Best middleweight naked motorcycles (2024) + five used alternatives

There was a time when the most popular first big bikes were sporty, fully faired, 600cc supersports with naked, roadsters versions being virtually non-existent. Not anymore. Today, one of the most active and competitive motorcycle classes of all is for the middleweight naked. With machines ranging from Honda’s latest CB750 Hornet to Triumph’s Street Triple 765 and Yamaha’s newly-updated MT-09 there’s a middleweight naked for everyone. What’s more, with a host of new machinery recently released from the likes of not just Honda but also Suzuki and Yamaha there’s now more to choose from than ever, as well.

But that plethora of options also makes your buying decisions more difficult than ever, too, with V-twins, parallel twins, triples and fours available from under seven grand to nearly 10. And even with us leaving out smaller A2 machines and now putting on an upper capacity limit of 900cc (so leaving out Kawasaki’s 948cc Z900 and Ducati’s 937cc Monster) there’s still a baffling variety of options and abilities out there. So, to help you choose, here’s our pick of the current best, in ascending price order…

Honda CB750 Hornet, £7299

One of the undoubted stars of 2023. Honda’s new Hornet is an Italian designed and built, affordable parallel-twin rival to the best-selling MT-07 and it’s managed to beat the Yamaha in virtually every respect. It’s 755cc motor is more powerful while still having plenty of characterful grunt AND benefitting from switchable rider modes. Its chassis is slightly more substantial and more suited to a larger range of rider sizes while still being a nimble, fine handler. It’s got higher spec cycle parts in the form of inverted forks and radial brakes and, most impressively of all, it’s cheaper than the latest version of the MT-07, too. If you want a further cherry on top of all that, the Hornet’s a Honda with all the reliability reassurance and quality dealer network that brings.

• Engine: 755cc, l/c, parallel twin

• Power: 91bhp

• Torque: 55lb.ft

• Kerb weight: 190kg

• Fuel capacity: 15.2 litres

• Seat height: 795mm

Suzuki SV650, £7399

The long-lived and hugely popular Suzuki SV is the bike that kick-started the middleweight naked class when first launched way back in 1999. A simple but sweet-handling roadster (a half-faired S version was originally available as well) it was powered by a perky and flexible 69bhp 645cc V-twin. The result was an honest, affordable yet rewarding bike that was great for novices. Numerous reincarnations since led to a reintroduced SV in 2016, which was also updated to be Euro5 compliant for 2021. The basic layout and appeal remain but despite updated looks and revised 72bhp motor, it now seems a little dated.

• Engine: 645cc, l/c, V-twin

• Power: 71bhp

• Torque: 47lb.ft

• Kerb weight: 187kg

• Fuel capacity: 13.8 litres

• Seat height: 785mm

Yamaha MT-07, £7516

Motorcycling got a shot in the arm when Yamaha began introducing its modular, budget-priced MT range from 2013 and its mid-range, 689cc, twin cylinder version (there’s also the original 847cc MT-09 triple plus a single) has proved a deserved Europe-wide hit for its lively performance yet unintimidating manners. After getting suspension tweaks and a cosmetic refresh in 2017 it was updated again in 2021 prompted by Euro5 which knocked power down a touch (not that you’d notice) while it was also restyled to include LED lights and bigger brakes. It then received a further update for 2023 with a new 5inch TFT dash with smartphone connectivity. It’s still one of the very best bikes in the class, but the new Honda Hornet has stolen its thunder, is cheaper and the Yamaha’s starting to show its age.

Engine: 689cc, l/c, parallel twin

Power: 72bhp

Torque: 49lb.ft

Kerb weight: 184kg

Fuel capacity: 14 litres

Seat height: 805mm

Honda CB650R, £7799

The only transverse (or across-the-frame) four-cylinder machine here. Honda’s CB is overlooked more than most in this category but is stylish, meaty and impressive value. Originally launched as the CB650F in 2014, with 86bhp it was a little softer and novice-friendly than the riotous Hornet it succeeded but was still handsome, competent and, for bigger riders, more substantial than rival 650 twins. Updated in 2017 it gained a touch more Hornet spirit by way of four extra bhp and more youthful look and was refreshed again for 2020 becoming the CB650R, with tweaks for Euro5 and stripped down ‘Neo Café’ styling to match the CB1000R, CB300R and CB125R. While for 2024 it’s been refreshed subtly again and is now also available with Honda’s ‘E-Clutch’ system. The CB may lack any particularly compelling features and the excitement of a Street Triple or MT-09 but it’s perfectly able, refined, versatile, has a touch of Honda class and, for a four, is good value.

• Engine: 649cc, l/c, transverse four

• Power: 92bhp

• Torque: 46.5lb.ft

• Kerb weight: 202kg

• Fuel capacity: 15.4 litres

• Seat height: 810mm

Triumph Trident 660, £7895

Launched in 2021 and temptingly different by being an affordable three-cylinder, Triumph’s Trident triple is aimed squarely at budget-priced, entry-level middleweight twin cylinder roadsters such as Yamaha’s MT-07 and the Honda Hornet yet does it in typical Triumph style. Its distinctive 660cc triple produces a competitive, characterful 80bhp, it’s a brilliant handler, is, like the MT-07, easy to ride but also engaging and exciting when you want it to be. But best of all the new Trident is also temptingly affordable yet somehow manages to be just that without it being obvious that any corners have been cut (although, on closer inspection, you’ll notice that the suspension is mostly unadjustable, and the brakes are basic two-piston Nissins). Overall, the Trident is one of the most tempting and characterful options in the class – plus, if you want a faired/sports-tourer version, Triumph also offers that with the Tiger Sport 660.

• Engine: 660cc, l/c, transverse triple

• Power: 80bhp

• Torque: 47lb.ft

• Kerb weight: 189kg

• Fuel capacity: 14 litres

• Seat height: 805mm

KTM 790 Duke, £7999

No, that’s not a misprint, this is the 790 Duke, not the supposedly succeeding 890 version. A quick recap: Austrian firm KTM originally launched its punchy, lightweight, 95bhp 790 Duke in 2018 then succeeded it with the larger, more potent 890 version in 2021, which was also offered in higher spec R trim. But last year the 790 was reintroduced and, thanks to being built by Chinese partner CF Moto, is cheaper than ever. That said, and especially compared to some of the older, more budget bikes in this category, the 790 is no poor relation. There’s a punchy, competitive 94bhp, ultra-nimble handling, quality suspension and brakes, a TFT dash and more, all for under £8000! The 890, meanwhile, has now been dropped to be replaced for 2024 by a new 990 version, but that’s outside this categorization and is another story…

• Engine: 799cc, l/c, parallel twin

• Power: 94bhp

• Torque: 65lb.ft

• Dry weight: 174kg

• Fuel capacity: 14 litres

• Seat height: 825mm

Suzuki GSX-8S, £8299

Like Honda’s new CB750 Hornet, the GSX-8S was also all-new for 2023 and was also conceived as a rival for Yamaha’s huge-selling MT-07. As such, it too is a parallel twin (so doesn’t actually replace the SV650 as originally feared, both continue, for now, in Suzuki’s range). It’s a similarly decent performer, too, even if, on paper, it’s neither as powerful nor as cheap as the Honda. That’s compensated for, to a degree, by a standard quickshifter, it’s slightly more substantial, longer and larger, which may suit taller, more mature riders and its motor is a gem, with stacks of midrange.

• Power   82bhp

• Torque 57lb.ft

• Kerb weight: 202kg

• Fuel capacity: 14 litres

• Seat height: 810mm

BMW F900R, £9090

New in 2020, the F 900 R is BMW’s enlarged, face-lifted and updated replacement for the old F 800 R. As such it’s part of the German firm’s middleweight twin family, alongside the F 900 and 800 GS adventure and F 900 XR adventure sport. And while the R roadster may be the less celebrated and dynamic of that trio, with a useful 103bhp, neutral, easy handling, enviable badge and long list of optional equipment, it has a classy, if slightly conservative, style many others in this class can’t match. The 900 R may lack the versatility of the faired XR, the punchy performance of Yamaha’s MT (especially the 900cc version) or the bargain basement price of the Suzuki SV, but it’s a classy, all-round buy.

Engine: 895cc, l/c, parallel twin

Power: 104bhp

Torque: 68lb.ft

Kerb weight: 211kg

Fuel capacity: 15.5 litres

Seat height: 815mm

Triumph Street Triple R, £9795

The British naked triple has been the middleweight roadster class leader ever since its introduction in 2007 as a naked variant of the then Daytona 675 supersports, due to its combination of lusty but flexible and accessible performance, three-cylinder character and British style. The family grew to 765cc in 2017 with base S, R and high spec RS versions then, in 2020, the S became an A2-class, 660cc offering leaving the R the most accessible with 116bhp and class-leading handling via the likes of Brembo radial brakes, multi-adjustable Showa suspension and more. Not the cheapest – if you want a more accessible middleweight Triumph triple roadster, check out the Trident – but certainly one of the best plus it was improved further for 2023 with more power, new looks, refined electronics, sharper handling and a smaller fuel tank. And if you want even more, there’s the high-spec RS version, with 128bhp, uprated chassis and electronics and a price of £11,495.

• Engine 765cc, l/c, transverse triple

• Power 118bhp

• Torque 59lb.ft

• Dry weight: 189kg

• Fuel capacity: 15 litres

• Seat height: 826mm

Yamaha MT-09, £10,106

Yes, it’s now the most expensive offering in this category but we’ve also saved the best until last. Originally launched in 2014, updated in 2017, then getting an enlarged engine and new Deltabox frame in 2021, it’s now been further refined and improved for 2024 to become not just the best MT-09 yet but arguably one of the best all round bikes available. On top of the brilliantly grunty, flexible and fun three-cylinder engine (which is its stand-out feature) and nimble and fine handling chassis, the new 2024 version has improved suspension and front brake, a revised, more sporty riding position, new, slick five-inch TFT dash and switchgear and all-new styling. The result is a fun, versatile roadster almost without criticism. The old MT-09 was always something of a slightly rough, budget orientated diamond. This latest version is a classy, refined, polished gem.

• Engine: 890cc, l/c, parallel triple

• Power: 117bhp

• Torque: 67lb.ft

• Kerb weight: 193kg

• Fuel capacity: 14 litres

• Seat height: 825mm

Best used middleweight nakeds

Fancy a used option? Here’s our five of the best:

2017-current Kawasaki Z650, £3,750-£6,500

Modern incarnation of ER-6n can’t quite match MT-07 but is great for newbies

2013-2018 Kawasaki Z800, £3,950-£6,350

111bhp four was superseded by larger Z900 but is more than worth a look

2017-2021 Suzuki GSX-S750, £4,850-£7,700

Affordable four-cylinder naked based around old GSX-R750K5 engine

2017-2021 Ducati Monster 797, £4,950-£7,250

Last of the air-cooled, pre-937 Monsters is a great inro to Italian nakeds

2012-2020 Aprilia Shiver 750, £3,3250-6,500

Italian Monster rival lacked Ducati charisma but was modern and effective

Cover up to Six Bikes on one Multi Bike insurance policy

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