10 Most Powerful Naked Sports Bikes Under $10,000

Among all classes, naked motorcycles are some of the most thrilling bikes to ride. They provide a raw, wind-in-your-face riding experience since they have no bodywork to tuck behind. In all fairness, that’s how motorcycles are supposed to be enjoyed. The origins of naked bikes may be found in the 1950s and 1960s when young folks short on finances began building their own reasonably priced bikes to ride around town. Though they didn’t refer to their motorcycles as naked at the time, they were still the forerunners of the motorcycles we are going to talk about today.

Speaking of which, there is a wide variety of naked motorcycles today, based on fully-faired sports bikes but disassembled, altered, and made somewhat more street-friendly. The result is a more erect riding stance, retuned engines, and single-piece handlebars in place of clip-ons and higher gearing. Almost every bike manufacturer in existence today has such a bike in production and in this list, we look at the top 10 most powerful naked sports bikes under $10,000.

In order to give you the most up-to-date information possible, the data used to complete this article was sourced directly from the manufacturer’s website alongside authoritative sites. The models are listed in terms of their max power, from the lowest to the highest.

10 Yamaha MT-07

Power: 75 Horsepower

Although the majority of Yamaha hyper-naked motorcycles are superb, the MT-07 is perhaps the best of the lot when it comes to offering the perfect amount of oomph at a reasonable price tag. The motorcycle can handle winding roads with ease and has enough power to be fun yet unintimidating. That is thanks to the much-proven 689cc liquid-cooled, CP2 four-stroke engine. With its 72 horsepower, the motor is a fantastic choice for riders of all experience levels. Plus, the bike is prepared for every type of use, whether it’s daily commuting or long trips along the interstate.

Performance Specifications

9 Suzuki SV650

Power: 75 Horsepower

The Suzuki SV650 has been recognized and unaltered for what feels like a millennium. We don’t mean that as a complaint, even though Suzuki is intentionally holding the venerable SV650 on the market longer despite the introduction of the GSX-8S. A simple reason could be the SV650 is just so good. It is a popular motorcycle that provides reliable handling in factory conditions, making it a great choice for riders of all calibers. Yes, it seems older than some of the other alternatives listed here, but it manages to maintain its likability despite the competition, with its straightforward and no-nonsense approach.

Performance Specifications

8 Triumph Trident 660

Power: 81 Horsepower

A little under $9,000 is a significant sum of money to spend on a so-called “beginner bike,” but the Trident is still an alluring option for novice riders. With its legendary triple-cylinder engine layout reconfigured into a 660cc capacity, the Trident 660 has a certain bubbly charm on the road that sets it apart from other motorcycles in its class. It is quick, stylish, and full of excellent attention to detail, which will make you feel even special when you swing your leg over it.

Performance Specifications

7 Suzuki GSX-8S

Power: 82 Horsepower

As Suzuki enters a new era, the GSX-8S must not only outperform its competitors but also live up to the high standards set by its adored predecessors. Because of this, Suzuki spent a lot of time perfecting the fine details of the 8S, and the end product is a well-made bike that manages to add some novelty to the company’s lineup. At its core is a brand-new, 82-horsepower 776cc parallel-twin engine, designed to feel more useful in the mid-range, even if it loses some horses at the top. Topping things is Suzuki’s new state-of-the-art electronics package that improves the overall experience.

Performance Specifications

6 Honda CB650R

Power: 94 Horsepower

Even if the newer Honda CB750 Hornet could be America-bound, the CB650R is still a good option for enthusiasts. In the middleweight pack, its ‘Neo Sports Café’ design continues to draw attention, and its pure-bred inline-four engine gives it a pleasantly distinct personality from its competitors. This is topped by a capable chassis, which comes to life as you drive it through winding roads. Its Showa Separate Function Big Piston forks and balance-free rear shock offer a lively yet smooth ride. To top it all off, there’s the Honda reliability!

Performance Specifications

5 BMW F 900 R

Power: 99 Horsepower

Since its 2008 debut, BMW Motorrad’s parallel-twin-powered F-Series has advanced significantly. Although the original Rotax engine performed admirably in the GS model, it was not thrilling enough for the road-going R and XR variants. Thus, came the F 900 R: a reliable middleweight naked to compete with today’s more modern models. The 895cc, DOHC, water-cooled engine is a somewhat contemporary design. It produces a perfectly sufficient peak horsepower of 99 and a peak torque of 67 pound-feet. It is finished to the high standard that we have come to expect from BMW and its delicious appearance is the cherry on top.

Performance Specifications

4 CFMoto 800NK

Power: 100 Horsepower

Essentially a KTM 790 Duke dressed differently, there are several ways to imagine the 800NK. It attracts attention with its $8,499 price tag, undercutting the KTM by $1,000 while having almost the same engine and frame as its Austrian sibling. CFMoto promises 59.7 pound-feet of torque and 100 horsepower. The 800 lacks the KTM’s two-way quickshifter, which is a significant loss compared to the Duke. But, in contrast, the 800 has cruise control for improved highway duties. As with the KTM, there are three ride modes on the CFMoto: Sport, Street, and Rain.

Performance Specifications

3 KTM 790 Duke

Power: 103 Horsepower

With the help of its industrial partner (CFMoto), KTM reintroduced the 790 Duke in 2023, positioned at the center of the company’s naked lineup. The aggressive nature of the KTM Dukes is what makes them all unique and with its characteristic angular looks and raw engine sound from its 799cc twin-cylinder engine, the 790 keeps up that reputation. Aside from traction control and IMU-controlled cornering anti-lock brakes, the electronics also have a selectable Supermoto mode that turns off the rear ABS while leaving the front one on. There are also bits like TFT instrumentation, smartphone connectivity, and all-LED lights, which means it offers far more than its sub-$10,000 price suggests.

Performance Specifications

2 Suzuki GSX-S750Z ABS

Power: 112 Horsepower

Suzuki GSX-S750Z is a model that has been has been around since 2015 and been utilized in a variety of applications (street, standard, and even sport in some cases). In terms of price as well as specifications, it has consistently been the ideal option for intermediate riders. There is a 749cc displacement, fuel-injected, four-cylinder engine producing 112 horsepower under the skin, mated to a six-speed constant mesh gearbox to manage everything. Suzuki has not yet revised this particular model for 2024, but the 2023 model — which comes with ABS — is still available for $9,149.

Performance Specifications

1 Kawasaki Z900 ABS

Power: 125 Horsepower

You can see what Kawasaki is attempting to accomplish with the Z900 if you closely examine the bikes sold by Honda and Suzuki. Neither party offers motorcycles in the 900cc class; they have bikes that are either 650 or 750cc, then straight to 1,000cc. As a result, Kawasaki has taken the chance to bridge the gap with its Z.

Its 4-cylinder, 948cc engine delivers lots of torque at all revs while operating smoothly. There’s ample mid-range for pulling away cleanly and overtakes without working the gearbox too much. With a twist of the throttle, Kawasaki’s DFI electronic fuel injection provides smooth power delivery and traction control helps keep things in check. After all, 125 horses is a seriously impressive output and the highest under $10,000.

Performance Specifications