This guide is continuously updated for relevance, accuracy, and the most recent information. It was first posted in 2020 and updated in 2024.
Before we get into our top picks, here are three essential tips to remember when shopping around.
1. Put Your Ego Aside
Concerned about what their friends will think or how quickly they will grow bored of a small displacement mount, many inexperienced riders often scare themselves by going too big too soon and then abandoning the hobby altogether. Considering that the super sport-litre bike you’ve had your eye on has a similar power-to-weight ratio to an F1 car, maybe impressing your friends shouldn’t be your number one priority.
2. Size Matters
Aside from budget and aesthetics, which are undoubtedly essential elements, consider your size, strength and proportions, and the riding you plan on doing. Learning to ride on a 700kg bagger in the city is not worth the stress, and a 250cc starter bike with a 5L tank will not be comfortable on long highway trips.
3. Consider a Used Motorcycle Before Going Brand-New
Years ago, my riding instructor assembled those who passed his course to offer advice on the first motorcycle. “Don’t go out tomorrow and buy your dream bike,” he said, “You will likely drop or scratch it and be more concerned with the bike than how to ride it properly.
Well-maintained motorcycles tend to retain their value…
It is easier to start small and work your way up.” It’s good advice I have shared many times over the years. Purchasing a used vehicle of any kind can be challenging. Still, it is especially questionable regarding motorcycles, so you can be forgiven for wanting the peace of mind associated with a bike whose collision or maintenance history is unquestionable. Well-maintained motorcycles tend to retain their value, so there is little harm in buying a bike you’ll only ride for a season or two before selling it and moving up. Here are some resources if you’re shopping around now:
- Buying a Used Motorcycle from a Dealership Vs Private Seller: What to Consider First
- How to Buy Your First Motorcycle the Right Way: 5 Simple Tips
- High Motorcycle Insurance Costs: 4 Things That Raise Your Premiums
Let’s get to the list of the seven best beginner motorcycles based on our experience and opinions.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650
Approximate Price: US$6,999 | C$9,599
- Smooth, torquey engine
- Comfortable riding position
- Easy handling
Royal Enfield is making a solid push into the North American market with a 648cc cruiser motorcycle ideal for beginners. The storied brand has been around for over 100 years and has been building cruisers for much of that time. Part of that success is keeping things simple, and the 2023 Super Meteor 650 follows that mandate, paying careful attention to the rider’s interface, combining an analogue speedometer and LCD for essential data, an adjustable clutch and brake levers and ergonomically designed hand grips with the Royal Enfield logo enhance the user experience.
Powered by a parallel twin, four-stroke, SOHC, air-oil cooled engine paired to a 6-speed constant mesh gearbox, the first-ever Super Meteor 650 is a proper cruiser with clean killer looks, ample power at lower RPMs for highway cruising, all packaged into a relatively uncomplicated offering at a decent price point.
Honda CB300R
Approximate Price: US$5,049 | C$7,088
- Lightweight
- Responsive handling
- User-friendly power delivery
Offered in Candy Chromosphere Red or Matte Grey Metallic in 2022, adding two more for 2023 with Pearl Dusk Yellow and Matte Black Metallic, the CB300R is the newest addition to the Honda sportbike family. The 286cc single-cylinder naked bike is agile, fuel-efficient and more fun than a barrel of monkeys. (Speaking of monkeys, Honda brought back the Monkey for 2019, another decent beginner bike with a small 125cc engine.)
Liquid-cooled and chain-driven, the simple design also makes maintenance easy and inexpensive. Being marketed as a ‘neo-sports café,’ retro styling cues are mixed with modern design and materials. While the motorcycle isn’t bogged down with overwhelming techno-nannies, buttons, switches, or variable rider modes to distract you from enjoying the open road, the ABS features an inertial measurement unit to distribute braking force intelligently between the front and rear brakes.
Kawasaki Ninja 400
Approximate Price: US$5,299 – $5,499 | C$7,099- $7,299
- Powerful yet manageable engine
- Lightweight chassis
- Advanced braking system
The Ninja 400 is a starter bike that doesn’t look or feel like a starter bike. Before, it was available in any colour you liked, as long as that colour happened to be Metallic Spark Black; for 2023, there are the special edition colours Pearl Blizzard White, Metallic Carbon Gray, Metallic Magnetic Dark Gray, and Metallic Matte Twilight Blue.
Even experienced riders agree this entry-level Ninja is a blast to ride and feels more substantial than its spec sheet suggests. Offering more power, less weight and improved styling over the 300cc model it replaced, the Kawasaki Ninja 400 offers a lot of motorcycles for the money. Other improvements over the 300 include better braking, beefier front forks, a slighter, shorter frame, a longer swingarm and a steeper head angle. Equally at home on the road or racetrack, handling is light and nimble, torque delivery is optimized for low-and mid-range grunt and the riding position is comfortable.
Suzuki SV650 (X, A)
Approximate Price: $9,299 for SV650XA (both US and CDN according to Suzuki’s sites)
- Smooth, torquey V-twin engine
- Lightweight frame
- Adjustable suspension
The SV650 has been a popular first motorcycle choice over the years and with good reason. Comfortable ergonomics and ample performance from a well-balanced V-twin at an approachable price point is an attractive proposition, even if its styling wasn’t. Enter the revised SV650X, offering the same versatility but with styling that won’t make you want to keep it under a tarp. Showing off a new seat, headlight cowl, braking setup, bodywork, and clip-on handlebars at the Intermot show in Germany back in 2021, the engine chassis, suspension, and practical package that riders have come to know and love all remain intact.
Plus, the addition of the new Suzuki SV650A ABS which the company says “promises to have the sparkling performance, style and value that a broad range of riders will enjoy” similar to its predecessors. It retains the benefits of a mid-sized V-twin roadster.
In 2022, we believe the tank’s emblem was changed from the signature ‘S’ mark to the SUZUKI logo. For 2023 and beyond, expect more colours: the SV650 will be available in grey and black with a grey frame and red wheels, dark blue with a bronze frame and wheels, and black with a bronze frame and wheels.
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401
Approximate Price: US$5,399 | C$6,999
- Lightweight
- Agile handling
- Modern design
If cost is less of a concern than style, few bikes will get you more attention than the Vitpilen, a motorcycle that looks like someone from another planet designed a café racer from the future. Breaking cover at the EICMA show several years back, the production bikes vary little from the widely acclaimed concepts. Stripped of all but the most necessary elements, the design is simple, subtle, yet progressive and unmistakably Swedish. Powered by a compact 373cc Single mated to a 6-speed gearbox and a ride-by-wire system, the power-to-weight ratio and torque curve won’t leave you bored.
Getting one of your own may require spending a few more shillings, but you’ll notice the difference in the build materials and quality construction. In 2022, the Vitpilen 401 received minor styling updates, with all-new white finish anodized rims, plus some detailing on the side panels replacing the outgoing bronze accents; not much changed for 2023.
Honda Shadow Phantom
- Approximate Price: US$7,999 | Unavailable in Canada
- Low seat height
- Smooth power delivery
- Comfortable riding position
Low slung, simplistic and smooth, the Shadow makes for an excellent choice for those who are new to riding or happen to be shorter on inseam. The blacked-out retro-inspired Phantom is understated and mysterious with minimalist bodywork, bobbed fenders and matte finishes.
Its throaty V-Twin also sounds excellent and promises bullet-proof Honda reliability, offering decent power at low- to mid-range rpm while delivering impressive fuel efficiency. Its smooth-shifting five-speed transmission is limited in top-end capability, making it more suitable as a bar hopper or back road cruiser than a long-distance highway companion. For something a bit more fun (and charming), there’s also the ST125 Dax mini bike. Not only does the Shadow have a reputation for quality and longevity, but it also boasts a low cost of entry that holds its value over time, making it a good investment.
Harley-Davidson Iron 883 (Discontinued)
Approximate Price (when new): US$11,249 | C$12,499
- Low seat height
- Easy-to-control torque
- Classic cruiser styling
Well, Harley ended production of this dual-cylinder, 883cc motorcycle in 2022, replaced by the more powerful Harley-Davidson Sportster S. That said, we still feel the Iron 883 is a terrific two-wheeler for new riders (and perhaps an opportunity to buy a used model). So, if you’re looking to get into motorcycling and cannot avoid the distinctive appeal of a Hog, skip the Street series and opt for the Iron 883 to whet your whistle.
The Milwaukee motorcycle maker’s most popular model for over three years, the Blacked-Out and Brooding style is matched by the unmistakable sound and experience of that V-Twin rumble. It may not be as cheap or feel as refined as some of its competitors, but that’s the point. Higher priced than many bikes on the market, the added cost of admission brings quality materials, reliability, limitless customization potential, and a lack of depreciation.
In summary, here’s our list.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650: Manageable power, comfortable ergonomics, and classic styling make the new Super Meteor 650 an ideal entry point for new riders.
Honda CB300R: An excellent beginner motorcycle known for its manageable power, agile handling, and stylish design.
Kawasaki Ninja 400: This is a superb choice for beginners, offering a near-perfect balance of performance, user-friendly features, and sporty styling.
Suzuki SV650 (X, A): The SV650, SV650X, and new SV650A excel as beginner motorcycles, delivering accessible power, versatility, and agile handling.
Husqvarna Vitpilen 401: Stylish and nimble urban motorcycle, combining modern aesthetics with agile handling.
Honda Shadow Phantom: A sleek and timeless design, offering a comfortable and easy-to-handle ride for those who appreciate the traditional cruiser style and laid-back cruising experience.
Harley-Davidson Iron 883 (Discontinued): A bold and classic cruiser with a distinctive dark and aggressive design, a powerful V-twin engine, and a compact, nimble profile.
