What's the go with nakeds?

[Bogan]

I don't get it. They're like sports bikey framed and stuff and the go fast engines and low bars, but without fairings? Is it a matter of personal taste whether you like the splinky plastics and paint jobs or you like seeing bits of engine and stuff on your bike?

I've never really had a thing for any naked bikes, I like my ZXR and my old GSXR.

Any other differences people want to talk up or shoot down?

[ross79]

I'll never understand this concept either. First time I saw a naked, I asked the guy if he dropped his bike and hadn't gotten around to putting the fairings back on.
I thought it was meant to have fairings as it looked like a normal sports bike from the back and incomplete from the front. It was a Hornet I think.

[Strika]

Most nakeds don't use sports bike chassis, nor suspension, brakes or Engines. (if they do they usually detune them) So they are not naked sports bikes. They also more often than not have very upright, comfortable seating positions with much higher bars than a sports bike.

I agree however, that they are an aquired taste. I don't mind them, but I like most things two wheeled! Even BMW's a little bit!!

[Wattie]

what strika said,

i always ask why dont they make them as capable as a full sports bike.
but then they dont look as good.

[Loz]

1) They're cheaper to buy, insure and crash
2) The extra wind you catch makes lower speeds more exhilirating
3) Usually a more comfortable riding position
4) Can see over the front more easily when pulling extravagant wheelies
5) Less heat on your legs on hot days
6) Two wheels, a seat and an engine is all you need anyway
7) Big engines look awesome

I'm a fan.

[ProblemChild]

the term naked bike is only a fairly reacent thing, before the first gixxer almost all bikes were naked, & yes i am a definate fan.

[Gosling1]

.....Two wheels, a seat and an engine is all you need anyway.....Big engines look awesome....I'm a fan.

Amen to that brother.

Once upon a time, the only bikes with fairings were those weirdo Kraut shitters with 2 pots hangin' out each side......or if you lived in Seppo Land, you could get a Vetter fairing on a CB450 (or just about anything really..)

Every bike was a 'naked' bike. And Life Was Good.

Huge fan of normal bikes - naked bikes are in fact quite normal, sports-bikes are sports-bikes and not normal at all !!!

[ttc]

um lemme think

Comfort
torque
leg room
my wrists don't hate me
insurance under $700 a year for over 14g agreed value
it looks mean and different
And with the higher bars it almost throws itself into corners
still has 130hp at the wheels and it capable of doing the quarter in 11 sec

And it has no trouble keeping up with most people with the right rider on board


sports bikes? yeah they all look the same, just different colored paint..

I'd be surprised if you'd ridden a naked

[robracer]

Nakeds are the perfect commuter bike.... wish I had one years ago as my zed is brilliant & does everything I need in a road bike

[Ratmick]

I was going to chime in with some pithy comments seeing I own a Hornet, but you guys and girls with nakkid Kwakkas have down it all for me .

A brand new 2006 Hornet was cheaper to insure than a 9yo ZZR600 and I'm 43 .

Nuff said, the other stuff is all valid, seat, higher bars, cheaper if you drop it, it's not rocket science . The wind blast at the speeds I do is no different to the fully-faired ZZR.

Mick

[Neka79]

i just reckon they look tuff..the donk hanging out for all to see... as well as costs etc...

plus the air on ya when u ride em..well it just makes em fun...

[rooster]

It's a ying and yang thing you are one with the world, full experiencing the ride. Yes they have drawbacks but in the end it's what gives that little rise each time you throw a leg over that counts, naked, clothed whatever. Sorry I just realised you were talking about bikes.

[Rusty]

Going on Tanya's list ...

1. Comfort
2. Torque
3. Leg room
4. My wrists don't hate me
5. Insurance under $700 a year for over 14g agreed value
6. It looks mean and different
7. And with the higher bars it almost throws itself into corners
8. Still has 130hp at the wheels and it capable of doing the quarter in 11 sec
9. And it has no trouble keeping up with most people with the right rider on board

That's a pretty good description of a ZX9R, with a couple of insignificant (to me!) exceptions. Those being the insurance (substantially cheaper than quoted in #5 for slightly less agreed value) and high bars (the 9 has wide clip-ons). No-one can argue that my 9's not "different," anyway! I'm a sook - I like comfort and wind protection, which the 9 has in spades. It's actually better in that regard than the ZZR600, which has a bigger(!) fairing and softer suspension. It has plenty of grunt, a very capable chassis and decent suspension. So what, other than subjective aesthetics, is better about an unfaired bike?

I'd personally say that's all that's in it - personal preference, something which can't be fully quantified. I actually like both styles, but choose to live with the better one!

[aggerz]

I love the nakeds, I keep trying to convince my missus that that they look great but she not having it..
I think it looks tough as..
Next bike will be a naked or a motard.

Love the look, the practicality, the comfort and definitely the less-cost-to-fix.

[Loz]

There is also the fact that plastic is for pooftas.

There, I said it.

/I ride a ZX9, but it's currently a naked!