KTM’s middleweight Duke just got bigger… and better
Ducati Monster
£11,467 | 937cc | 179kg (wet) | 110bhp | 820mm seat height
A charming and remarkably agile naked, Ducati’s Monster injects huge amounts of fun into any twisty B-road blast. Light, quick to respond and with a lovely V-twin powering you out of bends. The engine is an absolute peach, especially in terms of torque. The build quality is typically high – everything feels deliberate and well-thought out.
Ducati Streetfighter V2
£16,567 | 955cc | 193kg (wet) | 150.6bhp | 845mm seat height
Ducati’s middleweight sporty options are well worth checking out. The Streetfighter V2 has a wonderful balance of performance and handling that makes it perfect for road riding. It’s unashamedly sporty, but is also friendly and comfortable. It’s cheaper, nimbler and more exciting at normal speeds than its V4 sibling, too.
KTM 990 Duke £12,999 | 947cc | 179kg (kerb) | 121bhp | 825mm seat height
KTM have expanded the capacity of their middleweight naked from its previous 889cc to 947cc and created the all-new 990 Duke.
It is claimed by the Austrian firm to be the lightest, sharpest and most performancefocused bike in its class, and after a quick blast on one you will be hard-pressed to argue against that sales pitch.
While the motor retains the same parallel twin format as before, it is 96% new and power has been boosted by 7bhp to 121bhp through alterations to the internals.
Naturally you get traction control, variable power modes and the like, but the big difference is how it lays down its grunt.
The 990 engine is both explosive off the throttle when you give it some and docile when you don’t, making it ideally suited to B-roads and great fun to ride.
Matched to the engine is a chassis that, as before, has sporty riding at its core. With adjustable WP suspension, top-rate brakes and an electronics package that boasts all you could ever need, it’s a serious B-road blaster and one that requires a dry track and lots of talent to truly get near its limits.
The 990 Duke, KTM’s naked middleweight feels like it has finally come of age. And it is definitely ready to party!
Kawasaki Z650
£6661 | 649cc | 188kg (kerb) | 67bhp | 790mm seat height
There is a lot to like about Kawasaki’s middleweight Zed. You get traction control as well as a TFT dash with connectivity as standard, and all in a bike with a strong parallel twin (which can be made A2-legal) and sorted chassis.
HOT DEAL A £650 deposit contribution is included
Kawasaki Z500 SE
£6188 | 451cc | 172kg (kerb) | 44.8bhp | 785mm seat height
New this year, the Z500
