Best Beginner Motorcycles
Starting your riding journey? These motorcycles are A2 license compatible (under 47.5 HP) and designed to be forgiving for new riders.
A beginner motorcycle should be predictable before it is exciting. The best first bikes usually have manageable power, friendly throttle response, reasonable weight, comfortable ergonomics and affordable running costs.
Buying Guide
How to choose from this list
- Start with control, not horsepower. A smooth 25–47 HP motorcycle is usually easier to learn on than a sharp high-output machine.
- Check seat height and weight together. A low seat helps, but a heavy bike can still feel intimidating at parking-lot speeds.
- Look for neutral ergonomics, ABS if available, simple maintenance access and strong used-market support.
Motorcycle list
Best Beginner Motorcycles — A2 License Compatible
Kawasaki · 2026
Klx230 Sherpa S ABS
233 cc
13 kW
128 kg
825 mm
Kawasaki · 2026
Klx230S
233 cc
17 hp
277.7 lb
33.3 in
Kawasaki · 2026
Klx230S ABS
233 cc
17 hp
277.7 lb
33.3 in
Kawasaki · 2026
Klx230Sm ABS
233 cc
17 hp
286.5 lb
33.1 in
Kawasaki · 2026
Klx300
292 cc
19 kW
128 kg
895 mm
Kawasaki · 2026
Klx300Sm
292 cc
19 kW
129 kg
860 mm
Kawasaki · 2026
Versys X300 ABS
296 cc
39.0 hp
350.6 lb
32.1 in
BMW · 2026
R12S
1170 cc
35 kW
795 mm
Kawasaki · 2026
W230 ABS
250 cc
17 hp
293.3 lb
29.3 in
Kawasaki · 2026
Z125Pro
125 cc
10.0 hp
209.4 lb
31.7 in
Kawasaki · 2026
Z500 ABS
451 cm³
38 kW
154 kg
785 mm
Kawasaki · 2026
Klr650
652 cc
40 hp
416.6 lb
34.3 in
Kawasaki · 2026
Klr650 ABS
652 cc
40 hp
416.6 lb
34.3 in
Kawasaki · 2026
Klr650 Adventure ABS
652 cc
40 hp
443.0 lb
34.3 in
Kawasaki · 2026
Klr650S
652 cc
40 hp
416.6 lb
32.1 in
Kawasaki · 2026
Klr650S ABS
652 cc
40 hp
416.6 lb
32.1 in
Kawasaki · 2026
Klx230
233 cc
13 kW
125 kg
880 mm
Honda · 2025
Activa
109.0 ccm (6.65 cubic inches)
8.0 HP (5.8 kW)) @ 7500 RPM
765 mm (30.1 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Kayo · 2025
KT50
50.2 ccm (3.06 cubic inches)
8.3 HP (6.1 kW)) @ 9250 RPM
50.0 kg (110.2 pounds)
720 mm (28.3 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Macbor · 2025
Montana XR1 125
124.7 ccm (7.61 cubic inches)
12.5 HP (9.1 kW)) @ 9500 RPM
153.5 kg (338.4 pounds)
780 mm (30.7 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Aprilia · 2025
SR GT 200
174.0 ccm (10.62 cubic inches)
17.4 HP (12.7 kW)) @ 8500 RPM
799 mm (31.5 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Vespa · 2025
Primavera Tech 150
155.0 ccm (9.46 cubic inches)
12.5 HP (9.1 kW)) @ 7750 RPM
785 mm (30.9 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Yamaha · 2025
SZR
123.0 ccm (7.51 cubic inches)
10.7 HP (7.8 kW)) @ 7500 RPM
795 mm (31.3 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Aprilia · 2025
SR GT 125
125.0 ccm (7.63 cubic inches)
14.8 HP (10.8 kW)) @ 8750 RPM
799 mm (31.5 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Kayo · 2025
KT250
224.0 ccm (13.67 cubic inches)
30.8 HP (22.5 kW)) @ 9000 RPM
110.0 kg (242.5 pounds)
940 mm (37.0 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Kayo · 2025
TD 125
123.6 ccm (7.54 cubic inches)
8.5 HP (6.2 kW)) @ 7500 RPM
65.4 kg (144.2 pounds)
750 mm (29.5 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Aprilia · 2025
SR GT Replica 125
125.0 ccm (7.63 cubic inches)
14.8 HP (10.8 kW)) @ 8750 RPM
799 mm (31.5 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Serpento · 2025
Hurricane 250
250.0 ccm (15.26 cubic inches)
16.8 HP (12.3 kW)) @ 7500 RPM
127.0 kg (280.0 pounds)
Voge · 2025
Sfida SR16
125.0 ccm (7.63 cubic inches)
11.4 HP (8.3 kW)) @ 8500 RPM
136.0 kg (299.8 pounds)
800 mm (31.5 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Aprilia · 2025
SR GT Sport 125
124.5 ccm (7.60 cubic inches)
14.8 HP (10.8 kW)) @ 8750 RPM
799 mm (31.5 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Kayo · 2025
K6R
249.6 ccm (15.23 cubic inches)
29.5 HP (21.5 kW)) @ 9500 RPM
114.0 kg (251.3 pounds)
950 mm (37.4 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Serpento · 2025
Naga 200
193.3 ccm (11.80 cubic inches)
14.7 HP (10.7 kW)) @ 6500 RPM
118.0 kg (260.1 pounds)
Aprilia · 2025
SR GT Sport 200
174.0 ccm (10.62 cubic inches)
17.4 HP (12.7 kW)) @ 8500 RPM
799 mm (31.5 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Aprilia · 2025
SR Storm 125
124.5 ccm (7.60 cubic inches)
9.9 HP (7.2 kW)) @ 7700 RPM
Lambretta · 2025
V200
168.9 ccm (10.31 cubic inches)
12.1 HP (8.8 kW)) @ 7500 RPM
86.2 kg (190.0 pounds)
770 mm (30.3 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Yuki · 2025
125i Sport R
125.0 ccm (7.63 cubic inches)
12.7 HP (9.3 kW)) @ 9000 RPM
149.0 kg (328.5 pounds)
780 mm (30.7 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Can-Am · 2025
Outlander 500
650.0 ccm (39.66 cubic inches)
40.0 HP (29.2 kW))
325.0 kg (716.5 pounds)
965 mm (38.0 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Kayo · 2025
K6
249.6 ccm (15.23 cubic inches)
29.5 HP (21.5 kW)) @ 9500 RPM
114.0 kg (251.3 pounds)
950 mm (37.4 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Malaguti · 2025
Aventura 125
124.9 ccm (7.62 cubic inches)
11.1 HP (8.1 kW)) @ 8500 RPM
790 mm (31.1 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Aprilia · 2025
SX 125
124.2 ccm (7.58 cubic inches)
14.8 HP (10.8 kW)) @ 10000 RPM
880 mm (34.6 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
TVS · 2025
Apache RR 310
312.2 cc / 19.1 cu in
Sport & Track mode: 25.4 kW / 34 hp @ 9700 rpm Urban & Rain mode:19.2 kW / 25.8 hp @ 7600 rpm
810 mm / 32 in
Voge · 2025
Sfida SR1 ADV
124.9 ccm (7.62 cubic inches)
11.4 HP (8.3 kW)) @ 8500 RPM
134.0 kg (295.4 pounds)
810 mm (31.9 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Can-Am · 2025
Outlander Pro HD5
650.0 ccm (39.66 cubic inches)
40.0 HP (29.2 kW))
363.0 kg (800.3 pounds)
980 mm (38.6 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Malaguti · 2025
Dune 125 Adventure
124.0 ccm (7.57 cubic inches)
13.4 HP (9.8 kW)) @ 9750 RPM
790 mm (31.1 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Aprilia · 2025
Tuono 125
124.2 ccm (7.58 cubic inches)
14.8 HP (10.8 kW)) @ 10000 RPM
129.0 kg (284.4 pounds)
810 mm (31.9 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Sym · 2025
Joyride 300
278.3 ccm (16.98 cubic inches)
25.5 HP (18.6 kW)) @ 8000 RPM
770 mm (30.3 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Honda · 2025
CB 125F
123.9 cc / 7.6 cu-in
10.7 hp / 8 kW @ 7500 rpm
790 mm / 31.1 in
Voge · 2025
Trofeo 300ACX Scrambler
292.0 ccm (17.82 cubic inches)
28.2 HP (20.6 kW)) @ 8500 RPM
159.0 kg (350.5 pounds)
800 mm (31.5 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Sym · 2025
Jet X 125
124.6 ccm (7.60 cubic inches)
12.5 HP (9.1 kW)) @ 8000 RPM
770 mm (30.3 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Royal · 2025
Alloy GP 300 SE
278.0 ccm (16.96 cubic inches)
24.1 HP (17.6 kW)) @ 7500 RPM
152.0 kg (335.1 pounds)
770 mm (30.3 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Sym · 2025
SYMNH X 125
124.1 ccm (7.57 cubic inches)
10.7 HP (7.8 kW)) @ 9000 RPM
787 mm (31.0 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Piaggio · 2025
MP3 310
310 cc / 18.9cu-in
19.4kW / 26.3 hp @ 7500 rpm
-
790 mm / 31.1 in
Malaguti · 2025
Madison 300
278.0 ccm (16.96 cubic inches)
10.7 HP (7.8 kW)) @ 8250 RPM
780 mm (30.7 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Vespa · 2025
Primavera S 150
155.0 ccm (9.46 cubic inches)
12.3 HP (9.0 kW)) @ 7750 RPM
785 mm (30.9 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Lexmoto · 2025
XDV 125
125.0 ccm (7.63 cubic inches)
12.5 HP (9.1 kW)) @ 8250 RPM
810 mm (31.9 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Sym · 2025
Maxsym 400 GT
399.0 ccm (24.35 cubic inches)
33.5 HP (24.5 kW)) @ 6750 RPM
780 mm (30.7 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
BMW · 2025
C 400GT
350 cc / 21.3 cu-in
25 kW / 33.5 hp @ 7500 rpm
207 kg / 456.3 lbs
765 mm / 30.1 in
Bluroc · 2025
X-Bongo 125
125.0 ccm (7.63 cubic inches)
8.5 HP (6.2 kW)) @ 7500 RPM
101.0 kg (222.7 pounds)
735 mm (28.9 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
SWM · 2025
Hoku 400
400.9 ccm (24.46 cubic inches)
42.2 HP (30.8 kW))
155.0 kg (341.7 pounds)
785 mm (30.9 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Royal · 2025
Enfield Shotgun 650x ICON Limited Edition
648 cc / 39.5 cu-in
46.4 hp / 34.6 kW @ 7250 rpm
795 mm / 31.3 in
FAQ
Common questions
What makes a motorcycle beginner-friendly?
A beginner-friendly motorcycle has predictable power, manageable weight, comfortable controls and enough stability to build confidence without overwhelming the rider.
Is 600cc too much for a beginner?
It depends on the motorcycle. Some 600cc bikes are mild, but many 600cc sport bikes are aggressive and not ideal as a first motorcycle.
Should a beginner buy new or used?
A clean used motorcycle often makes sense because it costs less, loses less value and gives the rider room to learn without worrying about every small scratch.
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