These motorcycles are perfect if you're just getting into riding in 2022.
A motorbike gives you an open-air experience you don’t get in cars and can hit extreme speeds since some are powered by engines bigger than most cars we see on the road. But such bikes can be too big and heavy to handle for a beginner. Research reveals that most motorcycle wrecks involve new riders within their first few months on the streets riding machines too big relative to their skills. It’s therefore advised to go for smaller bikes that are easy to control and minimize the margin of error with less sensitive controls. This is because motorbikes lack safety features found in cars, such as airbags, crumple zones, and a protective shell.
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As a beginner, you also need to consider factors like horsepower, fuel efficiency, brake features, and technology. Riders can perfect their skills with less power before stepping up to more powerful and heavy bikes. The best beginner bikes are light and feature small-displacement engines. Here are the 10 best motorcycles for beginners in 2022.
Since its inception in the mid-1980s, the Honda Rebel was a go-to option for newbies. However, it has spiked in popularity recently as one of the best cruiser bikes prompting Big Red to unveil the new generation Rebel 300, 500, and 1100. The half-liter variant and the Rebel 300 are small enough to welcome new riders while still offering room for growth.
The Rebel’s low seat position and versatile ergonomics favor both short and tall drivers. It features a super smooth six-speed transmission and a light curb weight of 421 pounds. Honda also offers accessories such as USB chargers, saddlebags, windshields, and more for riders with the urge to tune their bikes.
The CB500X is a versatile big bike with a beginner-friendly approachable platform for new riders wishing to gain riding experience. Dual-purpose tires and a long-travel suspension make the bike a ready hit for gravel roads and light trails. The CB500X utilizes the same 491cc twin-cylinder liquid-cooled engine found in the Rebel 500.
New upgrades in the 2022 version include a 5-pound weight reduction to 439 pounds, dual disc brakes, and an inverted front fork. The 32.8-inch seat height is suitable for a wide variety of riders, and you can get it in a choice of pearl organic green or black.
Experienced riders would agree that the Ninja 400’s performance exceeds its “entry-level” nickname – it easily blows the lid off other beginner bikes thanks to the twin-cylinder 399cc rated at 44hp. With a $5,000 price tag, the Ninja 400 is arguably the best buy in its category.
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The Ninja 400 succeeded the 300 and came with improved styling and lower curb weight. Other upgrades include better brakes, a shorter frame, beefier front forks, and a longer swingarm. A limited KRT (Kawasaki Racing Team) Ninja 400 in a replica race livery is also available in 2022.
This Yamaha SR400 has remained a favorite among new riders in the beginner bike category since 1978. The latest model still features retro styling that dates back to the 70s. Amongst the old-school cool features is a unique kick start in place of the regular push-button starter in modern bikes.
The SR400 comes with a low seat height – slightly below 31 inches – perfect and comfortable for new riders. The 399cc single-cylinder air-cooled 4-stroke coupled to a five-speed transmission makes the bike suitable for highway and city riding. Even though the SR400 lacks the fairing for wind protection, it remains an excellent choice for first-time riders.
Like the BMW G310S, KTM acquired features from their more powerful motorbikes and fitted them to a beginner-friendly frame making the KTM390 more manageable for novices. It shares styling and a 373cc engine with the Duke 390.
This 390 Adventure is a first-in-class beginner bike for adventures thanks to its crash protection feature and long suspension travel for riders with a passion for off-roading. It’s a bit heavy on the pocket compared to its competition but comes with features you’d typically find in high-specked bikes, such as different ride modes, cornering ABS, and traction control.
This is the smallest bike in Honda’s Neo-Sports Café range that comes in a choice of two colors, matte grey metallic and candy chromosphere red. Its single-cylinder liquid-cooled 286cc engine is agile and fuel-friendly, offering more fun on the road than a barrel of monkeys.
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The CBR300R’s simple design makes it cheap and easier to maintain – it isn’t bogged down with complicated switches, buttons, ride modes, and techno-nannies that would distract beginners on the road. Its high-end features include anti-lock brakes, LED lighting, and an inverted fork.
In 1980, BMW made the first-ever widely recognized modern adventure bike, the mighty R80 GS. Over the following decades, the Bavarian brand’s Gelände-Straße models became the most popular adventure bikes. The German brand has made a small-displacement version of the bigger GS lineup to attract new riders to the game.
The G310 GS packs a 313cc single-cylinder engine capable of highway cruising and light off-roading. Its head-turner style features a luggage carrier, ABS, adjustable levers, and ride-by-wire. It weighs 386 pounds and has an approachable seat height of 32.8 inches, making the perfect BMW for new riders.
Harley Davidson bikes rank among the best cruiser bikes in the modern world, and the Street 500 is a good option for starters. It is lightweight (500 lbs), and features a 25-inch low seat height to help you sharpen your skills and confidence as a beginner.
For extra storage during long distances, the bike has an option for customization with saddlebags and an outside front fairing. The motorcycle delivers exceptional performance powered by a V-twin liquid-cooled 494cc engine. Unfortunately, the Harley-Davidson factory ceased production of the Street 500 in 2020, citing a focus on large-displacement cruisers.
Yamaha made the R3 the most radical 300 on the road by giving it an all-new MotoGP-inspired look. The sleek bodywork echoes Valentino Rossi’s championship-winning race bike. Its aggressive dual LED headlights highlight Yamaha’s R-series DNA.
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The R3 offers a fun ride while still maintaining good highway speed thanks to the 321cc inline twin-cylinder engine. To deliver maximum torque, Yamaha fitted it with 4 valves per cylinder. The R3 is comfy to cruise for long distances since the diamond-type steel frame offers an upright riding position and a seat height of 30.7 inches.
The GSXR lineup has been on the bike scene since the 1980s, when they started with the Katana model. It has since evolved over the years, but Suzuki only offered larger displacement bikes – 600cc and more. They have since started producing entry-level bikes for beginners with a 250cc engine.
The GSX250R has a 31-inch coffee seat height and features a full fairing and windscreen for wind protection. The leaning forward ride-style mimics that of larger displacement sportbikes. The bike lacks an anti-lock brake system, but its dual caliper system offers great braking performance.
Dennis Kariuki is a tech enthusiast who writes for Hotcars.com. Previously, he wrote for the.car .He likes covering the marriage between technology and cars. Besides that, he is big f1 fan. After working tirelessly through the week, you can be sure that on Sundays he is most likely enjoying and following motorsports events.