Suzuki SV650S returns

After a brief absence, the SV650S is returning to Suzuki GB’s line-up. Priced at £4,999 on the road, it seems rather a bargain - so much so that maybe Suzuki has shot itself in the foot.

That’s because spending an extra £725 on an SV650 Sport, which is the same bike except for its pillion seat cover and fairing lowers, just got much harder to justify. The S even manages to be cheaper than the similarly-engined naked Gladius, which costs £5,274 OTR.

Of course list price and actual price are two very different things. For example, there’s currently a Scottish dealer offering the Sport at £4,595, but that could be an indication that Suzuki dealers are very willing to haggle right now.

The all-rounder middleweight / ‘first big bike’ market is very crowded, with well-established models such as the Kawasaki ER-6f, Yamaha XJ6 and Honda CBF600, as well as less obvious choices such as the Ducati Monster 696 or Aprilia Shiver 750. Nevertheless, the SV650S should be able to poach sales from its competitors on price alone.

The one thing the SV650S doesn’t offer is a colour choice. It’s only available in white, with a blue racing stripe through the middle of the fairing that is carried across along the top of the tank.