MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR
The bonkers Brutale 1000 RR is one of the most powerful bikes here, but also by far the most expensive, which is why it’s propping up the bottom of our list of super nakeds.
If you can stomach the wallet-ruining £32,000 price tag, you’ll be treated to a thrilling motorcycle producing 205bhp from the same inline-four found in the also spendy MV Agusta F4 1000 superbike. The top speed, if you dare venture to it, is more than 186mph.
The riding position of the Brutale isn’t much more relaxed than the bike’s fully-faired sibling, owing to MV Agusta’s decision to dispense with the straight bars that are the norm for naked bikes and fit clip-ons, albeit slightly raised ones.
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If that sounds like a recipe for too many aches and pains, there is the flat-bar RS version. Whichever one you go for, you’re treated to one of the naughtiest-looking exhaust arrangements in modern motorcycling.
9. Suzuki GSX-S1000
With the iconic GSX-R1000 fading from price lists, its (distant) naked relative – the Suzuki GSX-S1000 – soldiers on having received its last significant update in 2021.
While the sunken, minimalist front-end arrangement won’t be to everyone’s taste, the Suzuki GSX-S1000 succeeds in looking more contemporary than what lies underneath that edgy exterior. Nevertheless, the GSX-S1000 has stood the test of time well with its involving riding experience, while the 999cc inline-four keeping things brisk out on the open road.
Its age notwithstanding, the Suzuki GSX-S1000 is well priced in this company at £11,699, while its mechanicals are sturdy and the SIRS (Suzuki Intelligent Ride System) is a value-added boon.
Visordown Review | Suzuki GSX-S1000 [2021]
8. Honda CB1000R
Honda has never had any trouble when it comes to practical, comfortable, sensible motorcycles, which is probably why the Japanese giant has always struggled when it comes to building bonkers, bad-ass ones.
Based on the previous generation CBR1000RR Fireblade, the Honda CB1000R never quite cut it when first introduced in 2008, criticised mostly for being – at a detuned 130bhp – a little soft and with its smooth four being a touch characterless, even if it was a decent, all-round bike.
But this latest version, updated for 2021, gets closer to the ‘super naked’ brief but remains a long way off its distant cousin, the new generation Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade.
Dominated by its ‘Neo Cafe’ styling, the chiselled looks are still sharp, while the introduction of the Black Edition flagship during the last update gives the Honda CB1000R range more gravitas with its modest, yet stealthy all-black livery.
Alas, the CB1000R is now lacking in most areas compared to newer competition, not least in the power stakes with its 143bhp looking pedestrian by comparison. Nevertheless, it’s refined and has a sporty undertone, while the chassis encourages you to push on even if there is nothing ‘too super’ about it in the racy sense.
This should all change quite soon though with a new, more powerful generation CB1000R based on the CBR1000RR-R in the works.
Visordown Review | Honda CB1000R Black Edition [2021]
7. KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo
If you want a spectacularly powerful naked, KTM has a trio of options – the KTM 1290 Super Duke R, Super Duke R Evo, and the Super Duke RR. We’d go for the middle option – it’s arguably the sweet spot, costing many thousands of pounds less than the RR, but packing various upgrades over the R including semi-active suspension.
At its heart is the same 177bhp, 1,301cc ‘LC8’ V-twin as used by the R, so you won’t be wanting for any more buttock-clenching power. That said, a variety of electronics make all that thrust accessible, without being too intrusive.
While KTM hasn’t made the largest of its Dukes more powerful than its predecessor, the current generation model does demonstrate improved refinement and manners to make it a more rounded machine than ever.
It’s a bit of a hooligan and it’s no looker, but if you want to get noticed, no other model in this category will create as much of an impact.
Visordown Review | KTM 1290 Super Duke R [2020]
6. Kawasaki Z H2
Cut from a similar cloth as the KTM 1290 Super Duke R, the similarly bonkers Kawasaki Z H2 is beginning to look a little tired in this company, even if it remains a riot of fun.
In-your-face, aggressive and loud, the Z H2 wears its supercharged heart on its sleeve, so while you’re unlikely to sway anyone towards a Z H2 if their heart is set on a Streetfighter V4 S, spend a bit of time with the Kawasaki and you might find you’ll have more fun.
The revvy 999cc, 197bhp engine gives the Z H2 ballistic-like qualities, while it certainly delivers when you unleash its full potential by being blisteringly fast with all the whistling blower drive and chirpy over-run that goes with it.
While the jagged edges of the design – unashamedly Kawasaki though they are – won’t be to everyone’s taste, the Z H2 does feel well put together, is compliant at lower speeds and well-kitted out, though, at a starting price of £19,799, it isn’t terribly cheap.
Visordown Review | Kawasaki Z H2 [2020]
5. Aprilia Tuono V4 1100
Aprillia’s naked version of the superb RSV4 superbike has been impressing with both its performance and class-leading electronics for almost a decade now and is regarded as the best of all Super Nakeds.
Eked out to 175bhp in its most recent 1100cc form in 2015, the Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 has been updated three times since, with two versions – the standard entry level version and the more formidable Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory.
Though certainly ageing against newer opposition, especially the increasingly anonymous styling, the Tuono V4 is brimming with clever tech and gadgets that have filtered down from Aprilia‘s successful MotoGP department.
Indeed, the latest Factory version is not only powerful and grunty, it comes with semi-active suspension and class-leading electronics – think of it as the purists’ super/hyper naked…
Visordown Review | Aprilia Tuono V4 1100 Factory [2022]
4. BMW M1000R
After the arrival of BMW’s famous ‘M’ to its motorcycle division in 2021 and the derivation the BMW M1000RR superbike from the established S1000RR, the Munich marque applied the same treatment to the super naked category, where the M1000R was derived from the S1000R in 2022, and it’s returned for 2023.
Super-aggressive styling is essentially the norm for this category by now, and BMW exaggerates this on the M1000R with the addition of aerodynamic wings to the upper part of the front bodywork. That aggression in the styling is matched in the performance, with 0-62mph achievable in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 174mph thanks to outputs of 210bhp and 83lb ft. That’s almost 50bhp more than the S1000R and, of course, it’s all electronically controllable via a suite of assists that are integrated into the five riding modes: Rain, Road, Dynamic, Race and Race Pro.
With a quickshifter, a redline of 14,600rpm, and a titanium Akrapovic pipe, there is little about the M1000R to keep BMW restricted to lowly depths of the ‘super naked’ class. Really, this one’s more of a ‘hyper naked’.
The fully configurable Dynamic Pro mode is also available with a wider range of setting options as part of the Riding Modes Pro option. With Riding Modes Pro, the new S 1000 R also features the engine brake control.
It satisfies the BMW loyalists perfectly but it isn’t the most exciting selection among some accomplished rivals.
3. Yamaha MT-10
The big Daddy among Yamaha’s Masters of Torque range – or ‘MT’ to you and me – the 2023 Yamaha MT-10 received a major overhaul in 2022 that brings it right back up to the sharp end of the super naked motorcycle ranking.
With a toned-down version of Yamaha’s divisive ‘dark’ theme styling direction, the MT-10 is all the better for it, appearing mean and moody, if a little fussy in places, while everything feels well put together and ergonomic once you throw a leg over.
Though some may feel a little shortchanged by Yamaha not chasing headlines by mimicking the R1’s near-200bhp grunt, the MT-10 feels all the more useable with its 163bhp and a focus on providing more torquey pulling power lower down the rev range.
Little tweaks over the still very capable previous generation have made a positive impact, proving fun to ride, quick enough, well-kitted out and – at a starting price of £14,210 – good value in this competition.