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Strip lightning! The best naked motorbikes of 2023

Published: 17 May 2021 Updated: 17 April 2023
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Before sportsbikes gained race-replica bodywork, touring machines required weather-beating full fairings and adventure bikes donned screens, beaks and all manner of plastic add-ons, all bikes were naked.

Today, though, naked is the term we apply to unfaired, upright, uncluttered but otherwise modern machines that appeal for their pure simplicity, light ease of use and reasonable versatility.

What’s the appeal of a naked motorcycle?

Being unfettered and upright a naked is often both affordable and easy to ride; especially when it comes to smaller bikes for novices. A middleweight naked can give a classic, wind-in-the-hair motorcycling experience a faired sports bike or tourer can’t match, while a large-capacity or sportster-derived super-naked can deliver superbike thrills but with upright comfort and added versatility.

Of course, there are downsides, too: being exposed to the elements means a naked can be more tiring over distance and lacks the luxury faired bikes can offer, but for a pure motorcycling experience there’s none better.

2020 acted as a battle ground for a new breed of hyper nakeds with superbike-rivalling power figures and top-level components. That battle has carried on all the way to the present day with new options like the 207bhp BMW M1000R and updated Ducati Streetfighter V4 S.

But a new benchmark in performance has brought with it a new benchmark in price, and most riders in the real world won’t feel the benefit of all that tech and power anyway. So, here’s our pick of the best real-world naked motorbikes around right now.

Best naked motorcycles in 2023

2023 Honda Hornet CB750

Spec: 755cc / 91bhp / 190kg / 795mm seat height

Price: £6999 (new)

Honda Hornet right side

The Hornet has been one of the big surprises of 2023 so far. Its in-depth review gave it the full five stars, primarily because of its exceptional parallel-twin engine and entertaining handling. 

But then again, its typical Honda build quality coupled with a hugely tempting price also combine to make this among the most desirable bikes in this feature. 

It even gets a bunch of standard kit, with more available as optional extras to spec your bike as you want it. 

Buying advice

As a new bike you’ve got a choice of Honda dealers to speak to. We’d suggest getting your name down soon in order to secure a bike at the sub-£7k price point, though, because it’s likely the cost will increase… 

2023 Suzuki GSX-8S

Spec: 776cc / 82bhp / 202kg / 810mm seat height

Price: £7999

Riding the 2023 Suzuki GSX-8S on a straight road

This is a big moment for Suzuki – an all-new bike with a new engine, forgiving handling that inspires confidence, and a price tag below £8k.

The engine is a real peach, with loads of mid-range to pull you through corners. It’s got rider modes too, and even fairly decent fuel economy.

Standard kit includes and up and down quickshifter, a five-inch TFT screen and radial calipers.

Buying advice

As a new bike, the GSX-8S is a bit of a steal at the price, so get in there quickly before the cost increases.

2023 Triumph Street Triple RS

Spec: 765cc / 128bhp / 188kg / 836mm seat height

Price: £11,295 (new)

2020 Triumph Street Triple RS

Triumph’s smaller sporty upright was launched as a naked version of the original Daytona 675 in 2007 and proved a masterstroke, exploiting the flexibility and character of the 675cc triple in a stylish, affordable, versatile and fun middleweight package that appealed to novices and experienced riders alike.

It’s been updated successively but the biggest change came in 2017 with a growth to 765cc, addition of electronics and, significantly an expansion to three variants: the base 111bhp S, 116bhp R with Brembos and fully-adjustable suspension and this range-topping RS complete with more power, top-spec electronics, TFT screen… the works. It’s a brilliant, all-round, midi super naked.

For 2020 the Street Triple got new Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa rubber as standard and a Euro5 engine tweak that boosts mid-range.

And then in 2023 Triumph ushered in its learnings from Moto2. The previous model was already one of the finest sports nakeds around and hardly needed to improve, but in the face of ever tougher competition from the likes of Ducati with its Monster SP, the Yamaha MT-09SP and KTM 890 Duke R, they’re desperate to stay ahead of the game.

The latest model gets a host of engine, chassis, styling and electronics mods and it is now such an accomplished track weapon it’s feels every inch a full-on race bike with straight bars.

Acceleration and handling are sharper and with such a friendly riding position and power delivery it’s a cinch to ride fast.

Buying advice

The Street Triple’s been around in 765cc form for four years now and so there are plenty around on the used market. From the saddle you’d be hard pressed to tell the 2020 model from the 2017 so there’s some money to be saved on the used market.

The Street Triple’s history is solid and Triumph’s higher-spec bikes are well-built and classy. By its nature, though, it can be thrashed and suffer novice damage so with plenty out there shop around.

2021 Yamaha MT-09SP

Spec: 889cc / 113bhp / 190kg / 825mm seat height

Price: £9000 (used), £10,202 (new)

2021 Yamaha MT-09SP

The second of three Yamaha MT models to make this list, the MT-09SP was updated for 2021 with a new frame and styling update. While the looks aren’t for everyone (they’re better in person) it’s hard to argue with the chassis improvements Yamaha have made.

The SP model gets an Öhlins shock and Showa forks which compliment the new chassis geometry. It’s still quite raked out compared to competitors like the Street Triple or KTM 890 Duke R but is far sharper and easier to ride than before.

Buying advice

While the handling is vastly improved on the 2021 model, the previous model was far from being a bad bike and is worth considering on the used market.

2021 Triumph Trident 660

Spec: 660cc / 80bhp / 189kg / 805mm seat height

Price: £7895

The Trident is Hinckley’s low-cost naked bike, aimed at new riders but with more than enough talent to satisfy those with much more experience. The highlights are that wonderful three-cylinder engine and the ride/handling balance, which manages to be comfortable yet highly entertaining at the same time.

Buying advice

Our owners’ reviews indicate there have been a number of mechanical issues with the bike, but nothing seems to be very common. It’s more a case of one-off problems. Many people, including Gareth during our long-term test, complain about wet-weather riding as the mud gets slung up your back. An A2 licence restrictor kit is also available to reduce power to 46bhp@8750rpm and torque to 44ftlb@5250rpm.

2021 Ducati Monster

Spec: 937cc / 109bhp / 166kg / 820mm seat height

Price: £10,443 (new)

2021 Ducati Monster

There have been lots of versions of Ducati’s middleweight Monster over the years and the model is credited with turning around an ailing Ducati’s fortunes in the ’90s and over 350,000 of them have been sold since.

This new 2021 version has controversially turned its back on the trellis frame design that tied it to the original M900. Luckily, despite being a more complete and refined motorcycle you can still instantly tell that this is a Monster.

It’s lighter, more agile in the bends and more stable at speed but most importantly is still an absoloute hoot to ride.

Buying advice

The latest Monster is brand-spanking-new and so there’s none out on the used market and it’s a completely different proposition to the old version. It’s available in standard or a Plus (+) version that gets a small screen and rear seat cover as standard. 

2020 KTM 890 Duke R

Spec: 890cc / 119bhp / 166kg / 834mm seat height

Price: £10,000 (used), £10,399 (new)

KTM 890 Duke R

KTM’s supermoto-inspired roadster range has an engine capacity to suit all levels of rider from learner-friendly 125 through to the fire breathing 1290 Super Duke R.

The 890 Duke R is the sportier of the Austrian firm’s middleweight Dukes, the softer option being the 790. The Duke is a single-minded but immensely capable motorcycle that MCN’s Chief Road Tester Michael Neeves described as one of the finest handling road bikes money can buy.

If you fancy the odd bit of touring or carrying a pillion, this probably isn’t the bike for you. But if all your miles are done for fun on sunny weekends or at trackdays, this could be the perfect fit.

Buying advice

Our online owners’ reviews of the 790 Duke’s build quality and reliability are mixed, so we hope they’ve been addressed with the 890. But it’s a brand-new motorcycle so it’s too early to tell just yet. In 2021, KTM also released a non-R version of the 890 with less focused components that costs £1000 less than the R.

Aprilia Tuono 660

Spec: 659cc / 94bhp / 183kg / 820mm seat height

Price: £9700 (new)

Aprilia Tuono 660

Just as the full-sized Tuono V4 is based on Aprilia’s RSV4 superbike, the Tuono 660 is a flat-barred version of the firm’s popular RS660 sportsbike. The bike is even more user friendly than the RS, which is already easy to live with.

Like its big V4 brother, the Tuono 660 has excellent handling; the wide bars mean it is very easy to lever into bends and the chassis rewards your efforts as you press on. 94bhp may not sound like much compared to some of the other bikes on this list but in the real world it’s more than enough to put a smile on your face.

Buying advice

If you spec the Tuono to match the standard equipment of the RS it actually ends up costing more so think about whether the sportsbike version could actually be the right bike for you.

2021 Yamaha MT-07

Spec: 689cc / 72bhp / 184kg / 805mm seat height

Price: £6899 (new)

Yamaha MT-07

Basically a smaller, cheaper twin cylinder version of the already brilliant MT-09 triple, the MT-07 has been a sales sensation across Europe since its launch in 2014 due to its irresistible combination of perky, flexible performance, great handling stunning value and an almost unique ability to appeal both to novices as a first big bike and experienced riders as a Sunday toy.

The 2021 update brought a styling update to match the MT-09 and some other minor tweaks over the previous version, which had already taken care of the soft forks on the original.

Yes, it’s a little basic and lacks long-legged versatility (Yamaha have the 700 Tracer or Ténéré 700 for that), but for the money, the MT-07’s virtually unbeatable. We think that pound-for-pound, its one of the best bikes out there.

Buying advice

The CP2 parallel-twin engine has been proven in loads of different platforms over the years and is pretty bullet-proof but the rest of the MT-07 is built to a price and likely to suffer from novice neglect. Its popularity means there’s plenty of the older models to choose from on the used market.

2019 Honda CB500F

Spec: 471cc / 47bhp / 189kg / 789mm seat height

Price: £3800 (used) – £5559 (new)

Honda CB500F

If you’re a relatively new biker with an A2 licence, Honda’s purpose-built twin is simply the best naked option available. As the roadster variant of Honda’s tailor-made A2 CB500 family (the others being the sports CBR500R and adventure CB500X) it has the same, easy and willing 47bhp twin, a neutral chassis which is a doddle to get on with is reasonably versatile and, for 2019, benefits from stylish new clocks, a useful boost in mid-range and slightly uprated styling and all for well under £6k. Better still, older used versions are even cheaper.

Buying advice

Although built down to a price in Thailand, Honda quality shines through and the little CB is both durable and reliable – as are the rest of the CB500 family. Watch for the usual novice neglect and scrapes, though.

2013 KTM 390 Duke

Spec: 375cc / 44bhp / 149kg / 830mm seat height

Price: £1700 (used) – £4699 (new)

KTM's 390 Duke offers easy-going progress in all environments

Originally launched in 2013 the lightweight, punchy, 44bhp single redefined how much fun you could have on an A2-compliant machine thanks to its supermoto mass and nimble handling combined with a punchy, single-cylinder motor. The result is a hoot and great fun both for novices and experienced riders. Plus, it got even better yet in 2017 with a new TFT dash, LED headlight, revised styling a more. Yes, it’s brash and lairy and no good over distance, but for urban, hooligan fun, no A2 naked gives you more.

Buying advice

Some KTMs have had durability issues and there’s no getting away from the fact that the Duke is spindly and likely to have been thrashed and crashed but find a good one that’s been correctly looked after and we see no cause for concern.

2019 BMW R1250R

Spec: 1250cc / 134bhp / 239kg / 820mm seat height

Price: £11,000 (used), £11,215 (new)

The BMW R1250R has always been ender-rated, but it is a very capable motorcycle

The ‘R’ (for naked Roadster) has been, certainly in Britain, the largely overlooked version of BMW’s legendary boxer twin but ever since the first new-generation, 1100cc ‘oil-head’ in 1995, it’s also been one of the best.

It combines pleasing purity with decent all-round performance and BMW’s traditional class, despite sometimes oddball looks. The 2006-on 1200 model remains the basis of the brilliant R nineT retro while, since evolving into the canbus version in 2015, which saw a return to telescopic forks from Telelever, 125bhp and much improved looks.

It’s become a truly great all-rounder and 2019 sees the new 134bhp ShiftCam motor, classy TFT screen and more, while the optional extras catalogue means you can make it what you want. Yes, it’s a little sensible and sober and not cheap but you won’t be disappointed.

Buying advice

BMW quality is good, the later 1200 and new 1250 is problem-free and the R tends to be owned by mature owners so are looked after and serviced properly. Options such as heated grips and luggage are worth looking out for, though.

2020 Energica Eva Ribelle

Spec: electric / 144bhp / 270kg / 790mm seat height

Price: £19,725 (new)

Energica Eva Ribelle

One of only two electric bikes to make this list, the Eva Ribelle is made by Italian firm Energica – who also make the bikes used in MotoE.

The 2020 Energica range used the lightest, most powerful battery pack fitted to a road bike at the time and had a massive 60% more range over previous generations.

Buying advice

Performance electric bikes might look expensive up front but the ongoing costs can be as little as 1p-per-mile depending on your electricity provider. They also require almost no maintenance, have no oil or filters to change and use a belt in place of a mucky chain.

So, if they suit your lifestyle they can present an interesting alternative to a petrol bike. They’re not for everyone though.

2019 Zero SR/F

Spec: electric / 110bhp / 220kg / 787mm seat height

Price: £16,000+ (used) – £17,990 (new)

The Zero SR/F goes well, looks good and will save the planet

Yes, electric motorbikes are still both a motorcycling rarity and novelty, while the best examples also remain prohibitively expensive. But there’s also no doubt that, of the current crop, Californian electric specialist Zero’s new-for-2019 SR/F is the best – and is a naked, too. It’s the first product of their attempt to build machines with more performance and more conventional motorcycle chassis.

So, the SR/F has an almost Ducati Monster-style tubular chassis, decent inverted forks and radial brakes, a modern colour TFT dash and Zero’s best powerplant yet. As a result, the ride is classic performance roadster (think Ducati Monster, but heavier); initial acceleration is phenomenal; ease of use is total and range is a realistic 80-plus miles. Yes, it’s expensive and the infrastructure isn’t quite there yet. But this is the best naked electric you can buy.

Buying advice

With the SR/F, as it’s so new and so few are yet available used, it’s difficult to offer solid advice but you can be reassured that Zero have a decent track record and most of its components are proven.

2014 BMW S1000R

Spec: 999cc / 165bhp / 207kg / 814mm seat height

Price: £6500 (used), £11,190 (new)

The BMW S1000R is a beast of a bike

Like the R1250R, the naked version of the S1000RR superbike is one of the less appreciated bikes in BMW’s line-up but it’s a brilliant performer that deserves far better.

Although on face value simply an un-faired version of the RR with a nose cowling and flat bars, BMW’s thoroughness means it’s actually a lot more than that. The engine’s been detuned to deliver more grunt and flexibility, it’s smooth and safe thanks to flawless electronics yet it’s raw and wild when you want it to be.

Plus there’s lots of BMW options available. If you want a four-cylinder super naked with genuine versatility and a touch of class, this is the one. Keep an eye out for MCN’s full review of the 2021 model once we’ve ridden it, too.

Buying advice

BMW’s S1000RR family has proved largely reliable and the R is less stressed. Buyers also tend to again be mature and responsible. Spec can vary greatly so look around, but on the plus side Rs can be found more cheaply than most BMWs as well.

Other naked motorbikes to consider:

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By Phil West

Contributor