Ranking of the best motorcycles for beginners in 2022

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

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

However, when driving such an unsafe vehicle, you should be careful and follow the necessary safety regulations. Not to mention the fact that you need to be trained in a motorcycle school and get a license.

In today's article, we will analyze a number of motorcycle models that are well suited for beginners and give some tips on choosing them.

Basic tips for beginners

1. It is not always necessary to take a motorcycle straight from the salon
   Two-wheeled iron horses quickly lose value, and after a year of use, their price tag can fall by about 30%, even if the owner cherished 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 won’t save much on it.
2. Do not take too old motorcycles
   It’s also better not to take “old men” that have been in use for a long time, since an attractive initial price in the future is likely to turn into an expensive and complicated replacement of many components, painting, fine-tuning and other things that are 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 calmer ride. They are easier to drive, which will allow you to quickly gain the necessary experience and enjoy driving without fear of serious injury by making a small mistake.
4. Take popular models on the market
   Even taking a brand new motorcycle, sooner or later you will be faced with the need to repair and / or buy spare parts for it. So if you don't 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 learn in 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$

First on our list will be a pretty decent budget model designed for road driving, which the manufacturer did not deprive of good performance.

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

The six-speed transmission provides better fuel economy on the road, as well as slightly cooler engine temperatures and less vibration while driving.

When it comes to design, the KP150 range has always been characterized by attractive purist style and elegance, while not forgetting the protection of the legs of the bike owner, and the side protection bars will help minimize damage when falling to the side.

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

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

The instrument panel is almost entirely digital, with the exception of the speedometer. The figures showing the distance traveled and the transmission are larger than in the 2014 version.

However, the main advantage of this unit has always been its almost complete indestructibility. This bike can handle drops, heat and moderate abuse with ease. If, in addition to this, maintenance is carried out on time, then you can not worry at all that it will stall somewhere in the middle of the way.

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

Characteristics	Lifan KP150
Year of issue	2015
Engine power	15 HP
Max Speed	120 km/h
Motorcycle weight	138 kg
Gas tank volume	13 liters
Gasoline consumption	2.5l/100km
seat height	790 mm on saddle

• Almost complete indestructibility, especially with proper handling;
• 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 control, partly due to low power and light weight;
• A price that is more than justified for such a motorcycle.

• Here it is worth noting only special cases of marriage, such as, for example, poor-quality elastic band of the chain damper;
• The quality of the plastic is not very high.

Bajaj 220 Avenger

price: from 2300$

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

Don't be put off by the Indian production, because now many famous motorcycle models are made at the same Bajaj factory.

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

Engine capacity is only 220 m3³, which is quite enough for a quiet ride around the city. Although the description usually indicates a speed of 130 km / h, however, it is problematic to disperse it more than 100, so if you want to drive, it is better to take something else.

Due to its small dimensions and low weight, it is well suited for moving in traffic jams, as it can crawl through almost any gap between cars.

It handles well, so even if you turn the throttle too sharply or drop the clutch, nothing critical will happen, and it also has a good braking system.

In general, this model is almost ideal for a novice motorcyclist, especially considering its cost.

Characteristics	Bajaj 220 Avenger
Year of issue	2017
Engine power	20 HP
Max Speed	130 km/h
Motorcycle weight	154 kg
Gas tank volume	14 liters
Gasoline consumption	3l/100km

• Maneuverability and controllability. The motorcycle maneuvers well between the streams of cars in traffic jams, while it favorably treats the mistakes of beginners;
• Riding comfort, which is achieved by a successful seat design;
• A price that fully justifies all 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 beginners who are looking for an attractive, edgy design, but who are prudent enough not to buy powerful race bikes that can easily hurt you, this model from Kawasaki is perfect.

In appearance, it is almost no different from its older brothers with a large engine and looks like a real aggressive sportbike from the front, but at the same time its engine is designed to receive a higher torque figure, which reduces its peak power.

In general, this model has a very modern engine, which is only worth the fuel injection system, which has two throttle valves for each cylinder, but only one is controlled by the pilot. The control of the second takes over the on-board computer. This allows you to achieve a uniform distribution of torque, which has a good effect on the smoothness 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 quite smoothly and will not roll over if you go too far with the throttle.

The top speed of 160 km/h is achieved without any problems, and stopping is also easy thanks to the excellent braking system.

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

“By the way, its bright and noticeable color is another reason to consider buying it, as it will be clearly visible to drivers from afar”

It is worth noting some inconvenience due to the specific 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 follow from the specifics of the engine, so it will not be difficult to cope with it;
• Gearbox control is worthy of special praise, its work is almost imperceptible, as it should be in a good way;
• Beautiful and aggressive, but at the same time quite ergonomic design.

• Expensive plastic 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 sport bikes.

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

Honda CB400SF

price: from 2500$

If you prefer the classics, then Honda's CB400SF 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 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 - 185 km / h. At the same time, although its mass is larger than the bikes discussed above, the control is smooth and convenient, although it has a fairly powerful engine with a volume of 400 m³ and liquid-cooled with fuel injection in later models.

The bike feels confident in city traffic jams and on country roads, overcomes small pits well and has proven itself quite successfully for beginners due to its extremely convenient handling 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 can fail, such as the relay-regulator, are cheap and easy to replace (about 1000 rubles and 5 minutes of work in a car service).

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

It should be true to take into account that most likely you will buy it from almost the same beginner as yourself, so you need to carefully inspect the purchased copy for damage.

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

1. Protective arcs, which will allow you to keep some elements of the case intact when falling on your side;
2. A windshield that will be especially useful at speeds above 120 km/h and above. Even if you do not plan to drive it like that, put it on anyway, for greater convenience.

Characteristics	Honda CB400SF
Year of issue	1999+
Engine power	53 hp
Max Speed	195 km/h
Motorcycle weight	168 kg
Gas tank volume	18 liters
Gasoline consumption	4-8l/100km
seat height	760 mm on saddle

• High reliability.The chances of breakdowns are extremely rare, and everything that can break is easily and without problems replaced. In addition, the model is very popular and spare parts will not be a problem 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 popular mistakes.

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

Suzuki V-Strom 650 2011

price: from 4500 to 7000$

Quite a massive bike that will fit for any kind of riding. You can safely ride it around the city, it tolerates long-distance travel 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, which evokes persistent associations with a sofa. Although the layout of the controls is more like a sports bike, this does not adversely affect the convenience.

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 about the convenient placement of control levers, this is also in full order here, their location is intuitive and everything is within easy access.Excluding perhaps the tachometer, from which it is quite inconvenient to read the readings.

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

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

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

Characteristics	Suzuki V-Strom 650 2011
Year of issue	since 2011
Engine power	65 HP
Max Speed	185 km/h
Motorcycle weight	220 kg
Gas tank volume	22 l
Gasoline consumption	5.5l/100km
seat height	835 mm on saddle

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

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

Honda CBR600

price: about 6000$

For really desperate beginners who are ready to immediately jump on a powerful high-speed bike and do not want to listen to any warnings, this Honda can be advised.

This model is equipped with a powerful engine of 102 horsepower and a volume of 600 m³, which partly gives him the right to be called a racing motorcycle. Such a motor will allow you to accelerate to hundreds in 3 seconds, and subsequently gain 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 allow him not to kill himself immediately.

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

The rims on the wheels are strictly cast, which is usually a matter of course for such motorcycles. The frame is made entirely of steel, which makes driving safer.

The engine here, although powerful, is still quieter and calmer than other sports bikes, although the gas will have to be regulated with much more accuracy than on the models described above. Gear shifting is quite easy and smooth and there are usually no problems with it.

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

At low speeds, it can be difficult to drive 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 reach speeds that even exceed those indicated in the technical specifications.

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

Characteristics	Honda CBR600F
Year of issue	since 2011
Engine power	102 HP
Max Speed	220 km/h
Motorcycle weight	210 kg
Gas tank volume	6.5 l
Gasoline consumption	8.5l/100km
seat height	800 mm across the 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 soft control compared to high-speed brothers;
• Comfortable 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 frame, made entirely of steel, makes you feel more secure.

• 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 you are going on long trips.

Conclusion

Don't get too carried away when choosing your first motorcycle, you need it mainly to get used to it and understand how to ride it in general.Having skated 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.