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5 Custom Adventure Bikes Built By “Real People”

These impressive bike builds will inspire you to start your next project.

Published on 02.12.2014

3. Suzuki SV650 Frankenbike

The SV650 was designed to be a budget sport bike and became one of Suzuki’s most popular models. Beginner riders loved the SV650 for it’s smooth power and ease of operation. Experts found it to be a capable tool for backroads and track days. At the heart of this bike is a 650cc V-Twin that produces a reliable 72 hp. The SV650 packs enough power to propel it to an 11 second quarter mile and a top speed of 129 mph. There is no doubt that the SV is a versatile bike, but it was never designed for off-road travel.

Some SV owners have felt their bikes would make excellent Adventure Bikes with a few modifications and part swaps. An impressive example of one of these custom SV650 Adventure Bikes was built by Russell Smith of Kansas. His SV650 started out as a salvage yard bike before Russ applied his creative genius to it. With donor parts from several different bike models, it’s surprising it turned out to be such an attractive looking motorcycle. Russ performed many of his own fabrications to the bike for the foot controls, under seat tank and carbon fiber bodywork.


SV650 Adventure Bike

The SV650 donor parts list includes DRZ400S forks, GSXR1000 triple clamps, GSXR rear shock, KTM Supermoto front fender and CRF450 footpegs. (photo courtesy Photobucket/RussS_)

The custom carbon fiber dual headlight cowl design was inspired by the Buel Ulysses. (photo courtesy Photobucket/RussS_)

Russ fabricated his own under seat fuel tank that holds 6.9 gallons and weighs just 7 lbs. A big improvement over the original 14 lb. 4.5 gallon tank. The custom carbon fiber dual headlight cowl design was inspired by the Buel Ulysses. (photo courtesy Photobucket/RussS_)

You can get more details about this ongoing bike build on the ADVRider Forum.


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Author: Rob Dabney
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Tom in Salem
Tom in Salem
February 13, 2014 4:14 pm

I did something similar with my Husky TE630–Safari Tank, hard bags, small windshield, rack, guards–some say I took a perfectly good dirt bike and turned it into a KLR…..Tom in Salem

Ed Flanagan
Ed Flanagan
January 8, 2022 7:56 am
Reply to  Tom in Salem

TE630 is considered by many(and me) the best of the singles .

sam
sam
February 21, 2014 3:28 am

I give to you the ultimate adv bike! (slightly biased as it is mine 🙂 )
http://www.chasinghorizons.co.uk

Philip Barrett
Philip Barrett
September 11, 2014 12:57 pm

The SV650 is a nice custom but about as unsuited for adventure riding as a Goldwing. It would be a short race to see if the oil cooler or the radiator got destroyed first. Luckily the lack of luggage capability would not leave you far to push it home.

Spencer Long
Spencer Long
December 30, 2014 6:22 am
Reply to  Philip Barrett

Or the exhaust…
Suzuki made the V-strom for this purpose, so modding an SV650 into an adventure bike is a waste of time, effort, and money. Kudos to that guy for the fabrication skills though.

lunchemily
lunchemily
September 11, 2014 6:03 pm

you missed this one haha http://oztoice.wordpress.com/emily-2/

Vik
Vik
March 28, 2015 3:07 pm

KLR is a great ADV bike. Who needs to reach 100mph with a fully loaded bike on unknown far flung roads with limited medical support?

C K
C K
April 14, 2017 7:33 pm

Suzuki DR650 is the best platform to start with. You can build a really cool bike that is bullet-proof and nearly 100 lbs lighter then the FS800 or similar bikes. Capable of going anywhere a motorcycle can travel, narrower, very dirt capable with upgraded suspension, tons of after-market parts available. Much more maneuverable then an Africa Twin, GS or even KTM due to the lighter weight and smaller profile.

trackback
2006 DL650 Naked Weight Loss with numbers ! - Stromtrooper Forum : Suzuki V-Strom Motorcycle Forums
December 19, 2018 5:46 am

[…] travel. For some inspiration google sv650 enduro and hit images. The search SV650 Frankenbike. 5 Custom Adventure Bikes Built By "Real People" The above are all easily do-able, this one would be really cool, but a lot of custom parts […]

Michael Burns
Michael Burns
June 4, 2019 8:35 pm

I’m taking an SV650 down the Adventure build trail too and would sure like to see how Russ fabbed-up the underseat tank. That is just a fabulous idea!!

Ed Flanagan
Ed Flanagan
July 12, 2022 6:26 pm

Where can I find more info ,building slooowly my own!

XR-Rider
XR-Rider
August 1, 2022 12:14 am

Did modify my XR650R to electric start and desert race / adventure bike.
Great bike with so mich power and reliabilty.

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