Typically, a naked motorcycle is a sport bike that doesn’t have its fairings. However, this is a simplified explanation. In reality, motorcycle manufacturers put a lot of research and design into creating the perfect naked motorcycle.
Without the fairings, it has more drag. So to combat this, engineers need to strategically design the bike to still be enjoyable to ride. In addition, all the bike’s engine and inner workings are now exposed. This creates a greater risk of damage and malfunction. Not all naked motorcycles are created equal, though, and some of them aren't even based on a typical sport bike platform. All of them, however, are designed to be faster and more maneuverable, and the bikes in this list are the best of the best.
Updated May 2023: Naked bikes are extremely popular these days. And whether they're sports bikes without fairings, or completely original models, manufacturers can't stop churning them out. To keep our readers up to speed on all the latest naked bike developments, this list will be updated from time to time.
15 Ducati Monster
The performance-minded Ducati Monster comes with a 937cc V-twin engine. If you want to log the miles, this is your ideal choice. The more upright riding position is gentler on your back and arms. It still has plenty of power to be fun. Throughout the 30 years of production, Ducati managed to refine the Monster. And though the recent redesign is not without controversy, the latest version still has that unique, Italian design language.
14 Yamaha MT-07
Say hello to Yamaha’s darker and edgier side with the Yamaha MT-07. It is one of the most popular naked bikes on the road. This is partially thanks to the 689cc engine that delivers just the right amount of torquey power. It is then paired with a compact chassis that shortens the bike’s overall length, making the bike more agile and nimble. In addition, the affordable price point means younger riders gravitate towards this bike. You have complete control of this hooligan bike as you wheelie your way into the night.
13 Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
Hop on the Speed Triple 1200 RS and experience the thrill and speed of a thoroughly modern Triumph roadster. As a very British company, you wouldn’t expect Triumph to come out with such a fun naked bike, but somehow they managed to do it. The Speed Triple delivers track-worthy power and performance with 177 horsepower. Choose from five ride modes through the intuitive TFT instrument panel to customize your ride experience. While this bike is more expensive than other naked bikes, it has plenty of technology and features to make the extra expense worth it. For example, the bike comes with built-in Bluetooth, Quickshifter and Öhlins suspension.
12 KTM Super Duke 1290 R EVO
The naked KTM Super Duke 1290 is an absolutely bonkers motorcycle. It makes 180 horsepower from its 1301cc V-twin engine. In true KTM fashion, each model year is better than the last. For example, KTM recently added semi-active suspension, a lighter crankcase, Formula 1 style forged pistons, and titanium inlet valves.
Without any fairings, this bike is incredibly lightweight, making its power-to-weight ratio insane. You could cruise the streets, but if you really want to see what this bike can do, you should take it to the track. The ergonomics of the ride position make it comfortable enough for both purposes.
11 BMW S 1000 R
The BMW S 1000 R proves that naked bike development, even the BMW S Series, has progressed into the production of hyper-naked motorcycles. They look like hooligans but come with a refined sense of power and performance that rivals superbikes. Unlike other bikes on this list, the S 1000 R has some restraint and maturity about it. However, this does not mean that it is any less fun. It features a tucked-up and sporty riding position that can help you turn running mundane errands into your next great adventure.
10 MV Agusta Dragster 800 RR
Stand out on the road with the MV Agusta Dragster 800 RR. Because this motorcycle manufacturer is smaller than other Italian brands, there are fewer on the road, making yours more unique. However, this bike isn’t just a rarity with striking looks. There is some serious performance backing it up. The bike comes with lift control, which is just launch or wheelie control, and multiple ride modes can also be chosen to help you create a custom riding experience. However, keep in mind that MVs are more expensive and tend to have some quirky traits that take some getting used to.
9 Zero SR/F
It seems odd to think of a naked EV bike like the Zero SR/F. After all, naked motorcycles with traditional engines showcase the engine and its many components. What gets showcased on an electric motorcycle? Somehow, the Zero makes it work.
It was originally designed to be a halo product that showcases the best of what Zero can accomplish. It has high quality equipment for maximum performance. This bike does lack comfort features, which makes it best as a short, around-town commuter. The purchase price is also quite high, making it impracticable for most riders.
8 Aprilia Tuono 660
While it is technically a naked bike, the Aprilia Tuono 660 has the most fairings out of the bikes on this list. This middleweight budget-friendly motorcycle is Aprilia’s attempt at filling the gap between their bargain bin bikes and high-end superbikes.
This powerful yet approachable bike is fun to ride, you can cruise on the streets and enjoy the smooth transmission or take the bike to the track and rip into it to see what it can really do. The Tuono 660 is one of the lightest in its class and has an approachable seat height, making it friendly to riders of all sizes.
7 Honda CB650R
The middleweight Honda CB650R looks like it is out of a science fiction movie. The sharp styling of the naked design gives it a futuristic look. The mashup of black and metal-colored parts creates an almost robotic feel. Its 649cc in-line four-cylinder engine loves to rev high and gets raucous. This isn’t a bike for cruising, as the rigid suspension performs best when you put the bike through its paces on backcountry curves.
6 Kawasaki Z900RS
The Kawasaki Z900RS brings an old-school cool feel to the naked motorcycle category. It features a retro paint job on the tank, a long and flat design, and a large headlight. However, unlike older bikes, this one comes with the latest technology and performance features. This gives you the best of both worlds in terms of looks, and performance. However, you won’t find all the bells and whistles you typically see on other Kawasaki sport bikes.
5 Yamaha MT-10
Much has been made of Yamaha's divisive design language when it comes to their MT line. But it's hard to argue with the sales figures, as the MTs are some of Yamaha's most popular motorcycles. It's a lineup that starts with the beginner-friendly MT-03 and culminates with the king of the hooligan bikes, the MT-10. And no, it's not just an R1 without its clothes on. Yamaha went to great lengths to make the MT-10 its own entity. It's aggressive not only in looks, but also in power, and most importantly, price. There's just no beating Yamaha when it comes to getting an inexpensive package that delivers the goods.
4 Aprilia Tuono V4
Aprilia's Tuono V4, like Yamaha's MT-10, is not just a bigger, more grownup version of the 660. The styling leans in the sport bike direction, just as the 660 does, but the V4, as you may have guessed from its name, has a unique heart at the center of its chassis. And with that V4 comes a gnarly sound, competitive performance and 175 wild ponies. It also has a premium electronics package that delivers some of the better rider aides, like six ride modes, traction and wheelie control and automatically adjusting engine braking, for what ends up being a fairly reasonable price of $16,199.
3 Suzuki GSX-8S
Nobody expected Suzuki to come out with new models this, or any other year at this point, so conservative has the Japanese manufacture become. And yet here we are, with the utterly dashing GSX-8S ready to make us fall in love with Suzuki all over again. This machine can seemingly do it all. It looks great, feels confident on the track, and when you slap some luggage on it, could take you on a long adventure as well. Its highlights include that futuristic, street fighter design done right, the dependable power delivery of the parallel twin engine and an affordable price of only $8,849.
2 Indian FTR Sport
American manufactures should feel embarrassed at the true lack of naked standard motorcycles in their stables. It's a sore spot for a lot of US-based riders, that they can't purchase one from an American company. Harley-Davidson had their chance when the prototype for the Bronx was unveiled, and just as quickly swept under the rug. However, there is one shining light in the darkness, and that is Indian's bruising FTR Sport.
Conceived as a tribute to the brand's dominating flat tracker, the FTR750, the FTR is the only naked standard in Indian's lineup of cruisers. It has been through several changes, most notably this year, introducing the track-focused version, the FTR Sport. Most of it has gone unchanged, but the new colors, flyscreen, lower spoiler and rear seat cowl make it one of the best looking FTRs on the market.
1 Energica EsseEsse9
Up to this point, most electric motorcycle manufacturers had focused on design language that speaks to the inherent, futuristic aspects of their motorcycles. And while that has produced some stunning looking bikes, there's a whole market that these companies are ignoring entirely. We're talking about the neo retro/modern classic crowd.
Energica is a proven electric bike maker, as they have multiple, mass-produced models that have become fairly popular for their performance and range. But most of them look, as you would expect, sporty and cybernetic. Well not so much when it comes to their EsseEsse9, which incorporates some tasty vintage styling like a round headlight, a classic motorcycle silhouette and cool lower spoiler, reminiscent of Triumph's Speed Triples. Regardless of how you may feel about electric bikes, one thing is undisputed, the EsseEsse9 is a performance beast with rugged, vintage looks.