Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Best Motorcycles for Beginners
19
items Gas prices have you thinking of a more fuel efficient mode of transportation? Or maybe you're just feeling the pull of the open road, riding towards joy and away from the drama of real life. Believe me, I get it. One of the most common questions I se...
Sections
2
Currently In Production
Used Bikes Worth Considering
Currently In Production
Bikes you can buy new at a dealership today.
The Honda Rebel has been introducing riders to motorcycling since the model was first established in the mid-1980s. It's truly the best all around entry point with a low seat height, low weight, and Honda's ironclad reliability. The newest version ha...
Rebel 300 E-Clutch Lightweight Cruiser Motorcycle | Honda Powersports
Maybe cruisers aren't your vibe. That's totally cool... check out Honda's new CB500 Hornet. This is entry level naked bike riding at its absolute best. You may never want to upgrade.
2026 CB500 Hornet | Entry-Level Streetfighter | Honda
If it seems like there are a lot of Hondas on this list, good, you're catching up. Honda has a reputation for building bikes that run forever.... they built bikes from the 1960s that are still on the road today. The CB300R is uber lightweight, amazin...
2026 CB300R - Sport Motorcycle - Honda
Kawasaki has been making a version of the Ninja for decades and boy, do they have this bike locked in. It's somehow simultaneously mild and approachable for new riders, while also providing significant zip and enjoyment as you develop your skills. Ju...
2026 Kawasaki Ninja® 500 SE ABS | Sport Motorcycle | Legendary
So I'm a bit biased, because this is the bike that I started on, but what the heck... it's truly an amazing ride. This is the "unfaired" version of the Ninja, but it has pep and pizzaz all its own. It's so lightweight that it feels like a bicycle, wh...
2026 Kawasaki Z500 SE ABS | Naked Motorcycle | Special Edition
Maybe you don't want to decide between a cruiser and a sport/naked bike. I get it. Check out this Kawasaki Eliminator. Same engine as the venerable Ninja, but in a sporty cruiser package. Best of both worlds? You decide.
2026 Kawasaki Eliminator® SE ABS | Cruiser Motorcycle
Don't leave Triumph off your list of brands to consider. This British brand makes some of the best, most refined motorcycles in the business. And despite being an entry level bike, their relatively new Speed 400 (and 400X for the more scrambler focus...
Speed 400
KTM's 390 Duke has been ahead of the curve (literally and figuratively) for many years now. They offer an impressive slate of technology for the price and the ride is thrilling. Not as bombproof as a Honda or a Kawasaki, but thrice as thrilling... yo...
2026 KTM 390 DUKE - THE CORNER ROCKET | KTM United States
Unlike many starter bikes, the SV650 is a bike to grow into, and could take you years into your riding life. It's perhaps the most friendly and approachable middleweight bike on the market with Suzuki's "low RPM assist" which means the bike will resi...
Suzuki Cycles - 2025 SV650 ABS
Royal Enfield makes a slew of great smaller displacement bikes that are beginner friendly and affordable. Their cruiser style version is the Meteor 350, a bike that is mellow and easy to ride.
Meteor 350 Price, Mileage, Weight & Colours in USA | Royal Enfield
Maybe your motorcycling journey takes you both on and off road. There is arguably no better starter bike in this category than Royal Enfield's Himalayan 450. Lightweight, peppy, and with a low seat height for this category, the Himalayan is accessibl...
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Price, Images & Colors in USA
If you're a taller person or just prefer a more upright riding experience, then you'd do well to consider an adventure style motorcycle. The NX500 is one of the most well-rounded entry level adventure bikes on the market.
NX500 | Entry-Level Adventure Bike | Honda
For a truly unintimidating adventure bike, consider Kawasaki's Versys-X 300. This is not a bike that will overwhelm you in any way and has a reasonable seat height to fit more riders than most stock adventure bikes.
2026 Kawasaki Versys®-X 300 ABS | Touring Motorcycle
Yamaha has been making essentially the exact same TW200 since the 1980s. It's bombproof and just a blast to ride. And it switches effortlessly from road to trail and back again. “Tee dubs” are a great entry point for new riders, particularly if a fai...
First Impression: Yamaha TW200 - Dirt Bike Test
The R3 from Yamaha is an awesome starter sportbike. Maybe slightly less pep than the Ninja 500, but very lightweight and confidence inspiring.
2026 YZF-R3 Yamaha Motorsports, USA
This is the “naked” version of the R3, and it's definitely worth consideration if you prefer the slightly more upright and raw feeling of an unfaired sport bike.
2026 MT-03 Yamaha Motorsports, USA
Used Bikes Worth Considering
If you're on a budget or just cringe at dealer fees, keep an eye out for these options on the used markeplaces.
No bike every produced has got as many motorcyclists started as the Rebel 250. You may even start on one at your MSF class (I did). It's size and weight are managable for everyone. It's cheap to buy, own, and insure, and it is as reliable as the day ...
CMX 250 Rebel Review - Bikes And Travels
Take a Rebel 250… add fuel injection (less maintanence and fuss than a carborator) and make it look cool… voila: the Suzuki TU250x. Made for about 15 years, these are less common than the Rebel, but you can find good deals on them and they're almost ...
Suzuki TU250x Review - Pros, Cons, Specs & Ratings
Is there anything as effortlessly cool as a Harley-Davidson Sportster? Nope. The Sportster was in production for longer than any other single motorcycle model from any brand. It's endlessly customizable and relatively easy to work on (if that's your ...
Iron 883™ | American Harley-Davidson®