Technically, any motorcycle without fairings can be called a naked bike. Naked bikes are modified or factory-built sports motorcycles with little to no fairings. The term naked motorcycle stems from the undressing of sports bikes that started in the 1980s and 1990s – riders with crashed bikes and no money to buy new ones stripped down their motorcycles and kept using them.

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So why are naked bikes the best motorcycles every gearhead should ride? They are agile, pretty comfortable to ride, and yes, they are exotic to behold. And this explains why this segment has increased in popularity since the beginning of the century. Today, nearly every motorcycle brand has a naked bike model in its lineup. So, which are the best naked bikes to buy in 2022?

9 MV Agusta Dragster 800 RR

A muscle at any angle, the MV Agusta Dragster 800 RR is a beast on the road and one of the most stunning Italian motorcycles of all time. Featuring the exotic looks of a street fighter, the 800 RR presents the perfect blend of technology, raw power, design, and emotions.

Powering the Dragster 800 is a potent three-cylinder, now Euro-approved, and upgraded through rapid modifications to enhance its performance and reliability. The current Dragster is as efficient as no other naked bike in the market. The engineers at MV managed to significantly reduce internal friction thanks to the DLC coating on the new tappets and the materials on the valve guides. To wrap up the improvements on this bike, MV Agusta gave the 800 RR a complete overhaul on the exhaust.

8 BMW S1000R

There's a smell of gas everywhere; an engine revs up. What follows? The unfolding of pure power emanates from the 165-horsepower powertrain, carrying the 430 lbs of the all-new 2022 BMW S1000R. With an engine and chassis bearing the DNA of an RR, the S1000R ranks top among the most incredible new BMW motorcycles on the market.

The S1000R is the first BMW bike to feature an optional M package with the M colors, and carbon wheels. It is a dynamic roadster on the outside and a superbike on the inside. It perfectly combines raw power and outstanding control, making it one of the best naked bikes in the market today. The weight? The S1000R has no worth challenger. The bike is optimized down to the last ounce – even when fully optioned and its fuel tank filled up, the BMW S1000R remains at 438 lbs.

7 Ducati Monster

The Ducati Monster has always been a symbol of power in the world of sporty naked bikes. And the new model takes everything on a whole new level. It represents the brand's essence in the lightest and most compact form possible. With the new Monster, Ducati presents everything every enthusiast expects from the sport naked bike segment, but in a more advanced guise.

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Featuring slinky yet aggressive styling and classic details with a modern twist, this bike aims to offer riders nothing short of Monster-style emotion. The chassis is an aluminum front frame and contributes to maintaining the bike's lightness. The primary essence of a naked bike is lightweight – it is easy to ride and handle while remaining fast and fun.

6 Triumph Speed Triple RS

All-new for the 2022 model year, the Triumph Speed Triple RS has been redesigned from the ground up to deliver the absolute revolution. It is purpose-designed to offer the next-level speed triple power performance and to provide riders with the best-handling naked bike of all time.

Powered by an all-new higher capacity 1160cc triple engine developed with inspiration from the Moto2 race engine program, the Speed Triple 1200 RS delivers 180 horsepower peak power at 10,750 rpm and 92 lb-ft peak torque at 9,000 rpm, making it an exhilarating bike to ride. It is also more responsive and has a new free-breathing intake and exhaust designed to give it a new hair-raising soundtrack.

5 KTM 1290 Super Duke R

Evolution and adaptation are vital factors when maintaining top status as a big dog, and the all-new for 2022 1290 Super Duke R is all that and more. Long story short – the beast has arrived. Equipped with an intuitive Semi-Active Suspension Technology, this beast seamlessly adapts to the road surface and the rider's inputs to deliver one of the most exhilarating experiences ever.

Powering this beast of a naked sportbike is a mean 1301cc LC8 V-twin which has been taken through subtle, yet impactful, development to deliver 180 horsepower. KTM built the 1290 Super Duke R to be the benchmark of V-twin technology by making the bike as light as possible and at the same time maintaining its torquey character.

4 Yamaha MT-07 / FZ-07

The Yamaha MT-07 is a next-level hyper-naked motorcycle. Designed and built to offer a hard-to-forget riding experience, the MT-07 features distinctive looks and components backed up by a next-level twin-cylinder engine. Hop on the latest 2022 MT-07 and experience the best balance of performance and fun.

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Powering this beast of a bike is an updated compact 689cc liquid-cooled engine with fuel injection. The MT-07's exotic looks further enhance the bike's distinctive appeal with fashion-leading paintwork and graphics. And to ensure the bike stays true to its segment, its newly designed parts, and features are intertwined with minimal structural elements to create an attractive design to ensure the naked hyper character stays alive. With an outline synonymous with the MT series, outstanding power, and torque delivery, the MT-07 showcases a tight and compact road presence.

3 Kawasaki Z650

A naked motorcycle with aggressive versatility is the best-fitting definition of the Kawasaki Z650. Kawasaki brought together aggressiveness and super nakedness in the most ideal blend of sporty performance and everyday reliability. Featuring a reliable 649cc unit and next-level technology, everything is designed and built in and around the Z650 lightweight chassis is intended to become an extension of the rider, making them feel like they're a part of the bike on the road.

The Sugomi-inspired styling of the Z650 makes it look sharp with a bold appearance, strong front face, and minimalist bodywork. The lowly-placed tapered seat for easy foot placement at stops and the upright riding position gives the rider clear forward visibility, increasing rider confidence even at top speeds.

2 Suzuki GSX-S1000

The GSX-S1000 is a superior force in the world of naked sports motorcycles. Born of a race-winning DNA with a proven track record and raised on the streets, the refined physique of the new 2022 Suzuki GSX-S1000 transforms it into an even tighter, more special package that turns heads wherever it passes or packs.

Packed with a high-performance four-stroke DOHC liquid-cooled inline-four engine, the new GSX-S1000 comes ready to own the streets. And it's not just about the performance; this bike features confidence-inspiring controllability and unbeatable looks. It is also quite rider-friendly and easy to live with. It's impressive how Suzuki seamlessly mated naked aggression and beauty while building the GSX-S1000.

1 Zero SR/F

Zero-SRF-1
Via zeromotorcycles.com

The Zero SR/F is the first fully smart bike in the world. It comes with a customizable dashboard equipped with Zero's next-generation app, which has many excellent free features. This fully electric street naked bike is powered by an air-cooled AC motor, the largest and most powerful the company has used on a production bike so far, and delivers a whopping 110 horsepower and 140ftlb of torque.

Zero SRF.
Via zeromotorcycles.com

Incredibly light and unbelievably strong, the Zero SR/F features a steel trellis frame, custom swingarm, and next-level Showa suspension designed to deliver an athletic riding experience. The powertrain is perfectly distributed to give the bike a weight-optimized design. Being the only true electric smart motorcycle in the market today, the Zero SR/F is an excellent naked bike every enthusiast should strive to ride.