MILAN SHOW: Suzuki strip SV650 naked

The SV has been a mainstay of the mid-market since the end of the 1990s, and a recent resurgence in popularity of the half-faired SV650S has clearly given Suzuki the impetus to reintroduce the naked version first launched in 1999.

• Related: 2016 Suzuki SV650 review on MCN

That bike received on angular update, and was then effectively killed off by the ill-fated SFV650 Gladius failure. Repaying the favour, the SFV is now dead, and it’s all about the SV650 again.

2016 SV650 highlights

• 140 updates to engine and chassis
• 71bhp | 47.2ftlb | 197kg
• 73.5mpg fuel consumption

Boasting a claimed 140 parts and component changes, with 60 of those being centred inside the 645cc DOHC 90° V-twin, resulting in more power (71bhp), Euro4 compliance, and an impressive (claimed) 73.5mpg. The whole bike has also shed a pretty impressive 8kg over its predecessor, and gets ‘low rpm assist’ to help newbies, town-dwellers, and the inept to pull away without stalling. It also features Suzuki’s ‘Easy Start’ system, which requires just one press of the start button, and it’ll start for you. The seat height is a fairly workable, and narrow, 785mm – while it also gets a superbly neat new all-digital dash.

While it’s bound to be a cracking little middleweight – the old bike was a peach, and this one’s been improved – it’s a shame that it looks like a 16-year-old machine. Even more odd is that the SV650S will continue to be sold, but with none of the naked’s technical updates or weight savings. Hopefully they’ll graft the fairing onto the naked for 2017.

Prices are yet to be confirmed, but we expect it to arrive at around £5199.