Hell. Yes. This was the group test I was looking forward to :D Very interesting result, but great to see the new bikes being well received too. Also kudos for stepping up the production quality MCN, it shows :)
Did anyone not notice that the Z1000 has the best acceleration and braking and is the most fuel efficient? Personally I love the way it looks, and you have to get up and close to see how attention to detail this bike is. I picked this bike because I was looking for a hooligan street fighter that is reliable yet aggressive, something that I can ride daily and get the most enjoyment out of even if it's a 10 minutes commute. I don't need all the electronics (ABS is a welcoming addition however), and I don't canyon carve or do track days all the time, nor will I ever spend much time going 150+ mph, so the slight lack of top end doesn't bother me at all. This bike stands out anywhere you put it and it's a blast to ride. And I got a great deal and purchased the bike brand new for 9,000 USD (that's 5k cheaper than all the others on average). Here in the US the European motorcycles have a much smaller dealership network and it costs $1,500 to service a European bike and less than $500 for a kawasaki. All in all, although I love the European super nakeds (almost went with the Ducati or the triumph), I think I found the bike that is best suited for myself. Everyone will pick the bike that's most appealing to themselves based on whatever they are looking for, and I applaud it all because these are all awesome machines. But don't let these online reviews and comparisons make your decision for you. Really think about what you need, then go get the bike that appeals to you the most. Unless you ride bikes for a living, these minor specs' differences are unnoticeable and you'll absolutely enjoy any of these beasts!
That is exactly how I feel, EXCEPT, I would prefer the new Z800, because, I don't need the litre bike's overall power, added weight and reduced fuel economy. Agree with every point though- and, I too, live in the US. For a crazy moment, on an empty highway, I may hit 110 or 120, but, it's a naked bike- so, that's enough. And, how often will I even do that? Once. I too love the looks of the Ducati, and, even the BMW, but, maintainence is just too high for a daily rider...
David, I agree that the Z800 is a great bike to own, only thing is I cannot get over how great the Z1K looks, I will post a video of my bike soon, but point is after some bar end mirrors and a tail tidy, this bike looks so freaking sexy. Also about the weight, I own a 250 as well that's spittle over 400 pounds but i gotta say the 1000 doesn't feel heavy at all, in fact I feel much better on it and it's so flickable even in super low speeds.
BruceMoolee Ahhh, now that is sweet. However, I dream of a 650cc - 750cc bike with 100+ hp & 50 Ft. /Lbs of torque that weighs in @ 400 Lbs- which is why I own a 2014 Triumph Street Triple R. A naked streetfighter that is docile and tractable up to 6,000 RPM, and, a savage beast over that. So, 50 MPG no matter how I ride it, quickshifter installed already, and suspension set for sag and my weight with gear on. A track bike which I can ride all day without getting sore, but, instead run the risk of losing my license every time I start it. I'm 100% positive that the Z1000 looks hawt with your mods, and, its a great usable bike for all occasions. (Funny, I own a 250 cruiser- under 400 Lbs- as well. And, a 650cc cruiser that specs more like a sportbike too- under 500 Lbs.) Personally, and without reservation, I'm OK with a high output, smaller engine on a lighter bike because of all the benefits. It's a little weird, but, I owned a couple of bigger bikes, and, actually swapped down to the Triumph from a Yamaha FJR1300A without regret.
Street triple R?? That is the bike I always liked and I've came so close to get it before I went with the Z! I went to the dealer and pretty much got everything lined up to get the new street triple, black and red color with the flyscreen, belly pan, seat cowl and the competition werkes exhaust. But like I mentioned the deal I got for the Z was too good to pass on (9k!) and I'm glad I got it, no regrets there. But you sir, have got great taste in motorcycles :)
I would only do mine if it was matte graphite- and, that's all they had in stock! The gut check was getting a test ride on a showroom bike- it sealed the deal. I paid 400.00 more for the privledge of having less, so, congratulations to you! I really wish the Z800 were at least available here- it was soooo close to a tie when put against the STripleR. So, we lucky folk have some of the best bikes on the planet right now- not smug, but, definitely happy & satisfied.
Ricardo Lourizela That's not a class of bike though. Way to move the goalpost, and throw out some unrelated unustified negative adjectives at the same time.
Got to hand it to you guys at MCN your videos are getting better by leaps and bounds recently. Also this was an awesome test, wanted that sexy KTM to win but oh well still love the group test keep up the awesome work!
You should have had the same tires on all the bikes! Not doing that sounds like a budget choice and it will be hard to compare the bikes! Well, in overall, you are doing quite nice reviews, not much of a biased ones at least :-)!
Also interesting that the Z has the best 0-60 and gets no props for that...and what is this about the S1R losing props for not having character?! I love the whir of inline 4s...tired of hearing that same old knock. Still that Tuono is growing on me...
I second this...great video in everything but the rap music. It was even so loud that it cut off what he was saying at the start of the rankings portion. The music of I4's, Twins and Triples is plenty for us :)
I love your videos ! It's so sad tough that my Speed Triple arrives in 4th place... anyway, I still love it very much !!!! Not as much power than the Tuono, but more comfortable for long rides.
It would have to be the 848 streetfighter then, as the 1098 streetfighter isn't a current selling model. The speed triple may be old, well, not that old actually as the current "facelifted" model came in 2011, the same year as the tuono V4R...
Thanks for the test guys. I'm a real ducati fan and I really don't like what the monster is becoming ... It's sad. Too heavy, too big and you need to rev it to have punch.
Rap music really? Do people still listen to that? Just the sound of the bikes please, or if we have to have music can we have it more as background so we can still hear the bikes. I'm not surprised at number 1 but the fastest bike with the best brakes at number 3? Surely that's what you are after in a track bike? I wish you had spend longer than 7 minutes reviewing these awesome bikes..This is the biggest year for naked bikes and I felt they deserved more video time.
Great test BUT disappointing for me that you you don't include the CB1000R that I've been riding for the last three years and have loved NOR the MV Brutale that I am about to replace it with!!!! why is that????
Hello, I like watching your MCN programmes. You show a lot of naked bikes but you never show Benelli TNT 1130 in your videos. It would be great if you did a video about this motorbike. Thanks. Good Luck
Can someone tell me where they are testing the bikes on the street, please. I can confirm that the Tuono (even without the electronics package) is a lot of fun to ride!
I was thinking getting a supernaked for weekend riding and lond distance touring, and ended up having both a superbike for weekend and light adv bike for touring
Agree with comment about music cutting off the chat. Would much prefer to hear the engines! But still enjoyed the video as have been waiting since they announced this test! Think id like the Aprilia more without that head. Big fan of the triumph. Would love a go on the KTM. BMW doesn't inspire me much. Hopefully testing a z1000 this weekend. Attracted to the Monster purely for hankering after a V-Twin. Dat noise!
I tried the Z1000 and the BMW..Don't discount the BMW until you have tried it. For me it was far superior in every way to the Z. The Z isn't a bad bike, in fact it bloody good just the S1R is better. try them both!
this test has some people confused. Naked bikes aren't necessarily streetfighters. However all streetfighters can be considered naked. Which brings me to my next 2 questions: 1 Why use the monster when you could have used Duc Streetfighter? 2 Why didn't you use Yamaha's MT-09 in this test? I'm sure MT-09 would have made it in the top 3. As for the Tuono I won't really go into that cause its in a class of its own. Nor is it naked neither fully faired, and it certainly doesn't look like a true street fighter.
1. They used the Monster I assume because it was a brand new model, it didn't deserve to be in the group and he said as such but the Z1000 should have come above it for that reason, it's not a super naked! 2.It would have been unfair to include the MT-09 up against these 1000cc super naked bikes 3. even before the test MCN had decided the Tourno was going to win
It's a SUPER naked shootout. The Ducati Streetfighter is an 848 cc motor, and the Yamaha is a 849 cc motor. However, they did do a shootout with both of those bikes...a middleweight shootout
Hey Neevesy... I've got the mcn, can you confirm (without giving anything away) that the BHP for the BMW is correct and taken from the rear wheel?? BMW for me all the way!! YAY!! Oh, and who chose the music?? Oh dear :-/
Yep, all power figures are measured at the rear wheel on our dyno. BMW's are always close to their claimed figures, so they must measure at the wheel and not the crank like everyone else. Neevesy
For more racing and shorter rides the Aprilla, But for everyday driving and sport touring its the KTM. The Aprilla is more super sport than a Standard/Streetfighter. To me it means I'm sitting almost straight up and get to enjoy some comfort. A 0 to 80mph bike, not for 125mph racing, or get a faired super sport bike. The KTM = 135hp and 85 ft lbs of torque at 4000 rpm, that says it all.
you also failed to mention that the BMW handle bars vibrate so much at low rpm cruising speeds that your fingers go numb. Common problem with the S1000RR as well.
All performance testing was done on a test strip at the same time, using a GPS data logger. Power figures are all at the back wheel, measured on our dyno. BMWs are always close to their claimed power figures.
neevesybikes really surprise about the monster's performance.... so back compare to the others? With the S version would change in better getting closer to the rivals? Really the triumph ahead an old project against a brand new one..
there are many naked aesthetically beautiful, but if you put them all lined up in a parking lot and get a BUELL XB ........... all fall, there is no comparison ! BUELL THE BEST.
For me a naked isn't about massive speed it's more about the 0-60ish performance. The boring and predictable choice is probably the BMW but I think I would take the Z1000 and lose that absolutely colossal exhaust.
It's weird, when i rode the Z1000 it felt sluggish compared to the BMW..I was very surprised to see the Z quickest 0-60. I tried both bike days within each other and thought the BMW would crush the Z in acceleration.
What!?! No Honda?!? I know it doesn't compare to the others on specs sheets, but pure fun and rowdiness, I can't believe you guys didn't include the CB1000R. Just saying.
sherry cheema looking for the helmet or the design? helmet is an arai rx7, but you wont find the design as its a custom one for him... id buy that helmet if i could...
MCN tested the Brutale before and it didn't do well against current company. One would the imagine the result would be the same again as the bike hasn't really been updated since.
you have your opinion. keep your aprila, i'll take the superduke and keep an eye on you from my mirrors. further more, many would take the z1000 over the triumph. got to love these reviews at times. further more, the actual track footage resembled a heard of arthritic turtles. nut up men.
Great Bikes:) I haven't ridden any of these bikes but if i would have to choose without test ride i'd go for a Super Duke R, aprilia might be a better bike but ugly! Good review - just lose the music please! We want to hear the engines
Aprilia Tuono to me should not be included in this test because its not really a naked bike. The winner in my book is the Kawasaki Z1000, 0-60 in 3.2sec, best breaks, best styling and a true Streetfighter naked bike, the BMW is just ugly.
They don't mention that the Tuono seat is made of wood and it has a stupidly high idle speed. Both of which ARE a problem when just using it on the road. Also, the Tuono used in this test has an additional screen that is not 'standard'. It may be an Aprilia accessory but other bikes like the SuperDuke and Monster also have available screens which are not fitted to the test bikes. This compromises the validity of comparison data like stability at speed and top speed and also comfort. At the very least they should have mentioned this anomaly. But then, it's MCN who never let the truth stand in the way of getting the results they wanted in the first place.
the 2011-2013 bikes had super hard seats, the new model is a lot softer. As far as the idle goes i rode my Tuono to work every day for 2.5 years and the idle was never one of my concerns. My only complaint could be the hard seat on the original model and the fact that there are not enough roads with high enough speed limit to fully enjoy what is the best sounding engine on this planet.
+20 Jesus guys, we don't need the rap in the background even when you're trying to talk to us. Let us pray the responsible party was an intern who has now moved on to Volvo Monthly.
Excellent video and review, but please, please drop the music! Too much and always 100% louder than speach, resulting in all of us viewers having to watch through with one hand on the volume dial. Please fire your hip-hop music overlay guy!
Why do people play rap music in the background during a video where someone is speaking and giving information you are interested in hearing? Thankfully the rap was very low volume unlike some I've seen. Music without lyrics is best for this. Playing rap with this is like two people talking at the same time, not good. Please don't do it. The reviews are great. Thanks for that.