Ranking of the best motorcycles for beginners in 2024

There have always been a lot of people who want to join the aesthetics of driving two-wheeled vehicles with a motor, which is not surprising, because speed, freedom of movement and the ability to drive off-road attracts many.

But besides the spirit of freedom and a sense of belonging to the biker culture, motorcycles have quite practical applications. This is the ability to freely maneuver between the rows of cars in traffic jams, allowing you to quickly get to the desired place or, for example, choosing an off-road bike, ride it even in the wilderness.

However, when driving such an unsafe vehicle, be careful and follow the necessary safety rules. Not to mention the fact that it is necessary to undergo training in a motorcycle school and get a license.

In today's article, we'll take a look at a number of motorcycle models that are good for beginners and give some tips for choosing them.

Basic tips for beginners

1. You don't always need to take a motorcycle straight from the passenger compartment
   Two-wheeled iron horses lose value quite quickly, and after a year of use, their price tag can drop by about 30%, even if the owner cared for it, cherished it and carried out a technical inspection on time. Nevertheless, if you decide to take something in the region of 2-3 thousand dollars, then it is better to take a model from the salon, you still will not save much on it.
2. Don't take too old motorcycles
   It is also better not to take "old men" that have been in use for a long time, since an attractive starting price in the future will most likely result in expensive and complicated replacement of many components, painting, fine-tuning and other things completely unattractive for a beginner.
3. No need to take powerful and fast motorcycles
   At the start of your motorcycle career, it is better to pay attention to models with a softer and quieter ride. They are easier to operate, allowing you to quickly gain the experience you need and enjoy driving without fear of serious injury by making a small mistake.
4. Take models popular on the market
   Even taking a completely new motorcycle, sooner or later you will face the need to repair and / or buy spare parts for it. Therefore, if you do not want to spend long sleepless nights looking for rare parts for your almost unique model, you should take something more common. And besides, popular models are easier to sell after you get tired of it.
5. Less plastic
   No matter how well you study at a motorcycle school, falls and damage to the bike are inevitable, and plastic tends to quickly scratch, break, and in general it does not tolerate damage as well as metal parts. Despite the fact that its replacement usually costs a pretty penny.

Motorcycles

Lifan KP150

from 1400$

The first on our list will be a pretty decent budget model designed for road driving, which the manufacturer has not deprived of good performance.

Its small and not overly powerful engine has a liquid cooling system that reliably protects it from overheating. This minimizes the possibility of engine breakdown due to excessive heat.

The six-speed transmission provides lower fuel consumption when driving on the road, and also allows for a slightly lower engine temperature and less vibration while driving.

In terms of design, the KP150 lineup has always been distinguished by an attractive, austere style and elegance, while not forgetting to protect the owner's legs, and side protective arches will help to minimize damage when falling to the side.

The 2015 model did not undergo major changes, retaining the same style and becoming somewhat more minimalistic due to the fact that the manufacturer removed some unnecessary design elements.

A huge headlight has survived, which, compared to the 2014 model range, now emits light better, and due to the use of polycarbonate instead of plastic, it has become even more reliable and does not turn yellow over time.

The dashboard is almost entirely digital, with the exception of the speedometer. Distance and transmission numbers are larger than in the 2014 version.

However, the main advantage of this unit has always been its almost complete indestructibility. This motorcycle can withstand falls, heat and moderate mishandling. If, in addition to this, maintenance is carried out on time, then you do not have to worry at all that it will stall somewhere in the middle of the path.

At the same time, it has a very attractive price. You can buy it in the salon for $ 1400. Searching cheaper in this case does not make much sense, since you will not save much, but you can run into a defective model.

Specifications	Lifan KP150
Year of issue	2015
Engine power	15 hp
Maximum speed	120 km / h
Motorcycle weight	138 kg
Gas tank volume	13 liters
Gasoline consumption	2.5l / 100 km
Seat height	790 mm saddle

• Almost complete indestructibility, especially when handled correctly;
• Stylish design and convenience, due to the well-chosen size and shape of the seat, it is convenient for almost anyone to ride on it;
• Low fuel consumption, which will be especially useful if you have a small budget for motorcycle maintenance;
• Good responsiveness and easy handling, partly due to low power and light weight;
• A price that is more than justified for such a motorcycle.

• It is worth noting here only special cases of marriage, such as, for example, a poor-quality elastic of the chain damper;
• The quality of the plastic is not too high.

Bajaj 220 Avenger

price: from 2300 $

This model, which came straight from sunny India, belongs to the "cruiser" class. It is great for driving on city roads, despite the fact that many may think that such motorcycles are intended only for driving on lonely deserted tracks.

Do not be confused by Indian production, because now many famous motorcycle models are manufactured at the same Bajaj plant.

The Avenger has a typical cruiser design with a large, comfortable seat that is extremely comfortable to sit in, but due to its low height, it may not be very comfortable for people taller than 180cm.

Engine displacement only 220 m³, which is quite enough for a quiet ride around the city. Although the description usually indicates a speed of 130 km / h, it is problematic to accelerate more than 100 km / h, so if you want to drive, it is better to take something else.

Due to its small size and light weight, it is well suited for moving in traffic jams, as it can crawl into almost any gap between machines.

It is doing well in handling, so even if you turn the throttle too sharply or drop the clutch, nothing critical will happen, and besides, it has a good braking system.

In general, this model is almost ideal for a beginner motorcyclist, especially when you think about its cost.

Specifications	Bajaj 220 Avenger
Year of issue	2017
Engine power	20 hp
Maximum speed	130 km / h
Motorcycle weight	154 kg
Gas tank volume	14 liters
Gasoline consumption	3l / 100 km

• Maneuverability and handling.The motorcycle maneuvers well between the streams of cars in traffic jams, while being supportive of the mistakes of beginners;
• Driving comfort, which is achieved by a successful seat design;
• A price that fully justifies all of its few shortcomings.

• Low bike height, which can cause some problems for tall people;
• Low top speed.

Kawasaki Ninja 250R

price: from 3000 $

For those newbies who are chasing an attractive, daring design, but are smart enough not to buy powerful racing bikes that can easily get crippled, this model from Kawasaki is a great fit.

It looks almost indistinguishable from its large-displacement older brothers and looks like a real aggressive sport bike from the front, but its engine is designed to deliver higher torque, which reduces its peak power.

In general, this model has a very modern engine, which is only a fuel injection system with two throttle valves for each cylinder, but only one is controlled by the pilot. The second is controlled by the on-board computer. This allows achieving an even distribution of torque, which has a good effect on the smooth operation of the engine.

The maximum torque is 15,000 rpm and it honestly accelerates to this figure without much effort on the part of the driver. At the same time, it rides smoothly enough and will not roll over if you overdo it a little with the throttle stick.

The maximum speed of 160 km / h is reached without any problems, and there will be no difficulties with stopping, thanks to the excellent braking system.

With all this, the motorcycle is quite compact, which makes it comfortable to ride between cars in a traffic jam.

"By the way, its bright and noticeable color is another reason to consider buying it, since drivers will clearly see it from afar."

It is worth noting some inconvenience due to the specifics of the design of such racing-type models, which you should get used to.

• An excellent modern engine that is quite difficult to kill, and at the same time it reacts very smoothly and delicately to control;
• Maneuverability and controllability stem from the specifics of the engine operation, so it will not be difficult to cope with it;
• The gearbox control is worthy of special praise, its work is almost invisible, as it should be;
• Nice and aggressive, but at the same time quite ergonomic design.

• Expensive plastic for the case. Therefore, you need to handle this motorcycle with care, otherwise replacing the original plastic in case of a fall will cost you about $ 600-700.
• Many people complain about the uncomfortable seat, but this is the fault of most sports bikes.

Specifications	Kawasaki Ninja 250R
Year of issue	2008-2012
Engine power	33 hp
Maximum speed	160 km / h
Motorcycle weight	170 kg
Gas tank volume	18 liters
Gasoline consumption	4l / 100 km
Seat height	780 mm saddle

Honda CB400SF

price: from 2500 $

If you prefer the classic, then the CB400SF from Honda is a good option. This motorcycle has been produced since 1999, and during this time its design has not changed much. Some changes were made up until 2007, but in general it is still the same good old classic model.

This model is already more powerful than the previous ones, it has as much as 53 horsepower on board, which allows it to develop a very impressive speed of 185 km / h. At the same time, although its mass is more than the bikes discussed above, the control is smooth and comfortable, although it has a fairly powerful engine with a volume of 400 m³ and liquid-cooled fuel-injected on later models.

The bike feels confident in city traffic jams and on country roads, overcomes small holes well and has quite successfully established itself for beginners due to its extremely convenient control and unpretentiousness.

In general, reliability is another positive feature of this "colossus".Judging by the reviews, almost none of the users had problems with the motor, and those parts that could fail, such as a relay-regulator, are cheap and easy to replace (about 1,000 rubles and 5 minutes of work in a car service).

Since this bike has long been known and has managed to recommend itself, you can not buy it in the salon, but look for a used one, since there are a great many offers for its sale both in Moscow and in the provinces.

It should be borne in mind that most likely you will buy it from almost the same beginner as yourself, so you need to carefully examine the purchased copy for damage.

Returning to the design, I would like to note that no matter how much we love motorcycles in their original form, it is still strongly recommended to put such improvements on it as:

1. Protective arches, which will allow you to keep some elements of the case intact when falling on your side;
2. Windshield, which will be especially useful at speeds above 120 km / h and above. Even if you don't plan to drive it like that, put it anyway, for more convenience.

Specifications	Honda CB400SF
Year of issue	1999+
Engine power	53 hp
Maximum speed	195 km / h
Motorcycle weight	168 kg
Gas tank volume	18 liters
Gasoline consumption	4-8l / 100 km
Seat height	760 mm saddle

• High reliability. The chances of breakage are extremely rare, and anything that breaks can be easily and easily changed. In addition, the model is very popular and spare parts will not be difficult to find;
• Speed ​​and maneuverability. The motorcycle feels good on almost any part of the road, while it can reach a fairly high speed;
• Excellent handling. The motorcycle forgives most of the common mistakes.

• Quite soft front fork, so it is recommended to put stiffer springs in order to avoid unpleasant jolts on bumps;
• In older models of 1997, the relay-regulator often breaks down, so you have to carry it with you. Fortunately, learning how to change it is not difficult.

Suzuki V-Strom 650 2011

price: from 4500 to 7000 $

Quite a massive bike that will fit any kind of riding. You can safely drive it around the city, it tolerates long journeys well, and also feels good when driving off-road. But it is worth noting that this is a rather large colossus, intended rather for tall people with long legs.

Since the bike is designed more for long journeys, it is equipped with a large seat that evokes persistent associations with a sofa. Even though the layout of the controls is more like a sports bike, it doesn't compromise usability in any way.

The seat is very comfortable so that even a long trip, about 500 kilometers, your fifth point most likely will not notice. Numerous user reviews confirm this.

By the way, speaking of the convenient placement of the control levers, this is also a complete order here, their location is intuitive and everything is in easy access. Except perhaps the tachometer, from which it is rather inconvenient to read the readings.

The suspension allows you to ride on almost any road or even off-road, except perhaps extremely impassable areas, for which special motorcycles have been developed.

Thanks to the new motor, which has been installed since 2011, the throttle response is smoother and softer, and the torque and power are evenly distributed across the entire rev range, which is undoubtedly a big plus for beginners.

All this, coupled with the smooth operation of the gearbox, makes the control of this bike simple and convenient, and it behaves quite stably at high speeds, so you can safely accelerate to about 150 km / h and not lose control.

Specifications	Suzuki V-Strom 650 2011
Year of issue	since 2011
Engine power	65 hp
Maximum speed	185 km / h
Motorcycle weight	220 kg
Gas tank volume	22 l
Gasoline consumption	5.5 l / 100 km
Seat height	835 mm saddle

• Reliability. Due to the high quality of all components, this model rarely breaks down;
• Practicality and ergonomics. Driving this bike is a pleasure due to the comfortable seat and intuitive interface;
• Amazing handling allows you to quickly feel confident even for very novice bikers;
• Versatility. The bike will easily ride on almost any road or direction.

• Price. In the CIS, the price tag is slightly overpriced, but you can find a good used model at a decent price.

Honda CBR 600

price: about 6000$

For absolutely desperate beginners who are ready to jump on a powerful high-speed bike and do not want to listen to any warnings, you can recommend this Honda.

This model is equipped with a powerful 102 horsepower engine and a displacement of 600 m³, which partly gives it the right to be called a racing motorcycle. Such a motor will allow you to accelerate to a hundred in 3 seconds, and then pick up a speed of 220 km / h.

Strictly speaking, it is not suitable for a beginner, but the general parameters are slightly lower than those of high-speed counterparts, which may not allow him to kill immediately.

The main difference from the classic sports bike here is the not quite sporty design, which will be more of a plus for a beginner, because with a fairly high engine power, he gets the opportunity to sit on it with relative comfort without the need to curl up into a sporty fit, after which his hands and back hurt.

Wheels on wheels here are strictly cast, which is usually taken for granted for such motorcycles. The frame is made entirely of steel for safer driving.

The engine here, while powerful, is still quieter and quieter compared to other sports bikes, although the throttle will have to be adjusted much more accurately than on the models described above. Gears shift quite easily and smoothly and usually there are no problems with it.

The bike feels good on the road due to its high maneuverability, and it is also quite lightweight. The braking system here is simply excellent, which is not only pleasing, but a necessity, since you have to brake at high speeds, and any delay can be fatal.

It can be inconvenient to drive at low speeds due to the characteristics of the engine designed for high speeds, but on the race track it shows all its considerable power, allowing you to develop speeds that exceed even those indicated in the technical specifications.

Although it is inferior in speed to classic sports bikes, but having driven at a high speed of 200-250 km you will not feel fatigue, unlike more powerful ultra-fast bikes.

Specifications	Honda CBR600F
Year of issue	since 2011
Engine power	102 hp
Maximum speed	220 km / h
Motorcycle weight	210 kg
Gas tank volume	6.5 l
Gasoline consumption	8.5l / 100 km
Seat height	800 mm saddle
Acceleration to 100 km / h	3.5 sec

• A powerful engine that allows you to quickly develop high speed, which will be pleasant for those who like to drive;
• Stable and smooth handling compared to high-speed cousins;
• Convenient and ergonomic design that will make you feel comfortable even after driving for many kilometers;
• Surprisingly low gas mileage for a similar model;
• Excellent braking system that allows you to quickly stop the bike even at very high speeds;
• The all-steel frame makes you feel safer.

• At low speeds, the engine behaves very capriciously, so it is difficult to drive it in traffic jams;
• It is better to replace the standard windshield with a higher one if going on long trips.

Conclusion

You shouldn't bother too much when choosing your first motorcycle, you need it mainly in order to get used to it and understand how to ride it at all. After skating a couple of seasons, you will most likely want to change it to something more powerful and faster.

But even choosing a calm and obedient motorcycle, you must strictly follow the safety rules and be sure to undergo training at a driving school, otherwise your motorcycle career may end in failure.