Affordable Mid-Class Naked Bikes 2025

Cheap is of course relative - Aprilia isn't known for selling off its bikes for next to nothing. Still, the Aprilia Tuono 457 is the most affordable way to ride an agile Aprilia naked bike above 125cc! The new A2-compliant model, with its liquid-cooled 457cc parallel-twin engine and 47.6 hp, is aimed particularly at beginners, but also at more experienced riders who place a premium on nimbleness and everyday usability. The rest of the components are equally convincing: an aluminum frame, adjustable suspension, and ByBre brakes (Brembo) with Bosch two-channel ABS, three riding modes (Eco, Sport, Rain), and a modern 5-inch color TFT display with smartphone connectivity are a huge statement for this class. The brand-typical design with LED lighting, compact ergonomics, and the color options "Piranha Red" and "Puma Gray" round off the overall package.

With a Ducati too, the term cheap should be taken with a grain of salt, but the Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark actually stays under the magic 10,000-euro mark at 9,990 euros in Germany, representing a genuinely affordable entry into the Scrambler world. Anyone who prefers it daring and all-black (and that's a lot of you!) is also perfectly served by the Icon Dark - the name says it all. The Scrambler Icon Dark comes in a completely black paint finish and is visually as simple as it gets. By dropping unnecessary splashes of color, the model looks tidy and understated without losing character. The teardrop tank shape, a hallmark of the Scrambler lineup, is also finished in black and creates interesting shading through the mix of materials. Further black elements, such as the front fender and side panels, underline the tidy design. The redesigned Scrambler logo on the matte black tank rounds off the aggressive yet elegant design.

Older model years and anyone who's spent time with naked bikes from about 20 years ago will inevitably think of the Z-Kawas of that era when looking at the front of the redesigned Honda CB750 Hornet! But why not - the modern LED twin headlights of the new 750cc Hornet give it a refreshed and more distinctive look. Technically, almost everything stays the same, though some things have been improved. The chassis, for example, which thanks to optimized damping settings is meant to deliver a more agile riding feel and better stability. The engine, with its 92 hp, is already well-fed and has an easy time with the CB750 Hornet's fueled-up weight of 192 kilos. The CB750 Hornet is available in 2025 in four color options, including three new paint finishes: Mat Ballistic Black, Digital Silver Metallic, and Glint Wave Blue Metallic. Mat Pearl Glare White also remains available. The price of the new Honda Hornet 750 has yet to be announced.

Hardly any other mid-class naked bike modernization has been more eagerly awaited than that of the Kawasaki Z900! And even though it's more evolution than revolution, it's fair to say the new Kawasaki Z900 for 2025 gets an update in the right places. The familiar 948cc inline-four engine from the predecessor now features a new camshaft profile, which is meant to result in an even more revvy character and stronger pull in the lower rev ranges. Power and maximum torque, at 124 hp and 97.8 Nm, sit slightly below the level of the 2024 model, but ride-by-wire has finally made its way into the Z900. Kawasaki promises improved responsiveness and a 16 percent reduction in fuel consumption as a result. A new airbox is meant to provide a more prominent intake sound.

With the goal of improving the Z900's handling, the stiffness of the frame brace behind the steering head has been changed. To allow for the installation of the quickshifter, the area around the swingarm mount was also reworked. The controls on the left end of the handlebar have likewise been redesigned. The rear frame now rises less steeply, and a revised suspension setup shifts the seating position more toward the front. This leads to more pressure on the front wheel and is meant to result in more precise handling and a transparent feel for the front tire. The shape of the front seat has also been changed, and two seat heights are available with the ERGO-FIT High seat at 830 mm (standard equipment) and an alternative ERGO-FIT Low seat at 810 mm (accessory). This raises the seat height by 10 mm compared to the predecessor, which should benefit taller riders in particular.

Alongside a new radial brake system and Dunlop Sportmax Q5 tires, the electronics package of the new Kawasaki Z900 is enormous, partly thanks to the new IMU: riding modes, lean-angle-sensitive traction control, cornering ABS, a quickshifter with blipper, cruise control, and a new 5-inch color TFT display as standard represent a massive leap compared to the predecessor. Anyone who still finds the new Kawa Z900 lacking in sportiness despite its greatly enhanced performance can also count on a Z900 SE with the new model: with an Öhlins S46 shock, radially mounted Brembo M4.32 monobloc brake calipers, a dual-tone seat, and a USB-C port in the cockpit, the 1,700 euros extra over the standard Z900 (11,199 euros in Austria, Z900 SE 12,899 euros) are justified.

The new Royal Enfield Bear 650 recalls the legendary design and spirit of the scrambler motorcycles of the 1960s and combines this retro aesthetic with modern technology. The design is thus based on the classic scrambler style, with a tall seat, wide handlebar, and upswept tail. The three color options Petrol Green, Golden Shadow, and the special Two Four Nine paint finish give the Bear 650 the presence you'd expect from such a bike. In terms of powertrain, the Bear 650 is equipped with the proven 650cc parallel-twin, producing 47 hp at 7,250 rpm. The 2-in-1 exhaust system optimizes torque and provides a broader spread of power, while the compact single silencer reduces weight and suits the minimalist scrambler design.

Showa suspension is meant to ensure a stable and comfortable ride: up front is a USD fork with 130 mm of travel, at the rear stereo shocks with 115 mm of travel. The Bear 650 is fitted with a 19-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear wheel, which, together with the wide dual-sport tires and 184 mm of ground clearance, also make it suitable for uneven terrain. The Bear 650's seating position, with its wide handlebar and centrally placed footpegs, is designed for comfort and control. The contoured seat is meant to allow freedom of movement and provide grip on uneven terrain. Braking power comes from a 320 mm disc brake up front and a 270 mm disc at the rear. For off-road riding, the rear ABS can be deactivated.

Although the Bear 650 is styled in a retro fashion, it offers modern features. The TBT dashboard (turn-by-turn navigation) with TFT display shows ride information and integrates Google Maps for navigation. The display is operated via a joystick on the aluminum switch unit. A USB-C port allows devices to be charged while riding, and LED lighting provides better visibility and being seen. The Bear 650 will be available from European dealers starting February 2025. In Germany, the Petrol Green variant costs 7,640 euros, Golden Shadow 7,790 euros, and the special Two Four Nine paint finish 7,890 euros.

The Triumph Trident 660 of model year 2025 scores with upgraded equipment. The optimized cornering ABS and traction control, controlled by a six-axis IMU, ensure improved braking and acceleration performance while leaned over. With Triumph Shift Assist, clutchless gear changes are possible, and cruise control assists on longer rides - all as standard. Alongside the existing riding modes "Rain" and "Road", there's now also a "Sport" mode, which debuted in 2024 on the new Daytona 660. On the engine performance side, the Trident 660 remains unchanged for 2025. The triple still produces 81 hp at 10,250 rpm and 64 Nm of torque at 6,250 rpm. For 2025, three new colors are available: Cosmic Yellow, Cobalt Blue, and Diablo Red, complemented by the classic Jet Black option, which remains available. The new Trident 660 will go on sale from December 2024 at prices starting from 8,295 euros in Germany and from 9,295 euros in Austria. In Germany, that represents a price increase of 150 euros compared to the 2024 model, while in Austria the price stays the same.

You might have expected the new Yamaha MT-07 to come with a bored-out and thus more powerful engine - but the familiar 689cc CP2 engine, with its 73.4 hp and 67 Nm of torque, remains an extremely lively and punchy companion that already offers plenty of go for this class. Added to this is now the cool look in the style of the MT-09, a new 5-inch color TFT display, and, as part of the newly introduced ride-by-wire system, traction control, riding modes, and an optional quickshifter with blipper. Particularly exciting is Y-AMT, the automated clutch, which is now available for the MT-07 too for a relatively small surcharge! The Yamaha MT-07 2025 will therefore be available in two variants: the standard version for 8,799 euros in Austria and the MT-07 Y-AMT with automated transmission (which also comes with cruise control as standard) for 9,399 euros. Prices for Germany have not yet been announced. Both models are available in an A2 version and in three color options: Ice Storm, Icon Blue, and Tech Black.