Triumphrat

Halfpint

With the recent introductions of Yamaha's FZ8 and BMW's F800R to U.S. shores, the unfaired – or "naked" – middleweight category expands to include at least five models. With machines from Germany, Japan, Italy and the U.K., it's a good ol' moto melting pot of naked bike fun!

Lucky us, we got our paws on four of 'em: Aprilia's Shiver 750, the BMW F800R, Triumph's Street Triple R and the FZ8 from Yamaha.

More: 2011 Naked Middleweights Shootout on Motorcycle.com

Wayne's Striple

I checked the competition before I bought my R last year and it simply had the best combination of light weight, power band, hp, and handling with fully adjustable suspension in a naked style bike. I just could not find a bad review on this bike. Yes, here in Canada it was a little pricier but you get what you pay for. A big plus is that it is a really good-looking motorcycle, a bit wild but not over the top like the uncomfortable 'Transformer' look of some other bikes. I did need to make some adjustments here and there to optimize it for my size and weight and the kind of roads I ride on, and it is fairly comfortable for a sporting bike at speed. Lots of aftermarket bling for it and I just installed a new Sargent sport seat on it which is contoured better for me, reducing the tendency to slide ahead when going over bumps. I think the Striple is today what the Bonneville was for Triumph back in the '60's, and coincidentally it is close to the same displacement! bfn - Wayne

Wayne's Striple

Oh yeah, the sound it makes is just as much fun as the ride! bfn - Wayne

BDKrivit

especially debaffled Arrows...

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IBA# 53256

LittleJoe

Love the Triple, but how can really have a naked bike shoot out without the Monster?
I would have rather seen a comparison of just the Triumph and Ducati.

SpencerCross

100% agreed. I <3 the S3R, but leaving out the Monster in a comparison of naked bikes is a bizarre omission. Especially considering there are TWO Monster models in that range.

mglemans86

April's Rider Mag has a comparison F800R vs Monster 796 vs Street Trip R. The Triumph wins again!!

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An emotional response is not a substitute for critical thinking.

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rogue_e5

I dont like how the Triumph is pulling the lowest wheelie of them all.

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Tonrunners.....UNITE!!!!!

tomp

love the triples, but i got a er6n 650cc twin kaw recently. not as much power, but over 90mph, on any naked it's hard to hang on. taken the little 650 over 100 mph, and it had lots left in it to go...would love a street or speed, but at under $5k, the 6N worked for me, as a naked middle wt....tomp

OKStriple

Here you go. STR vs M796
http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs...796-89973.html