Motorcycle Starter Motors and Relays for the Suzuki SV650
The Suzuki SV650 is a street motorcycle featuring a mid-sized V-twin engine. It was produced between 1999 and 2012 and then reintroduced in 2016. If the starter motor in your Suzuki SV650 bike starts to fail or no longer meets your desired performance level, then you may need to replace it.
How does the starter on the Suzuki work?The starter, also known as a starter motor or self-starter, is essentially just an electrical motor that sets the engine in motion under its own power. When you turn the key in your SV650 bikes ignition switch, the pinion on the starter engages with the pinion on the flywheel of the engine. The starter then rotates the engine to start the internal combustion process that powers your bike. The starter relay, also known as a starter solenoid, is the part of the starter motor that receives the electrical current from the battery and then forces the starter pinion to mesh with the engine. Once the engine is started, it relies on inertia to stay in motion.
What are the signs of a bad starter?You may see problems with your bikes engine when the starter wears down or experiences electrical problems. For example, smoke or grinding sounds may emanate from the motor when you try to start it. One clear sign is that the starter wont spin the motor or turn the engine over. You may need to replace individual parts such as the motor and relay. Or if the problem is bad enough, then the entire starter may need to be replaced.
What should you consider when purchasing a new starter?First, you want to determine how much performance you want from your Suzuki bike. If you are simply attempting to replace the original factory-made motor or relay, then you should follow the recommendations of your original equipment manufacturer. The OEM recommendation will not only ensure that the new part is compatible with your motorcycle, but it should offer approximately the same performance as the original part.
If you want to modify the performance of your bike, however, then the choice of starters becomes more complicated. High-torque and high-performance aftermarket starters can exceed the OEM specifications and endure more stressful conditions. The power of the motor is measured in kilowatt hours, although more kilowatt hours arent necessarily better. Consider the power of the starter in the context of the entire engine. Your engine may only benefit from a high-performance starter if it already has a high compression ratio. Otherwise, the extra power of the starter might be wasted. Also consider its compatibility. Starters are only designed to work with certain vehicles. Before purchasing a replacement part, you should check to make sure that the new starter is compatible with the correct make, model, and year of your bike.