What is a naked bike?

The idea of a 'naked bike' came from sportbikes that were covered with plastic body panels (we call them 'tupperware'). People would buy these bikes, then drop them in a corner or something, then when they went to buy replacement panels they were SHOCKED at how expensive they were. I really think the Japanese manufacturers sell the bike at a loss and make it up on the body panels. A simple parking lot tipover can cost as much as $2000.

So people began riding the bikes around without the body panels, and this started a sort of fashion trend. In a few more years, the Japanese companies were making 'naked bikes', basically the same sportbike only without the plastic. Like the Honda 599 and the Suzuki SV-650.

The Radian is what today we would call a 'naked bike' but that term didn't exist when it was made.

Naked Sport Bike

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RE:

What is a naked bike?

I just bought a Yamaha Radian, and it is classified as a naked bike. What does that mean?

What "It's that guy" is describing is actually better known as a "street-fighter". Examples of "naked " bikes would be almost any bike before 1980, any cruiser without a fairing or windshield, Buell Blast or Lightning . Simply put, a bike without bodywork: no fairing, windshield, chin fairing. etc.

It is like my bike, a Kawasaki ZRX1100, it has no plastic fairings or aerodynamic effects like the GXSR or the Ninja have. I have been pulled over by a cop and asked this same question. The cop thought the bike was stolen and all the plastic had been removed and sold.

The "Naked Bike" got its name originally from young beautiful women were spotted riding Motto Guzzi motorcycles naked in southern Italy. just saying ... ;-)

"What is a naked bike"

The new millenium term for a style of sport bikes as was was known as a "Bober" back in the day! Everything non essential removed.

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