With ever-evolving tech, motorcycles are more modern and loaded than ever. Cutting-edge electronics, expensive components, and big claims are all becoming the new normal. In fact, bikemakers pitch these as if every rider "needs" these things today. True aficionados, however, will tell you that what truly matters is the riding experience with or without these modern-day elements. That's why manufacturers still sell bikes that promise a barebones experience. And when you ride these, they'll change what you think you need. Naked Bikes Are No Exception DucatiYou’d think that the kind of motorcycle that is called a ‘naked’ bike – meaning stripped down, with no excess – would not fall into the annual update cycle that plagues other kinds of motorcycle. But you’d be wrong; the cutting edge of something remains the cutting edge, regardless of what its original purpose was. We have some naked bikes today that rival sports bikes for the kind of power, engineering, and electronics they have. Then there are others that show you a different path: one that is as close to Nirvana on two wheels as it is possible to get, because they are unbothered by tech and gadgets. They are simple bikes that manage to be boatloads of fun, and change what you think you need. But first, let’s have a look at what you can have in the segment. The Scalpel, With Cutting-Edge Tech KTMThe KTM 990 Duke R is the most technologically advanced middleweight naked bike by a fair margin. It has a spec sheet that reads quite similar to most other premium middleweights, but the level of customization that is available is unprecedented. The place where it scores over the competition is in the amount of power it produces and the weight that it managed to cut. However, KTMs are notorious for being very sensitive to hard riding. So if you are unwilling to put up with less reliability, KTM is not for you. The Italian Stallion ApriliaIf you prefer your middleweight naked with more Italian flair and soul, then you must look at the Aprilia Tuono 660 Factory. It has a similar formula to the KTM, but it puts its own unique spin on it. Like the KTM, it also has electronics that would make NASA proud, and it can be easily used as a track-day tool, not just because of the power-to-weight ratio and outright horsepower, but also because of the adjustability of the electronics and the individual parameters. The Sensible-But-Fun Alternative Yamaha MotorsportsThe Yamaha MT-09 SP has been around for a very long time now, but it holds its own against the others in the segment. It even has features like electronic suspension, which is what the ‘SP’ stands for. However, you can't always justify the price of a decade-old Japanese motorcycle versus a newer Italian bike if it costs more than the European one, even if it has electronic suspension. And that is why the MT-09 SP does not get as much attention as you think it would. The Suzuki SV650 Is The Motorcycle That Changes What You Think You Need SuzukiThe SV650 started life well over two decades ago as the sensible alternative to the Ducati Monster. Needless to say, it has copied more than a few elements from the Italian, but it had a more modern, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine with valve springs. And that is where the SV650 showed its worth; it was not just low cost, but also low maintenance. It hasn't changed much over time except for the addition of ABS. And yet, it is all the motorcycle that you ever need, simply because it is so much fun. And that is why it is the motorcycle that changes what you think you need. A Price That Is So Reasonable, It Changes Perception SuzukiSuzuki prices the SV650 at $8,049. It has ABS as standard, which means that there is no hidden cost here. There is also no real options list because it is supposed to be, like we’ve said before, a low-cost alternative to what is on the market. The price might not seem very low at first glance, but then again, this is a V-twin engine, not a parallel-twin like most of the competition. If you must get a V-twin with liquid cooling and fuel injection, you’ll be looking at a price that is significantly more than this. Even the competitors mentioned above cost up to 50 percent more than the SV650's price. Yes, they are more. Yes, they offer more features, but you just cannot get past the fact that they cost one and a half times this Suzuki’s price. Old-School V-Twin: The Only One In Its Segment Suzuki Suzuki is one of the last manufacturers to stick to the V-twin layout despite having low-cost models in its lineup. This particular V-twin in the SV650 is a 90-degree one with liquid cooling, DOHC, and four valves per cylinder. It has a short-stroke design, displaces 645cc, and has a compression ratio of 11.2:1. It generates 73 horsepower at 8,500 RPM and 47.2 pound-feet at 8,100 RPM. This is then fed through a six-speed manual gearbox and a chain to the rear wheel. Exposed Trellis Frame Is Also A Design Element Suzuki CyclesSuzuki has chosen a steel trellis frame to underpin the SV650. It helps keep the motorcycle light while retaining the rigidity it requires to be a fun machine. It has simple 41mm telescopic forks at the front and a link-type single shock at the rear. The only adjustment available is seven-step preload adjustment at the rear. The travel available is 4.9 inches at the front and 5.1 inches at the rear.Suzuki While this might seem like a very simple setup, the aftermarket is a wonderland for the SV owner, and a swap out of the front end for one from a GSX-R is not uncommon. There are twin fully floating 290mm brake discs at the front with Tokico four-piston fixed calipers and a 240mm rear disc with a single-piston caliper. 17-inch alloy wheels with tubeless radial tires have been fitted to the SV. Compact And Fun Dimensions For The SV650 This middleweight Suzuki naked is 84.3 inches long and nearly 30 inches wide. It has a wheelbase of just under 57 inches, which means this is an agile motorcycle. The seat is an extremely reasonable 30.9 inches high, and it has 5.3 inches of ground clearance. The fuel tank holds 3.8 gallons, and the curb weight is 437 pounds wet. You Don’t Buy This One For Features SuzukiIf you were hoping that Suzuki somewhere along the way updated the features of the SV650, you are going to be sorely disappointed. This bike has not been updated for a very long time. That means it gets an LCD instrument cluster. However, you must admit that the information is laid out logically and clearly on the screen, and it is definitely very complete. It has a gear indicator, clock, revs, the coolant temperature, trip meters, odometer, the fuel gauge, and even a full trip computer. What we would not give for the SV650 to get a TFT display!SuzukiThe official accessories list is understandably truncated, but the aftermarket has almost unlimited options. From Suzuki, however, you can get different seats, a frame covering kit, rear-set footpegs that will increase cornering clearance, and luggage. As far as electronics are concerned, this Suzuki is as basic as it can get.Suzuki It has standard ABS, but the ABS is not switchable or configurable. It also has Suzuki's SDTV technology, which is the second set of throttle valves that are controlled by the ECU rather than the throttle cable and the rider's right wrist. There is a possibility of this motorcycle being updated thanks to emission norms; one of the models it powers has already got a by-wire throttle and all the electronics associated with it in Europe. One Genuine Competitor From The Modern Crop Honda PowersportsIf you must have a more modern alternative to the Suzuki SV650, the Honda CB750 Hornet E-Clutch is a very good choice. It is priced below the Suzuki, has a larger-displacement parallel-twin engine with a 270-degree firing order, and it has Honda's E-Clutch system, which makes the gearbox semi-automatic. Even beyond the convenience, the CB750 Hornet is a light motorcycle with low ownership costs, so it is a real alternative to the SV650. But if nothing but a real V-twin will do, there is no substitute for the Suzuki.Source: Suzuki Cycles
