By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Triumph Trident 660 (MY2025) vs Suzuki SV650 (WCX0)
Triumph Trident 660 vs Suzuki SV650: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
Tip the Triumph Trident 660 into a gap in traffic and its nose darts in before you've finished the thought. The Suzuki SV650's narrow bars don't fight you for the gap.
So which one do you buy?
The Trident 660 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Inches ahead: Trident 660
On the way to work, the Trident 660 asks a little less of you. The difference is friendlier manners. Close enough that the test ride should settle it.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Edges it: Trident 660
On a winding road, the Trident 660 comes out a touch ahead. Most of that is more feel through the bars. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Nose ahead: Trident 660
For your first season, the Trident 660 makes slightly more sense. Fit and confidence at a standstill still come first.
What makes each one tick
Trident 660
Light on its feet, the Trident's quick to drop into a bend off a small push on the bar. On the Bay Area Ridge Roads, its triple builds pull in one even line from low revs, and it doesn't snatch at the chain.
SV650
The SV650's V-twin digs in low in the revs, and there's a bark from the exhaust behind every roll of the throttle. The brake lever doesn't fade on a circuit.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The SV650 has the lower seat: 30.9 in (785 mm) vs 31.7 in (805 mm).
- The Trident 660 has the lower wet weight: 419 lb (190 kg) vs 434 lb (197 kg).
- The Trident 660 makes more peak power: 80 hp (60 kW) vs 76 hp (56 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
For all-day comfort, both fall short. Keep the rides short and you'll get on fine with either.
Call it even on running costs. Choose on fit, price and the one that makes you grin.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Trident 660
What owners say
Strengths
- Lightweight and nimble handling
- Smooth and forgiving power delivery
SV650
Strengths
- Brakes hold up well on the circuit
- Low seat makes it friendly for newer riders
- Narrow bars suit traffic fine
- Track-day grin machine despite modest output
- Characterful and Refined V-Twin Engine
Trade-offs
- Chassis feels a bit mushy at track pace
- Exhaust cover touches down early
- Gets passed on track, power is the limit
- Basic Suspension Limits Sporting Pretensions
Known problems to check before you buy
Trident 660
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
SV650
- Front spark plug well corrosion Water running off the front cylinder head can block the drain hole and corrode the front spark plug/coil, especially after riding in rain. Fitting a longer front mudguard helps.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Torque
- 47 lb-ft (64 Nm)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Trident 660 | SV650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.7 in (805 mm) | 30.9 in (785 mm) |
| Wet weight | 419 lb (190 kg) | 434 lb (197 kg) |
| Trident 660 | SV650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 660 cc | 645 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three | 90° V-twin |
| Power | 80 hp (60 kW) | 76 hp (56 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,250 rpm | 8,500 rpm |
| Peak torque at | 6,250 rpm | 8,100 rpm |
| Trident 660 | SV650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.7 US gal (14 L) | 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) |
| Trident 660 | SV650 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 310 mm | 290 mm |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 160/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 55.2 in (1401 mm) | 56.9 in (1445 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Trident 660 | SV650 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Standard | Option |
| Traction Control | Standard | Not offered |
| Ride Modes | Standard | Not offered |
| Quickshifter | Standard | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
| TFT Display | Standard | Not offered |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Standard | Not offered |
| USB Charging Port | Option | Not offered |
| LED Headlight | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
