JHS Racing: Tuners & innovators of the Suzuki SV650
At the heart of JHS there remains a special place for Suzuki’s brilliant V-twins: the SV650 and SV1000, as well as their predecessor the TL1000.
First appearing in 1999, and then re-styled from 2003 with the addition of fuel injection and adjustable fork preload. Along the way there’s also been the SFV650 (Gladius) and the same motor is used in Suzuki’s V-Strom adventure bike. During the SV650’s long model life it garnered much critical acclaim from the motorcycle press and many satisfied owners. And with the SV650 still in production, and so many still in circulation, it’s likely to remain a popular used-bike budget choice for some time yet.
Offering light, responsive handling, and a strong spread of usable torque from a beautifully balanced engine, the SV650 remains a superb road and track tool.
In 2003 it was joined by the SV1000 – essentially the same idea, but delivering strong, linear drive from its 998cc powerplant – a slightly de-tuned version of the notorious TL1000 motor. Although the SV1000 ceased production some years ago the engine lives on in the V-Strom 1000.
In its stock form the SV offers a great package, but its low purchase price is achieved with certain budget components – notably its suspension. However, the stock bike is easily upgraded and JHS provide a range of performance enhancing modifications that really sharpen it up.
JHS Racing’s owner James Holland discusses the appeal and potential of the Suzuki SV650, and how it became the platform for the successful MiniTwin racer, with motorcycle journalist Chris Moss.
Race bike platform
The SV has a well-deserved reputation as an excellent track-day and privateer racing bike. We ourselves race (and consistently win) with our fully race-prepared SVs in the Supertwins / MiniTwins race series. In 2011 we built the Supertwin machine that Dave Moffitt took to victory in the Manx GP. We’re the trusted suppliers of full race specification Suzuki SV650s and SV1000s to many successful motorcycle racers.
Road & race enhancements
But we’re not exclusively focused on motorcycle racing. We provide a number of road performance tuning options for the Suzuki SV V-twin, ranging from fuel & exhaust enhancements to the standard engine through to 750cc and 800cc big bore kits.
We also offer improvements to brakes and suspension (front fork, rear shock absorber and swinging arm upgrades), and we can perform the rear suspension linkage modification that lowers the seat height of the SV650 without affecting its handling.
To answer one frequently asked question: we recommend that the best replacement tyres for the Suzuki SV650 are the Dunlop Sportmax range. We use these on our own racing machines and have found them to deliver exceptional levels of grip and predictable control, very well suited to the SV’s handling characteristics.
For Suzuki SV650 and SV1000 servicing, maintenance, parts and accessories contact JHS first. Friendly, helpful, professional and committed to satisfying every one of our customers, we promise you won’t be disappointed.