One area where cars and bikes differ quite substantially is that most people can get in just about any car, learn to drive it, and still be somewhat safe (there are some exceptions to this rule, we admit).
Bikes, on the other hand, are accessible in terms of affordability, especially when you look at their performance per dollar value. Performance can also be what kills you if you overreach, today there are more electronic safety nets than ever that help make these beasts safer than ever, but it does not make them beginner-friendly, and they are still dangerous in the wrong hands.
Updated October 2022: Although safety standards have improved a lot over the past few years, a big, powerful bike is still dangerous in the wrong hands. For new riders there are several new beginner bikes on the market that are anything but boring.
Today, there is a range of different beginner bikes out there that are not at all boring, at least a few that you might even consider keeping long term. If you are new to bikes, stick with one of these fun beginner-friendly naked bikes, if you have been riding for some time now, it might be worth considering the more powerful equivalent.
12 Beginner Friendly: KTM Duke 390
In recent years, the little Duke has earned itself a huge fanbase, offering a genuinely fun machine for a very reasonable price.
With 40 horsepower, it is very approachable. KTM makes the most of this power by giving it an excellent chassis. The bike feels fun and flickable on back roads, and its low weight makes it easy for beginners to handle around town.
11 Experienced Rider: KTM 1290 Super Duke R
There is absolutely nothing approachable about this monster, from its looks to the incredible 1300cc power plant, it just means business.
If you have been around bikes for a while, this is a great hooligan machine, with more torque than you would ever need. It makes an absolute mockery of supercars' 0-60 mph times. Its 180 horsepower will shred tires, though, so budget a bit extra for that...
10 Beginner Friendly: Kawasaki Z400
Kawasaki has invested a lot in this particular market, almost crowding themselves out in some ways with 250, 300, 400, and 650cc bikes, all making similar power.
It is the 400cc that is the pick of the bunch though. Making 50 horsepower, it outguns most bikes in this class power-wise and the naked version of the machine is also arguably the better looking bike.
9 Experienced Rider: Kawasaki ZH2
This is an extreme example, but Kawasaki went and turned their most powerful bike into a hypernaked.
200 supercharged horsepower is more than enough for any level of expertise. This one is strictly for those guys out there who know what they are doing, already have several track days under their belts, and are also fully prepared to have a spill.
8
Beginner Friendly: Yamaha MT-07
Although it may seem a bit powerful for the average beginner, its 70 horsepower is manageable, and if you want, it can get an engine map that reduces the power.
Yamaha gives you an excellent engine, the CP2 makes incredible mid-range power and is a bike even experienced riders will keep forever.
7
Experienced Rider: Yamaha MT-10
It is a rather big step up from any other MT bike. The 10 is packing an old R1 engine and has all of that sportbike power wrapped up in a neat-looking naked package.
It makes one fantastic sound too, the previous generation CP4 has a completely unique sound that just begs you to ride it hard.
6 Beginner Friendly: Triumph Trident 660
Triumph recently launched this machine to take on the slew of beginner bikes out there, and although we can’t speak from experience it seems to be a hit.
It is a bit more powerful than the MT07, but expects a very similar experience. The only downside is you will need to pay for an MT09 to get that experience. So, we would not rank it very high in terms of value, but Triumph places far more emphasis on overall quality and is famed for having the best fueling in the business.
5
Experienced Rider: Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS
For their latest Triple, power goes up to a far more competitive 180 horsepower, clearly aimed at taking on the other hypernaked machines.
The big triple has never been one to chase top end though, it is after more usable mid-range power, something of a strength for all their triples.
4 Beginner Friendly: Aprilia Tuono 660
Not many bikes, let alone beginner-friendly bikes, look as good as the Tuono. It is however a bit of a stretch calling this machine a beginner bike though, as it makes as much power as the bigger triples.
It also costs about as much as those bigger bikes. Aprilia still squeezes in a ton of features, and the overall quality of the machine is streets ahead. It has best in class handling too, so it is fair to say you are in no danger of getting bored with it.
3
Experienced Rider: Aprilia Tuono V4 X
It is arguably the most beautiful naked bike on the market at the moment. It has a small fairing that you might think is pointless, but somehow accentuates the beauty of the machine.
200 horsepower is far too much for any beginner, but if you have the experience, this bike will make all your hypernaked dreams come true.
2 Beginner Friendly: Ducati Monster
Although there were smaller Monsters in the past, the 937cc bike is as small as it gets in the Ducati world these days, unless you are after a Scrambler.
They do offer restricted power versions in some markets, which makes it an attractive option considering it is a fully fledged V-twin Ducati once you decide that you are ready for the beast lurking within.
1 Experienced Rider: Ducati Streetfighter V4
Ducati recently updated their top spec Panigale V4, and it now comes with a whopping 240 horsepower. We suspect the Streetfighter can reach that same tune if you so desire.
It is already beyond crazy, so we can only but imagine what that would be like to ride. Even if you keep it stock, anything over 200 horsepower just seems intangible on two wheels.