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Suzuki’s 2017 SV650 debuts to rave reviews

Standard bike segment expected to grow

A highly anticipated addition to Suzuki’s street bike lineup, the 2017 SV650 is now shipping to Suzuki Motor of America Inc. dealers nationwide, at the same time it’s receiving praise from motojournalists who’ve tested the V-twin street bike.

“The 2017 Suzuki SV650 is simply a great all-around bike,” said Rider magazine, a Powersports Business sister publication.

Suzuki is eager to get this motorcycle in front of consumers — especially considering the starting retail price of $6,999.

Added to SMAI’s standard bike segment, SV650 sales are expected to be robust. This class of street bikes, including the new GSX-S1000 models, leads the sales trend for Suzuki dealers, with strong growth year over year. Suzuki RM-Z and RM motocross models also remain strong sellers, with year-over-year gains of 30 percent. Sales of Suzuki’s youth off-road motorcycles — the DR-Z70 and DR-Z125 — are also growing.

Many Suzuki motorcycles and ATVs show solid year-over-year sales performance, with sales of KingQuad 400FSi and KingQuad 500AXi Camo models ahead for the year to date. Street motorcycles and scooters, such as the Boulevard M50 and M90 models, plus the adventure-ready V-Strom 650XT ABS and Burgman 650 ABS Executive scooter, are performing well at retail. Overall retail sales for May, however, were off for Suzuki, but in line with other indicators showing a slowing of the broader U.S. economy and vehicle sales specifically.

The 2017 Suzuki SV650 and its $6,999 MSRP is expected to provide a significant sales boost for dealers.
The 2017 Suzuki SV650 and its $6,999 MSRP is expected to provide a significant sales boost for dealers.

For the month of June, Suzuki is increasing its schedule of demo-ride activities, both at Suzuki dealer events and at rallies and races. Suzuki is eager to let licensed motorcyclists ride a wide range of models, including the new SV650 and SV650 ABS.

Curious shoppers will also find that Suzuki dealers offer industry-leading retail financing, such as SMAI’s “Get Excited about Zero Percent Financing” campaign that offers qualified buyers full-term 0-percent APR financing for 60 months or cash back. (APR of 0 percent for qualified buyers. Monthly payments required. Valid on amount financed of $5,000 or more of select new untitled Suzuki powersports models made between April 1 and June 30 on installment loan by Synchrony or Sheffield. Model and year exclusions apply.)

To better connect Suzuki employees at its Brea, Calif., headquarters with the company’s involvement in racing, SMAI held the Suzuki T.E.A.M. Day on May 25, with a lunch and game-filled event where staff got to meet the racers, see the race bikes and tour the race team rigs.

Suzuki roadrace teams are also full-speed ahead with their MotoAmerica race season. Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing team riders Toni Elias and Roger Hayden are in a close contest for the championship at the season’s halfway point. June started off strong with M4 SportbikeTrackGear.com Suzuki’s Valentin Debise winning a thrilling Supersport Race 2 at Elkhart Lake’s picturesque Road America track on his GSX-R600.

The summer motocross racing season is shifting into high gear, and Suzuki has an increased presence at the motocross tracks this summer. RCH Racing’s Ken Roczen has consistently put his RM-Z450 on the top of the box to start the summer, taking five of the first six moto wins so far this season, including an overall victory at the recent round in Colorado, and he currently leads the championship. The Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing team is suffering from injuries early in the season, giving 250 rider Matt Bisceglia an opportunity to fill in at the Colorado MX round where he carded an eighth overall in his first outing on the RM-Z450.

With the motocross field filled with Suzuki riders from the Motorcycle Superstore team, TPJ Fly Racing Suzuki team, MAD Racing team, RCH team and Yoshimura Suzuki Factory Racing team, there are more RM-Z450 and RM-Z250 race bikes on starting lines this year than ever before.

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