EBC double hardened brake pads. You need FA229HH and FA231HH up front, and FA496HH at the rear. |
| Coolant | Suzuki only requires a coolant that’s “compatible with an aluminium radiator”. Most motorcycle coolants are, and so a Valvoline Zerex G05 is a fine option. |
| Chain maintenance | Use either Motul chain paste or a complete Motul chain care kit for frequent chain servicing. |
| Grease | Always handy to have some lithium soap-based grease for external pivot points, like the kickstand. |
Suzuki Gladius SFV650 Maintenance Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Suzuki Gladius SFV650.
NOTES:
- Interval: This interval should be judged by odometer reading or number of months, whichever comes first.
- I= Inspect and clean, adjust, replace or lubricate as necessary, R= Replace, T= Tighten
- If you use the motorcycle under severe conditions, you may have to service it more frequently.
- The break-in schedule is no longer shown.
- The schedule has been re-organised to make it easier to follow.
| mi x 1000 | 4 | 7.5 | 11 | 14.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | |
| months | 6 | 12 | 18 | 24 | |
| Engine oil (Motul 5100 10W-40) | R | R | R | R | |
| Engine oil filter (HF138RC) | – | – | R | – | |
| Air cleaner element (SU-6509) | I | I | R | I | |
| Valve clearance | – | – | – | I | |
| Spark plugs (CR8EIA-9) | I | R | I | R | |
| Engine coolant (Zerex G05) | Replace every 2 years | ||||
| Exhaust pipe bolts and muffler bolts | – | T | – | T | |
| Fuel line | I | I | I | I | |
| Evaporative emission control system (if fitted) | – | I | – | I | |
| Throttle cable play | I | I | I | I | |
| Throttle valve synchronization | – | I | – | I | |
| Radiator hose | I | I | I | I | |
| Clutch cable play | I | I | I | I | |
| Brakes | I | I | I | I | |
| Brake fluid (DOT 4) | I | I | I | I | Replace every 2 years |
| Brake hose | I | I | I | I | Replace every 4 years |
| Tires | I | I | I | I | |
| Steering | – | I | – | I | |
| Front forks | – | I | – | I | |
| Rear suspension | – | I | – | I | |
| Chassis bolts and nuts | T | T | T | T |
Maintaining your Chain on your Suzuki Gladius / SFV650
Maintain the chain on your Gladius / SFV650 regularly. Either use a good-quality (and affordable) chain lube like Motul Chain Paste, or use a full on Motul Chain Care Kit to clean and restore a chain.
Suzuki recommends that you maintain your chain regularly according to the following schedule.
| Chain maintenance item | Every |
|---|---|
| Check chain * Correct tension / slack (20-30mm / 0.8-1.2 in at loosest point) * Adequate lubrication * No excessive wear / damage* | Ride (pre-ride check) |
| Clean and lubricate chain | 1000 km / 600 miles |
* Damage includes loose pins, damaged rollers, dry or rusted links, kinked or binding links, excessive wear, and improper adjustment.
To adjust the chain slack on the SFV650, follow the procedure below. Make sure that the motorcycle is on a level surface on its kickstand, in neutral, with no weight on it (no saddlebags / luggage).
- Loosen the rear axle using a breaker bar.
- Turn the adjuster nuts to tighten (or loosen) the chain. Keep checking the chain tension to see if it has come within spec. (Target chain slack for the SFV650: 20-30 mm)
- Keep an eye on the adjuster reference marks on either side of the axle. Make sure that the adjustment is to the same point.
- When you’re done, tighten the axle to 100 Nm / 73 lb-ft.
- Re-check the chain slack again to make sure it’s still within spec.
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Suzuki Gladius SFV650
The manual for the Suzuki SVF650 specifies the following tyre sizes and pressures, and includes these tyre brands.
| Tyre | Size | Brand(s) | Tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70 ZR17 58W | DUNLOP: Qualifier J | 225 kPa / 2.25 bar / 33 psi |
| Rear | 160/60 ZR17 69W | DUNLOP: Qualifier J | 250 kPa / 2.50 bar / 36 psi |
About the Suzuki Gladius SFV650
The Suzuki SFV650 Gladius was an update to the SV650 in 2009 that was a better bike in most ways — other than aesthetically.
It’s the same basic concept of a bike as the Suzuki SV650. A lightweight fuel-injected 90-degree V-twin engine in a naked chassis and an exposed trellis frame. Power output is modest, at 53 kW / 72 hp at 9000 rpm, meaning it’s good for new riders, and well-equipped for slaying city traffic.
The exposed trellis frame, stylish five-spoke aluminium alloy wheels, and upswept exhaust system all mean that the Gladius SFV650 is pretty nice to look at. Unfortunately, critics didn’t really appreciate the rounder design — even though it hawked a lot of the design of the Ducati Monster of the day (particularly the Ducati Monster 696).
The SFV650 also came with some great features to improve ride quality, including
- An automatic Idle Speed Control (ISC) system integrated into each throttle body, giving a stable idle, improving cold starting, and reducing emissions
- 10-hole fuel injectors in the 39mm throttle bodies, improving combustion efficiency
- Suzuki Composite Electrochemical Material (SCEM) internal liner reducing friction and improves heat transfer, durability and ring seal.
- New single valve springs reduce inertia weight and mechanical losses while maintaining accurate valve control.
- Dual spark plugs cylinder heads with iridium spark plugs to reduce spark plug electrode degradation allow for a hotter spark and better combustion
The new Gladius engine is more efficient, revs quicker, and has more mid-range pull than the 2nd gen SV650.
From 2009 to 2012 the Suzuki motorcycle was just named Gladius, and then from 2013-2015 it was named an SFV650. This was to help it drop the “Gladius” naming scheme, along with the more garish paint schemes.
After the 2015 model year, the SFV650 was replaced by the much more successful 3rd gen Suzuki SV650.
Manual for the Suzuki Gladius SFV650
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Suzuki Gladius SFV650, with some input from the service manual.
You can download Suzuki motorcycle manuals from here.
