Suzuki SV650

The 2017 SV650 shares a huge amount with the 1999 SV650. The latest 645cc V-twin hasn’t really changed significantly, though today it’s cleaner (with fuel injection rather than carbs) and more powerful (75bhp rather than 69bhp). The frame remains a trellis design, though that’s where the similarity ends – the original was made from aluminium, but the current bike uses heavier steel. Much else is similar in spec, if not identical – in fact, the two bikes share the exact same front brake calipers.

The original SV gained sharper styling in 2003, then became the curvy Gladius in 2009. Its soft, slightly confused image meant it wasn’t a big seller, so last year Suzuki stripped the bulbous styling back and reverted its name to the original SV moniker.

The SV is available with an optional ‘Café Sport’ pack (£749) which adds various styling parts, including the colour-matched flyscreen, side panels, wheel stickers and ribbed seat on the bike you see here.