Source: MotorcyclistOnline.com
These middleweight nakeds offer stripped-down styling, capable performance, upright ergonomics, and are a good bang for the buck. (Kawasaki/)Middleweight naked bikes skip the swoopy aerodynamics and acres of bodywork in favor of neutral riding positions and minimal styling, have always appealed to street riders in search of a practical urban mount, and in 2024, the class is positively flourishing. A couple of new models elbowed their way onto our 600cc-ish naked list this year, serving to raise the bar for the segment, but there are older favorites making the cut too, thanks to their still-competitive performance and the value they represent. In short, street riders have plenty of options these days whether they’re looking for capability, features, or price. (What bike’s on your list? Drop it in the comments below.)Editor’s note: Looking for liter-and-above-sized naked bikes? Check out our Best Naked Bikes 2024 article. Also peruse the Best 600cc-ish Sportbikes of 2024 for fairing-equipped options.With class-leading performance numbers as well as a list-topping MSRP, the Aprilia Tuono 660 also brings the most robust feature set of the group. (Aprilia/)2024 Aprilia Tuono 660 | $10,699In terms of performance, and certainly price, you could argue the Tuono 660 shouldn’t even be in this category. Weighing in at 403 pounds, pushing out 100 hp, and boasting adjustable suspension along with five riding modes—as well as a healthy $10,699 MSRP—the Aprilia’s specs point to a robust machine that could easily go up against the likes of the bigger Yamaha MT-09 or KTM 790 Duke (both of which cost less).Also separating the Tuono from the rest of the middleweight competition are its winglets, lap timer, and wheelie control; premium suspension, a quickshifter, and a six-axis IMU are added to the Tuono 660 Factory version. But let’s face it; the Tuono 660 doesn’t look all that naked these days, having borrowed the RS 660′s double fairing up front, and offering sportier ergos than most. That said, the Aprilia towers over the other 600s as a middleweight with a plethora of up-spec features that include advanced rider aids not seen on any other bike in the class. It’s also the priciest.Neutral ergos, appealing styling, and punchy performance from the only inline-four engine here defines the Honda CB650R. (American Honda/)2023 Honda CB650R | $9,399In Big Red’s sport standard lineup, the CB650R is lodged comfortably between the entry-level CB300R and the larger-displacement CB1000R. With its unique (for the class) inline-four engine configuration, the 650R gives riders a lively, engaging mill with a crisp throttle response as well as a package offering a surprisingly accessible seat height and an overall high level of quality. Performance-wise, it’s no Tuono 660, mind you, but the 445-pound Honda is entertaining for most experienced riders while also serving as an approachable platform for riders new to the class. Revamps over the last few years addressed issues with the CB’s ergonomics, suspension, and performance of the 649cc liquid-cooled powerplant, but US models received no updates for 2024; Honda saved those for the European bikes. Still the CB650R’s current inverted Showa SFF-BP fork, standard ABS, and Neo-Sports Café styling represents an appealing feature set, and as a middleweight sport standard, the bike remains a very good all-around machine that strikes a nice balance of performance and versatility.Nimble, compact, and playful, the Kawasaki Z650 is a great choice for smaller riders or urban commuters alike. (Kawasaki/)2024 Kawasaki Z650 | $8,149As a stripped-down naked bike with a more-than-capable mill and an approachable price point, the Z650 is a solid choice for those expanding on their skill set or riders just on the hunt for a compact machine with playful power. The 649cc p-twin engine puts out 48.5 lb.-ft. of torque for a nice shove off the line, and once you factor in the Z’s precise throttle response you’ll understand why this bike is so much fun to wind out. Basic suspension includes a 41mm telescopic fork and preload-adjustable shock balanced for both sporty mountain road riding or comfortable city cruising; triple disc brakes are standard while ABS adds $500 to the base price. The Z650 also impresses with its signature Sugomi styling, featuring angular lines and wide radiator shrouds, and with a 412-pound curb weight, it’s certainly a nimble naked. On our last test ride, we noted that the Z’s ergonomics package would appear to favor smaller riders, with more experienced pilots likely yearning for a wider handlebar with more forward sweep.The newest addition to Suzuki’s GSX streetfighter series is the GSX-8S, which brings bold styling, approachable ergos, and strong performance to the table. (Suzuki/)2024 Suzuki GSX-8S | $8,999The latest generation of midsize nakeds gets an addition in the form of Suzuki’s newest GSX model, the GSX-8S. With a bold modern design and boasting the first new Suzuki engine in years, the 8S also comes with a healthy standard feature set like ride-by-wire, a bidirectional quickshifter, inverted KYB fork, and a slip/assist clutch.The entirely new steel backbone frame and compact, 82-hp, 776cc parallel-twin engine with 270-degree firing order serve up an enviable, well-balanced mix of power, torque, and weight (a claimed 445 pounds, wet), with Suzuki looking to find that middle ground between engine and suspension performance, ergonomics, and features on the new GSX-8S. Add in a roomy rider triangle, 31.9-inch seat height, and a fairly robust electronic rider-aid suite that includes three ride modes, traction control, and ABS, and most riders should have everything they’ll need for street rides, whether on around-town commutes or the odd weekend jaunt up to one of their favorite canyon roads.The only V-twin, and also the least expensive bike here, the Suzuki SV650 is still one of the best values in motorcycling. 2022 model shown. (Suzuki/)2023 Suzuki SV650 | $7,399You may be asking how an old warhorse like the SV650 makes this list, and well, it’s simple: The bike’s great engineering and peppy V-twin engine (the only Vee here) continues to represent a great value for the class—and motorcycles in general, if we’re being honest. The aesthetics are still on point too, with the instantly recognizable steel trellis frame enveloping the classic (and characterful) 645cc DOHC V-twin engine. But 20-year-old engineering can still show its age, and on the SV650 you feel it in the somewhat dated suspension package and compact old-school rider triangle, which tends to favor shorties—but also allows for an easy reach to the asphalt. Triple hydraulic disc brakes do an adequate job of shedding speed on the 432-pound Suzook, and fixed ABS is available for an extra $450 (or $550 for the 2024 MY). On our ride last year, we said, “the SV still offers more well-rounded handling manners than many of its contemporaries,” and although there is no 2024 non-ABS model, the 2023 bike is still available.With its easy handling, light weight, and soulful triple-cylinder soundtrack, the Trident 660 is an appealing ride for newbies or vets. (Triumph/)2024 Triumph Trident 660 | $8,595The Trident 660 gets placed on a lot of entry-level bike lists, but make no mistake, this attractive, punchy middleweight still generates numbers like 81 peak hp at 10,250 rpm, with a peak torque of 47 lb.-ft. at 6,250 rpm (claimed) from its liquid-cooled 660cc triple. That’s more power than the Yamaha MT-07 and Kawasaki Z650, and more torque than the Honda CB650R, which prompted us to call the new triple-powered entry-level bike “far from being boring” on our First Ride. And quoted wet weight is 417 pounds, which is easily on par or lighter than the twin-cylinder machines here too. With excellent handling, low weight, a 31.7-inch seat, and a narrow standover height, it’s also easy to see why the Trident would be appealing to newer riders. Then again, the engine delivers enough performance to have plenty of fun on the road, even for experienced vets, and as a bonus, you get that lovely soundtrack from the triple-cylinder engine.Combining fun, versatility, and ease of ownership, Yamaha’s parallel-twin-powered MT-07 is a worthy choice for novice and experienced riders alike. (Yamaha/)2024 Yamaha MT-07 | $8,199A fan favorite in this class for years now, the MT-07 was one of the first models in the group to popularize the parallel twin with 270-degree crank engine configuration. Approachable, affordable, and fun, the former FZ-07 still offers lots of great attributes, like nimble handling, torquey power, accessible ergonomics, and an attractive price tag. The 689cc DOHC crossplane twin engine has plenty of low and midrange grunt, and was good for 67 hp at 8,700 rpm and 46.3 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,250 rpm on our dyno, making it a hit for novice and experienced riders alike—especially when you factor in the bike’s 406-pound weight, balanced center of gravity, and low 31.7-inch seat. Budget suspension components and a lack of rider aids speak to the bike’s price-point leanings but there’s still plenty to like here, including the punchy performance and upright ergos, and of course, the MSRP.
