10 Best Motorbikes for Beginners

There’s nothing quite like experiencing the open road on a motorbike. If you’ve got your A2 or A licence and you’re ready for your first bike, take a look at our ten best motorbikes for those just starting out.

BMW F800 GS

The BMW F800 GS can be restricted to 47bhp, so you can ride it with just an A2 license. You can then remove the restriction if you progress to the A licence. The four-stroke, two-cylinder engine will then have 85bhp.

The F800 GS is a fantastic all-round adventure bike, capable off-road as well as on tarmac. It’s slim and light enough for new riders to handle easily, but still has plenty of power behind it.

Triumph Street Twin

The Triumph Street Twin is the more affordable, beginner-friendly member of Triumph’s retro roadster family.  It’s stylish, comfortable and capable, with 54bhp in the older generations. The 2021 version has 64bhp.

The Triumph Street Twin is easy to ride, being light and nimble enough for city commuting. Its cheap to run, with more affordable consumables and insurance. It’s reliable, but if you’re buying used you should check carefully for scrapes and scratches, due to it being so popular with beginners.

Honda CBR500R

The Honda CBR500R is a sportsbike suited for A2 licence holders. It’s well built, combining great performance with race-like styling. It’s a versatile all-rounder, being comfortable as well as having decent wind protection.

It has 47bhp with a 471cc twin engine. It feels like a big bike, but with a kerb weight of 194kg, it’s still light enough to be suitable for beginner riders. It’s fairly economical on fuel and is built to a high quality.

KTM 390 Duke

The KTM 390 Duke is a single-cylinder roadster. It’s super-easy to ride and suitable for A2 licence holders. It’s small and light but still has a punchy performance. It handles beautifully, easily taking tight corners or weaving through traffic.

The KTM 390 Duke is perfect for city riding and short trips but might not be suited to long distances. It has little luggage capacity and can struggle on the motorway. However, for a fun commuter bike, it’s perfect.

Kawasaki Ninja 400

The Kawaski Ninja 400 is the smallest bike sold by the manufacturer, who is known for making fast bikes. But the Ninja 400 is perfect for beginners and is suitable for A2 licence holders.

The sportsbike has a raised riding position, making it more comfortable. It’s well built and reliable. It has 44bhp and weighs 169kg, so it’s light enough for beginners but still packs a punch.

Yamaha MT-07

The Yamaha MT-07 has proven to be a very popular bike. It’s affordable but powerful, with a 689cc twin engine and 74bhp. It makes for a great big bike for beginners.

Whilst the suspension quality has been disputed on older generations, newer models have had it vastly improved. It has pinpoint braking, thanks to ‘wavy’ front discs and four-piston calipers. It’s an affordable machine, with low running costs.

Suzuki SV650

The Suzuki SV650 is a practical and affordable V-twin roadster. It offers great value for money, being capable and powerful. It has a stylish, classic design, without being too showy, if that’s not what you’re after.

It’s relatively lightweight at 198kg so is suitable for beginners. The 645cc engine is versatile but also easy to handle. The bike is nimble, making it perfect for both city and countryside riding.

Ducati Scrambler Sixty2

The Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 references 1962, the year the first Scrambler was launched. It’s the most affordable Scrambler, making it a great entryway into the bike.

It has a 400cc V-twin engine with 41bhp, so it’s suitable for A2 licence holders. It has great handling so is perfect for beginners. It’s perfect for city driving but might struggle going too fast for too long.

Harley-Davidson Street 750

The Harley-Davidson Street 750 is one of the most accessible Harley-Davidsons. It has a 749cc liquid-cooled engine and is even suitable for A2 licence holders. It’s affordable without sacrificing any of the iconic style of a Harley-Davidson.

It has a smooth ride, being responsive and handling well. It’s being agile enough for driving through traffic and around corners. It can be slightly uncomfortable but can be easily modified to improve the comfort.

BMW F900R

The BMW F900R roadster can be restricted to 48bhp for those who have an A2 licence. Without the restriction, it has 95bhp. The reduced power makes it perfect for those just starting out until you can build up your skills and confidence on the road.

The BMW F900R is great value whilst still being very reliable. It’s perfect for a city commuter, with just a light effort needed for steering.

When you’re ready to buy your first bike, Euphoria Finance offers fantastic motorcycle financing deals on both new and used bikes. As a direct lender, we can also offer motorbike finance if you have bad credit, as we look at every customer’s individual situation. Get a quote today for your motorbike finance or call us on 01282 509609 to speak to our expert advisors.