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Top 10 best motorbikes for beginners

Feature

Top 10 best motorbikes for

beginners
The 10 best motorbikes for beginners, as picked by
our experts.

Words by: Erin Baker

Additional words by: Auto Trader

Last updated on 3 June 2020 | 4 min read

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Got your A2 or A bike licence and looking for your

first bike? Motoring expert Erin Baker offers her top
ten suggestions based on personal experience.

Seen one you like the look of? FInd your perfect bike
on Auto Trader UK.

Honda CBR500R

The cheat’s bike. When someone pulled it out for me

to a test ride after a year’s absence from biking, I
told them they must be crazy: I couldn’t just get on a
massive sports bike and ride off - way too much
power. Only it’s got just 47 horses. It just looks way
more mental. Which is how some of us (me) want it.
Very forgiving throttle, thank goodness.

Read the full review.

Honda CBR500R

Harley Davidson Sportster

I learned to ride on the old Sportster 883 R, at

Harley’s Welsh centre where I did a week-long
crash course. Never has a course been more aptly
named. But I passed, thanks in large part to the
pottering vibes of the Harley, with its relaxed
manner and low saddle which meant I could get my
feet flat on the floor, for more confidence. I even
learned how to pick up this heavy beast. It’s all a
style issue, but it’s a great, low-slung, relaxed bike
for nervous rookies. Go for the Iron 883 for best
budget buy.

Read the full review.

Kawasaki Ninja 650

The ER-6f was my favourite bike of all when I was

still learning the ropes, and the Ninja 650 is its
successor. It looked the business (lime green,
obviously), with a sports fairing which elicited
“blimey, you’re a girl” comments at the lights.
Slightly sit-up-and-beg position ruined the overt
sports bike vibe, but beginners can’t be choosers.
Good reliability, easy to ride, and now more Ninja
styling - whoop.

Read the full review.

BMW F900 R

Another great starter bike I had was the F800 ST,

which now looks to be replaced with the F 900 R.
You can have this bike in A2-compliant mode too,
for those who've only got that far in the licence
process and are limited in power output - the 95
horsepower can be reduced to 48 horsepower.
Many (including me these days) would be happy to
leave it there, but you have the option. Nicely
balanced machine at low speeds. Gold anodised
forks? Yes please.

Find a BMW F900 R on Auto Trader.

Triumph Bonneville T100

“For the ride”, as they say in Triumph-land. What a

classic badge, and a classic naked bike from
Britain’s best. For those who like their ride retro;
looks the business with a Belstaff jacket. Rich
exhaust note, despite having just 54 horsepower.
Go for the jet black style pack and a vintage-
inspired helmet.

Read the full review.

Ducati Monster 797

Ciao! This is your ticket into the sunlit uplands of

Italian design. Next it’ll be a Ermenigildo Zegna suit.
We get ahead of ourselves, but that’s what riding a
Ducati does to you… one day it’s the Monster, next
you’re making eyes at a Panigale. We’d suggest you
start with the 797, with its 73 horses which is about
the limit of the rookie comfort zone. Also available
with restricted output for A2 licence holders.

Find a Ducati Monster 797 on Auto Trader.

Suzuki SV650

Unbelievable list price. Sooo much bike for the

money. Reliable, linear brake, throttle and clutch
responses. Maybe a little dull on the styling front,
but its placid character means you won’t have any
easy surprises from this one, and your bank balance
will thank you. A manageable 76 horsepower.

Read the full review.

Yamaha MT-07

Like the Suzuki, this is excellent value for money. A

‘hyper naked” bike, which sounds chilly, but the
reality is somewhat more prosaic, with 74
horsepower delivered in a calm manner. Strong
torque but good fuel economy, refined suspension
and easy to perform those tricky u-turns on.

Read the full review.

KTM 390 Duke

For those for whom orange is more than just a

colour. If you like. Just 43 horsepower but light
weight means it’s perfect for “fighting your way
through the urban jungle”, as KTM has it. Next
version up, the 790 Duke has 100 horses which is a
few too many for those for whom the throttle twist
grip is still a rough-and-ready notion. Take it easy,
as the Eagles said. Also, beware high saddles if
you’re 5ft 6in, like me.

Read the full review.

Triumph Street Twin

Another Triumph, and a slightly more novice-

friendly one than the Bonneville, with just 64
horsepower, but, in our humble opinion, a tad less
style. Improved braking, comfort and safety versus
the old model, and those extra horses make all the
difference, so you won’t tire of the bike so quickly.

Read the full review.

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