Some say that to have fun on the road you need at least 100 HP. Perhaps, but our experience tells us that much less is enough. Half, for example. To be even more precise 48 HPwhich correspond to the limit imposed by law to be able to drive a motorbike with an A2 licence.
In recent years the market has seen a large number of models of this type arrive, products offered at a good price but not unexciting. The offers on the market include naked and faired ones to be enjoyed during the week on the commute from home to work as well as on the weekend among the curves: here’s what we found for you at a price of less than 7,000 euros!
CFmoto 450NK and 450SR
Let’s go in order of price and start from Chinese nude 450NK: the aesthetics are inspired by the bigger 800 sisters, it is very sharp but above all refined. There are LED headlights and the driving position is comfortable but aggressive (here you can find our test). Inverted fork, 320 mm front disc with radial caliper and traction control are standard. The saddle is 79.5 cm from the ground and the weight is contained in 155 kg dry. The 449 cm liquid-cooled forward-facing twin-cylinder3 it is instead capable of delivering 46.9 HP. In this regard, the engine is shared with its sister 450SR, a true small-sized sports car. The price of the naked is 5,490 euros fcwhile for the faired version it rises to 6,490 euros fc
Triumph Speed 400
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Don’t be fooled by classic details such as the teardrop tank and the round headlight, the new Speed 400 hides a great character (we tell you more about it here). The dimensions are compact, the feet can easily rest on the ground (saddle at 79 cm) and the details are very well looked after. Comfortable and quick in the city, it proves effective around the bends thanks to a quick and precise chassisand powerful braking.
The liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine has 40 HP (the cooling fins are just a play on style), good low-end boost and a punchy acceleration. All three available colors are two-tone and the price starts from 5,495 euros ex dealer.
Voge Brivido 500R
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Voge’s flagship naked bike is the Brivido 500R, which stands out for its slender shapes and sports components. The riding position is natural and not very tiring, saddle height 79 cm. The frame is made of steel tubes and at the front there is a 41 mm Kayaba upside down fork. The engine 471 cm twin cylinder3 and 47 HP at 8,500 rpm it is brilliant especially at medium speeds.
It’s not lightning fast when cornering, but at speed it displays a precise front end (here are our riding impressions). The braking system with a double 298 mm front disc is designed by Nissin, while the tires are Pirelli Angel GT. Price 5,890 euros ex dealer.
Kawasaki Z500 and Ninja 500
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These two new models debuted this year. Both are based on the same platform: steel tube frame, traditional fork legs and the new front-end twin-cylinder engine. 471 cm3 which reaches 45 HP at 9,000 rpm. Pleasant at the low end, gritty at the high end and fun on the road as well as on the track. The riding position is welcoming and relaxed, also thanks to the saddle placed 78.5 cm from the ground and the raised handlebars. SE versions also available which add details such as the color TFT dashboard and keyless starting. For the Kawasaki Z500 starting from a price of 5,990 euros (here’s how it goes)while for the Ninja 500 from 6,490 euros fc: here you can find our preview test.
Yamaha MT-03 and YZF-R3
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There are those who prefer to increase in cubic capacity and those, like Yamaha, always focus on determination and lightness. This is precisely the case of the MT-03 fun bike and the faired R3, powered by the well-known 321 cm inline twin-cylinder3 capable of 42 HP at 10,750 rpm. The engine is smooth, it pushes hard, It’s good for beginners but it’s also fun for more experts. The driving position is comfortable and the seat is close to the ground (78 cm). As standard there are LED headlights, an LCD dashboard and upside-down forks. Like the naked, even the sportier R3 is very similar in look to its bigger sisters: the price is 6,499 euros fc for the MT-03 and 6,799 euros for the fairing.
Honda CB500 Hornet and CBR500R
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In 2024 the Hornet family has expanded with the arrival of the CB500 which we are telling you about now. We know the technical basis, in fact this innovation is based on the CB500F released last year (full details here). The dimensions are large to accommodate even the tallest riders, but the saddle is well shaped and not too high (78.5 cm), you put your feet on the ground with confidence.
The aesthetics are modern, under the driver’s nose there is a color TFT dashboard capable of connecting to the smartphone and traction control is standard. Easy to drive and not very thirsty (28.6 km/litre declared), it has an engine forward facing twin cylinder with 48 HP and 471 cm3 gritty at medium and high rpm but always manageable. The suspensions have a spot-on calibration that makes it effective around curves and comfortable in the city. Price 6,690 euros fc, and alongside it there is also the sporty CBR500R, aggressive and with a moderately forward position without however being uncomfortable. For her the limit threshold is broken and it reaches 7,390 euros.
KTM 390 Duke
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The queen of the category has changed a lot this year. It’s all new: refined aesthetics, revised riding position, redesigned chassis and latest generation engine. Between the legs the 390 Duke is very compact and the saddle placed 82 cm from the ground makes the riding position more active without stressing the wrists. The steel trellis frame with WP signature suspension embraces the new 399 cm liquid-cooled single-cylinder3 and 45 HP, very lively at high revs and a little quieter at low revs (here’s our preview test). The standard electronic package is very complete: ride by wire, engine maps, traction control, launch controltwo-channel ABS and 5″ color TFT dashboard. The price is among the highest in the segment, 6,780 euros fcbut as soon as you get on the little Austrian naked bike you immediately appreciate the quality.
Aprilia RS 457
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With a price of 7,199 euros fc, there new RS 457 she is a champion but it is such a new and complete motorbike that it will certainly make sports lovers dream. With a weight-power ratio at the limits of the category, the Noale fairing showed us what it’s made of on the curbs of the Modena circuit (here’s the video). The chassis with the aluminum frame that uses the engine as a stressed element is very precise, while the riding position promises comfort. The forward-facing twin-cylinder from 457 cm3 it reaches an impressive 47.6 HP at 9,400 rpm. The weight is limited, 159 kg, and the saddle is 80 cm from the ground. The rich electronic equipment includes electronic throttle, three riding modes (Sport, Eco and Rain), Three-level adjustable traction control (and also disengageable) and ABS with two maps.
Tags: Easy folds sports license euros
