Suzuki SV650 1st Gen (1999-2002) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Suzuki SV650 1st Gen, and also for the 1st gen Suzuki SV650S (the same bike with a bikini fairing). These bikes are affectionately known as the “Curvy” because of their more rounded styling vs the 2nd gen.

The Suzuki SV650 and SV650S variants were made from 1999-2002. They were mid-range motorcycles with a naked, exposed trellis frame (or a small bikini fairing), a 645cc water-cooled carburettor-fed V-twin engine, and minimal tech, all sold at an attractive price.

Basically the Suzuki SV650 and SV650S were considered to be the affordable alternative to the Ducati Monster. Although the SV650S, with its clip-on handlebars and bikini fairing, was more of an alternative to the Ducati Supersport 900 of the time.

The 1st gen Suzuki SV650 and SV650S was carburettor fed and had rounder styling than its replacement, the 2nd gen fuel-injected Suzuki SV650 in 2003.

This site has links for things like oil and spark plugs from which we earn a commission (which unfortunately nobody can save, not even us). If you appreciate this work, then please use those links. Thanks!

What you need to service your 1st Gen Suzuki SV650

Servicing your SV650 is relatively easy as it’s naked (or nearly naked), and based on a carburettor-fed V-twin engine. You need basic motorcycle maintenance tools, as well as the following consumable parts.

Part	Suzuki SV650 1st gen spec
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, so you can also use Motul 5100 10W-40.
Oil filter	Use a Hiflofiltro HF138, which is a drop-in high-quality replacement.
Air filter	Use a K&N air filter as a drop-in replacement, part number SU-6599.
Spark plugs	The standard spark plug is NGK CR8E. Should be gapped to 0.7-0.8mm (use a gapping tool).
Brake fluid/Clutch fluid	Suzuki (like most motorcycles) requires DOT 4 brake and clutch fluid.
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.
Brake pads	EBC double hardened brake pads are an excellent (and affordable) upgrade over stock. You need: FA229HH (front left), FA231HH (front right), and FA63HH (rear).

Suzuki SV650 1st Gen Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Suzuki SV650 1st Gen.

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.

mi x 1000	4	7.5	11	15
km x 1000	6	12	18	24
Months	6	12	18	24	Every
Engine oil (Motul 5100 10W-40)	R	R	R	R
Engine oil filter (HF138)	–	–	R	–
Air cleaner element (SU-6599)	I	I	R	I
Spark plugs (NGK CR8E)	I	R	I	R
Valve (tappet) clearances	–	–	–	I
Fuel line	I	I	I	I	Replace every 4 years
Idle speed	I	I	I	I
Throttle cable play	I	I	I	I
Carburetor synchronization	–	I	–	I
Engine coolant (Ethylene glycol-based coolant)					Replace every 2 years
Radiator hose	I	I	I	I
Clutch cable play	I	I	I	I
Brakes	I	I	I	I
Brake hoses	I	I	I	I	Replace every 4 years
Brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4)	I	I	I	I	Replace every 2 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
PAIR (air supply) system (if fitted)	–	I	–	I
Evaporative emission control system (if fitted)	–	I	–	I	Replace vapor hose every 4 years
Exhaust pipe bolts and muffler bolts	–	T	–	T

Maintaining your Chain on your Suzuki SV650 1st gen

Maintain your chain 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 tension and lubrication	Ride (pre-ride check)
Clean and lubricate chain	1000 km / 600 miles
Inspect drive chain condition for damage	Service (3500 miles / 6000 km)

Damage includes loose pins, damaged rollers, dry or rusted links, kinked or binding links, excessive wear, and improper adjustment.

Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Suzuki SV650 1st Gen

The manual for the 1st gen Suzuki SV650 specifies these tyre sizes, brand (though others are available these days), and these tyre pressures.

Tyre	Size	Brand(s)	Tyre pressure
Front	120/60 ZR17 55W	METZELER MEZ4 Front	225 kPa / 2.25 kPa / 33 psi
Rear	160/60 ZR17 69W	METZELER MEZ4	250 kPa / 2.50 bar / 36 psi

About the Suzuki SV650 1st Gen

Suzuki introduced the SV650 in 1999 as a budget entry in the emerging naked bike market — and it has been a winner ever since.

The first gen Suzuki SV650 was a minimal bike, with basic suspension and a simple engine, but it had just enough poke to be fun for a lot of riders. It’s still a favourite as a fixer-upper or a great first bike for people learning to ride (in the USA where there are no first bike power or weight restrictions). Riders of the SV pick it up as a first bike and then wonder why they ever have to upgrade.

The combination of light weight, rigid chassis, strong handling, and the small-ish V-twin’s strong mid-range torque is appealing to beginner and experienced riders alike. The SV650 immediately became popular, but American buyers wanted the sportier ‘S’ version that featured lower handlebars, higher foot pegs and a bikini fairing and windscreen, available only in the European and Canadian markets. American magazines ran articles describing how to import it into the United States. So 2000, Suzuki began importing the SV650S to the USA.

The first-gen Suzuki SV650 is powered by fundamentally the same platform as later gen SV650 bikes. The engine is a 645 cc liquid-cooled V-twin with an 11.5:1 compression ratio. It’s fed by 2 x Mikuni BDSR39 carburettors, and makes peak power of 53 kW / 72 hp at 9000 rpm.

The SV650 is, like other middleweight twins, focused on mid-range power rather than top-end grunt. So it can keep up with a GSX-R at up to freeway speeds, but beyond that, the four-cylinder bikes pull away.

But even so, the SV650 was (and is) relatively cheap, to the point where it became popular as a casual racer. It began dominating the “lightweight twins” racing class, beating bikes like the Ninja 500R and Honda NT650 which previously used to dominate it.

The suspension is the only let-down in a budget bike, but that’s to be expected. People often upgrade the fork on an SV650 either with cartridge emulators or suspension from a higher-spec bike, like the GSX-R600.

The SV650 has sold so well that it has been modified and re-sold in subsequent generations for decades now, culminating in the SV650X that’s being sold today.

Manual for the Suzuki SV650 1st Gen

The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Suzuki SV650 1st Gen, also corroborating with the service manual.

You can download it from here.