10 Motorcycles That Nail The Sweet Spot Between Aggression And Everyday Rideability

Modern motorcycles are getting more and more versatile. Today, there are all sorts of different motorcycles on offer, all able to cater to different kinds of riders and their specific needs. In the past, if you wanted a high-performance motorcycle, you needed to buy a superbike. Superbikes are known for being fantastically uncomfortable, and virtually impossible to ride for longer than a couple of hours at a time.

This is no longer the case. From touring bikes that can be taken to the track, to naked bikes with superbike engines, there are several bikes on the market that simply nail the sweet spot between performance and practicality. One thing we feel that can be limiting when it comes to riding a bike every day is weight. For the sake of this list, we have only included bikes with a dry weight of 500 pounds or less.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from authoritative sources, such as Ducati, Suzuki Cycles, and BMW Motorrad. The motorcycles on this list are rated according to MSRP.

Ducati Multistrada V4 RS

MSRP: $39,995

The RS model demands a whopping $7k premium over the Pikes Peak, but there is a pretty good reason for this. It is very much a bike for the Ducatisti because it is the only Multistrada that comes with a full-on superbike engine. The Panigale V4 engine has the iconic Desmo valvetrain, but other than that, only 10 horsepower and around 4 pounds separate the two models. We certainly know which bike we would choose.

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Ducati Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak

MSRP: $32,995

In our opinion, the Granturismo V4 already has way more power than anyone will ever need. It is also, by most accounts, the better engine for a street bike. While the RS might be a few tenths of a second faster around any given track, that fact will be long forgotten by the time you need to do the first Desmo service. The Multistrada V4 Pikes Peak still has all the same great features, including semi-active Öhlins suspension.

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Ducati Diavel V4

MSRP: $27,995

We promise this is not a list of Ducatis, they just so happen to be the most expensive options! For those that love cruisers, this has to be the best option, with 168 horsepower and over 90 pound feet of torque. Its dynamic handling and sporty nature put it on par with several naked bikes, but that is more of a compliment than anything else.

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BMW M 1000 XR

MSRP: $25,475

The whole sports bike on stilts thing has become a bit of a sub-segment within the sport touring segment. This has to be one of the most interesting creations within its class, as it offers genuine track potential married to everyday rideability. While it certainly isn’t cheap, it is at least a fair bit cheaper than the two Ducatis. Even so, at this price point, you could still buy two different bikes for the same price as the M 1000 XR (think S 1000 RR and G 310 GS).

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KTM 1290 Super Duke GT

MSRP: $20,499

Simply adding some fairings to one of the wildest naked bikes on the market might not seem like the best way to build a sport tourer, but it worked. Naturally, there is a lot more to it than simply adding fairings. Heated grips, ride modes, cruise control and semi-active suspension also get added to the mix. With those ride modes, you can have a placid mile muncher, or if the mood arises, the “beast” will come out and play at the flick of a virtual switch.

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Yamaha MT-10 SP

MSRP: $17,299

While the MT-10 SP is certainly practical and comfortable enough to be ridden every day, there is one minor caveat to be added. Its fuel economy is almost comically poor for a motorcycle. The latest version of the bike is a little better than the previous iteration, but if you want to have a little fun, just be sure to have a full tank of gas at your disposal. Other than that, this bike is nearly impossible to fault.

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BMW S 1000 XR

MSRP: $17,995

While the M 1000 XR offers two motorcycles in one for the price of two motorcycles, the S 1000 XR really is two motorcycles for the price of one. It might not be quite as “track ready” but it is still a pretty impressive all-rounder with a host of modern features, a well-sorted chassis and fully adjustable suspension. Its tall stance and wind protection make it a fair bit more comfortable than both the S 1000 RR and the S 1000 R hypernaked.

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Aprilia Tuono 1100

MSRP: $16,399

For some reason, people continue to sleep on the Tuono 1100. This is the cheapest V4-powered motorcycle currently on the market and is by no stretch of the imagination your average naked bike. It offers a long list of features, including cornering ABS, lean sensitive traction control and a quickshifter all as standard fitment. It might not have the fancy suspension you get with the Factory version, but it has a great chassis, and the Sachs suspension on this base model is still fully adjustable.

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Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+

MSRP: $14,299

Suzuki has kept the old K5 Gixxer engine around for good reason. It is quite simply one of the best modern inline-four engines ever made. In this relatively mild state of tune, which taps into its midrange potential, it is also relatively economical and even more reliable. Out of all the bikes that run on this platform, the GSX-S1000GT+ just offers the most value and comfort. Even though it comes with almost every conceivable feature, the bike still weighs less than 500 pounds.

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Honda CB1000 Hornet SP

MSRP: $10,999

Even though the Suzuki offers great value, it still might be out of range for some buyers. This is where Honda steps in. Honda kept it very simple with the Hornet SP, adding features that make a tangible difference and leaving others off in an effort to keep the price right down. What you get is a modern twist on the classic UJM, and we love it!

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