This is another difficult category as any motorcycle that is not ‘clothed’ in a fairing can be considered as a naked bike to some degree. However, after much gnashing of the teeth and rising voices (no, just joking), the Yamaha MT-09 won out as the best Naked Bike of the Year 2025 (Below 1000cc) category in the Allianz-BikesRepublic.com Motorcycle of the Year Awards 2025, but only just.
Why did the Yamaha MT win?
The bike is the embodiment of what a naked bike (sportsbike) should be: Light, flickable, and rowdy. But Yamaha pushed it toward the ‘streetfighter’ end of the spectrum. Stripped of superfluous parts but given an outlandish and purposeful look.
In fact, the MT-09 was designed from the ground up to be a hooligan bike. If you are riding it like a law-abiding citizen, the you are not riding it right. It is the bike encourages you to cut loose and be naughty. It wants you to blast off the lights while pulling a wheelie, scythe through traffic like a bat out of hell, and chucked into corners like a supermoto.
To recap, “MT” stands for Monstrous Torque, and that is what the engine delivers in spades. How do you wheelie without torque?!
It is of no surprise that many stunt riders overseas use it, including one in Australia who fitted a turbocharger.
What we liked: Monster torque(!), lithe body, madcap character.
What we did not like: Running out of excuses why we rode like maniacs.
Nett selling price: RM 57,900
