ROUNDING OFF
So what have we learned? Mostly, how different all four of these bikes are. Yeah, the thinking might be the same and the capacities quite similar, but aside from the wide bars and lack of wind protection, they each had their own characters, strengths and weaknesses.
The Aprilia was undoubtedly the most sophisticated, mature in its stance and capable on the track… but it also cost a fair chunk more than all of its rivals. If money wasn’t an issue and we were being true to ourselves, it was the bike that floated our boat in ways the others simply couldn’t.
The Tuono has moved the game on in a way that would have been inconceivable even five years ago, packing much more performance, sophistication and appeal than you expect from someone’s ‘first big bike’.
From a pure riding point of view, the Triumph whetted our appetites and ranked the second best bike to hustle around on – the reason being that it handled a treat and harnessed that unmistakably plush feel that only Triumph knows how to master. The triple motor was respectable too, and packed enough zest throughout its rev range to keep us entertained on road and track. It was far from a handful but a good sparring partner that came equipped with all the credentials you’d look for in a bike of this nature – and just enough tech to keep you happy without causing any headaches. The looks, on the other hand, polarized opinion like battered Mars bars. But for all its hipster styling cues, the engineering was exemplary.
The Kawasaki and the Yamaha were the same but different. If wheelies are your thing and you demand torque at the touch of a throttle, the MT-07 should be your choice of weapon. Thanks to its ludicrous CP2 motor it is a riot to blast around on, and its supple suspension made the riding experience all the more lively and exciting when you started pushing on. Yamaha’s definitely stepped up the MT’s game again, but not enough to scrap toe-to-toe with the likes of the Tuono. It feels that bit more raw and ready, but that’s part of its charm – it simply delivers.
The Z650 carries a bit more composure – a machine that seemed to come to life the more miles you clocked on it. It took time to win us over, but it was hard not to like thanks to its decent frame and usable motor. The brakes were good and the tech respectable, and the general feel of the bike didn’t let it down. Kawasaki’s built on firm foundations to improve its product, and we like the direction this machine’s going in. We’re also fans of its pricing, being the most affordable of the quartet. It’s probably the bike closest to the nature of where this sector’s evolved from, and there’s nothing wrong with that. We liked it, but then again we liked them all.
As for which is right for you, that’s your decision to make. What we’ve hopefully made clear is the variety of weapons to pick from is plentiful, and the kind of performance you can expect from each of them is possibly tastier than you were expecting. At least – that’s what we found.