Best Beginner Motorcycles 2023 (2024)

FAQs

Which bike is best for beginners? ›

You can get anything from a 125cc (cubic centimeter) engine to something more than 2,000cc. For beginner motorcycle riders, the recommended engine is 500cc to 600cc. The lower the cc figure, the easier the bike will handle, and the more forgiving it will be to the inevitable mistakes that new riders make.

If you're intimidated by motorcycles or you just want to pace yourself, start with something small, like a bike with an engine displacement of 250cc-400cc. If you can't wait to start tearing up the streets or you're a heavier person, you may consider something a little bigger, like a 500cc-650cc bike. But remember!

For beginners, a motorcycle with an engine size of 500cc to 600cc is recommended as it is easier to handle and more forgiving for new riders.

As a general rule, newer riders should be choosing a bike in the 250cc to 300cc range. They're less powerful and much easier to handle, which is perfect for people who are still getting used to things.

Beginner motorcycles typically range in price from $3,000 to $10,000. Based on the list below, the average price of a new beginner motorcycle is $5,550. And if you're curious about your neighbors, the most popular beginner bike is the Honda Grom.

You'll likely find all sorts of opinions on the matter from searching online, but often 250cc models win the spot of recommended motorcycles for beginners. So is a 250 a good starter bike, or should you consider something else? We agree with that consensus that 250cc motorcycles are the way to go for beginners.

Look for affordable, inexpensive to repair, and lightweight motorcycles. They should also have good safety features and not too much power. Usually, new riders will find that bikes with a neutral, upright riding position are the best learner motorcycles, but that can depend on how you intend to use the bike.

Learning the Clutch & Throttle

Many of our students riding a motorcycle for the first time find it hard to perfect use of the clutch and throttle; especially when taking off from a stop or during slow speed maneuvering.

For smaller riders or beginners, it's easy to find a bike between 300 and 400 pounds with a low seat height and desirable handling. For bigger riders or those wanting a touring bike or one which can keep a passenger comfortable on long rides, there are bikes up to 1,000 pounds, too.

What is the safest type of motorcycle? ›

Touring Motorbikes: Touring motorbikes are the safest. Designers and manufacturers of these motorcycles designed and created them with the safety aspect in mind.

It's not so much a matter of how “big” the motorcycle is, rather than how powerful of a bike you can handle, paired with your physical size. If you're a beginner, a smaller, lighter motorcycle in the 250cc to 300cc range is ideal to help you learn and build confidence due to its ease of handling.