Top 10 best middleweight naked motorcycles of 2024

The middleweight naked motorcycle segment has been transformed in recent years from a category which was dominated by relatively uninspiring bikes to one which features many of the spicier motorcycles on the market.

From the Honda CB750 Hornet and Suzuki GSX-8S that both arrived for the 2023 model year, or KTM’s revived 790 Duke, the middleweight naked category has become a real heavy hitter for the industry.

 

Distilling such a newly interesting segment of the market down into the 10 best picks is not straightforward, but we’ve given it our best go to give you Visordown’s top 10 best middleweight naked bikes that you can buy in 2024.

10 - Suzuki SV650

The Suzuki SV650 is a little bit like Stonehenge; instantly recognisable and unchanged for what seems like millennia!

While that seems like an insult, it’s simply down to the venerable SV650 just being so enduringly impressive - it's no coincidence Suzuki is keeping it on sale for a bit longer despite the launch of its de facto successor, the GSX-8S.

The proven 650cc V-twin - a rarity in this sector now - remains a peach, and the chassis is capable enough (in the right hands and with some subtle mods) to hang out with a 1,000cc bike on a UK track day.

On the flip side, the SV650 offers predictable handling in stock form means it’s an ideal bike for first-timers and newer riders, and the SV650 remains the motorcycle of choice for many UK motorcycle training centres.

Yes, it feels its age compared with other options in the class, but - even in the face of newer opposition - the SV650 remains very likeable in its refreshingly honest, no-nonsense way.

Visordown Long-Term Review | Suzuki SV650

9 - Honda CB650R

While the Honda CB650R may seem somewhat surplus to requirement with the launch of the newer, more limber Honda CB750 Hornet, it remains a worthy discerning choice in this company.

Still standing out as the only inline four-cylinder naked in the middleweight pack, the 'Neo Sports Café' styling still turns heads, while the 649cc engine offers an appealingly different character to its rivals here.

Point the CB650R to the countryside and its chassis really comes alive, with a Showa Separate Function Big Piston fork, and a balance-free rear shock providing a sporty yet composed ride.

On the downside, what was already a fairly ambitious price tag - now starting at £7,799 - relative to its rivals, the arrival of the keenly-priced Hornet (£7,299) puts an even more unflattering spotlight on its cousin. On the other hand, that same £7,799 will get you a CB650R with Honda's new E-Clutch system in 2024.

With this in mind, unless you're really sold on those looks relative to the somewhat dowdier Hornet, save the cash and get the newer Honda twin.

Visordown Review | Honda CB650R [2019]

8 - Moto Morini Seiemmezzo STR

The new Moto Morini Seiemmezzo may be difficult to spell, but in many ways, it makes a lot of sense for those who may be seeking a new mid-size motorcycle on a budget.

Meaning 'Six-and-a-half' in Italian in a nod to its 650cc engine, the Seiemmezzo comes in two understated yet attractive flavours; the STR - or Street - and SCR 'scrambler'.

Both are fairly identical beyond a few minor cosmetic and dimension tweaks, but whichever you choose, the Seiemmezzo looks tempting on paper with some surprisingly premium kit thrown in, such as aluminium swingarm, Pirelli rubber, adjustable Kayaba suspension, and Brembo Brakes with Bosch ABS.

While the handling won't blow you away and - at 61bhp - it feels a touch underpowered, they are compromises that are probably worth making to get such a well-equipped motorcycle at a starting price of just £5,999.

Visordown Review | Moto Morini Seiemmezzo STR & SCR [2022]

7 - Kawasaki Z650

While it’s true that the Kawasaki Z650 is due for an update in the next year or so, this highly entertaining naked is still well worth a closer look.

It may be down on power compared to some of the competition, but what it lacks in grunt it makes up for in rideability and that unmistakable Kawasaki Sugomi styling.

Power comes from a 649cc 8-valve engine that produces 67bhp at 8,000rpm. It’s a punchy motor, and unlike many on this list has an old-school charm thanks to the conventional 180-degree crank design.

Performance though is thoroughly modern, and the engine really comes into its own on a twisty B-road.

It’s backed up by suspension that might seem budget-looking, but the set-up is ideal for spirit road riding. Comfort is also excellent, with the contoured seat and sculpted fuel tank seeming to envelop you as you ride.

Visordown Review | Kawasaki Z650 [2020]

6 - KTM 790 Duke

Reintroduced in 2023 with the assistance of KTM’s industrial partner, CFMoto, the KTM 790 Duke has bedded back into the middle section of KTM’s naked offering. The new 2024 KTM 990 Duke has come to replace the old 890, opening up a bit more space for the 790, below which are the 390 and 125 Dukes. 

A defining characteristic of all of the KTM Dukes is their aggressive character, at least on the surface. The 790 lives up to that with typical angular visuals and a raw engine sound from the CFMoto-built 799cc twin-cylinder.

You could argue that a lack of adjustability on the 790’s WP suspension is a drawback, and it will be for some, but we found when we rode it last year that the standard setup is pretty solid on the road, offering a good ride in combination with satisfying handling.

Electronics include IMU-controlled cornering anti-lock brakes and traction control, and even a selectable Supermoto mode which disables the rear ABS while leaving it turned on at the front. Additionally, the quickshifter is more compliant on the new generation 790, and the collaboration on this model with CFMoto helps to keep the price at an agreeable £7,999.

Visordown Review | KTM 790 Duke [2023]

5 - Yamaha MT-07

The middle child in Yamaha's 'Masters of Torque' line-up - the Yamaha MT-07 - received a major update in 2021, with conversation-starting new styling and a host of other internal updates.

In terms of sales, the MT-07 has held firm as the model to beat for rivals and it isn't hard to understand why, proving enjoyable to ride, well-equipped and endowed with Yamaha's signature engineering quality.

While it strikes for the middle in terms of power and handling in what is now a very competitive segment, there remains little to fault of the MT-07 - divisive design treatment notwithstanding - even if its once 'default choice' status is deflating.

Visordown Review | Yamaha MT-07 [2021]

4 - Aprilia Tuono 660

While the Aprilia Tuono 660 stands apart from rivals here by striking for a demographic that is less novice commuter and more experienced track day enthusiast, if you can stretch to the premium it demands, it is a quality mid-size naked to consider regardless.

Available in standard and more honed Factory trim, the Tuono 660 feels every penny of its (admittedly sizeable) markup of almost £9k.

For that, you get a motorcycle that feels like a closer relation to the Tuono V4 than you'd think, while its low weight, high-end electronics package and fantastic 659cc parallel twin engine make it an irresistibly fun plaything both on the open road and the race track.

Objectively it is the best motorcycle here when it comes to riding and nothing raises a smile so readily... but it's still a VIP purchase in a category built around Bob Everyman, so it can't be our winner.

Visordown Review | Aprilia Tuono 660 [2021]

3 - Suzuki GSX-8S

The keenly-anticipated, (very) long-awaited successor to the venerable SV650, the Suzuki GSX-8S is not merely a significant addition to the mid-size naked segment, it's a huge moment for Suzuki too.

Ushering in a new era for Suzuki, the GSX-8S not only has to defeat its rivals but it has to live up to a much loved predecessor at the same time.

For this reason, it is clear Suzuki has worked hard on the finer details of the new GSX-8S and the result is indeed an accomplished model that succeeds in breathing a bit of fresh air into the firm's line-up.

While the stripped-back - albeit fussy - design won't be to everyone's taste, it makes a statement here, while the quality and finish are on pointe too.

At its heart is a brand new 776cc parallel-twin engine boasting 82bhp. While it loses some ponies to the Hornet, the GSX-8S has been set up to feel more useable in the mid-range, while the riding experience is enhanced by Suzuki's new cutting-edge electronics package, which successfully treads a balance between refined and fun.

On the flip side, Suzuki's attempts to position the GSX-8S in both the mid-size and upper-mid naked categories leave it a little awkwardly straddled, being neither as fun as a Triumph Trident 660 or as refined as a Triumph Street Triple 765. This is also reflected in a £7,999 that flies in the face of Suzuki's value-orientated image.

Visordown Review | Suzuki GSX-8S [2023]

2 - Honda CB750 Hornet

You might not think it when you look at it, but the Honda CB750 Hornet is one of the most significant new motorcycles the Japanese powerhouse has launched in years.

Setting the foundation for an expansive range of models that will sit on its new twin-cylinder, middleweight platform, the CB750 Hornet is a motorcycle that Honda has very clearly done its homework with.

Featuring an all-new frame that has been designed with the particular aim of keeping weight down, with just 190kg of machine underneath you, the Hornet feels sprightly and nimble, making light work of urban journeys.

It's not overwhelmed on the open road either thanks to its punchy new 755cc parallel-twin engine, which produces a chunky 91bhp. It helps to keep things going at a nice tempo when pushing on, though a snatchy throttle at low speeds and over-eager ABS irritate.

What sets the Hornet apart from its targeted rivals, however, is its surprising value-for-money, the welcome effect of Honda coming in lower so as not to overlap with the similarly positioned CB650R. Whatever the reason, at £6,999, the Hornet comfortably undercuts the Trident 660, MT-07 and GSX-8S yet offers more power and is generously equipped.

We just wish Honda hadn't played it so safe with the design...

Visordown Review | Honda CB750 Hornet [2023]

1 - Triumph Trident 660

Triumph's first attempt at striking for the middle ground of younger, newer riders, the Triumph Trident 660 brings the Hinckley firm's distinctive 'sporty premium' values to a more affordable price point.

Featuring a reworked 660cc configuration of its iconic triple-cylinder engine architecture, the Trident 660 displays a certain fizzy charisma on the road unlike any other motorcycle in this class.

While the Trident 660 represents the entry point into Triumph's range, it retains the same supply of quality components from long-time partners Showa and Nissin, which help it feel assured and eager on the road, as though it is a more easy-going, less intimidating take on the Street Twin.

A shade under £8k is a fair chunk of money to part with for a supposed ‘starter bike’, although, for new riders who want a bit of kudos with their purchase, it remains a tempting prospect. Quick, classy, and brimming with quality attention to detail, the Triumph Trident 660 will make you feel just that bit more special when you throw a leg over it, compared to its rivals here. Which is why the Triumph Trident 660 remains the best Mid-Size Naked Motorcycle you can buy right now.

Visordown Review | Triumph Trident 660 [2020]

 Top 10 middleweight naked bikes of 2024 | Key Specifications and Technical Details Comparison