Comparison Test A2 Naked Bikes 2024

Today, we take a closer look at six absolute cracker entry-level naked bikes: Honda CB500 Hornet, Kawasaki Z 500 SE, CF MOTO 450 NK, KTM 390 Duke, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, and Triumph Speed 400.

Honda CB500 Hornet - The Japanese All-Rounder

Let's start with the Honda CB500 Hornet, the all-rounder from the Land of the Rising Sun. This bike is like a well-trained ninja - nimble, powerful, and always ready for action.

Schaaf, our sensei of gentle cornering, was quite taken with the development since the predecessor model. He said the chassis had improved tremendously. While the old CB500 tended to wobble slightly on light waves in lean angle, the new Hornet remains stable and offers pleasant damping at the same time.

Martin Bauer, our track guru, was impressed by the engine's smoothness. However, he found the seating position less direct than that of the Kawasaki - as if you were sitting on the bike rather than merging with it.

Kurt Rubik, our stunt maestro, described the Hornet as the more mature and stable bike compared to the KTM 390 Duke. He said the Hornet always offers reserves and conveys a sense of safety and stability.

Adam Child, our British guest tester, praised the comfortable setup but warned that the chassis might be overwhelmed during sporty riding or with heavier riders. It's like a well-mannered butler - polite and courteous, but not necessarily suited for wild parties.

Marek, our tall rider at 1.86 m, was surprised at how well the Hornet handled despite his size. He even compared the riding feel to that of a pit bike - agile and responsive.

Conclusion on the Honda CB500 Hornet: A solid, mature bike that offers stability and comfort. Perfect for beginners who want to feel safe.

Kawasaki Z 500 SE - The Green Flash

Next up is the Kawasaki Z 500 SE, the green flash from Japan. This bike is like an espresso on two wheels - strong, lively, and guaranteed to wake you up!

Kurt Rubik was so excited about the Z500 SE that he probably would have loved to do a wheelie with it right away. He praised the strong engine and crisp handling. However, he noted more vibrations than with the CF-Moto - apparently, the Kawa likes it when things tingle a bit.

Martin Bauer found the seating position a bit too compact for taller riders - like trying to fit a sumo wrestler into a Mini. But he praised the twin-cylinder engine for its smoothness and good low-end power. He described the clutch and gearbox as buttery smooth.

Schaaf was impressed by the engine, which he described as "brilliant." He praised the light and stable handling, even though he didn't get as much feedback from the chassis - as if the bike was whispering instead of shouting.

Adam Child warned that the seating position might be uncomfortable for taller riders. He praised the strong engine but criticized the conventional electronics and ABS - as if Kawasaki had slept through progress in electronics. The intervention of the ABS dampens the riding pleasure a bit!

Marek preferred the Z500 SE for sporty riding but would choose the Honda for daily use.

Conclusion on the Kawasaki Z 500 SE: A lively, sporty bike that is fun and offers performance. Ideal for riders who like it a bit wilder.

CF MOTO 450 NK - The Chinese Challenger

Kurt Rubik was surprised by the quality of the 450 NK. He praised the comfortable seating position and the well-functioning engine. However, he warned about the rear wheel locking up when downshifting on wet roads.

Martin Bauer was impressed by the smoothness of the twin-cylinder and the clean throttle response. He described the sound as punchy. However, he noted that the fork twists slightly under heavy braking.

Adam Child found that the 450 NK has character and pep. He praised the display but criticized the cheap-looking switches. The bike felt a bit too sluggish for his taste.

Schaaf was impressed by the engine's smoothness on wet roads. He recommended keeping the revs above 4,000 to 5,000 RPM to get the best out of the engine.

Marek had fun with the 450 NK and praised the rev-happy engine and pleasant riding behavior. He was surprised by the comfortable seating position, even though the legroom was limited.

Conclusion on the CF MOTO 450 NK: A surprisingly solid bike that offers more than you would expect. It will make very cautious beginners happy. It rides exceptionally accessible, harmonious, and easy. For ambitious pilots, other models are better suited.

KTM 390 Duke - The Austrian Wild Child

Let's talk about the KTM 390 Duke, the wild child from Austria. This bike is like a Red Bull on two wheels - energetic, cheeky, and definitely not for the faint-hearted!

Kurt Rubik described the 390 Duke as a pure fun machine. He said it feels like a small, lightweight stunt bike - perfect for wheelies. It's as if KTM crossed a circus performer with a motorcycle.

Martin Bauer was less enthusiastic about the single-cylinder engine. He criticized the narrow usable rev range and the not quite successful engine setup.

Adam Child found the 390 Duke light and agile, but the seating position rather uncomfortable. He praised the extensive electronic equipment but criticized the position of the dashboard for taller riders.

Zonko found the seating position very unusual. He said the seat pushes you forward towards the tank, as if the bike wants to hug you. He praised the chassis as good and sporty but overall found the 390 Duke difficult to ride for his style.

Marek described the 390 Duke as a fun machine that feels like a toy. He praised the agility and easy handling but also found the dashboard unpleasantly positioned for tall riders.

NastyNils (yes, that's me!) found that the 390 Duke rides exactly as it looks: playful, aggressive, and nervous. I said it's not the right choice if you're looking for stability and calmness, but a great fun machine for city traffic and short tours.

Conclusion on the KTM 390 Duke: A playful, agile bike that offers pure fun. Perfect for young, adventurous riders who like it wild. But perhaps not the best choice for those seeking comfort and stability.

Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 - The Stylist

Now it gets stylish, folks! The Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 is like the cool Scandinavian among motorcycles - minimalist, thoughtful, and damn good-looking!

Schaaf was thrilled with the agility of the Vitpilen 401. He said it moves into corners with zero effort - like dancing ballet on two wheels. He also praised the seating position, which offers good front wheel orientation.

Kurt Rubik found the Vitpilen 401 visually and technically very successful. He praised the naked bike handlebars and the comfortable seat. For him, the Vitpilen rides "richtig leiwand" - that's Viennese for "damn good," in case you didn't know.

Martin Bauer compared the Vitpilen 401 with the KTM 390 Duke and found it more mature and grown-up. He praised the calmer riding position.

Adam Child found the Vitpilen 401 very appealing. He praised the light handling and sporty riding performance. For him, the Vitpilen feels more like a real motorcycle, as opposed to the more toy-like KTM 390 Duke.

NastyNils (me again!) described the Vitpilen 401 as a heartwarming bike that carves up some twisties with ease. I found the chassis a bit hard, but the whole bike looks cool and classy - like a tailored Scandinavian suit on two wheels.

Conclusion on the Husqvarna Vitpilen 401: A stylish, agile bike that combines riding pleasure and cool design. Perfect for riders looking for something special and willing to pay a bit more for style and quality.

Triumph Speed 400 - The British Gentleman

Last but not least, the Triumph Speed 400 - the British gentleman among entry-level naked bikes. This motorcycle is like a cup of Earl Grey on two wheels - classic, cultivated, and with a touch of adventure.

Zonko was completely thrilled with the Speed 400. He praised the high-quality look and the comfortable seating position. He was particularly taken with the incredible elasticity of the single-cylinder engine.

Kurt Rubik was surprised at how sporty the Speed 400 can be ridden, despite its classic appearance. He praised the well-dosed brakes and the pleasant riding feel.

Schaaf found the Speed 400 comfortably tuned and perfect for relaxed riding in urban areas. However, he warned that the bike might feel a bit nervous at higher speeds - like a British butler trying to sprint.

Martin Bauer described the Speed 400 as typical of a scrambler with a high, comfortable seating position and soft chassis. He praised the good running culture of the engine but found that it runs out of breath at higher revs - like a gentleman out of breath after climbing stairs.

Adam Child found the finish of the Speed 400 impressive for the price. He praised the easy-to-read display but criticized the non-adjustable brake lever - a small flaw in an otherwise very successful package.

Marek liked the classic, retro style of the Speed 400. He praised the good seating position even for tall riders and the characterful engine sound. For him, the Speed 400 is the perfect bike for relaxed trips to the cafe.

Overall, 10 motorcycles were tested - 6 motorcycles in this performance class. 12 riders at the start. Almost 2 intensive test weeks. In the end, the Honda CB500 Hornet was the best motorcycle in this performance class. It impressed with riding pleasure and great riding performance. The test victory has only a small flaw. Despite the great placement of the Honda, the Kawasaki Z500 SE scored better in the category "I find this motorcycle awesome!" The CFMOTO was overall a good motorcycle, but pragmatically speaking, it did not reach the level of its competitors in all categories. Nevertheless, it remains a very good choice for beginner riders. It is very accessible and very pleasant as well as easy to ride. In the table, the Speed 400 disappointed - on the road, it thrilled. It is an emotional motorcycle and scores with riding pleasure and a great feeling. Even though the sportier naked bikes are superior to the retro bike in many areas. The Speed 400 is a great motorcycle. This is also evident in its good placement in the category "I find this motorcycle awesome!" Here it is on par with the Vitpilen and the KTM 390 Duke.

The Helmets in the 1000PS Naked Bike Test

Keeping a cool head during this test was ensured by the HJC RPHA 71 Carbon. The helmet impressed the 1000PS crew with its pleasantly neutral aerodynamics, which also provide fatigue-free riding on longer trips. Additionally, the effective ventilation performance and reliable heat dissipation on hot days are noteworthy. The carbon model not only looks super classy but is also noticeably lighter than the base version of the RPHA 71. The visor mechanism with an additional sun visor works flawlessly. The fit is comfortable, and the sizing covers a broad spectrum within the 1000PS editorial team - all our editors felt comfortable! We highly recommend it.

https://hjchelmets.eu/products/rpha-71-carbon-solid

Our Motorcycle Gear in the Naked Bike Test 2024

For this test, we were equipped by our clothing partner IXS with products from the current Sport Collection. Our 1000PS editorial team has trusted the Swiss brand for over 10 years now. Besides the quality of craftsmanship, we appreciate that IXS always uses high-quality materials and excellent fit. Even editors whose body types do not conform to the norm always find a well-fitting outfit thanks to the availability of long and short sizes. With advanced features like airbag systems and electronically controlled membranes, they aim to offer the highest level of safety and comfort. We love it!

https://ixs.com/moto-sports-2024

The 1000PS Crew in the Naked Bike Test 2024

• Video, Photo: https://www.instagram.com/motocinematica/
• Video, Photo: https://www.instagram.com/jakob.schabsi/
• Video, Photo: https://www.instagram.com/patbpixx/
• Editor: https://www.instagram.com/christophorvath/
• Test Rider: https://www.instagram.com/mbbikeperformance/
• Test Rider and YouTube English Moderator: https://www.instagram.com/adamchadchild/
• Test Rider and YouTube Poland Moderator: https://www.instagram.com/marek.piechula/
• Test Rider: https://www.instagram.com/named.aj/
• Test Rider: https://www.instagram.com/turboschaaf/
• YouTube Italy Moderator: https://www.instagram.com/weeeslyy/
• Test Rider: https://www.instagram.com/kurtrubik/
• Test Rider: https://www.instagram.com/ewaldbaumgartnerfahrtechnik/
• Test Rider and German Video Moderator: http://zonko.at/
• Producer, Moderator, and Test Rider: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nils-mueller-doget-1000ps/
• Editor: Martin "Vauli" Vielhaber: More reports from Vauli

Our Partner in the Naked Bike Test 2024

• Motorcycle Care: https://motorex.com/de-at/moto-line--5616
• Less luggage, no stink! 1000PS trusts Bamigo

Our Test Routes - Bucklige Welt Region

Motorcycling in the Bucklige Welt offers an exceptionally charming experience, highlighted by the picturesque landscape of this region in Lower Austria. Characterized by gentle hills, expansive meadows, and idyllic small villages, the Bucklige Welt provides the perfect terrain for motorcycle enthusiasts who want to enjoy both the beauty of nature and the thrill of twisty roads. The varied routes lead through forested areas and past historical landmarks, making each tour a journey through the culture and history of the land. Riding in the spring and autumn months is particularly appealing when the landscape is bathed in a spectacular array of colors that invigorate the senses and leave unforgettable impressions. This makes the Bucklige Welt a hidden gem for bikers seeking authenticity and originality.

1000PS Naked Bike Test 2024 - The Scoring

In the test, we rode a total of 10 motorcycles in direct comparison, with the bikes being in different displacement classes. Nevertheless, we evaluated the motorcycles using the same rating scheme. The categories in the test protocol include aspects such as engine comfort and modulation, engine revviness, pull, engine power, transmission, quickshifter, clutch, traction control regulation, traction control adjustment options, quality of switches, and logic of controls. Additionally, aspects such as stability, handling, precision, suspension quality and adjustment range, brakes, modulation, and effectiveness were evaluated. Each test rider provided their individual rating, which was then averaged for each category and ultimately led to an overall rating. The best motorcycle in each category was rated "1", and the worst motorcycle in the category was rated "10". For our readers, these tables are interesting for two reasons. On the one hand, they can see in which areas individual motorcycles are above average and in which areas they are below average - always considering that the price and displacement classes are very different. On the other hand, all reports and results can be clicked through here, allowing readers to directly compare their favorites - regardless of price and displacement class.

Here you can find the 6 motorcycles in the current price comparison test. We offer this price comparison to our users from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Here you will find new vehicle offers for the Honda CB500 Hornet, Kawasaki Z 500 SE, CF MOTO 450 NK, KTM 390 Duke, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, and Triumph Speed 400.

Where do the offers come from? All these offers come from 1000PS marketplace customers. These are motorcycle dealers who present their offers (for an annual fee) on the 1000PS online market.