Cruiser or sport bike? Go naked.

The B-King has no clothes.  Nor do many other interesting motorcycles.

Many riders consider the 50's and 60's as the golden age of motorcycling, But many of those great bikes ended up in a wad by the side of the road, as their powerful new engines overwhelmed the crappy suspensions of the time.

Enterprising (read: broke) riders cut repair costs by transforming their wrecks themselves.  Removing battered fairings.  Replacing lights and windscreens with anything handy.  Painting the results with a brush.  And out of these garage laboratories -- cue the thunder and lightning -- naked bikes were born: sport bike engines and chassis, flat or clip-on handlebars, virtually no fairing or bodywork.

Eventually, nakeds became so popular they were legitimized.  Honda built the first production naked bike in 1988, the NT650. Many others followed, including the Ducati Monster, Yamaha FZ1, Suzuki SV650, Honda CB600F, Aprilia Tuono, and the Triumph Speed Triple.

And while they don't enjoy the popularity of sport bikes and cruisers, if you really want to experience motorcycling as it's meant to be -- with a gas tank between your legs, the wind in your hair, and bugs in your teeth -- it's the bike to ride.

Let's compare them to other popular styles:

Sport bikes vs. naked.  Naked bikes have a nice, upright riding position as comfy as your childhood Schwinn. Sport bikes seem to be designed for folks who ride horses at Emerald Downs.  If the raw speed doesn't curl you into a fetal position the bike's ergos will.

Cruisers vs. naked.  Naked bikes weigh 400-500 lbs. and are nimble enough to flick into turns.  Now, I'm not saying cruisers are overweight, but they haven't seen their axle nuts in years.  We're talking 800-1000 lbs. of chrome.  And that's without the trailer!

Dual-sport vs. naked.  Go naked and you get a highly refined sport bike engine, a low center of gravity, and a wide, padded seat.  Dual sports are often tall, hard, and vibrate like a paint shaker, offering you the flexibility of discomfort on dirt or pavement.

It's easy to poke fun, but the truth is, there's no such thing as a bad motorcycle.  I'd own any one of these styles in a heartbeat and have a blast with it every day.  My preference, though, is to go naked.

A naked bike gives you nearly the performance of a sport bike with nearly the comfort of a cruiser.  Bundled in a stylish, sometimes retro package, for thousands of dollars less than either sport or cruiser models.  In fact, a naked bike is typically less money per cc of displacement than anything on two wheels.

No other motorcycle design brings you as close to the road.  No other style gives you quite the same experience of speed.  Strip off all that plastic and chrome and it's just you, the grips, and the asphalt, in perfect harmony. 

And that, boys and girls, is what motorcycling is all about.

Somewhat more, uh... serious perspectives from other Motorcycle Examiners: 

• Cruiser or sport bike - what type of motorcycle is best for you? - Patty, Louisville Motorcycle Travel Examiner
• Are you a cruiser or sport bike? - Beth, Atlanta Sport Bike Examiner
• Sport bike or cruiser: The question is answered - Phil, Manchester Motorcycle Examiner
• Cruiser - a truly versatile bike for all your needs - Patty, Louisville Motorcycle Travel Examiner
• What's your optimum ride? - Robert, LA Motorcycle Travel Examiner
• Cruiser - a truly versatile bike for all your needs - Patty, Louisville Motorcycle Travel Examiner
• Choosing your perfect motorcycle: If the scoot fits ride it - Ken, Denver Motorcycle Examiner

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