Hang it Out: The Bike EXIF guide to middleweight naked bikes
Motorcycle designers of the early ?80s probably ponder how we got here, a time when street bikes with exposed frames, unshrouded headlight assemblies and flat handlebars have become commonplace. The phenomenon started at least 30 years ago, and one possible explanation cites the re-styling of wrecked sports bikes in Europe as the cause.
Some call them naked bikes, and other street fighters or sport nakeds, but the fact is that stripped-down street machines are here to stay, offering all the sportiness of the latest road-going chassis and engines, but with more relaxed geometry for everyday use. Gaining popularity with stunt riders, commuters and everyday hooligans, the naked bike scene has evolved into its own segment, with all the big manufacturers offering dedicated chassis and engine packages from mild to wild.
There?s as much performance available in the naked bike scene as your frontal lobe can process, but a huge cross-section of riders worldwide opt for what we call middleweight nakeds. Typically sporting 600 to 800 cc, these bikes appeal to new and intermediate riders alike, offering user-friendly features to build skills, and enough pavement prowess to widdle down your chicken strips. We?ve assembled the best of the field for your perusal in our 2024 Guide to Middleweight Naked Bikes.
Yamaha MT-07
Kawasaki Z650
Honda CB650R
Suzuki SV650 ABS
Triumph Trident 660
Yamaha XSR700
Suzuki GSX-8S
KTM 790 Duke
Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono
Yamaha MT-07
At a glance 689 c...
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2025 Yamaha YZF-R1 and YZF-R1M PreviewÂ
20-09-2024 09:03 - (
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