Venturing into the world of motorcycles can be scary for someone unfamiliar with riding and the machines themselves. Most well-reasoned experts recommend a “beginner” bike for someone new to the hobby. But, with so many to choose from, where does a new rider turn? This list is a rundown of some of the best new and used bikes easily attainable in the marketplace today. Whether you have the money to slap down on a new machine at a dealer or are scrounging the internet sites for a good deal on a used machine, here are 10 solid choices you can look for. There is a little bit of everything here for riders of different statures and tastes.

The Yamaha Virago 250 /V Star 250

The Yamaha Virago 250 is an excellent example: "If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” This diminutive bike debuted in the late 1980s. Aside from a rebrand to Yamaha’s V Star line in 2008, that also welcomed some new styling ques such as drag bars replacing the very 1990s buckhorn style bars. This starter bike sits near the Harley Davidson Sporter in length and seat height. Still, it is much lighter and more manageable for a new rider to handle at only 302 pounds. Despite the small displacement of 249ccs, the air-cooled Yamaha engine can propel the bike to speeds up to 85 miles per hour while attaining impressive fuel consumption numbers of nearly 80 miles per gallon. This bike is a great pick, new or used, due to its low cost and long track record of reliability.

Suzuki S40 / Savage 650

Hitting the scene the same year as 'Appetite for Destruction' from Guns n’ Roses, the Suzuki Savage 650 (later the Boulevard S40) remained in production from 1986 until 2019. Simplicity is the name of the game with the S40’s single-cylinder engine configuration. While not particularly powerful for its displacement with just 31 horsepower, the S40 is a perfect match for a new rider and tinkerer. The 652cc engine is the epitome of no frills and rugged. Air-cooled, with just a single carburetor, and a belt drive, the S40 is easy to work on when needed and does not require drive chain cleaning and lubrication. While this starter bike is nearly Harley-Davidson Sportster sized, the S40 is over 110 pounds lighter than a Sportster, making a bike that is easy to maneuver and responds well to the rider’s input. These are excellent bikes that, while discontinued, are easy to find used.

Honda Rebel 300

Replacing the iconic 1980s-era Rebel 250 in the Honda lineup, the Rebel 300 burst on the scene in 2017 to bring the Rebel name into the modern era. The small Rebel 300 weighs about 364 pounds, making it easy to manipulate. This Honda features a 287cc single cylinder powerplant with liquid cooling and electronic fuel injection. This diminutive engine generates 25 horsepower channeled through a six-speed transmission which features a forgiving slipper clutch, a great feature for new riders. Other modern touches include high visibility LED lighting and a modern chassis design for quick and nimble handling. A very low seat height and mid controls make it an excellent fit for shorter-statured riders; however, taller riders will no doubt find the bike a bit small and may opt for another bike.

Kawasaki Ninja 300/400

For those wanting to start on a sport bike, Kawasaki has been the go-to since the introduction of the Ninja 250 in the mid-1980s. The Ninja 300 replaced the long-serving Ninja 250 in 2012. Featuring a larger displacement engine with fuel injection and optional ABS braking, the Ninja 300 offered modern technology and greater power than its predecessor. The Ninja 300 added all this with almost no change in weight. In 2018, Kawasaki introduced an even larger Ninja 400 to comply with Euro 4 emissions regulations. The new Ninja 400 weighs approximately the same as the previous model. However, it has introduced modest upgrades to the suspension and braking systems. The Ninja 300 or Ninja 400 will make a tremendous first sportbike for those with such inclinations. With 39 and 49 horsepower, respectively, they generate more power than many other bikes on this list, ensuring a spirited ride that is easily manageable.

Buell Blast

For years the darling of the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy, the Buell Blast was and still is an excellent beginners bike today. Produced by the Buell subsidiary of ‘The Motor Company” from 2000 to 2009, the air-cooled 491cc single cylinder engine put out a respectable 34 horsepower. The Blast was designed from the ground up to be easy to maintain and features a drive belt with automatic tensioning and hydraulic engine lifters that do not require regular valve clearance checks like most bikes on this list. Unique to any bike on this list is the fact the color is also molded into the bodywork, meaning scratches and scrapes are not as noticeable as on painted panels. Coming in with a low seat height and weight of just under 400 pounds, the Buell offers simplicity, durability, and function. Though off the new market for several years now, these are not difficult to find and make a fantastic economical option for a new rider.

Yamaha V Star 650 (Custom and Classic)

One of the larger bikes on this list, the Yamaha V Star 650 series is perfect for those of larger stature and build. The air-cooled wide angle V twin displaces 649ccs and produces a very useable 40 horsepower. Continuing the theme of easy maintenance, the V Star comes with a low-maintenance shaft final drive, eliminating worries about chain maintenance, cleaning, and lubrication. The V Star came in “Classic” trim for those who want to evoke classic bike styling of the 1940s to 1950s and “Custom” for those who want a more streamlined 1990s to early 2000s vibe. In production from 1997 until just a couple of years ago, many V Starts are still on the road. This Yamaha was blessed with the best aftermarket support of just about any metric cruiser, meaning parts to customize your Yamaha are still easily found second-hand on websites such as eBay. These are the heaviest on our list at 511 pounds for the Custom trim and 535 pounds for the Classic variation.

Harley-Davidson Street 500/750

Though not popular with the traditional-minded Harley-Davidson purists, the Street series of bikes replaced the Buell Blasts in the Harley Riding Academy for good reasons. Produced from 2014 to 2021, they are easy-to-manage lightweight bikes on which a new rider can quickly gain confidence. Utilizing a liquid-cooled small displacement “Revolution X” series V-twin in either 494cc or 749cc displacements, the Harley Street series is roughly the size of the Sportster line but cheaper and about 50 pounds lighter. If you want to start on a Harley-Davidson but want to pick up a used model cheaper than a Sportster, the Street models are a solid choice.

Kawasaki Ninja 500

Another older bike commonly found on the used market, the Kawasaki Ninja 500 enjoyed a long production life from 1987 to 2009. Utilizing a rugged and reliable liquid-cooled 499cc parallel twin powerplant, the Ninja 500 is a perfect bike for someone who finds the Ninja 300 and Ninja 400 too small or too expensive. While not blessed with modern features such as ABS and fuel injection, the Ninja 500 proved itself to be robust and reliable over the decades when given decent care and preventative maintenance. The styling may be a plus for someone wanting a retro sport bike look. With 50 horsepower on tap, the machine is enjoyable to ride and very forgiving. An honorable mention that uses the same powerplant with a milder tune is the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 for those wanting another cruiser-styled option.

KTM 390 Duke

If you want a sporty bike but want to stray away from the usual Japanese offerings, perhaps something more European in style is in order. The KTM Duke 390 is an excellent alternative to bikes such as the Ninja 400 and Honda CB300R. In production since 2013, the 390 Duke is powered by a lively 373cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine producing 43 horsepower. Weighing a paltry 340 pounds, the motorcycle boasts impressive acceleration, allowing a rider to go from 0-60 in 5.53 seconds. As a newer bike design, the KTM also features modern components such as fuel injection and ABS brakes.

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

A recent addition to the new bike market is the Royal Enfield Meteor 350. This cruiser is a first for the company. It utilizes a combination of features that appeal to those wanting a beginner's cruiser. The new fuel-injected 349cc air-cooled engine is of a single cylinder design. The Royal Enfield’s powerplant is in a relaxed state of tune and produces just 20 horsepower. While mild, the powerband is very linear, friendly, and forgiving, something a new rider will enjoy and appreciate. At 421 pounds, the bike sits in the middle of the pack in terms of weight. It does offer an interesting feature as it comes equipped with turn-by-turn navigation, a possible benefit for riders with a less than stellar sense of direction.