Ten miles out of Oxford on the A34 and riding the sort of sweeping bends some people travel to Switzerland to experience and it happened the tailback from Hell, writes John Gilbride.

Occupying the rear slot were a handful of cars whose drivers just knew they weren't getting out of second gear for, ooh at least half an hour. They were crawling along behind a caravan, stuck behind a lorry following a few more cars stuck behind another caravan which was following a tractor that wasn't so much achieving miles per hour as inches per century.

Thank you Suzuki for the SV650. Within minutes the whole horror show had been left behind, without fuss, drama or the need for heroics. The admirable little V-twin carved a neat path through the tangled traffic before bolting for the wide blue horizon.

The snarl up had proved a blessing in disguise it was the perfect showcase for this bike's nifty acceleration and excellent brakes. Billed as a budget introduction to the heady world of 'big bikes' and V-twins, the quirky SV (it stands for Suzuki Vee) proved one of the surprise hits of 1999.

Seized on eagerly by newbies, commuters and just about anyone looking for a decent combination of speed and practicality, this bike has been selling like hot cakes.

The half-faired SV650S, which resembles nothing so much as a cute baby TL1000S, is an absolute gem of a machine.

Not as alarmingly fast as the Fazer, not as exhaustingly loony as the Hornet, not as staid as the Bandit, the SV is the rarest of bikes, a genuine all-rounder. If you're not an advocate of plastics, there's an unfaired version of the SV, cheaper, but bearing an unfortunate resemblance to that Direct Access favourite, the GS500E.

Cosmetically the half-faired SV looks the business. The bike itself appears long 'n' lean, but while the reach to the clip-ons and the rear sets tip the rider into a flatteringly sporty position, you won't feel cramped.

Fire the engine and you're treated that typical V-twin rhum-rhum-rhum noise, it just sounds like a proper bike should.

Snick the excellent gearbox into first, wind up the throttle and the bike pulls off smartly. Your front wheel won't exactly be pawing the air but the 645cc engine is brilliantly punchy without ever letting things get out of hand.

The excellent mirrors show the road behind, not your elbows, and the cockpit, with its ingenious mile trip, is clear and readable, only losing marks for its lack of a petrol gauge. (For the record, the tank is hinged for ease of access, and holds 16 litres. I found the fuel consumption first class.)

There's enough underseat storage to stow a few small essentials and a u-lock, and pillions get a decent seat, sensibly placed foot pegs and an effective grabrail.

This bike is nippy, comfortable, manoeuvrable, and in a county where everyone seems to ride an R1 just that little bit different.

On the minus side, I could have done with more noise from the pipes, the screen didn't offer the best protection in the world and the SV is achingly exposed to rocks and flying debris down below. And it may be a budget bike, but adjustable suspension and a centrestand really ought to be part of the package.

So, fit an aftermarket can, a bellypan and a double bubble screen if you're planning motorway miles, and this bike will take you around the world in comfort.

When the time came to hand back the SV my butt ached, my nose was stuffed full of hydrocarbons and my helmet visor was a Boot Hill for flying insects. Days just don't come much better than this.

FACTFILE:

Suzuki SV650S

Price: 4,849 (half-faired)

Insurance Group: 10

Height: 44.5ins

Weight: 169kg

Brakes: Disc (front and rear)

Colours: Yellow, red, black or blue.