When it comes to the best motorcycles for beginners, there are a huge variety of bikes that offer different riding experiences. Almost all the major manufacturers produce small-displacement bikes that are suitable for new riders, including the big-4 Japanese manufacturers Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki.
There are a few things new motorcyclists should know about riding before buying a bike, so they purchase the right type of bike for the style of riding they will be doing. There are different types of engine configurations and bike types, each of which has different characteristics. This list focuses solely on sport bikes, but there are also standards, cruisers, and even mini-bikes that make great first bikes.
That said, small-displacement sport bikes are a hot new segment with a healthy array of models that not only provide a forgiving engine suitable for beginners, but have excellent handling characteristics, new tech like ABS on some models, and sexy, sleek looks to top it all off.
10 Suzuki GSX250R
Power: 24 Hp
Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Suzuki |
| Configuration | Parallel Twin |
| Displacement | 248 cc |
| Power | 24 hp |
| Torque | 17 lb-ft |
Suzuki's GSX-R line of motorcycles are iconic sport bikes and superbikes that have been around since 1985. All those years of data and motorcycle evolution have given birth to not only the fire-breathing GSX-R 1000, but now get found in a more beginner-friendly 250 cc sport bike like the GSX250R.
The 248 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin motor got tuned for low to midrange torque, with the Suzuki website stating that the "camshaft profile maximizes engine performance when riding at road speeds between 15 and 55 mph". This makes the baby Gixxer perfect for entry-level riders, giving them an easy-to-handle 24 hp and 17 lb-ft of torque without sacrificing the sexy GSX-R looks.
9 Honda CBR300RR
Power: 30 Hp
Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Configuration | Single |
| Displacement | 286 cc |
| Power | 30 hp |
| Torque | 20 lb-ft |
Featuring the same motor as the Honda CB300R naked bike, the Honda CBR300RR has a 286 cc single making 30 hp 20 lb-ft of torque, but in a fully-faired CBR style sport bike. The baby CBR is relatively light, weighing in at 354 lbs. wet, and follows Honda's ethos of producing easy-to-handle bikes.
The base model starts at $4,699, with ABS optional for $300 more. This is a competitive price for a brand-new motorcycle that carries the Honda name, making it sure to be one of the most reliable motorcycles on the market.
8 Yamaha R3
Power: 42 Hp
Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Yamaha |
| Configuration | Parallel Twin |
| Displacement | 321 cc |
| Power | 42 hp |
| Torque | 22 lb-ft |
Since its introduction in 2015, the Yamaha R3 is a proven great sport bike for beginners due in part to its low seat height, great handling, and smooth throttle response from the 321 cc parallel twin motor. Making 42 hp and 22 lb-ft torque, the R3 gives you enough power to have fun without being intimidating to new riders.
It has a short first gear and effortless clutch pull which make learning to ride easy as starting from a dead-stop is usually one of the most difficult things for new riders to master. ABS is also an option as of 2017, which provides a nice safety net and peace of mind as well.
The R3 looks the part too, with sexy lines similar to the R6 supersport bike.
7 Kawasaki Ninja 400
Power: 49 Hp
Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki |
| Configuration | Parallel Twin |
| Displacement | 399 cc |
| Power | 49 hp |
| Torque | 28 lb-ft |
The Kawasaki Ninja 250 is the most popular beginner bike of all time, arguably, with the original EX250 model providing a nice, easy learning curve for thousands upon thousands of new riders across the world. Replaced by the Ninja 300 about 10 years ago, and now usurped by the Ninja 400, Kawasaki still makes one of the best beginner bikes on the market.
Many would still argue that the Kawasaki Ninja 400 is the best beginner sports bike, with a low seat height, an assist and slipper clutch, and a smooth 399 cc parallel-twin engine pumping out 49 hp and 28 lb-ft of torque. This gives the rider a bit more power than the venerable EX250 and Ninja 300 but still produces that power in a very friendly, easy-to-manage manner.
At $5,899, the Ninja 400 is almost half the price of the new super sport Kawasaki ZX-4RR, making the Ninja 400 a great value within Kawasaki's sport bike lineup.
6 KTM RC390
Power: 42 Hp
Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | KTM |
| Configuration | Single |
| Displacement | 373 cc |
| Power | 42 hp |
| Torque | 26 lb-ft |
The KTM RC390 stands out among the small-displacement sport bike competition with its unmistakeably European look and flair, as well as its 373 cc single-cylinder thumper engine. The bright KTM orange steel trellis frame contrasts the very pointy, sharp body lines, and the racy engine provides tons of fun for new and experienced riders alike.
Producing 42 hp and 26 lb-ft of torque puts the KTM RC390 at the top of its class in the power department. More importantly, though, that power is higher across the entire rev range compared to the other 300 cc parallel-twin competition. The bike is significantly more "racy" than the competition, with sporty ergonomics and lower bar placement creating a more aggressive rider triangle.
5 Honda CBR500R
Power: 50 Hp
Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Honda |
| Configuration | Parallel Twin |
| Displacement | 471 cc |
| Power | 50 hp |
| Torque | 32 lb-ft |
The Honda CBR500R is the bigger displacement sibling of the CBR300R, but still features a friendly parallel twin motor that lends itself well to new riders. The 471 cc twin makes 50 hp and 32 lb-ft of torque, which hits the sweet spot, providing just enough power for a beginner rider to be comfortable while allowing some room to grow into it.
The Honda CBR500R competes with the Kawasaki Ninja 400, with both bikes offering a slipper clutch as standard, as well as optional ABS. Both bikes combine sporty looks with a more upright riding position and comfortable ergonomics.
4 Kawasaki Ninja 650
Power: 68 Hp
Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki |
| Configuration | Parallel Twin |
| Displacement | 649 cc |
| Power | 68 hp |
| Torque | 48 lb-ft |
The Kawasaki Ninja 650 may intimidate new riders when they see its 649 cc displacement, but the parallel twin motor got tuned for midrange torque vs. outright power, which makes it quite friendly for beginners. The straight twin is a very smooth motor and gets backed up by good handling, though once a new rider graduates to more sporty canyon riding, they may want to upgrade to a bike with better suspension.
The Kawasaki Ninja 650 and Yamaha R7 directly compete, both middleweight bikes with parallel twin motors. The Ninja 650 makes 68 hp and 48 lb-ft of torque, with the 2023 model offering ABS as an option, which could provide some peace of mind for new riders.
3 Yamaha R7
Power: 70 Hp
Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Yamaha |
| Configuration | Parallel Twin |
| Displacement | 689 cc |
| Power | 70 hp |
| Torque | 50 lb-ft |
The Yamaha R7 is a new middleweight sport bike, not to get confused with the homologation special Yamaha YZF-R7 OW-02 from the '90s. The R7 sports the Yamaha CP2 engine as seen in the Yamaha MT-07 and Tenere 700, the 689 cc parallel twin producing 70 hp and 50 lb-ft of torque in the R7.
The CP2's cross-plane 270-degree crank and uneven firing order make for smooth power, aided even further by an assist and slipper clutch. This makes for a relatively beginner-friendly bike that can do double duty in the canyons or even on the racetrack, the R7 being a popular choice in MotoAmerica's Twins Cup.
2 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R
Power: 43 Hp
Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki |
| Configuration | Inline-4 |
| Displacement | 249 cc |
| Power | 43 hp |
| Torque | 16 lb-ft |
First-time riders should be aware that although the ZX-25R "only" has 249 cc displacement, it utilizes a race-bred inline-4 engine configuration. This makes the bike essentially a small displacement supersport bike. The Kawasaki ZX-25R is a great track bike, and for new or beginner riders looking to get into racing, this is an excellent choice for a first bike.
The baby Ninja revs up to 17K RPM and loves to get kept up higher in the powerband. Making 43 hp and 16 lb-ft of torque, it can be quite timid and friendly down low, which is a plus for beginner riders on the street who can take it easy until they're ready to let the engine sing.
1 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR
Power: 60 Hp
Engine Specs
| Manufacturer | Kawasaki |
| Configuration | Inline-4 |
| Displacement | 399 cc |
| Power | 60 hp |
| Torque | 27 lb-ft |
Kawasaki's new small-displacement supersport bike may be intimidating for first-time riders, but similar to the ZX-25R, can be quite timid at lower RPMs. It definitely tops the charts on the fun factor for first-time riders, who will still be able to manage its power output in a controlled environment. The revy 399 cc inline-4 engine is easy to handle under 6K RPM, but open it up, and from 9K RPM up to the16K redline is go-time.
The ZX-4RR has Sport, Road, and Rain engine maps plus Full and Low power modes so new riders can use Low power mode to make the bike feel more like a 250. The racy sport bike is truly at home on the racetrack, where it can unleash the full 60 hp and 27 lb-ft of torque. Power can also easily get increased with simple bolt-ons such as an aftermarket exhaust.
The 2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR was developed with input from Kawasaki's racing division, and features fully adjustable front and rear suspension, proper four-piston monoblock brake calipers, and even a built-in lap timer on the TFT display.