2026 Suzuki SV-7GX Motorcycle Road Test Review

Sometimes the most impressive new bikes are the most expensive and sophisticated, but are simple, straightforward and affordable – and that’s exactly the case with Suzuki’s new-for-2026 SV-7GX.

It’s a new, middleweight, sports-tourer cum all-rounder that’s in the same mould as Yamaha’s hugely successful Tracer 7 but is based on Suzuki’s hugely popular and successful (if aging) SV650 V-twin roadster.

With updated mechanicals, a proven, versatile and characterful engine, a new, more upright riding position and fairing, and updated equipment including a TFT dash and riding modes all for a price starting at under £7K, it ticks a lot of boxes.

We took a half-day ride on the new bike, as loaned by Suzuki UK’s press department, around Buckinghamshire to see how well it delivers…

Considering the SV650 on which it’s based dates all the way back to 1999, the new SV-7GX has been a long time coming. That bike, in roadster and half-faired sports-tourer form, proved a big hit for its affordability, versatility and fun riding experience, with the star being its 645cc 90-degree V-twin that was invigorating, flexible and characterful. That popularity resulted in repeated updates, including fuel injection and an aluminium frame in 2004, then a restyled revival in 2016, plus spin-off models such as the V-Strom 650.

But although old, the affordable, endearing SV has never become obsolete. This new SV-7GX gives the 645cc motor another lease of life, adds the latest electronics and is packaged in an upright sports-tourer or tall-rounder chassis (it’s positioned as the little brother to Suzuki’s GSX-S1000GX, hence the slightly clumsy name) which, thanks to the likes of Yamaha’s Tracer 7 and Triumph’s Tiger Sport 660, is currently hugely popular.

The result looks good, has a proven, competitive motor and chassis, has just the right levels of equipment, should be hugely versatile and practical, and, best of all, undercuts those others on price, too.

This is the crux of the new Suzuki’s appeal, almost irrespective of its ability. In the past, the Japanese marque’s new middleweights have seemed a little on the pricey side, with its GSX-8S coming to mind for being significantly more than Honda’s similar rival, the CB750 Hornet. 

Thankfully, that’s not the case here. At launch, the new SV-7GX starts at just £6,999. That compares very favourably not just to Yamaha’s £8908 Tracer 7 but also Triumph’s £9,295 Tiger Sport 660. Admittedly, that £6,999 only gets you the plain white version, with the other three colourways costing £400 more, but it’s still very temptingly priced, whichever way you look at it.

Like all current Suzukis, the new SV-7GX is available now from Suzuki’s extensive UK-wide range of dealers, which numbers around 110. You can search for the closest official shop by using the Suzuki UK dealer locator.

As already mentioned, at the heart of the new Suzuki SV-7GX is the 645cc 90-degree V-twin that dates back to 1999 with the launch of the SV650.

But if that sounds old and concerning, it’s not. The c.72bhp twin is one of modern motorcycling’s great engines. It was updated with fuel injection in 2004, has also been repeatedly revised since, and in this revived form (the latest SV650 was dropped at the end of 2025) it’s now got three riding modes, a quickshifter, and other riding aids such as ‘Low rpm assist’ and ‘Easi start’, so it feels as modern as any other.

Crucially, however, its performance is essentially unchanged, producing a claimed 72bhp (which matches that of the Tracer 7, if lagging behind the Triumph 660 triple’s 95), is proven reliability-wise, and even returns a decent claimed average mpg figure of 67mpg.

The Suzuki 645cc V-twin was always a gem and, impressively, although now over 20 years old, it remains so today. Its peak performance of 72bhp may not be startling, but is sufficient, primarily due to its progressive yet characterful (without being off-puttingly lumpy) delivery. In short: it’s easy and flexible when you want it to be and sufficiently exhilarating when you’re in the mood for that, too. And all the while it gains added lustre with a typically slick Suzuki gearshift and responsive controls.

This updated version in the SV-7GX, however, then lifts all that to another level with the addition of a decent suite of electronic riding aids in a package Suzuki calls ‘SIRS’ (Suzuki Intelligent Ride System). This comprises three switchable riding modes (labelled, confusingly, A, B and C, with A the sharpest), traction control, easi start and low rpm assist, plus also a Bluetooth connectivity package via the TFT dash. The result is not only effective, charming, charismatic and competitive but contemporary, too – not bad for a 20+ year-old engine!

Apart from its brilliant V-twin engine, a big part of the appeal of the original SV650 was its nimble, natural, novice-friendly handling – and the same is true of this reincarnation. Although its riding position is roomier and more upright, with a more deeply padded seat for touring comfort, the tubular steel frame is essentially the same as the last-generation SV, as are its conventional, non-adjustable forks and preload-only adjustable rear monoshock.

The result is light and manageable for pretty much all body shapes, but also easy to get on with and was comfortable throughout my three-hour ride. The screen is pretty good as standard, too, and although requiring an Allen key to adjust through its three positions, the standard setting was fine without significant turbulence or noise for my 6’3”.

Again, the beauty of sometimes being an old design can be that it’s also a proven, sorted one. As the old adage goes: ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it…’ and that’s certainly true of the new SV-7GX. It may have no fancy cycle parts and little by way of adjustment, but it doesn’t need it. It’s just right. It works.

The result makes easy, intuitive travelling a comfortable joy; the slimness and relatively low weight mean it’s easily manageable and a doddle through traffic, but it’s also engaging fun down some twisty lanes thanks to its intuitive steering and well-set-up ride. It’s also sufficiently roomy, comfortable and, well, just ‘right’.

The SV-7GX’s brakes may be nothing to shout about – no radial calipers here – but you don’t need them. Braking is powerful, progressive, with bags of feel and in no way lacking. Again, it’s just ‘right’.

The old SV650 was always a fairly straightforward bike with no frills, with an emphasis on value, and the same is true with the new SV-7GX. But times have moved on, equipment expectations are higher, and Suzuki’s newcomer has been specced up to match.

So, although there’s a colour TFT dash, it’s a fairly small, 4.2in one, although you do adjust to it pretty quickly. It also has Bluetooth connectivity and a useful neighbouring USB-C charger. The screen is adjustable, but only with an Allen key and not on the fly; on this impression, doesn’t need it. Plus, there’s a quickshifter, traction control and things like ‘easi start’ and 'lo rpm assist’. It’s also got LED lights, handguards and a standard luggage rack – in fact, all you really need for this kind of bike.

On top of that, accessories-wise, you can get a tall touring screen and comfort seat, two sizes of top case, soft panniers and a variety of cosmetic parts.

Not really. The new SV-7GX is a classic case of a bike having everything it really needs, feeling just ‘right’ in various circumstances and being really good value.

Even so, there are a few other bonuses that are worth mentioning. Its standard warranty covers a useful three years/unlimited mileage, with the option of extending it up to a full 10 years if various conditions are met. As mentioned, there are four colours available and, all round, it comes over as a capable, well-considered and sorted middleweight all-rounder.

In fact, the only slight ‘fly’ in this impressive bike’s ‘ointment’ is slightly short service intervals. As launched, after the first 500-mile ‘break-in’ service, regular services are due every 4000miles or annually, whichever comes first.

Simply put: the new SV-7GX is one of those rare bikes that is just ‘right’.

As a middleweight all-rounder, it’s a great first big bike but should also appeal to all types for its affordable versatility and cheeky charm. The updated SV650 motor is the gem it always was, but updated with modern modes and more. Its spec, although kept to a budget, includes everything you really need and, overall, it’s just a really nice, honest, straightforward bike to ride with no significant niggles.

And you get all of that for a price, don’t forget, starting at just £6999 (although admittedly, most would probably pay the £7399 for the smarter colour options). That, in our book, makes it not just a great bike but also a brilliant value one (we’d have one in preference to Yamaha’s almost £2000 pricier Tracer 7 at a stroke). And all of that combined makes the SV-7GX one of our bikes of the year – it’s that good.

Thanks to Suzuki GB for the loan of the press bike.