Motorcycle enthusiasts today are spoiled for choice, with a vast array of options catering to every riding style, from adventurous journeys to track days. Among the leading manufacturers offering this incredible variety, Honda stands out as a key player. Alongside brands like Yamaha, Triumph, and CFMoto, Honda consistently delivers models that meet diverse rider needs.
Within Honda’s extensive catalog, the naked bike category, also known as roadsters, remains exceptionally popular. These motorcycles offer a compelling combination of exhilarating, wind-in-your-face riding experiences, sharp handling, more comfortable ergonomics compared to sportbikes, and practical everyday usability. Honda boasts a rich heritage in producing standard naked motorcycles, and their current lineup continues this tradition of excellence. This article will explore Honda’s current range of five outstanding naked bikes, ranking them based on their power output to help you make an informed decision.
To ensure accuracy and provide you with the most up-to-date details, the information presented here is compiled from Honda Powersports and respected industry sources such as MotorcycleNews.com.
A Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP Motorcycle
Related: Every Honda CBR Sports Bike, Ranked By Power
The CBR lineup from Honda provides options for every rider, from beginners to seasoned racers aspiring to WSBK.
5. Honda CB300R: The Ideal Entry-Level Naked Bike
Power: 31 HP
Black 2022 Honda CB300R cruising up a road
For those new to the world of motorcycling, the Honda CB300R stands out as one of the best naked beginner bikes available. Mirroring the design cues of its larger, more powerful siblings, the CB300R is a nimble and stylish neo-classic streetfighter. At its heart lies a liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine producing 31 horsepower, making it incredibly manageable and confidence-inspiring for new riders. The upright riding posture, accessible 31.6-inch seat height, and predictable handling characteristics further contribute to its beginner-friendly nature, particularly in urban environments.
Whether you’re a complete novice or returning to riding after a break, the CB300R is designed to be approachable and keeps you in control. It serves as an excellent stepping stone, familiarizing you with the Honda Naked Bike family and preparing you for more powerful models as your experience grows.
Engine Specifications of CB300R
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled, 4-valve, single-cylinder |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 286cc |
| Max Power | 31 HP |
| Max Torque | 20.3 LB-FT |
| Top Speed | 95 MPH |
4. Honda SCL500: The Retro-Cool Scrambler Naked
Power: 46 HP
Orange 2023 Honda SCL500 cruising through town
Capitalizing on the surging popularity of scrambler motorcycles, Honda reimagined its popular Rebel 500 platform into the SCL500, a more upright and retro-styled naked bike. The result is a compelling blend of classic aesthetics and modern engineering. Drawing inspiration from Honda’s rich off-road heritage, the SCL500 emerges as a retro urban scrambler, positioned to compete with models like the Royal Enfield Scram 411 and Triumph Scrambler 400 X. While its off-road prowess might be more style-driven than purely functional, the SCL500 offers a unique aesthetic appeal.
Equipped with dual-sport tires and a high-mounted exhaust, the SCL500 hints at adventurous capabilities, suggesting it can handle light off-road conditions like gravel, dirt roads, and grassy paths. However, with a modest 6.1 inches of ground clearance, tackling challenging technical terrains is not recommended. This Honda naked bike is more about urban style with a touch of ruggedness.
Engine Specifications of SCL500
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled parallel-twin four-stroke |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 471cc |
| Max Power | 46 HP |
| Max Torque | 32 LB-FT |
| Top Speed | Unspecified |
Orange 2023 Honda SCL500 cruising by a graffiti wall
Related: 2023 Honda SCL500: Performance, Price, And Photos
Honda introduces the scrambler-inspired SCL500 to the American market.
3. Honda CB500F: The Sensible and Versatile Mid-Range Naked
Power: 47 HP
2023 Honda CB500F If you’re seeking a Honda 500cc naked bike but prefer a more contemporary design over the scrambler aesthetics of the SCL500, the CB500F is an excellent choice. This model offers a distinctly modern look and is fundamentally a naked version of the CBR500R sportbike. In typical naked bike fashion, the CB500F sheds the fairings and clip-on handlebars of its sportbike sibling in favor of a flat handlebar, resulting in a highly functional and practical commuter machine.
The Honda CB500F is best described as a sensible and well-rounded motorcycle. While it may not possess the flamboyant styling of the Kawasaki Z500 or the feature-rich package of the CFMoto 450NK, it provides comparable core mechanicals and a comprehensive set of standard features expected by intermediate riders. Fuel injection, anti-lock brakes (ABS), and a slipper/assist clutch are all included. Priced under $7,000, it offers exceptional value. Notably, Honda has unveiled the new CB500 Hornet in Europe and Britain, essentially an updated CB500F with refreshed styling and enhanced features like a TFT display. American availability is yet to be announced.
Engine Specifications of CB500F
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled, 8-valve parallel-twin |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 471cc |
| Max Power | 47 HP |
| Max Torque | 31.7 LB-FT |
| Top Speed | Unspecified |
2. Honda CB650R: The Inline-Four Mid-Weight Marvel
Power: 92 HP
Honda CB650R Honda’s CB designation has a storied history, dating back to the early 1960s, with iconic models like the CB750 revolutionizing the motorcycle landscape. While the current CB650R doesn’t directly evoke the vintage charm of those historical bikes like the Triumph Bonneville does with its retro aesthetics, it carries forward the CB legacy in a modern package.
Honda has intelligently applied a consistent design language across its CB range, starting with the smaller CB300R. The CB650R represents a significant leap in power from its 300cc sibling while retaining the appealing aspects of the smaller model. Crucially, the CB650R houses an increasingly rare engine configuration in the motorcycle world: an inline-four engine. In contrast, its main competitors, the Triumph Trident 660 and Aprilia RS 660, utilize triple and twin-cylinder engines, respectively. This inline-four configuration translates to 92 horsepower and a thrilling top speed of 135 mph. Similar to the CB500F, the CB650R has also been updated for 2024 in Europe, promising even greater appeal.
Engine Specifications of CB650R
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled, 16-valve, inline-four |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 649cc |
| Max Power | 92 HP |
| Max Torque | 46.5 LB-FT |
| Top Speed | 135 MPH |
2024 Honda CB125R Hero Related: Honda’s New 125cc Streetfighter Makes The CB650R Seem Vanilla
Honda’s updated 125cc CB for 2024 elevates the small streetfighter segment.
1. Honda CB1000R: The King of Honda Naked Bikes
Power: 144 HP
2022 Honda CB1000R cruising through a parking garage
For a brief period, Honda introduced the CB1100, which seemed like a potential successor to the classic CB lineage, aiming for a modern classic aesthetic akin to the Triumph Bonneville. However, the CB1100, while powerful, landed in a stylistic middle ground, not fully embracing either modern or retro design, and ultimately didn’t achieve the anticipated market success.
Simultaneously, Honda offered the CB1000R, a direct competitor to models like the Yamaha MT-10. Recognizing the missed opportunity with the CB1100, Honda undertook a ground-up redesign of the CB1000R, unofficially rebranding it as a “neo-sports café” naked bike. By opting for a predominantly contemporary design with subtle retro touches like the round headlight, Honda created a stylish antithesis to the more polarizing futuristic styling of competitors like the MT-10. Ultimately, Honda succeeded in crafting a liter-class naked bike that is stylish, powerful, comfortable, and widely appreciated globally. The CB1000R rightfully sits at the top of Honda’s naked bike range.
Engine Specifications of CB1000R
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled DOHC In-line 4 cylinder |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 998cc |
| Max Power | 144 HP |
| Max Torque | 76.7 LB-FT |
| Top Speed | Unspecified |
