New Bike Buyer's Guide: Best Road Motorcycles

The CB1000R was a more than capable naked for Honda over the last decade, but isn’t it great to see the return of the Hornet badge in the big-bore game?

For riders who appreciate versatility and a non-nonsense approach to their motorcycling, the Hornet has always obliged in spades – from the early 600cc design to the 900cc version which was sold in Australia from 2001 to 2007.

In 2025, the CB1000 Hornet SP joined the CB500 and CB750 in the local Hornet range, delivering a dose of not only returning romanticism but a machine that melds practicality with tonnes of enjoyment.

And unlike the benign performance of the smaller-capacity Hornets, the inline four-cylinder engine in the $17,799 plus on-road costs CB1000 Hornet SP is a beauty. With 116kW (155hp) and 107Nm on tap, the power delivery is strong from the rpm basement into the mid-range – the area where most riders hover.

It’s easy to short-shift and exit turns without worrying about keeping the engine in a narrow rev range. That makes commuting a breeze – and it’s even more satisfying in the urban grind when the low seat height (809mm) and super-light steering are factored into the equation.

Onto the open road and the firm-ish fully adjustable suspension (it does have an ‘SP’ denomination after all) and premium Brembo brakes make scratching a lot of fun, with multiple ride modes and traction control settings available. The electronics are basic, but functional in a can-do Hornet type of way.

For a fantastic riding experience, the CB1000 Hornet SP delivers: a consummate jack-of-all-trades mentality makes sure of that. And a sharp price and six-year warranty make the deal even sweeter.

2026 Honda CB1000 Hornet SP at a glance:
Price: $17,799 plus on-road costs
Engine: 999cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve in-line four-cylinder
Fuel capacity: 17 litres
Seat height: 809mm
Weight (wet): 212kg
Tyres: 120/70-17 front, 180/55-17 rear
Suspension: Showa telescopic fork, Ohlins monoshock
Rider aids: ABS and traction control
Warranty: Six years, unlimited kilometres

There aren’t too many bikes on the market that deliver bonkers performance and a forgiving nature all-in-one, but the BMW M 1000 R naked is one of them.

Bang on the throttle and the machine surges forward with exhilarating intensity – and as such demands an appropriate level of respect – but its forgiving nature, flawless rider aids and wide range of adjustment open the M 1000 R up to an even broader spread of mere mortals. A high-performance machine that you can still ride to work on, all with an upright riding position and a large dose of cool factor with the racing-inspired winglets.

The $33,990 plus on-road costs M 1000 R is as close to perfection as you can get, but that doesn’t come as a great surprise. The Munich’s firm’s inline four-cylinder S 1000 R naked had already won plaudits as a potent package in its own right, and we knew the ‘M’ designation – BMW’s highest level of performance and specification – would raise the bar again.

And that it did, with beefed-up power figures, ShiftCam technology and a huge list of high-end components and bling. Factor all that in and the price tag is quite reasonable – certainly in terms of value-for-money if not exactly value-for-the-masses.

Only the Ducati Streetfighter V4 comes close to matching the M 1000 R’s towering performance figures, which are 154kW (210hp) at 13,750rpm and 113Nm at 11,100rpm. Heady business tailor-made for the track, but also excellent rideability on public roads – the incredibly lightweight and super agile M 1000 R can be whatever you want it to be.

The electronics suite is also exhaustive with multiple maps, modes, traction control and ABS settings, plus a quickshifter, 6.5-inch TFT display, heated grips, cruise control, keyless ignition and a lightweight M battery.

Take me home, country roads.

2026 BMW M 1000 R at a glance:
Price: $33,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 999cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve in-line four-cylinder
Fuel capacity: 16.5 litres
Seat height: 830mm
Weight (wet): 199kg
Tyres: 120/70-17 front, 200/55-17 rear
Suspension: 45mm telescopic fork, monoshock
Rider aids: Cornering ABS and traction control, launch control
Warranty: Five years, unlimited kilometres

Triumph’s Modern Classic range successfully blends classic styling with modern performance, which has proved to be a boon for the marque since it was revived like a phoenix from the ashes by British magnate John Bloor in 1990.

Models like the Scrambler 900 were – and still are – irresistibly good fun, and a more recent addition to the range is the spirited Speed Twin 1200 (from $22,990 ride away).

It was first launched in 2019 and then updated in 2025 – chassis, improved suspension, an extra 5hp, new technology and a fresh look – and there’s also a ‘RS’ version ($26,990 ride away) that adds fully adjustable Marzocchi and Ohlins suspension, Brembo Stylema calipers, a quickshifter and Metzeler Racetec RR K3 tyres.

The essence of the Speed Twin hasn’t changed from seven years ago, though: minimal fanfare and a smooth-as-butter 1200cc parallel-twin engine that steals the show.

The Speed Twin’s calling card is the 112Nm of torque, which keeps it humming along in an effortless manner and with the right gear for every occasion. And with 77kW (103hp) coming along for the ride, it’s a thrilling setup. The engine’s no monster, but it’s a master of the charm offensive.

As the sportiest model in the Modern Classic line-up, there’s scope to push boundaries in the twisties – and the 216kg wet weight doesn’t seem to hold it back.

The Marzocchi/Ohlins suspension combo on the RS is a winner thanks to its superior adjustability, but the stock setup on the standard version is still more than up to the task. In fact, for most casual riders, the difference between the two versions will be inconsequential.

There are questions worth posing: why isn’t there a full-size TFT screen like some of its stablemates and why is there no keyless ignition? But that doesn’t alter the fact that it’s a supremely satisfying motorcycle.

2026 Triumph Speed Twin 1200 at a glance:
Price: $22,990 ride away (RS: $26,990 ride away)
Engine: 1200cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, eight-valve parallel-twin
Fuel capacity: 14.5 litres
Seat height: 805mm (RS: 810mm)
Weight (wet): 216kg
Tyres: 120/70-17 front, 160/60-17 rear
Suspension: Marzocchi fork, twin Marzocchi RSUs
Rider aids: ABS and traction control
Warranty: Two years, unlimited kilometres

A new road-legal superbike for KTM has been oft-mentioned since the demise of the 1190 RC8 in 2015, and it’s finally arrived with the parallel-twin 990 RC-R. Was it worth the wait? Yes indeed!

Priced at $24,995 ride away, the 990 RC-R has pitched itself against the like of the Ducati Panigale V2 and Yamaha YZF-R9, which are both competing in Supersport championships around the globe and making a huge fist of it.

The KTM has the potential to do the same with its dynamic 93kW (125hp) and 103Nm 947cc parallel-twin, compliant WP APEX suspension, Brembo Hypure brakes and an impressive suite of electronic rider aids.

The 990 RC-R shares the same engine and chassis as the 990 Duke R naked, but from there the sports bike takes a divergent path – not only by adding a new skin, but also with different mapping and exhaust, a new airbox, more aggressive geometry and other model-specific bits and pieces.

And you can add in more tech and go-fast goodies features such as launch control, engine map selection, a quickshifter, cruise control and adaptive brake lighting as part of the optional ‘track’ and ‘tech’ packs – but one would question why some of those features aren’t standard.

Spec-aside, the 990 RC R is yet another shining example of a new-age sportsbike that has jettisoned the hardcore approach of yore for one that blends on-road comfort with racetrack performance. It’s not about enduring road riding in between racetrack fixes: it’s more accessible and forgiving than that.

It turns on a dime, the engine is full of character, the Brembo Hypure brakes are sublime, the touchscreen is brilliant, and it has a dedicated mode button.

KTM has nailed the brief.

2026 KTM 990 RC-R at a glance:
Price: $24,995 ride away
Engine: 947cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, eight-valve parallel-twin
Fuel capacity: 15.7 litres
Seat height: 845mm
Weight (wet): 195kg
Tyres: 120/70-17 front, 180/55-17 rear
Suspension: WP APEX fork, WP APEX monoshock
Rider aids: ABS and traction control
Warranty: Four years, unlimited kilometres

The first Monster 900 was released in 1992 with a simple philosophy of being a raw, easy-to-ride, distraction-free, barebones motorcycle. And all at an affordable price.

It struck an instant accord, in not only adding an extra stream to Ducati’s revenue but also widening the marque’s appeal to a broader range of riders who quickly realised the Monster was all they needed or wanted to satisfy their riding appetite.

In 2026, the new V2-powered Monster is from the same minimalistic playbook, with the $21,525 ride away naked still an absolute cinch to ride – so much so that some have compared it to a supermoto machine because you can just throw it around and use all the power and torque without too much thought.

Although, rusted-on Monster devotees may notice there’s no steel trellis frame these days – replaced by an monocoque aluminium frame – so it doesn’t stand out from the naked crowd as much as it used to.

It’s just so easy to get into a satisfying stride thanks to the punchy 81kW (111hp) 890cc 90-degree V-twin engine, lightweight (175kg dry) design, Brembo brakes and Showa suspension.

The seat, although squared off at the edges, is comfortable enough for a couple of hours in the saddle, while the bike also features a full electronics suite including a colour TFT display, multiple ride modes, cornering ABS and traction control, wheelie control and a quickshifter, while cruise control and smartphone connectivity are optional extras.

The Monster is the epitome of form and function, and a hoot to ride.

2026 Ducati Monster SP at a glance:
Price: $21,525 ride away
Engine: 890cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, eight-valve V-twin
Fuel capacity: 14 litres
Seat height: 815mm (standard)
Weight (no fuel): 175kg
Tyres: 120/70-17 front, 180/55-17 rear
Suspension: Showa fork, Show monoshock
Rider aids: ABS and traction control, wheelie control, ride modes, quick shifter
Warranty: Two years, unlimited kilometres

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