Brutale 989 R (MY2008)

The 2008–2009 Brutale 989 R is a hyper naked with nothing between you and the machine. It has no ABS, no traction control and no ride modes. Its 982 cc inline-four makes 141 hp at 11,000 rpm and 77 lb-ft at 7,800 rpm, and it does its fiercest work near the top of the rev range. The engine sits in a steel trellis frame with an upside-down fork and suspension that adjusts at both ends, so the chassis feels closer to a superbike than a street bike. Then there's the look. Few nakeds are this sculpted, and the hand-built finish makes the Brutale as much a design object as a weapon.

On the road it talks to you constantly. The chassis gives you a clear picture of the grip under you, and there's lean clearance to spare, so an experienced rider can work it hard on a good back road. It is not forgiving, though. Nothing electronic steps in when you get it wrong, and this bike demands skill and respect. Owning one takes patience too. Intermittent cold-start trouble and stalling at low speed are a known annoyance worth checking on any used example. And 22 mpg from a 5.0 gal (19 L) tank keeps the range short. Buy it for emotion and sharpness, not for reason.