While every motorcycle segment has its time in the sun, one segment remains popular no matter what season it may be. With comfort-oriented ergonomics, naked bikes strike a balance between performance and daily practicality. Almost every major manufacturer has at least one bike competing in this lucrative space, and while the basic formula remains the same, each bike offers us something a little different.

At one end of the spectrum, we have the entry-level bikes that cater to new riders, and at the other, we have some of the fastest hypernakeds ever made. It is a diverse segment, but if you are looking for a fun, efficient daily rider, then one of the many middleweight bikes will fit the bill. With so many good options, which one you choose will mostly come down to personal preference.

Honda has recently come out with a host of value-minded motorcycles, and while the CB1000 Hornet SP has stolen most of the headlines, the CB750 Hornet is just as good. It now comes standard with Honda’s innovative E-Clutch, which adds another layer of value to the right buyer. All the latest tech we have come to expect from motorcycles competing in this space is present, and with it being a Honda, reliability is pretty much guaranteed.

If you want a more simplified riding experience, it is hard to look past the SV650. It has been around for several years now, and the only electronic feature you get here is ABS. But, it has the best chassis of all the bikes competing in this sub-$10k space, and its little V-twin is a gem. For those looking to spend more time carving up canyons over the weekend, this is a solid option.

The constant updating and shaving of ounces seems to be filtering down to all motorcycles, and the SV650 makes you doubt if it's a good thing.

Yamaha just updated the MT-07 platform and added several features that are usually reserved for more expensive models. This seems to be an answer to the feature-rich Chinese bikes that have come out over the past couple of years, and it is great news for us consumers. While the Chinese bikes have a lot to offer in terms of value, none of those bikes come equipped with a CP2 engine, which is a genuine point of difference.

Yamaha introduced the CP2 engine well over a decade ago now, and it is widely considered the most reliable engine to ever get put in a motorcycle. It was first used in the wildly successful original MT-07, and has since been put in pretty much every kind of motorcycle thanks to its versatility and efficiency. It complies with all the latest global emissions standards, and with a claimed 57 MPG, it is also affordable to run.

On the face of it, 72 horses may not seem all that much compared to the competition that are all getting within touching distance of 100 horsepower. But it is the way this engine makes its power that makes it so endearing. From the get-go, it was optimized to deliver optimal mid-range performance, and with so much of its torque available low down in the rev range, it more than lives up to its “Master of Torque” moniker. It is frightfully quick off the mark and makes the lightweight MT-07 an incredibly fun bike to ride.

The parallel-twin CP2 engine has made its way into several models in Yamaha's lineup for all the right reasons

In an effort to keep up with the competition, Yamaha added a few nice-to-have features last year. The latest MT-07 gets switchable traction control, ride modes, and the obligatory TFT dash that offers smartphone connectivity. Today, certain things are expected of a modern motorcycle, and one of those things is yet another big screen. In many ways, it is a necessary evil for all the extra customization on offer. If you prefer a more simplified riding experience, the XSR700 exists for a reason. With the feedback for the previous design update largely negative, Yamaha elected to once again “fiddle with it,” and the end result remains, at best, polarizing.

While we should be grateful that Yamaha finally updated the suspension last year, it only serves to paper over the one area where the brand has always been forced to compromise. At the end of the day, this is a motorcycle that is built to a budget, and that one area that really shows that is the chassis. While the bike is nimble, that is largely down to how short the wheelbase is and how light the bike is. A fact that has always been underscored by how light the front end gets under hard acceleration. Which is great for long wheelies, but less than ideal for lap times.

Naturally, this is not a track bike; it is a fun, affordable street bike. If you are after something for the track, Yamaha will gladly point you to the IMU-equipped YZF-R7, which throws ever more tech at the problem. It is also more expensive and less comfortable. What you get with the MT is a comfortable daily rider able to put a smile on your face every time you ride it, without breaking the bank. Even if it has a face only a mother (or maybe a designer) can love.

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41mm KYB inverted fork (5.1-in travel)

KYB single shock, adjustable preload and rebound damping (5.1-in travel)

Source: https://www.topspeed.com/daily-rider-feels-efficient-comfortable-easy-to-own/