The Best First Big Bikes
Stepping up to a full-power bike is a big moment. You want real performance without a savage power delivery. These approachable middleweights (roughly 60-100hp) are the perfect first big bike after your A2.
- 01Aprilia · sport
Aprilia RS 660
8.8The class-defining modern middleweight: a punchy 270° twin, sublime chassis, and superbike-grade electronics in a usable package.
Consensus from MCN · Bennetts · Cycle World
- Price
- $11,549
- Engine
- 659cc
- Power
- 100hp
- Seat
- 820mm
- 02Triumph · modern classic
Triumph Bonneville T120
8.6A beautifully built, torque-rich modern classic that nails the retro brief with genuine quality and easy real-world pace, at a premium price.
Consensus from Cycle World · Motorcycle.com · MCN
- Price
- $12,895
- Engine
- 1200cc
- Power
- 78hp
- Seat
- 790mm
- 03Yamaha · adventure
Yamaha Ténéré 700
8.5The benchmark middleweight ADV for genuine off-road ability, simplicity, and value; the tall seat and basic kit are the only price of admission.
Consensus from RevZilla · Cycle World · Adventure Bike Rider
- Price
- $10,799
- Engine
- 689cc
- Power
- 72hp
- Seat
- 875mm
- 04Suzuki · naked
Suzuki GSX-8S
8.5An award-winning middleweight naked that punches above its spec sheet, with a torquey, characterful twin and a genuinely premium feel.
Consensus from MCN · Cycle World · RevZilla
- Price
- $8,999
- Engine
- 776cc
- Power
- 81hp
- Seat
- 810mm
- 05Aprilia · adventure
Aprilia Tuareg 660
8.5A genuinely dirt-capable middleweight with 21/18 spoked wheels and long-travel KYB suspension, and the sweetest handling twin in its class, if you can live with the tall seat.
Consensus from MCN · RevZilla · Cycle World
- Price
- $12,499
- Engine
- 659cc
- Power
- 80hp
- Seat
- 860mm
- 06Suzuki · adventure
Suzuki V-Strom 800DE
8.4A capable, well-priced middleweight ADV with a true 21-inch front and genuine off-road intent, held back only by its tall seat and modest electronics.
Consensus from 1000PS · Cycle World · MCN
- Price
- $11,599
- Engine
- 776cc
- Power
- 84hp
- Seat
- 855mm
- 07Honda · adventure
Honda XL750 Transalp
8.4A brilliantly judged middleweight all-rounder: a punchy 755cc twin, genuine off-road ability and Honda dependability at a price that undercuts the establishment.
Consensus from 1000PS · MCN · Cycle World
- Price
- $9,999
- Engine
- 755cc
- Power
- 91hp
- Seat
- 850mm
- 08Triumph · sport
Triumph Daytona 660
8.3A road-first supersport that wraps a punchy, characterful 660 triple in wind-cheating bodywork: comfortable, usable and superb value, even if it trades outright track sharpness for everyday ease.
Consensus from MCN · RevZilla · Cycle World
- Price
- $9,395
- Engine
- 660cc
- Power
- 94hp
- Seat
- 810mm
- 09CFMoto · sport
CFMoto 675SR-R
8.2CFMoto’s first in-house inline-triple lands hard: a 94 hp middleweight supersport with fully adjustable KYB suspension, a quickshifter and radial J.Juan brakes for less than the establishment charges, long-term durability the only open question.
Consensus from MCN · Bennetts · 1000PS
- Price
- $7,999
- Engine
- 675cc
- Power
- 94hp
- Seat
- 810mm
- 10Triumph · naked
Triumph Trident 660
8.1Superb-value middleweight with a glorious Street Triple-derived triple; budget forks and a comfort ceiling are where the corners were cut.
Consensus from Bennetts · MCN · Cycle World
- Price
- $8,595
- Engine
- 660cc
- Power
- 81hp
- Seat
- 805mm
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