The naked bike portion of the motorcycle market is a diverse one. Naked sportbikes are a big part of this segment and they only become even more important as time goes on.
A lot of companies are stripping their sportbikes of their body panels and fairings. From there it’s all about adding slightly wider handlebars and sometimes re-tuning the engine to make them better for street use. In the end, you get fantastic naked sportbikes that are designed specifically for street riding.
That said, these bikes are still good on the racetrack. Really what you get is a group of bikes that are sporty, fun, and stripped down. Let’s take a look at my top picks.
1. Kawasaki Z650
The Kawasaki Z650 would be my pick of all of the naked sportbikes on this list. It’s fun, looks good, comfortable to sit on, and offers plenty of power and performance from its 649cc parallel-twin engine. The bike makes about 68 hp, which is plenty, and the Z650 weighs just 412 pounds, so it really makes the most of that power. The bike is modern and fun, and it works for a wide variety of riders. Not to mention it’s more affordable than many others on this list.
- Price: $7,249
- Company Website
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2. Triumph Speed Triple RS
If you want a sexy bike, you should get the Triumph Speed Triple RS. Triumph recently updated this machine and made it even more of a sporty ride than it was before. The bike features a 1,050cc liquid-cooled triple-cylinder engine that makes a strong 148 hp. It’s a naked speed demon that can lean in the corners with the best of them. Triumph has one hell of a machine here, and it’s a bike well worth the money.
- Price: $16,500
- Company Website
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3. KTM Duke 890 R
The KTM Duke 890 R is new for 2020 and it’s a bike that you should want badly. It’s as sharp as a scalpel and it’s ready for the street or the track. You might be surprised to not see the top dog Duke from KTM on here, but I actually think the 890 R is the better bike. The 889cc parallel-twin engine is a lovely one that puts out about 120 hp. The bike looks a little radical, but then that’s kind of just KTM’s style. There’s already plenty of aftermarket stuff and upgraded suspension available for this bike.
- Price: $11,699
- Company Website
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4. Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR
When I look at the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 RR, I don’t immediately see a naked bike, but it is. The bike is essentially a stripped down RSV4, and that means it is a very, very good bike. The Tuono V4 features a 1,077cc 65 degree V4 engine that makes 173 hp. The engine is the same as the RSV4 but it has been re-tuned to not be quite so angry. This makes the Tuono V4 a much better street bike that can still be taken to the racetrack when you want to drag a knee.
- Price: $15,499
- Company Website
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5. Ducati Monster 1200
I said the Triumph above was sexy, and it is, but the Ducati Monster 1200 is also sexy. It does it from an Italian point of view, though. It’s curvaceous and muscular. There are smaller Monsters if you want those, but the 1200 is a fantastic motorcycle for the street. It features a 1,198cc Testastretta 11° DS engine that makes a strong 147 hp. This bike comes with plenty of attitude, too, so you should stand out wherever you ride.
- Price: $14,995
- Company Website
- See Similar Models on Cycle Trader
