Some of these supernakeds make more power than a couple of full-fledged superbikes.
About a decade ago, supernakeds as a concept (superbikes with upright handlebars and slightly detuned engines) were just starting to take shape with the advent of the Ducati Streetfighter 1098 and the Aprilia Tuono V4. However, today’s lairy 200hp+ supernakeds are a far cry from either of these two, and winglets, electronic power and torque limitations have become a necessity on these machines. If you want the adrenaline rush of riding a road-legal missile without putting up with a committed riding position, these five bikes should be right up your alley.
5. Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS (180hp)
The largest bike on this list is funnily enough, the least powerful. The Speed Triple 1200 RS’ liquid-cooled, 1,160cc triple-cylinder engine churns out 180hp at 10,750rpm and 125Nm at 9,000rpm. While peak power isn’t really close enough to the others on this list, its torque figure is second only to the supercharged Z H2 SE and, in fact, it matches that of the Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP. The Speed Triple 1200 RS is the second-lightest bike on the list, tipping the scales at 198kg. This petite kerb weight has allowed it to have a very respectable power-to-weight ratio of 909hp/tonne. Another plus point is its relatively affordable price tag of Rs 17.95 lakh, making it one of the best bang-for-buck supernakeds out there.
4. Kawasaki Z H2 SE (200hp)
If naturally aspirated engines just don’t make you go weak in the knees, Kawasaki will happily sell you this supercharged Z H2 SE for Rs 26.95 lakh. The Z H2 SE is equipped with a liquid-cooled, 998cc inline-four engine making 200hp at 11,000rpm and 137Nm at 8,500rpm. The unique thing here is that this engine has a 11.2:1 compression ratio, (much lower than any bike featured here), thanks to the supercharger, which Kawasaki were mad enough to bolt onto it. This not only boosts top-end power, but endows it with a peak torque figure that nearly matches an American cruiser.
3. MV Agusta Brutale 1000 Nurburgring (208hp)
When any manufacturer wants to boast about the handling prowess of its machine, they usually add an alphabet representing that. Well, MV Agusta being MV Agusta, took their flagship naked bike, the Brutale 1000 RR, to the Nurburgring and dialed it up to eleven. The result of this exercise was the inception of the Brutale 1000 Nurburgring, which weighs just 183kg (dry). Its liquid-cooled, 998cc inline-four engine makes 208hp at 13,000rpm and 116.5Nm at 11,000rpm. Pair this engine with the racing kit that MV Agusta will happily sell you in exchange for a kidney (or two), and peak power will rise to an earth-shattering, 215hp at 13,200rpm. Since MV Agusta doesn’t list kerb weight for the Brutale 1000 Nurburgring, we can’t give you an exact power-to-weight ratio, but rest assured, you will be going more than the speed limit very easily.
2. Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP (208 hp)
The Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP is what you get when you combine a fire-breathing 1,103cc 90-degree V4 engine, producing 208hp at 13,000rpm and 125Nm at 9,500rpm to a motorcycle that tips the scales at 196kg, thanks to the use of bits like handcrafted billet-machined componentry and swathes of carbon fibre, forming some of its bodywork. The lighter kerb weight allows it to have a power-to-weight ratio that’s actually a smidgen higher than the more powerful BMW M 1000 R at 1,061hp/tonne. If you have the ability to burn a Rs 34.99 lakh sized hole in your pocket, you can go ahead and purchase a Ducati Streetfighter V4 SP (if they aren’t already sold out yet).
1. BMW M 1000 R (210hp)
Whenever you think of the upper echelon of any automobile criterion, most of the time, an Italian manufacturer (or two) dominates it. Unfortunately for the Italians, BMW has decided to ignore that memo and go all guns blazing. For 2023, BMW has taken the covers off its M 1000 R naked bike, which borrows nearly all its underpinnings from its WSBK-spec fully-faired sibling, the BMW M 1000 RR. The liquid-cooled 999cc, inline four engine churns out a whopping 210hp at 13,750rpm and 113Nm at 9,250rpm. Weighing in at a lithe 199kg (fuelled up), the BMW is endowed with a power-to-weight ratio of 1,055hp/tonne.
While these are the top five in this ring, there are a few who deserve an honourable mention. The KTM 1290 Super Duke R with its mighty 1,301cc 75-degree V-Twin engine matches the Speed Triple 1200 RS on power and has a Harley-rivalling 140Nm peak torque figure. However, it weighs 191kg (dry) making it much heavier than the Triumph. And if you have access to a private racetrack, Aprilia, a while ago, had unveiled the track-only Tuono V4 X, which made a mental 226hp and weighed just 166kg (dry). Not to mention, the sound from its full-titanium Akrapovic system-enhanced 1,077cc V4 engine would definitely have you drooling.
All prices mentioned above are ex-showroom, Delhi.
Also see:
Top 5 most powerful superbikes in production
Ducati Streetfighter V4 S review