Yamaha MT-07: the rivals

It's swaggered into the middleweight twin class, out punching and undercutting its rivals left right and centre. But don't dismiss the competition just yet...

Yamaha MT-07

The MT-07 sets a new benchmark for the middleweight twin class, with more power and torque and less weight than any of its direct rivals. It's a blast to ride, loves to wheelie and looks great. And then there's the price: £5,199. Only the SV650S is cheaper, and that's an 11-year-old design. The competition needs to be very worried.

Engine: 689cc parallel-twin

Wet weight: 179kg (182 with ABS)

Power: 75hp

Torque: 50lbft

Price: £5,199 (£5,499 with ABS)

First ride: Yamaha MT-07 review

Kawasaki ER-6n/f

It's 3hp and 3lbft down on the MT-07, and it weighs 25kg more. That's the naked ER-6n. The faired ER-6f is 30kg heavier than the Yamaha. And both are more expensive, even after a recent £500 price slash, made in direct response to the MT-07. The ER-6f starts from £450 more than the Yamaha and the ER-6n from £200 more. At least you get a fairing on the f version to justify the extra suspense.

Of course figures only tell half a story. Both ER-6s remain fun, characterful, practical and reliable all-rounders, with plenty of useable torque.

Engine: 649cc parallel-twin

Kerb weight ER-6n: 204kg

Kerb weight ER-6f: 209kg (211 with ABS)

Power: 72hp

Torque: 47lbft

Price ER-6n: £5,399 (£5,999 with ABS)

Price ER-6f: £5,649 (£5,999 with ABS)

First ride: Kawasaki ER-6n review

Suzuki SFV650

Like the ER-6, it makes less torque and power and weighs more than the MT-07. But the real problem for the SFV (apart from its full name being the SFV Gladius) is price. It's £800 more than the MT-07. If you want ABS, it's £900 more.

It's easy-going and fun, with sharp handling. It's got a strong engine, taken from the cheaper SV650S but tuned for a better spread of power. But surely the price now has to drop?    

Engine: 645cc V-twin

Kerb weight: 202kg (205kg with ABS)

Power: 71hp

Torque: 47lbft

Price: £5,999 (£6,399 with ABS)

First ride: Suzuki SFV650 Gladius review

Suzuki SV650S

At last someone's talking sense, at least where price is concerned. The SV650S has the same engine and makes the same power and torque as the SFV650, albeit higher in the rev range. And it costs £1,025 less.

It was good when it was introduced 10 years ago, with decent handling, suspension and brakes, and it remains so now. Its age vouches for its reliability, and means you don't have to worry about early production issues.

It's got a sportier riding position than its rivals, stemming as it does from a time when sports bikes sales were still huge. The styling's looking a bit dated but it's the only bike in this list that's cheaper than the MT-07. Just.

Engine: 645cc V-twin

Kerb weight: 196kg

Power: 71hp

Torque: 47lbft

Price: £4,975

First ride: Suzuki SV650S review