Weirdo of the year

it feels. Likewise, the harder you work the brakes, the better they become.

It applies in the owning experience, too: as standard the SP comes with too-stiff suspension settings, but taking the time to apply the manual’s ‘soft’ settings makes a huge difference for road users, adding manners and stability. The same goes for careful tyre choice — replacing the poor OE tyres can make a huge difference to riding. Our favourite is Michelin’s Power RS.

4 It somehow works for everyone

The SP somehow bridges the gap between just-passed novices and gnarly trackday experts and satisfies everyone in between. Combining a low-enough seat for any rider with enough mass to make it feel like a ‘big’ bike (more substantial than its KTM or Triumph rivals) means universal appeal.

5 It’ll do anything

In the past six months I’ve done 6000 miles on an SP and that time included hot, glorious B-road riding, commuting through endless tailbacks on the A1(M), three fastgroup trackdays and the Peterboroughland’s End-john o’groats-peterborough monster trek in two days.

Despite the diverse demands, the bike never felt out of its depth, aside from a sore neck over very long journeys (it’s a naked). You can throw anything at it and you know it’ll always deliver what you ask, but never demand more than you’re prepared to give: the hallmark of a great motorcycle.