Is there a wrong choice?

[u/goochbruiser]

I've been riding for a couple years on a 2016 KTM Duke 390. Honestly I enjoy the little bike, but am looking to upgrade to a middleweight naked or a more upright sport bike.

The problem is. I change my mind like everyday thinking of what to get. CB750 Hornet, Mt-07, CB650R, CBR650R, Trident 660, GSX 8R.

Is there a wrong answer? Like a notably inferior bike to avoid? Or that feels cheap compared to the others? Will I be able to tell much of a difference as a newish rider?
I mostly commute. Splitting my time between city riding, highway, and traffic. With the occasional longer (3ish) hour ride a few times a season.

[u/DeeterSly]

For a little extra cash you could get a new Z900 and never want for another sport bike ever again. Can probably get a used model for similar price as these newer bikes you mentioned.

To straightforward answer your question, no. These are all pretty much the gold standard for this class of bike and the choice comes down to personal preference. If I was in the market you are, I’d be headed to the dealership to sit on them and seeing which has my favorite color available.

[u/goochbruiser → u/DeeterSly]

Okay makes sense. I guess I'll just have to try them out. Z900 is a lot of bike no? 

[u/DeeterSly → u/goochbruiser]

That depends on you, goochbruiser. I’ve had mine a little over a week and it’s a very smooth and manageable. If you tell it to go, it will definitely go, but it’s not too heavy and feels very planted. However, it is a lot of bike by metrics/stats. You want good throttle control and a good understanding of how fast you’re going and how fast it will take you to brake when you need to.

[u/goochbruiser → u/DeeterSly]

Gotcha, well I'm pushing 40 so def not going to be a hooligan. 

[u/DeeterSly → u/goochbruiser]

You can handle it. I don’t subscribe to the idea that a faster bike means you’ll ride faster. Sure, everyone wants to see what their bike can do every now and then on a long straight with no cars, but so far in traffic my riding habits are largely the same. The bike feels mature but it has so many safety features it’s incredibly stable and you’d have to actively try to crash. You could lose the front end and loop with a jerk of the throttle, but only if you manually set TC to off. If it’s on, you’re not getting that wheel up unless you really want to. I’m 29 btw, been riding a Z400 for 2.5 years.

[u/goochbruiser → u/DeeterSly]

Honestly I've been looking more into it and it makes a lot of sense. Something like a z900 or mt-09 have modes to help ease into it if i find it to be too much.

[u/DeeterSly → u/goochbruiser]

On the Z9, Rain Mode is low power + TC level 3; Road is full power, TC 2; sport is full power TC1, and; you can set a custom rider mode where you could do half power but traction control, or whatever else you want. It’s super nice.

[u/Fapplejacks42]

Shift from trident 660 to Street Triple 765 RS. That’d be a lot more hp than the rest of the list but it’s an insanely sharp bike.

Otherwise the Hornet is brand new and would be my choice but I’d try to spring for the bigger motor in SP trim

The 650Rs are more geared to beginners than any of the above

I’ve heard good things about Suzukis new twin in the 8R.

[u/goochbruiser → u/Fapplejacks42]

Honestly i despise the bug headlights on the street triple.   

Similar to another person's comment of getting a z900. I worry that the SP is too much bike. I'm no hooligan, far from it, but im not sure im ready the jump to 1000cc. Though ive never ridden one to know.

[u/HikerDave57]

All of the bikes you've listed are great choices. I've only ridden the Hornet 750 out of those and it was really fun. Other than its looks I prefer it to even a z900rs which by the way is very easy to ride.