Please educate me about naked bikes

[pasmith73]

I've only ever had sportsbikes and they've all I've ever wanted to own really. But like us all, I'm getting older and I'm getting more discomfort from my wrists and neck as time goes on. Of course sportsbikes are always a compromise anyway, but it's getting to the point where I'm wondering if a more neutral riding position would lead to more enjoyable riding.

My favourite aspect of sportsbikes is the handling. So it makes sense that the naked version of a sportsbike is what I should be looking at. I currently have a S1000RR so moving to a S1000R would seem logical.

However - there's something I don't quite understand.
My previous bike was a Daytona and once I was given a Street Triple for the day as my bike was serviced. That's the only naked bike I have ridden. Around town I loved it, and was nipping around better than on my Daytona. However, once I got on an A road and up to 70+ mph, it felt like I was hanging on for dear life, with the airflow trying to rip me off the back of the bike. Not enjoyable at all.

But naked bikes are more popular than faired sportsbikes now. So is it just something you have to get used to? Does it restrict the speed you can ride at? Does it restrict you doing longer journeys? Is it just that I am not suited to a naked bike?

[_Neal_]

I think it's just a matter of getting used to them - I've only ever owned naked bikes and found them fine on A and B roads at pretty much any sensible speed.

Not found myself limited in terms of where I can ride, but definitely having no wind protection means long cruises are tiresome, and I find my "natural" speed on motorways/DCs is 65-70. Wouldn't want to tour on one really (unless it had cruise control - was actually looking at an S1000R myself for that reason ).

[Kickstart]

pasmith73 said:

I've only ever had sportsbikes and they've all I've ever wanted to own really. But like us all, I'm getting older and I'm getting more discomfort from my wrists and neck as time goes on. Of course sportsbikes are always a compromise anyway, but it's getting to the point where I'm wondering if a more neutral riding position would lead to more enjoyable riding.

My favourite aspect of sportsbikes is the handling. So it makes sense that the naked version of a sportsbike is what I should be looking at. I currently have a S1000RR so moving to a S1000R would seem logical.

However - there's something I don't quite understand.
My previous bike was a Daytona and once I was given a Street Triple for the day as my bike was serviced. That's the only naked bike I have ridden. Around town I loved it, and was nipping around better than on my Daytona. However, once I got on an A road and up to 70+ mph, it felt like I was hanging on for dear life, with the airflow trying to rip me off the back of the bike. Not enjoyable at all.

But naked bikes are more popular than faired sportsbikes now. So is it just something you have to get used to? Does it restrict the speed you can ride at? Does it restrict you doing longer journeys? Is it just that I am not suited to a naked bike?

I found exactly the same thing

Maybe an s1000xr might be more suitable?

[five50]

I have a KTM 890 Duke R - back after a break from biking (bikes nicked) and previously a string of 1000cc Japanese sports bikes.

I dont miss the sound / feel of an inline 4 engine which now sound a bit harsh in comparison (sorry if this offends anyone - different strokes for different folks).It it a parallel twin with 285 degree firing order - so like an 85 degree v twin (I think).

Wind pressure - at 70 it was fine - at 85, it was becoming an issue on the motorway - maybe less so on A roads where speeds going up and down. I now have the KTM Power parts screen which doesnt look that big - but has made a big difference for me. Obviously depends a bit on rider size / build.

Bike is great for fun rides on the road and trackdays. It pulls and is fast but not doing 160mph fast everywhere - which Im ok with. A lot of torque vs engine size / configuration / weight makes it very relevant as a fun bike for me - just drives off zero revs. Light and very flickable.

I do look across at guys on aggressive sportsbike and do think that it doesnt look much fun for situations where you are not fully on it at all times (which is how I was finding it at the end) - but again, respect that its different for everyone.

I really like the look of the Duke Pani V4 - every 6 months I am sufficiently seduced to go to the dealer to throw a leg over - but each time walk away slightly shocked by the riding position, knowing that it would not do many miles in my ownership.

Take some test rides and see how you feel.

[Rob 131 Sport]

I’ve ridden a couple of Nakeds and there not for me. I like a fully faired bike that can cruise at speed without an enormous wind pressure.

[poo at Paul's]

Hanging on for grim death at 70? Someone’s missed Arms day at the gym!

[KTMsm]

I like naked bikes because they help me keep my speed down

The airflow / pressure massively varies with different bikes, your size, riding position and helmet

There is also a huge market and variation of screens available

I love my speed triple, it's bikini fairing works very well, it's comfortable cruising speed, for me, is around 80 if you want to cruise much higher you could add a screen which is what the previous owner did but but I find they cause turbulence at helmet height

On a lot of bigger / adventure bikes I remove the oem screen because I hate the noise and buffeting the screens cause

[iidentifyaswoke]

Nope, would never buy one. Why get a bike you will have had enough of after 100 miles, when you can ride a faired bike for 500 miles and not get tired.

Seems like you want a S1000XR, as someone else has already suggested.

[shirt]

depends if you like the look of, and want to experiment with, a screen. i have one on my monster and it does make a huge difference, as does having a more aerodynamic helmet [went from an arai profile v to an rx7].

this is fine up to 80ish, but gets worse and then anything over a ton requires stronger neck muscles than i currently possess. this is quite bad for me as the roads out here are fast and wide. no issues with commuting but very compromised when out having fun.

i hired a cbr650 for a week in switzerland and never really got that out of 3rd gear, i think a fully faired bike on those roads would have been completely the wrong choice.

so yes, if a naked is wrong for the type of riding you enjoy then don't get one. bikes are supposed to be the antidote to modern motoring so why compromise?

[Super Sonic]

I think the comfort is more due to riding position than wether or not you have a fairing. For instance an old RD with clipons and rearsets (showing my age!) isn't that comfy and doesn't have a fairing, whereas the opposite extreme would be a goldwing.
ETA, am not a m/cyclist, but rode a few bikes in my younger days.

[Neal H]

I have a Speed Triple 1200. I find wind blast is fine up to 70mph and okay up to about 80, but above that it starts to get unpleasant. On A and B roads it’s not a problem as your speed constantly varies up and down. I’ll always choose to avoid motorways if possible.

If you only have one bike then it is always going to be a compromise, so it depends on what is the most important thing that you want from a bike. The modern supernakeds offer almost sports bike levels of performance and handling without the crippling riding position and the lack of wind protection forces you to keep the speeds sane.

The downside is they’re not much good at long tours, so if that’s your priority then you’re better offer with a proper sports tourer or one of the many road oriented adventure bikes.

[black-k1]

iidentifyaswoke said:

Nope, would never buy one. Why get a bike you will have had enough of after 100 miles, when you can ride a faired bike for 500 miles and not get tired.

Seems like you want a S1000XR, as someone else has already suggested.

If you're riding consists of short runs on roads where maintaining higher speeds is unrealistic, then a naked is likely the best answer but if you want decent handling, decent performance with comfort over a longer distance then the sport tourer is likely the better option.

There are no a number of decent alternatives from the already mentioned S1000XR through the Suzuki GS1000GT and and the Kawasaki Z1000SX, on to the KTM SD1290GT, the Hayabusa and the H2 SX.

[trickywoo]

I've never had a problem with wind blast on a naked bike below about 90mph and that is one of the reasons I have one.

I went from a Tuono to a GSXR and did 140 within 20 minutes of being on it for the first time. It really was a case of not realising I was going that fast. You can get into all kinds of trouble at sub 100 still but at least its feels fast.

[pasmith73]

Thanks for all the replies.

My other challenge is ride height and that's what worries me about many of the alternative bikes being mentioned. The S1000RR is too tall for me and I'm very clumsy when stopping and starting off. My Daytona was fine, but the S1000RR is very slightly taller and that makes a big difference.

I thought the SuperDuke could be a good option for me as it handles but with a more upright riding position and has a huge screen. Ticks all the boxes. But when I visited a dealer to look at them I was intimidated by the bulk of it. And sitting on it my feet wouldn't touch the floor. I'm 5' 7" so not really short, but seems to be an issue with many bikes.

I'm getting quite despondent about it all.

[LowTread]

Interesting thread.

I had a similar issue with wanting a sports bike, but not the sports bike riding position.

I put a deposit on an S1000XR, but on the test ride it was really, REALLY buzzy and vibey, to the point that my fingers were numb on the A1 within a couple of miles.

I tried the new S1000R, which was not vibey or buzzy at all, but the seat was rock hard and the wind blast was too much.

They also had a 3 yr old S1000R in as well, with a small screen and comfort seat. I took that out and it was absolutely fantastic.

I've since added hand guards, rad guards and a tank bag to make it a proper little tourer.

I did a 370 mile round trip to mid-wales on it at the weekend. It sits ok at 80-90 with cruise control on. And it's an absolute giggle.

Sadly, i'm putting it up for sale shortly due to an impending house move. Can't see me riding it now until next year. Too much going on here. Going to go bike shopping again next summer.

[croyde]

Super Sonic said:

I think the comfort is more due to riding position than wether or not you have a fairing. For instance an old RD with clipons and rearsets (showing my age!) isn't that comfy and doesn't have a fairing, whereas the opposite extreme would be a goldwing.
ETA, am not a m/cyclist, but rode a few bikes in my younger days.

Back then most bikes of any size didn't have fairings. They were massive aftermarket things.

We toured on middleweights and litre bikes, no screens.

I guess we just got used to the wind blast as it does shock me now if I ride a naked at the NSL, but am 60.

I raced a RDLC proddie bike back in the day

[Vern666]

Only ever ridden naked bikes, the latest has a small screen on it, rides the motorways perfectly.Cruise on 80 to 90 easy peasy. Ride a few the sense of speed is incredible, quite often use an open faced lid as well.
Lots of people smoke weed when I'm out, the wind, the speed, the smells.
Zh2 naked 🤘.

[KTMsm]

pasmith73 said:

Thanks for all the replies.

My other challenge is ride height and that's what worries me about many of the alternative bikes being mentioned. The S1000RR is too tall for me and I'm very clumsy when stopping and starting off. My Daytona was fine, but the S1000RR is very slightly taller and that makes a big difference.

I thought the SuperDuke could be a good option for me as it handles but with a more upright riding position and has a huge screen. Ticks all the boxes. But when I visited a dealer to look at them I was intimidated by the bulk of it. And sitting on it my feet wouldn't touch the floor. I'm 5' 7" so not really short, but seems to be an issue with many bikes.

I'm getting quite despondent about it all.

Chin up plenty of women ride bikes - so there are still many choices

Plus lowering kits and reducing the seat height etc

Personally I'd go to a couple of independents and just sit on a load of bikes

[tafkattn]

pasmith73 said:

However, once I got on an A road and up to 70+ mph, it felt like I was hanging on for dear life, with the airflow trying to rip me off the back of the bike.

pasmith73 said:

But naked bikes are more popular than faired sportsbikes now. So is it just something you have to get used to?

I think you just get used to it. Unless I was looking at a bit of a garage queen / something special / track bike...I can't see myself buying a faired sportsbike for road use ever again. Saying that, I do tend to fit higher screens on my naked bikes just to kick the flow of air upwards a bit.

Are they "ideal" tourers? No. But plenty of people tour on all sorts of naked bikes.

pasmith73 said:

Does it restrict the speed you can ride at? Does it restrict you doing longer journeys? Is it just that I am not suited to a naked bike?

No.



See if you can get an extended test ride on something. I think you'll be surprised at just how capable and comfortable modern nakeds are. For road use, I think they just make more sense than their fully-faired sportsbike equivalents.

[shirt]

pasmith73 said:

Thanks for all the replies.

My other challenge is ride height and that's what worries me about many of the alternative bikes being mentioned. The S1000RR is too tall for me and I'm very clumsy when stopping and starting off. My Daytona was fine, but the S1000RR is very slightly taller and that makes a big difference.

I thought the SuperDuke could be a good option for me as it handles but with a more upright riding position and has a huge screen. Ticks all the boxes. But when I visited a dealer to look at them I was intimidated by the bulk of it. And sitting on it my feet wouldn't touch the floor. I'm 5' 7" so not really short, but seems to be an issue with many bikes.

I'm getting quite despondent about it all.

try this site. often mentioned on here, its really handy for narrowing down the field.

https://cycle-ergo.com/