Fastest Naked Bikes Under 1000cc

Naked bikes offer a great experience both on and off the track, and these motorcycles offer the best experience under 1000cc.

Naked bikes first appeared during the 1980s with crashed motorbikes being stripped of their fairings and re-branded as "streetfighters" by the riders who continued to use them. As the niche's popularity grew, manufacturers soon took notice, eventually resulting in the world's first proper factory naked bike, the 1993 Ducati Monster. Orders rushed in for the Ducati Monster, an affordable Ducati for everyday riding, and other companies soon followed suit with their own naked bike offerings, aiming to capitalize on a fresh market. Over the past decades, naked bikes have become more powerful and more agile, enough to rival even supersport bikes in terms of performance. These days, brands work towards balancing power, speed, and rider comfort in the naked bike offerings, and these are the 10 fastest naked bikes under 1000cc.

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Aprilia has been known for making exciting machines for decades, as their Venetian factories have made award-winning motorcycles. As part of their modern line-up, Aprilia introduced the Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory, the smaller brother of their flagship naked bike, the Tuono V4 Factory. Despite being marketed as an entry-level motorcycle, the Tuono 660 Factory contains all the bits and pieces that make it a competitive naked bike.

For starters, the engine is a 270-degree parallel-twin that cranks out 100 mighty horses and 49 pound-feet of torque, pushing the 2022 Tuono 660 Factory up to 140 mph. The bike also boasts a well-balanced chassis that makes the ride feel sharper and more enjoyable, especially in the corners. The electronic suite also leaves none to be desired, as Aprilia put in riding modes, cruise control, and variable engine braking parameters.

Triumph's modern line-up rejuvenates the brand's image as competitive offerings such as the Thruxton and the monstrous Rocket 3. Capitalizing on the streetfighter market, Triumph developed the Street Triple 765 RS, a street bike with a Moto2 engine that offers the best performance for its class. While the engine is a racer's choice, the 765cc inline-three produces 128 horsepower and 59 pound-feet of torque. This performance allows riders to enjoy both track days and Sunday drives on the same bike, enjoying speeds of up to 150 mph. Primarily aimed at urban riders, Triumph worked towards making the ride as comfortable and easy as possible, equipping the bike with Showa forks and Öhlins rear suspension.m

The Japanese giants in Suzuki saw the naked bike craze and jumped in with its GSX-S bikes back in 2005. Over a decade later, the brand remains competitive thanks to the GSX-S1000, a naked bike designed to be a Gixxer streetfighter. The bike carries an engine derived from its GSX-R sibling, allowing it to show off its racing heritage.

The engine is a 999cc liquid-cooled inline-four, capable of putting out a respectable 150 horsepower and 78 pound-feet of torque. This power allows riders to comfortably reach speeds of up to 150 mph in all conditions. The GSX-S1000 is essentially a GSX-R without fairings, as the twin-spar aluminum chassis is borrowed from its racing sibling, giving the bike its maneuverability despite its size.

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Nicknamed the "super scalpel" thanks to its precise steering and handling, the KTM Duke 890 R is the Austrians’ answer to the naked bike question. While appearing only as an upsized Duke 790, the Duke 890 R features a bigger engine that produces more horses. The 890cc parallel-twin generates 119 horsepower and 73 pound-feet of torque, a significant improvement from its 790 sibling.

Apart from the styling and engine, the similarities end between the Duke 890 R and Duke 790. The crankshaft has been improved to provide more stability in the corners, and both cylinders get their own sensor that monitors manifold pressure and adjusts the fuel mixture for better throttle response. The chassis is also lighter and the steeper swingarm angle allows for better corner entries and exits. These features show that its nickname was well-earned.

When Honda first unveiled the CB650R and CB1000R, it labeled the bikes as Neo-Sports Café bikes. Deep down, everyone knows they’re just naked bikes buried under marketing catchphrases. At its core, the CB1000R is a very capable bike with all the qualities that make Honda motorcycles a great bike to ride. The CB1000R has a 998cc inline-four engine that injects 143 horsepower and 76 pound-feet of torque straight to the rear wheel. Mating this power with a six-speed gearbox and a Herculean chain drive allows riders to enjoy the bike's full potential at a top speed of 152 mph. Honda also provides three preset riding profiles and the option to add a customizable profile, allowing riders to take full control of their experience.

The Ducati Monster is the bike that started it all, with Ducati cashing in on its golden ticket to produce better race bikes and even better street versions. While the more modern iterations of the Ducati Monster have all the tech that makes a Ducati expensive, none could compare to the top speed of the 2006 Monster S4RS Testastretta. Modern Monsters reach an official speed of up to 140 mph, but the S4RS can reach up to 161 mph. The bike achieves this thanks to its 998cc Testastretta L-Twin engine that makes 130 horsepower and 76.7 pound-feet of torque. Alongside the legendary engine, the naked bike icon is able to maintain stability thanks to its revolutionary steel trellis frame and Öhlins front and rear suspension systems.

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Yamaha looked at the MT-09 and the R1 and decided to create the MT-10, the company's top-of-the-line streetfighter. With design elements closer to the R1 than its MT-09 brother, the MT-10 provides a very sporty experience for urban riders. The bike carries Yamaha's signature crossplane 998cc inline-four engine, putting up 160 horses and 82 pound-feet of torque on tap.

As a proud member of the "Master of Torque" family of motorcycles, the MT-10 offers an aggressive yet relaxed experience thanks to its blend of aesthetic and ergonomic elements. Ram air scoops dominate the sides of the tank, before tapering off towards the seat and offering a spacious and cushy saddle. These features are complemented by an electronic suite fit for a flagship bike, such as lean-sensitive traction control and engine brake management.

The BMW M 1000 R is basically an S 1000 R on steroids. BMW likes to call it a roadster, but really, it's just a fancy naked bike capable of performing at the highest levels. The S 1000 R was derived from the iconic S 1000 RR, and from that platform, the company built up the M 1000 R as the ultimate naked bike capable of being an urban steed and a track monster in one. The engine is a 999cc water/oil-cooled inline-four that makes a whopping 205 horsepower and 83 pound-feet of torque. It achieves these figures thanks to high-end parts such as titanium valves and BMW's Shiftcam variable intake camshaft control. BMW also sprinkled carbon fiber on the bike like sugar as well as attaching winglets at the front to generate more downforce. Thanks to all the features and weight savings, the bike can blitz up to speeds of 174 mph

The Kawasaki Z H2 is the naked counterpart of the track beast that is the H2. Determined to remain at the top of the motorcycling world, Kawasaki made the Z H2 the only naked bike to come with a supercharger out of the factory. This feature opens up many possibilities and exciting opportunities for riders fortunate enough to own the bike.

With 197 horsepower and 101 pound-feet of torque coming out of the 998cc supercharged liquid-cooled inline-four engine, the bike takes off like a rocket ship. The bike's naked styling emphasizes its raw power, providing a supercharged experience like no other at 186 mph.

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At the top of this list is an exotic Italian, the MV Agusta Brutale 1000 RR. True to its name, the bike's styling shows off a brutally raw aesthetic that complements its power. The company made sure to make the bike feel as premium as it is powerful, fitting carbon fiber elements on the bike such as wheels, tank, and even engine covers. The bike makes an astounding 208 horsepower and 86 pound-feet of torque from its 998cc inline-four engine. MV Agusta doesn't even disclose its top speed, merely stating that it's more than 186 mph. The Brutale 1000 RR crosses the boundaries into hypernaked territory, and its premium feel and muscular qualities makes the bike a head-turner in the streets.

A part-time writer and a full-time automotive enthusiast. If it has wheels and looks pretty, he's all over it.While he loves European cars more than other cars, nothing can match his love for motorcycles, especially the classic ones. You can find him parked in a café or shredding chicken strips around the twisties.