Are you a beginner biker? Do not worry; learning to ride a motorcycle is a lot like riding a regular bicycle. Once you learn, you'll never forget. The problem with motorcycles is that there is a lot of them to choose from. And the choice you make for your beginner motorcycle determines whether you will keep loving the two wheels or not.
That said, there are some nice small displacement motorcycles that any beginner biker can ride. And don’t see them as just a rung on the ladder to a bigger motorcycle, these are modern two-wheelers with big-bike touches. Some of them are high tech and exhibit fantastic looks that rank them way above their classes.
10 BMW G 310 R
The G 310 R is the first street motorcycle under 500cc BMW has ever produced. It is also the first BMW model produced away from home – the G 310 R is produced in India. It is a naked bike powered by a 313cc, single-cylinder fuel-injected engine that can propel the small two-wheeler to a respectable maximum speed of 90mph.
The G 310 R is a lightweight motorcycle with a low center of gravity and stock ABS, which provides agile handling, making it a perfect choice for a new biker.
9 Royal Enfield Himalayan
If you are looking for an all-rounder motorcycle, the Royal Enfield Himalayan is your best choice. It is not particularly light or fast, but is upright and comfortable, presenting you with a perfect everyday comfortable commuter.
It is powered by a 410cc air-cooled engine with a single cylinder. With a Harris Performance-designed chassis and a friendly price tag, the Himalayan is a good motorcycle that any beginner biker with love for adventure will love.
8 Honda CRF250L
The Honda CRF250L is a small, but capable dual-sports motorcycle in the sub-250cc segment. It is powered by a 249cc, water-cooled engine coupled with a six-speed transmission. It comes with some very interesting features that include ABS as optional, Showa suspension at the front and rear, and very good ground clearance.
The single-cylinder engine can push this small but able dirt bike to a top speed of 90mph. Honda offers a rally trim of the CRF250L with Dakar-inspired bodywork and improved safety features. A bigger fuel tank and longer suspension travel are some of the features on the Honda CRF250L Rally.
7 KTM 390 Duke
The KTM 390 Duke is a standard naked motorcycle with minimal fairing, which can perfectly serve as a sports bike – it is a perfect choice for weekend touring and sport riding. The bike is designed to handle tough riding challenges such as heavy cornering.
It has a small, 373cc single-cylinder engine with the ability to reach highway speeds. With such a small engine, power is manageable for beginners. The KTM has a wide range of accessories that you can buy, and it is an easy-to-customize bike.
6 Kawasaki Ninja 300
The Kawasaki Ninja 300 is another beginner motorcycle of choice. It is incredibly lightweight and comfortable to ride. The frame is small, but it has a lot of power. The bike features a 296cc parallel twin-cylinder engine, with a Digital Fuel Injection Technology for seamless throttle control.
The Kawasaki Ninja 300 looks a little modern and sleek, thanks to the sporty aerodynamic look of the bike coupled with a large digital multi-purpose display. The bike has a great gas mileage of 66 mpg, which means you can ride for a long distance before looking at a gas station.
5 Husqvarna Svartpilen/Vitpilen 401
The Husqvarna Svartpilen and Vitpilen have a lot in common. It can actually be hard to choose between them. They share the same frame, the same gearbox, and the same single-cylinder 373cc water-cooled engine. The only difference between the two twins is that Vitpilen is a neo-retro café racer, while Svartpilen is a scrambler.
The two are pretty to behold, and they are lightweight. If you compare the Svartpilen/Vitpilen 401 to their KTM 390 stablemates, you will realize that the Husqvarna’s are more improved on their touch-point and styling. They are also a little more expensive compared to other bikes in their class.
4 Honda Monkey
There are many beginner Hondas in the sub-250cc segment. How about we go a little lower to 125cc? Brought back in 2019, the new and improved Honda Monkey is built with a great combination of modern gear, and the good old Honda classic looks. The Honda Monkey features a reskinned Grom with a 125cc air-cooled engine.
The single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine is coupled with a four-speed transmission with chain final drive. If your grandpa had a Monkey, do not be afraid to get one yourself, this is an all-new Honda Monkey with ABS as optional.
3 Harley-Davidson Street 500
If your dream is to start riding on an American cruiser, the Harley-Davidson Street 500 is your perfect choice. It is a low-slung motorcycle that can be comfortably handled by any beginner biker after graduating from safety class.
The Street-500 is excellent for daily commuting and weekend riding. With a seat height of 25’’, the Street 500 can be the right choice for a long-distance trip. It comes with an anti-lock brake option as optional, which I would recommend you purchase after acquiring the bike for security purposes.
2 Yamaha YZF R3
Yamaha is known as one of the best makers of sturdy motorcycles of all classes, and the YZF R3 is one of them. It is a perfect bike for beginners as it is lightweight and packs a punch with the advanced forged piston design. The YZF R3 is an easy-to-handle motorcycle that is designed with a comfortable sports-style riding position that gives you as most total control of the bike as possible.
The flat positioning of the seat allows riders to position their legs flat on the ground when they stop, which is a big plus for beginner bikers. The Yamaha YZF is one of the cheapest beginner motorcycles in the market.
1 Kawasaki KLX250
Here is another dual-sports motorcycle for beginners, the Kawasaki KLX250. Is it better than the Honda CRF250L? I leave that to you to decide. The KLX250 is powered by a 249cc, water-cooled, single-cylinder engine with a carburetor, and mated with six-speed transmission.
It is an off-road motorcycle that has been used by various militaries around the globe. And if it is good enough for the government, then it is perfect for beginners too.