Here are five overlooked nakeds you should be excited about this year

Nakeds might have played second fiddle to adventure bikes in the 2025 sales charts, but writing the segment off would be a mistake. With a tsunami of models from the big-hitters heading into showrooms in 2026, we’d expect them to once again rule the two-wheeled roost.

But beyond the usual best-sellers and headline-grabbing flagships sits a wave of machines quietly building a case for themselves, from electric disruption courtesy of LiveWire to value-packed multi-cylinder muscle from QJMotor and heritage revival from Moto Morini. These aren’t the obvious poster bikes of 2026, but they are the often overlooked nakeds that could shape where the class goes next — and possibly push it back to the top of the sales tree.

Without further ado, here’s the list, which includes details about each bike.

QJMotor SRK 921

Starting this list off is a bike that was revealed very recently, and is set to arrive in UK dealers in March. It is the QJMotor SRK 921. 

The SRK 921 offers a premium specification at a relatively low price. £8,699 is what it will cost to get your hands on the Chinese company’s new flagship naked, which undercuts several of its rivals in that area, including the Yamaha MT-09 and the Kawasaki Z900. 

The SRK 921 features fully adjustable Marzocchi upside-down forks, and a matching adjustable rear shock.

Brembos take care of the bike’s stopping power, while cornering ABS is also included. At the heart of the new naked is a 921cc inline-four-cylinder engine that produces 127.5bhp at 10,000rpm and 69 Ib-ft of torque. Additionally, the SRK 921 comes standard with a quickshifter. 

TVS Apache RTR 310

TVS Motor Company, which is the current owner of Norton Motorcycles, is an Indian brand keen to widen its presence overseas, and the Apache RTR 310 model is one that could certainly help with that. 

You might like to read our TVS Apache RTR 310 review.

The RTR, which also has a fully-faired RR sibling, produces 35.1 bhp at 9,700rpm and 21 lb ft at 6,650rpm. The RR makes more power at the top of the revs, while the RTR is tuned more for torque, both in low-end and mid-range.  

In terms of tech, the bike is full of high-spec features, including full cornering ABS from Bosch, lean-sensitive traction control, a ride-by-wire throttle and different riding modes. Additionally, you get wheelie control, rear lift control, launch control and a Bluetooth-connected TFT dash, all as standard equipment. 

LiveWire S2 Alpinista

Yes, that's right, we've added an electric naked to this list, and it's one that could be appealing to riders on several fronts. 

The S2 Alpinista is the sportiest model within LiveWire’s range, and it produces 82 bhp and a huge 194 Ib-ft of torque. It uses a 10.5kWh battery, and claims to offer 120 miles of range in the city and 71 miles on the highway. 

In terms of charging, there are two levels that are available, including level 1 and 2. L1 charging will take you from 20 to 80 per cent in around 2.7 hours, while L2 will get the job done in a much faster 78 minutes. 

Now, the Alpinista is not all about tech and charging, as it also boasts an impressive spec sheet, with Showa suspension found at both ends of the bike, while Brembos take care of stopping power, both front and rear. There is an obvious cost comparison to make between this or a conventional petrol-powered bike, although with LiveWire slashing prices left, right, and centre, owning one of the all-electric wonders is looking more appealing than ever.

Moto Morini 3 ½ Sport

The annual EICMA show in Milan, Italy, is often used by manufacturers as the launchpad for new-model reveals. And in 2025, Moto Morini was no different as it used the event in November to mark the return of the 3 ½ Sport to its line-up.

The 3 ½ Sport was first introduced in 1974, and remains one of the most recognisable model names from Moto Morini.

It is driven by a 350cc V-twin engine that produces 32 bhp at 8,500rpm and 22 lb-ft of torque at 5,500rpm. The 2026 model is expected to arrive in the first half of this year. 

Moto Morini’s new 3 ½ Sport also comes equipped with a solid amount of tech, including full LED lighting and a TFT display that includes integrated navigation. However, it’s unclear if that means a GPS system that works independently from a smartphone, or whether you would need to operate it via an app.

Phelon & Moore Brighton 6 Roadster

Still listed as a preview model by the recently revived British manufacturer, the Brighton 6 Roadster is positioned as a retro naked, and makes use of a 550cc parallel twin that delivers 58 bhp and 40.5 lb ft of torque. That same power unit is also housed by the all-new Brighton 6 Scrambler.

The new Brighton 6 arrived as part of an influx of new models from the Yorkshire-based company, which also revealed its new line-up at EICMA. 

Within that line-up were a pair of scooters, two Panther cruisers, and three Capetown adventure models. 

The Brighton 6 Roadster is set to arrive in two colour options, which are Obsidian Black and Malbec Red, while a TFT display offers navigation and smartphone connectivity. Full LEDs are also part of the setup, as is ABS at both ends of the bike.

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