Top 10 Beginner Motorcycles for all Riders 2023

It's important to choose a good beginner bike for your first motorcycle. Here are some suggestions from a long time rider.

Bikes Covered:
Kawasaki Z400
KTM 390 Duke
Suzuki SV650
Honda CB300F
Kawasaki Ninja 400
Kawasaki Vulcan S 650
KTM RC390
Honda CB500X
KTM 390 Adventure
Royal Enfield Himalayan
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
Royal Enfield GT 650
Suzuki TU250X
Honda Rebel 500
Honda Rebel 300
Kawasaki KLX300
Kawasaki KLX230
Royal Enfield Meteor 350
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650
Royal Enfield Classic 350
Honda CL500
Roal Enfield 411 Scram
Triumph Bonneville
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled
Triumph Scrambler 1200
Honda CRF300L Rally

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Thanks you for your comments! I do my best to keep up with them for the first few days after a video comes out, but due to the volume of comments on all of my videos, and to the general hustle and bustle of life, I must give up the fight after a while. If you are leaving a question four or more days after a video comes out I can't guarantee I'll see it, but perhaps one of my other viewers knows the answer and can help out. Thanks in advance to those who contribute and share their knowledge. Cheers and stay safe everyone!

Motorcycle Gear We Use:

Camera Equipment Used For Video:

Iphone 10 XR
GoPro Hero 3+

Editing Software: FinalCut Pro X

#differentspokestv

[goodgoat]

My 1st bike 59 years ago was a Honda S90. Eight HP, under 200 lbs, and well over 100 mpg. This was a perfect 1st bike to learn the coordination required to use both hands and both feet to operate safely. England has a law that a max 250cc bike be ridden for a full year which probably saves lives. Letting a teen onto a first bike with 40 hp and over could easily result in a tragedy. I ended up with a Honda CB450 which was adequate on the highway and great in the city.

[frankmarkovcijr]

In the old days a beginner bike was a nice sedate 250 single like a BSA. Then the Japanese came along with hundred-mile-an-hour 250 2 stroke that did not handle worth a damn. Kids wrap themselves around trees enough for the federal government to get involved and instead of Rider training and proper horsepower limit we got helmet laws. I learned how to ride on a little Honda 185 TwinStar which was the ancestor of the 250 Rebel. And 55 mph America I rode all over the State of Florida on my learner's permit . I learned my skills on that little bike and when I outgrew it I went to a bigger one and it went on to teach other people the pleasure of riding on two wheels. You will always remember your first motorcycle.

[motomanny]

I’ve owned 68 motorcycles in my lifetime. I’ve pretty much ridden all of them. I am now 71 years old and riding a Royal Enfield 350 meteor. This is one great bike for old people and young people go out and try the Royal Enfield 350 meteor a fantastic choice.

[robertlindstrom]

Yes. Too big bikes for beginners are a recipe for disaster. It is quite human to try to find the limits for the bikes we ride and that includes speed. And to be safe we need to be in control, all the time. And be able to read our surroundings, and all the other road users. So it is a lot, even for experienced riders. A sub 50hp bike is the way to go for the first years, I started with 100cc and 11hp and even with that low power it was mostly luck that made me survive the first years. Very good choices on this video, it is clear that you have researched your subject thoroughly. And draw from long time riding experience. Would recommend this video to everybody who are about to start riding.

[yamaharider]

I recently got a CB300R for my grandkids 1st bike. She paid for most of it, but I chipped in too. She can handle it great, and loves the fuel mileage. I'll ride it sometimes, bc it's a fun bike around town &1/2 the weight of my Super Tenere....👍😺

[michaelconran]

I started at age 41 with a CRF 230L. Being 5'1" wasn't a lot of dual sport options. Was great choice. Since then have went through quite a few bikes had 2 KTM 625SXC's, XR250R, highly modified (Totaled in bad accident) and I still have my KTM 450EXC. I also ride a 2020 Softail Street Bob. Never to late to start, and you are never too short. Buy what is comfortable and forget what others say. Once you have some miles in the seat, then move up. Don't waste a lot of money on first bike. You will drop it and if you find out 2 wheels are not for you, you didn't was $35, 000 on a midlife crisis Harley, that you get ride of after half a season. With that said, if you now have the miles in the seat and ready to buy a Harley, you can get a very lightly used one with all the farkles and save thousands. At 55 I ride a lot and love every minute.

[HarleysDinersRides]

You know what this list is...its a list of bikes that an older rider can choose from as they move from a larger bike to a smaller more agile bike. Can't ride a big touring bike forever. Cheers and good review. Dave

[FirstnameLastname-ewqm]

Excellent video. I started out with a Ninja 300 and it was a great entry bike... slipper clutch, lightweight, and reliable. After 2 summers of use I was able to sell it for the price I bought it, within a couple of days. Always a market for these types of bikes and you can't go wrong as a first step.

[darylwootton]

Another great video and all your picks seem reasonable to me.
Small, light and low power were definitely helpful in me learning to ride and after a year in the saddle I could then decide on more power and the style I liked.
Thanks for the content.

[kamkasturie]

My 1st ride was a Honda C70 1980 in 1992 loaned by my father for commuting to university. 2 years after I started to work I bought my first bike a second hand Honda EX5 100cc. Now, almost 50 years old I own an SV650 for daily commuting to work and an R1200GS for touring. A newbie should start with a small cc bike and slowly upgrade to bigger cc.

[MrSpeed-ltgr]

I got a Z400 last October because of your recommendation. It was a very good bike for me and really helped me get more confident. I just decided this week to realize my dream and get a Triumph Bonneville.

[IonutAlexandrinRistea]

You left out the bike I was absolutely sure you’re going to include on the list… the bike I started riding a couple of years ago, I'm talking about the Honda CB500F, a very 🫣😉 forgiving naked bike, which I will always remember. Great video! ✌🏼

[mhoeij]

Insurance on the SV650 is not expensive, for the first year I paid $250 (brand new bike, new rider, and full coverage, the maximum coverage that was available). Now after 2 years it’s just above $200 per year.
This is certainly a handful for a new rider and I’m sure the same is true for the MT-07. Something smaller that can also go off-road is probably the best way to start, especially because off-road experience is a great way to become a better rider.

[philipcaseyacalloway]

I jumped in power from my CB550 Nighthawk to a Buell S1 after six months on my Honda. Needless to say that power had almost gotten away from me a few times. My Buell is now my dedicated track bike and I own a Triumph T120 for my daily.
Any noob should consider Big Red (Honda) or Team Green (Kawasaki) if buying new.

[screddot]

Just traded my Africa Twin for an ADV 150. Didn't lose my mind, some health issues involved. The reason I got the ADV 150 is it is easy to ride. My first bike was a Honda 50. Only 300 miles so far, but great at everything except passing at highway speed. Toughest part is finding one.

[patshes]

Honda cb 500 x for me. It was never available in my country but has just been launched here.

[IggyWildcat]

Well done! Lots of good points. I think kids with experience on dirt bikes will definitely be better off. Parents who enable their kids to try new things give them skills that will pay off in the future. 👍

[daltonknox]

The best beginner bike is an old dual sport: light with easy riding position, you can make all the beginner mistakes, drop it etc, etc then sell it 6 months later for what you paid for it and buy something more exciting.

[robbyclark]

I started on a 600cc Honda scooter (which I still have) and I still wrecked it…..twice! That’s with no clutch or gear shifting to occupy my attention. It is a long and somewhat hefty machine at 550+lbs which is what got me, the weight. I didn’t hurt it any, just some scrapes and scratches, nothing you would even notice unless I told you. I immediately went to a Harley iron 883 and the difference was extremely noticeable. Quite a bit more power with the sportster than the scooter and a lot different handling characteristics. Never had any problems with the sportster though because I was a lot more careful with it. I’m on bike number 3 now, a ‘21 Low Rider S that I traded for back in February. It’s a completely different world compared to both my other bikes and a lot of fun. You also feel like a true Badass riding that big boy cruiser!

[blackbuttecruizr]

I agree on the assessment of the Vulcan S. It was my wife's 2nd bike, and I sometimes think it is still a little too much bike for her.