Help - What's the Best Motorcycle for Me?

So, you're ready to bite the bullet and pick out your first motorcycle. This is one of the most exciting times for the newly licensed rider. With so many choices and decisions to make, taking your first steps in the world of motorcycling can be a daunting experience.

Have no fear, all motorcyclists have stood where you stand at one point or another. With experts like US, we can help you navigate this confusing but fun time and help you make the best decision possible.
 
Choosing the right first motorcycle isn’t the only thing to consider when starting out on this journey. Other things you'll need to consider like gear, insurance, maintenance and rider training are all factors to take into account when finally completing your purchase.

Let's Start With The Different Motorcycle Types

Over the years, motorcycles have been divided and subdivided into several types, to fulfill specific needs. These are the main motorcycle types to consider depending on what your taste and flavors are:

SportBikes

Sport motorcycles like the Honda CBR1000RR and Yamaha R1, are serious machines, requiring serious skill to ride. They're amazing tools on a track and built for speed. On the road, however for some, they can be uncomfortable and not the most practical for day to day use.

Beginner motorcyclists might want to steer clear of "big liter" sports bikes.

Getting a powerful sportbike as your first motorcycle would be like playing your first football game as a starting quarterback in the NFL. These bikes will still be around when your experience and skill level is high enough to make use of them. Again, for the First Time Rider, let's start with something a little more reasonable in size, power and price.

If you love the sportbike look there are still options for beginners. The Kawasaki Ninja 300 models are great entry-level sports bikes, as is the Honda CBR500R. Entry level sport bikes ranging from 250-300cc make great entry level bikes, if you need a little more power, many manufactures offer bikes in the 500-650cc range. . Read More about the best sport bikes here.

Standards

Standard motorcycles are a great introduction to motorcycling. Offering simple, easy to use controls, often with budget pricing. New riders often choose this category when purchasing their first ‘big motorcycle’.

Motorcycles in this category include the Triumph Bonneville and the Yamaha FZ-07. These bikes are good all-rounders, easy to work on and are powerful enough to have plenty of fun. If you to choose one of these bikes, chances are you'll hold onto it for a while or wont be ready to trade up right away. Read More about the best standard bikes here.

Adventures & Dual Sports

These ‘go anywhere' bikes have become really popular in recent years, none more so than the BMW 1200GS. As comfortable as a tourer on the highway, nearly as capable as a dual-sport off road and no slouch on the twisties. These bikes are true all-rounders, but they're heavy, powerful and pricey - making them great for the experienced rider but maybe a little too much for new motorcyclists.

A dual-sport is basically a road legal dirt bike. They're equally at home carving out a dirt trail as they are city traffic, due to their upright seating position and wide handlebars. Some of these models make fantastic first motorcycles. Like the Suzuki DR-Z400 or Yamaha's WR250R. Read More about the best adventure bikes here.

Cruisers

When you think of Cruisers, you probably imagine something like Harley Davidson’s, certainly synonymous with motorcycle HOG clubs but, surprisingly, can make great beginner bikes. They have a low seat height and center of gravity. Inspiring confidence in new riders, especially when riding at low speeds.

There are literally tons of motorcycles in this category to choose from, we like the Yamaha V STAR 250 and Harley Davidson's Street 750. Cruisers are a good choice if you want to customize your motorcycle. Read More about the best cruisers here.

Scooters

Still classified as an "on-road motorcycle", these little guys are going to be the most logical for the short distance or in-town rides. Don't be fooled by the name, while most are in the 50 cubic centimeters (cc) or 125cc range, some can be as big as a 200 or 400cc and are capable of speeds many motorcycles can go. Economical, cute and inexpensive... don't cross off your list just yet. These may suite you as a first time rider or something to learn on. Read More about the best scooter models here.

Touring Bikes

The big daddy's of the motorcycle world, they’re big, sturdy, full equipped and powerful. Unrivaled in comfort and mile eating ability. These are fantastic machines on the highway but too big and bulky for day to day use as a first motorcycle. Since tourers are so heavy and powerful, we don’t recommend them to new riders looking for their first bike. The Honda GL1800 Goldwing is a prime example of a touring motorcycle. Read More about the best touring bikes here.

Our Advice

Most manufacturers make entry level motorcycles for each of the motorcycle types. So, choosing a type will really depend on what you're looking for from the motorcycle. The standard is generally a great type of motorcycle to start on. Cruisers, dual-sports, and entry-level sports bikes are also good places to start.

Whether you start on a 250cc-300cc motorcycle or upwards of 500cc is up to you, but there’s a lot to be said for working your way up.

Good examples of entry level motorcycles are: Kawasaki Ninja 300, Honda CBR300, Suzuki DR-Z 400, KTM Duke 390, Honda CB500F, Suzuki SV650, Yamaha V STAR 250 and the Harley Davidson Street 500... just to name a few.