10 Best Used Motorcycles For Beginners

There’s no better story than someone getting into motorcycling for the first time: it immediately takes you back to your first bike and how it made you feel to have the freedom to go wherever you wanted, whenever you wanted. For many new riders, the budget simply isn’t there to consider a brand new model fresh off the showroom floor, but that doesn’t need to be a barrier to starting your riding career as there are a load of really great used motorcycles out there that will not only cost a lot less but which also have a lot of life left in them. Of course, this opens up the problem of which bike to choose, but it also means you can really choose the bike that matches your needs and the type of riding you intend to do. To get you started, here is our list of the top 10 used motorcycles that are suitable for beginner riders.

Related: 10 Most Reliable Motorcycles

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10

Honda CBR300R

Honda

Shot of a Honda CBR300R against a white background

Supersport bikes are extremely attractive to many riders, combining the sharpest chassis dynamics with race-replica looks and the most street credibility. But, they can also be too fast and have a too uncompromising riding position, and you can only get the best out of them on a track, which is possibly not where your skill level is at the beginning. However, if it is a sports bike you must have then there are a couple of really great choices that not only dial back the performance but do so without becoming boring. The Honda CBR300R combines supersports bike looks and image with naked bike ergonomics, which means a more relaxed riding position that is easier to get to grips with if you’re a beginner. The 256cc single-cylinder engine pushes out 30 horsepower which is enough to have fun with and, if you want to go riding on twisty roads, teaches you a lot about maintaining corner speed to keep your average speed up. Honda engineering and build quality mean it will last forever and there is enough expertise out there to deal with any problems that might occur. They’ve been around since 2011, so there will be lots to choose from on the used market. Brand new, they start at $4,899, but you can expect to pay a third of that for a good used example.

9

Yamaha YZF-R3

Yamaha

Shot of a Yamaha YZF-R3 against a white background

Our second small-displacement supersports choice is the brilliant little Yamaha YZF-R3. This is a much more extreme sports bike than the Honda CBR300R but, if it’s a sports bike you have to have, then this is a great way to start off your sports bike riding career. The 321cc, parallel-twin engine pushes out a healthy 41.5 horsepower, which makes this 370-pound pocket rocket surprisingly quick without any surprises in the form of sudden torque peaks that could catch you out on wet roads or coming out of corners. While the R3 is great on the road, it is brilliant to teach yourself the techniques of track riding. It’s been around since 2015, so there will be plenty of examples to choose from but beware: sports bikes tend to lead harder lives than other types of bikes, so check for crash damage on the frame and fairing. The brakes might also have been abused so check them too and the engine should fire up easily and emit no smoke through the exhaust.

Related: Here Are 10 Best Yamaha Motorcycles Ever Made

8

KTM 390 Duke

KTM

Shot of a KTM 390 Duke against a white background

What a little peach of a bike the KTM Duke 390 is. Being a naked design, the riding position is upright and relaxed, while the wide handlebars give plenty of leverage which helps with counter steering through corners. It might come in a bit more expensive than other bikes on this list, but you won’t regret shelling out a bit more. The single-cylinder, 373cc engine pushes out a punchy 43 horsepower which gives more than enough performance to hone your skills, while the chassis and suspension give a big-bike feel and behavior. In the right hands, you could embarrass riders of much bigger bikes on twisty roads if you have the skill, because the 390 Duke is just so light and nimble. It also looks super cool and has a lot of street cred. Maintenance can cost a little more than the Japanese bikes on this list, but the rewards are enough to justify it. There are also the 125 Duke and 200 Duke, but their performance feels a bit too weedy compared to the 390.

7

Kawasaki Ninja 400

Kawasaki

Action shot of a Kawasaki Ninja 400 cornering fast at the track

Like the KTM 390 Duke, the Kawasaki Ninja 400 is a small bike that punches way above its weight. Looking for all the world like a mini ZX-10, the riding position is more naked sports bike than supersports bike. But, that just makes it all the more attractive. The 399cc parallel twin engine pushes out 44 smooth horsepower which might feel a little characterless compared to the single in the KTM but still gives an excellent performance which the well-sorted chassis, suspension, and brakes are more than up to containing. The Ninja 300 ran from 2012 to 2018, when the Ninja 400 took over so the 300 will be a lot cheaper to buy, and you don’t lose a lot of performance over the larger-engined model. Even so, with the Ninja 400 costing around $5,500 brand new, you should be able to cut at least $2,000-3,000 off that cost if you go for a 2018 model.

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6

Yamaha FZ-03/MT-03

Yamaha

Shot of a Yamaha MT-03 front three-quarter view

A bit of dual identity here. The original FZ-03 was produced between 2003 and 2014 and had a 660cc, single-cylinder engine that produced about 45 horsepower with a ton of low-down torque. A later model would be a good buy and probably really cheap. The MT-03 was introduced in 2019, and is, in effect, a naked version of the YZF-R3 listed above. That means it has the same 321cc parallel twin engine pushing out 41.5 horsepower but in a much more accessible naked motorcycle form. Light, nimble, with great chassis and suspension dynamics and good brakes. The riding position is slightly more sporty than on other naked, but it’s still not too extreme, and the entertainment factor is way beyond the specification. It’s going to be a much more expensive option than the FZ-03, but any used example will be a lot newer with less time to deteriorate, although it could have been ridden hard so the same checks as with the R3 need to be made. One of the best-looking small-displacement bikes.

5

Kawasaki Versys X-300

Kawasaki

Shot of a Kawasaki Versys X-300 against a white background

So far, all the bikes on this list have been naked or sports bikes but what about something with more of an adventure bike feel to it? Despite the looks and stance, the Kawasaki Versys X-300 is not really a true dual sport motorcycle, but more of an adventure touring bike. Can a 296cc parallel twin-engined bike really be good for touring? Well, yes, as long as you’re not in a huge hurry, although the Versys X-300 will cruise at the legal limit all day long, if a little breathlessly. It will also handle a bit of light off-road work to open up new horizons. The riding position is roomy and upright, the screen and half-fairing will keep the worst of the wind off you, and fitting a set of panniers ups the practicality enormously. It will even handle two-up riding – again, as long as you’re not in a hurry. New, they cost around $6,000, but they’ve been around since 2017, so there should be plenty of much cheaper examples around. The good thing about this style of bike is that many will have had extras added already – panniers, top box, maybe even dual-purpose tires, so you are ready to head out into the wild as soon as you’ve packed your toothbrush.

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4

Honda Rebel 500

Honda

Shot of a Honda Rebel 500 in blue against a white background

How about a beginner’s cruiser for a change? Honda launched the Rebel 300 and Rebel 500 in 2017 and our choice would be the 500cc model as it just has so much more power and torque, which is really what cruiser motorcycles are all about. The 471cc parallel twin engine pushes out 47 horsepower and 32 pound-feet of torque, with most of that available at low revs, even if it will rev to a ceiling of 8,000rpm. A low seat, lightweight, punchy acceleration, and all-day cruising power are definite positives. Honda designed it to be easy and unintimidating to ride, cheap and easy to maintain, and long-lasting. New, they are around $8,000, but you will be able to find a good used example for half that.

3

Suzuki V-Strom 650

Suzuki

Shot of a Suzuki V-Strom 650 in grey against a white background

If you really want bulletproof, then you need to look at Suzuki. Best of all, the 650cc-engined range has enough performance to keep you satisfied long after your first months or years of riding experience are done with, and you might normally be ready to change up to something larger or more powerful. The V-Strom 650 features Suzuki’s 645cc V-Twin engine that’s simply one of the most reliable engines in motorcycling today. If that makes it sound boring, then forget that as it’s chock-full of character and excellent power and torque, making long-distance rides so easy and painless. Despite the styling, it’s more adventure tourer than an out-and-out adventure bike, although more recent models have altered that balance to give more off-road ability. Because it’s been around for so long, there will be a huge choice of used examples, many with added extras such as panniers and a top box. Comfort, style, frugal with fuel, reliable: could this be the best bike overall, let alone for beginners?

Related: Top 10 Adventure Bikes Under 800cc

2

Suzuki SV650

Suzuki

Shot of a Suzuki SV650 front three-quarter view

The SV650 is just so right; right power delivery, right torque, right riding position, right ergonomics, the right sound, right chassis, and suspension dynamics, and as with the V-Strom 650, virtually bulletproof. It’s the sort of bike that doesn’t excite you with the specification, although the V-Twin engine is something different from everything else on this list, but, when you ride one, you wonder how you will ever need anything else, and you’ll always end your ride with a grin on your face, which will be even wider when you remember how little you paid for the experience. It’s been around since 1999 in various forms, which means that there will be literally hundreds out there to choose from, no matter your budget. Buy with confidence and just concentrate on having fun. Suzuki will be dropping the V-Twin engine in favor of a new parallel twin engine in 2023, so there will be even more SV650 bargains to be had, maybe even brand new as dealers get rid of last year’s model to make way for the new ones.

1

Kawasaki Z650

Kawasaki

Shot of a Kawasaki Z650 in green against a white background

The Japanese seem to stick to a fairly regular model cycle of four or five years, which is great news for the consumer as there will always be a good selection of used models that are a few years old but might be a previous generation and, therefore, a bit cheaper. The Kawasaki Z650 has a 649cc parallel twin engine pushing out 68 horsepower, putting it on the limit for a beginner’s bike, although the engine can be as docile as it can breathe a little fire when pushed. The power delivery is linear and the fuelling is spot on, so the throttle is never jerky or oversensitive giving great confidence. It’s fast enough for so many different types of riding – commuting, touring, weekend canyon scratching, and even a track day. It’s not the smallest bike but that just means it’s a great choice for taller riders who want something unintimidating to start on, while also being good enough to keep you happy long after your skill levels get higher.

FAQ

Q: What is the most reliable used motorcycle?

The Suzuki SV650 or V-Strom 650 both use a V-Twin engine that is widely accepted to be bulletproof, while the rest of the motorcycle is just as reliable.

Q: How much should I spend on a beginner motorcycle?

The golden rule is, spend as much as you can afford. If a bike looks suspeiciously cheap, then the likelihood is that there is somethig wrong with it or it has a very high mileage and hasn’t been maintained properly.

Q: What should I look for in a beginner bike?

You need to look for a bike that you can get your feet onto the ground easily while sitting on the bike. You also need to look for the newest bike you can afford: that way there will likely be less problems to stop you riding.