Best Beginner Motorcycles 2025: Skip the Bad Advice
Everyone has opinions about first bikes. Most of it is wrong. Here's what actually matters when choosing a motorcycle you won't regret.
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Ask the internet what first motorcycle to buy and you'll get a hundred confident answers. Most of them are based on what the person giving advice wishes they'd bought, not what you actually need.
Let's cut through it.
Bad Advice to Ignore
"Start on a 250, you'll outgrow it in a month."
Some riders do. Some don't. A 250-400cc motorcycle is perfectly capable for years of riding. You're learning skills, not winning races. Engine size doesn't determine skill.
"Just start on the bike you really want."
This is how people crash expensive motorcycles and develop bad habits. A 1000cc sportbike forgives nothing. You need a bike that lets you make mistakes without dying.
"Get a Harley/cruiser because they're easier."
Low seat height doesn't equal easy. Heavy bikes are harder to maneuver at low speeds. Power cruisers make more torque than sportbikes. The position doesn't determine difficulty.
"Buy cheap because you'll drop it."
Not necessarily. And cheap often means old, poorly maintained, and less safe. A well-chosen mid-priced bike is smarter than a bargain that needs work.
What Actually Matters
Weight you can handle. Can you hold the bike upright when stopped? Can you pick it up if you drop it? If not, it's too heavy.
Seat height that works. Both feet flat isn't mandatory. One foot down confidently is enough. But tiptoeing on a tall bike makes slow-speed maneuvering terrifying.
Power you can learn on. Under 50 horsepower is ideal for learning. 60-70 horsepower is manageable with restraint. Above that and throttle mistakes become crashes.
Comfortable ergonomics. If the bike hurts to sit on, you won't practice. Test sit before buying.
ABS. Mandatory for new riders. The statistics are clear. ABS-equipped bikes have significantly fewer fatal crashes. Don't compromise on this.
Reliability. You need to ride to learn. A bike in the shop teaches nothing. Japanese and recent European bikes are generally reliable. Older and exotic models are not.
The Picks
Best Overall: Honda CB500F
The default recommendation because it's correct.
471cc parallel twin. 47 horsepower. 423 pounds. Upright ergonomics. ABS standard.
It does nothing poorly. It's comfortable, capable, and forgiving. You can ride it for years without outgrowing it.
Price: Around $7,000 new.
Best Cruiser: Honda Rebel 500
Same engine as the CB500F in a cruiser package.
Low 27-inch seat height. 471 pounds. Relaxed position. Looks better than most beginner cruisers.
It's not a Harley, but it's also not $15,000. You can learn on this and figure out what you actually want later.
Price: Around $7,200 new.
Best Sport-Style: Kawasaki Ninja 400
The entry sportbike that actually works for beginners.
399cc parallel twin. 45 horsepower. 366 pounds. Aggressive looks without aggressive ergonomics.
The position is sporty but not punishing. The power is quick but not dangerous. ABS available.
Price: Around $5,500 new.
Best Adventure: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
An overlooked option that makes sense.
452cc single. 40 horsepower. 430 pounds. Tall seat but low center of gravity.
The Himalayan is designed for rough roads in developing countries. That means it's forgiving, comfortable, and nearly impossible to break.
Price: Around $6,000 new.
Best Naked: Yamaha MT-03
Fun, affordable, and properly sized for learning.
321cc parallel twin. 42 horsepower. 375 pounds. Aggressive styling. Modern electronics.
The CP2-derived engine has character. The chassis is forgiving. The price is right.
Price: Around $5,200 new.
Best Standard: Suzuki SV650
Slightly more power than true beginner bikes, but extremely learnable.
645cc V-twin. 75 horsepower. 433 pounds. Upright position. Legendary reliability.
The SV650 has been teaching riders for decades. The V-twin is torquey but predictable. You'll keep this bike longer than you expect.
Price: Around $8,000 new.
Used Options
New isn't mandatory. Good used options include:
- Honda CBR300R/CB300R (earlier versions of current models)
- Kawasaki Ninja 300 (predecessor to 400)
- Yamaha R3/MT-03 (any year)
- Suzuki SV650 (2017+)
- Honda CB500 series (any year)
Look for:
- Service records
- ABS equipped
- Under 15,000 miles
- No crash damage
- Single owner preferred
Skip These for Now
Supersports (600cc+ sportbikes). The power, ergonomics, and electronics are designed for experienced riders. You're not ready.
Large cruisers (800cc+). The weight makes slow-speed learning dangerous. The power is unnecessary.
Adventure bikes over 700cc. Too tall, too heavy, too much for learning basic skills.
Classic/vintage bikes. No ABS, questionable reliability, parts availability issues.
Bikes with "modes" as a crutch. Rain mode doesn't make a 200-horsepower bike beginner-friendly. It makes it slightly less deadly.
Final Thoughts
Your first motorcycle teaches you to ride. It doesn't need to be your dream bike. It needs to be forgiving, reliable, and appropriately sized.
The riders who progress fastest are the ones who start on bikes they can handle completely. They practice more. They develop real skills. They don't scare themselves out of riding.
Buy something from this list. Ride it for a year. Put 5,000 miles on it. Then decide what you really want.
The dream bike will still be there. And you'll actually be ready for it.
