So, I’ve been getting into these naked sport bikes lately, and I gotta tell you, it’s been a wild ride. I mean, I’ve always been a bike guy, but these things are something else.
It all started a few months ago when I was just browsing around, you know, looking at different types of motorcycles. I’d been riding a regular sportbike for a while, and don’t get me wrong, it was fun, but I was itching for something new. That’s when I stumbled upon these naked sport bikes. They just looked so raw and stripped down, like they meant business. And let me tell you, they do.
- First thing I did was hit up some forums and read what other people were saying. I was trying to figure out what I was getting myself into, you know? And I saw a lot of people were saying that these bikes are like the best of both worlds, it is an ideal motorcycle to have. I guess that got me even more curious, so I decided to take the plunge.
- Then I spent a few days checking out different models. I looked at the Yamaha MT-07, which apparently comes from the Yamaha YZF-R6, and the Kawasaki Z650, which is like a modified version of the Kawasaki Ninja 650. I sat on a bunch of them, trying to get a feel for the riding position. These naked bikes, they’ve got this high and wide stance, like those big adventure bikes, it lets you chuck it in to corners.
- I finally settled on one that felt right, and man, the first time I took it out, it was an experience. These things are nimble. They handle like a dream, and they’re so easy to control. But they don’t have that track racing capability, you know, like those dedicated sportbikes. That’s not what they’re about. Also, I realized that they have less wind protection, so wind blasts can be a bit of a struggle.
- I’ve been riding it around town, on some twisty roads, and even took it off-road a couple of times. Yeah, you heard that right. These naked bikes can handle a bit of dirt. They’re not just about speed, they perform well off-road too, it’s like they serve many purposes. I guess that’s why some people say they’re a good alternative if you can’t afford an adventure bike.
Honestly, I’m loving it. It’s just a different kind of riding experience. They look good, they’re really cool to ride. They’re not as aerodynamic, yeah, but that’s part of the charm. You feel more connected to the road, to the machine. It’s exhilarating. It’s like, you’re right there, in the thick of it, feeling every bit of the ride.
