Top Middleweight Motorcycles For 2024

Hey gearheads! So, you're on the hunt for the best middleweight motorcycle in 2024? Awesome choice, guys! Middleweights are seriously the sweet spot of the motorcycle world. They've got enough grunt to be exhilarating on the open road and nimble enough to carve up those twisty bits without feeling like you're wrestling a bear. Plus, they're generally way more manageable and easier on the wallet than their bigger brethren. Whether you're a seasoned rider looking for a fun second bike or a newer rider ready to step up, a middleweight is often the perfect fit. We've scoured the latest offerings and here are our top picks that are seriously turning heads this year.

Why Middleweights Rule the Roost

Let's dive a bit deeper into why these mid-sized marvels are such a hot commodity. When we talk about middleweight motorcycles, we're generally looking at bikes with engine displacements somewhere between 600cc and 900cc. This range hits a fantastic sweet spot for a ton of reasons. Firstly, power delivery is usually smooth and progressive. Unlike some superbike engines that can feel like a rocket strapped to your back if you're not careful, middleweights tend to offer a more predictable and usable powerband. This makes them incredibly confidence-inspiring, especially for riders who are still honing their skills or those who prefer a more relaxed riding experience without sacrificing thrills. Secondly, handling and agility are massive selling points. With lighter frames and engines that aren't excessively bulky, these bikes feel incredibly flickable. Throwing them into a corner is a joy, and navigating tight city streets or technical roads becomes a breeze. You get that connected-to-the-road feeling that can sometimes get lost on heavier machines. Thirdly, fuel efficiency and maintenance often score higher marks. Smaller engines typically sip fuel more economically, saving you cash at the pump. And when it comes to routine maintenance, like oil changes or chain adjustments, they're generally simpler and less expensive to service. Finally, and importantly, affordability. While 'affordable' is relative, middleweights often present a much lower entry price point than their litre-bike counterparts, making the dream of owning a fantastic motorcycle more accessible. They offer a superb blend of performance, usability, and value that's hard to beat, solidifying their status as a top choice for a huge range of riders in 2024.

Yamaha MT-07: The Naked King Continues Its Reign

When you talk about the best middleweight motorcycle 2024 has to offer, the Yamaha MT-07 has to be on your radar. This bike has been a massive success story for Yamaha, and for good reason. It’s the kind of machine that makes you grin from ear to ear every time you twist the throttle. The CP2 engine is an absolute gem – a parallel-twin that delivers a punchy, torquey ride that’s incredibly fun and surprisingly versatile. It’s got enough character to keep you entertained on spirited rides but is also smooth and predictable enough for your daily commute. What really makes the MT-07 stand out is its incredible agility and lightweight feel. Weighing in at just 182 kg (401 lbs) wet, it’s super easy to manoeuvre at low speeds and feels incredibly planted and responsive when you’re carving through corners. The suspension is well-tuned for a mix of road conditions, offering a good balance between comfort and sporty performance. Yamaha has kept the styling sharp and aggressive, giving it that unmistakable 'Dark Side of Japan' aesthetic that riders love. The ergonomics are also spot on – upright and comfortable, making it suitable for longer journeys as well as short hops. For 2024, Yamaha has continued to refine this icon, ensuring it meets the latest emissions standards while retaining that core character that made it a bestseller. The brakes are strong and progressive, and the overall build quality is, as you'd expect from Yamaha, top-notch. It’s a bike that punches well above its weight class, offering a premium riding experience at a very accessible price point. If you're looking for a middleweight that’s fun, affordable, and incredibly competent in almost every situation, the MT-07 is a serious contender that’s hard to overlook. It’s a true benchmark in the naked middleweight category, and its popularity is a testament to its well-rounded capabilities. Guys, this bike truly embodies the spirit of affordable fun and performance that makes middleweights so darn appealing.

Kawasaki Z650: Stylish and Accessible Fun

Another heavyweight contender in the lightweight fight is the Kawasaki Z650. This bike is all about accessible performance and sharp styling, making it a fantastic choice for riders who want something that looks as good as it rides. The Z650 is powered by Kawasaki's tried-and-true 649cc parallel-twin engine, which offers a really pleasant and user-friendly power delivery. It’s not going to overwhelm you, but it’s got enough pep to make overtakes easy and highway cruising comfortable. The torque is well-distributed, making it a joy to ride in traffic and on winding roads alike. What sets the Z650 apart is its Sugomi-inspired design language. It looks aggressive, modern, and undeniably cool, with sharp lines and a compact overall profile that draws attention wherever it goes. But it’s not just about looks; the Z650 is also incredibly easy to handle. Its lightweight chassis, weighing around 188 kg (414 lbs) wet, combined with a low seat height, makes it super approachable for riders of all sizes and experience levels. You feel confident on this bike from the moment you sit on it. The suspension does a good job of soaking up bumps, providing a comfortable ride without sacrificing too much feedback from the road. The brakes are adequate for everyday riding and offer decent stopping power. Kawasaki has also equipped the Z650 with features like LED lighting and a TFT display on some models, adding a touch of modern tech that enhances the riding experience. For 2024, it continues to be a strong offering, representing excellent value for money. It’s a bike that balances sporty credentials with everyday practicality, making it a brilliant all-rounder. If you're after a stylish, easy-to-manage, and fun middleweight that won't break the bank, the Z650 is definitely worth a serious look. It’s a bike that truly delivers on the promise of exhilarating riding without intimidation, a core tenet of what makes middleweights so popular.

Triumph Trident 660: British Charm and Modern Tech

Now, let's talk about a bike that brings a serious dose of British sophistication and modern flair to the middleweight party: the Triumph Trident 660. This bike is a prime example of how to blend classic Triumph character with cutting-edge technology, creating a package that's both incredibly fun and surprisingly practical. The heart of the Trident 660 is its delightful 660cc inline triple engine. This engine is renowned for its smooth power delivery, fantastic soundtrack, and a really broad torque curve that makes it feel lively and engaging across the rev range. Whether you're commuting through the city, cruising on the highway, or enjoying a weekend blast, this engine performs admirably. It strikes a brilliant balance between providing enough power to be exciting and being manageable for everyday use. Triumph has nailed the ergonomics on the Trident 660, offering an upright and comfortable riding position that’s suitable for riders of all shapes and sizes. The seat height is accessible, and the handlebars are perfectly placed, making it a comfortable companion for both short rides and longer adventures. Handling is another area where the Trident 660 shines. It feels light, nimble, and incredibly confidence-inspiring in the corners. The Showa suspension components provide a plush yet controlled ride, absorbing road imperfections effectively while maintaining composure during spirited riding. The braking system, featuring Nissin calipers, offers strong and predictable stopping power. What really elevates the Trident 660 is its impressive tech package. It comes standard with ride-by-wire throttle control, two riding modes (Road and Rain), switchable traction control, and an optional quickshifter. The full-colour TFT display is sharp, modern, and easy to read, adding to the premium feel of the bike. For 2024, Triumph continues to offer this fantastic package, solidifying its position as a top-tier middleweight. It’s a bike that doesn’t just look good and feel good; it also performs brilliantly, offering a sophisticated and engaging riding experience that’s hard to match. If you're looking for a middleweight that offers a blend of performance, comfort, technology, and undeniable style, the Trident 660 is an absolutely stellar choice that represents the best of what Triumph has to offer in this segment. It’s a bike that proves you don’t need a massive engine to have a massive amount of fun, guys.

Honda CB650R: Sporty Styling with Everyday Usability

When we're talking about the best middleweight motorcycle 2024 options, we absolutely can't forget the Honda CB650R. This bike is a stunner, blending aggressive Neo-Sports Café styling with the reliability and user-friendliness that Honda is famous for. It’s a machine that looks like it belongs on a race track but behaves like a perfect daily rider. The CB650R is powered by a potent 649cc inline-four engine. Now, inline-fours are known for their smooth revving nature and their ability to deliver thrilling top-end power, and this engine is no exception. It provides a fantastic surge of acceleration when you push it, accompanied by a glorious engine note that’s sure to put a smile on your face. Yet, thanks to Honda's engineering prowess, it also offers smooth, manageable power delivery at lower revs, making it perfectly suited for commuting and navigating city traffic without fuss. The chassis is where the CB650R really starts to feel special. It’s a steel diamond frame that, combined with premium suspension components like the Showa Separate Function Big Piston (SFF-BP) front forks and a preload-adjustable rear shock, gives it superb handling characteristics. It feels planted, stable, and incredibly responsive when you lean it into corners. The weight distribution is excellent, contributing to its agile feel. The sporty riding position, while slightly more aggressive than some of its naked rivals, is still comfortable enough for reasonable distances, striking a great balance between performance and practicality. The braking system, featuring dual front discs with four-piston calipers, provides excellent stopping power and feel, further enhancing rider confidence. For 2024, Honda continues to refine this already excellent package. The CB650R boasts LED lighting all around, a modern LCD instrument cluster, and, importantly, it meets the latest Euro 5 emissions standards. It’s a bike that looks aggressive and performs with sporting intent, but beneath that sharp exterior lies Honda’s signature user-friendliness and reliability. If you’re a rider who appreciates sharp, modern aesthetics, enjoys a responsive engine, and wants a middleweight that feels sophisticated and capable, the CB650R is a seriously compelling choice that delivers a premium experience. It’s a testament to Honda’s ability to create bikes that are both exciting and incredibly easy to live with, guys.

Aprilia Tuono 660: The Italian Stallion for the Track Day Enthusiast

For those riders who crave a bit more sportiness and a connection to the racetrack, the Aprilia Tuono 660 is an absolute game-changer in the middleweight segment. This bike takes the phenomenal performance and technology from Aprilia's higher-end models and packages it into a more accessible, incredibly fun machine. The heart of the Tuono 660 is its 659cc, forward-inclined parallel-twin engine. This motor is derived from the superbikes and tuned to deliver a potent punch with a broad powerband. It’s smooth, responsive, and offers exhilarating performance that genuinely rivals bikes with larger displacements. The power delivery is sharp and engaging, making it perfect for riders who love to feel connected to their machine and want something that performs exceptionally well on spirited rides and track days. What truly sets the Tuono 660 apart is its advanced electronics package and track-focused chassis. Aprilia is renowned for its electronics, and the Tuono 660 is no exception. It comes equipped with a sophisticated APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control) suite, which includes multi-level traction control, wheelie control, engine brake control, and multiple riding modes (including a customizable one). This technology allows riders to fine-tune the bike's behaviour to their skill level and riding conditions, offering a high degree of safety and performance enhancement. The chassis is lightweight and incredibly rigid, featuring top-quality suspension components that provide exceptional feedback and adjustability. The brakes are Brembo units, offering phenomenal stopping power and modulation, perfect for aggressive riding. The riding position is slightly more upright than its RSV4 sibling, making it more comfortable for daily use, but it retains a sporty feel that encourages spirited riding. It’s a bike that feels incredibly sharp and precise when cornering, offering a level of performance and handling that’s truly exceptional for its class. For 2024, the Tuono 660 continues to be the benchmark for middleweight sportbikes, offering an unparalleled blend of performance, technology, and Italian flair. If you’re a rider who wants a bike that can handle track days with aplomb but is also surprisingly capable and enjoyable on the street, the Tuono 660 is an outstanding choice that delivers a truly premium and exciting experience. It’s a bike that makes you feel like a racing hero, even on your favourite twisty road, guys.

Conclusion: Find Your Perfect Middleweight Companion

So there you have it, folks! The best middleweight motorcycle 2024 has to offer is a diverse and exciting bunch. We’ve looked at bikes that excel in pure naked fun like the Yamaha MT-07 and Kawasaki Z650, the sophisticated blend of performance and tech from the Triumph Trident 660, the sporty yet practical Honda CB650R, and the track-ready prowess of the Aprilia Tuono 660. Each of these machines brings something unique to the table, catering to different riding styles and preferences. Whether you prioritize agility and a raw riding experience, sophisticated technology and comfort, or outright sporty performance, there's a middleweight out there that's perfect for you. Remember, the best way to find your perfect ride is to get out there and test ride them yourself. Feel the engine, test the handling, and see which bike speaks to your soul. Happy riding, everyone!