Rating of the best motorcycles price - quality. Expert advice. TOP 10

How to choose a motorcycle for a beginner? To begin with, you should decide on the class , then estimate the budget , and only then, based on this, take a closer look at specific models . Expensive and cheap bikes, light and heavy, powerful and quiet, for asphalt and off-road – the choice is simply huge, and if you’re not used to it, it’s easy to get lost in it. That's why we've compiled our own ranking of the best motorcycles for beginners, generously peppering it with advice based on our own experience.

Cruisers

Another interesting question is how to choose your first motorcycle if you gravitate towards chrome, leather gear and the solid growl of a V-twin? Easily! There is no better motorcycle than the one you like specifically, and it is your opinion that is decisive here. You just have to keep in mind that most cruisers are archaic by the very nature of their design, they are usually characterized by high weight and mediocre brakes. But is this a hindrance for a strong guy or a respectable man who intends to buy a motorcycle “for the soul”? If high weight is a concern, you can always take a model with a 400 cc engine. Cruisers equally well suited for the role of a city motorcycle and for the role of transport for long-distance travel. It’s up to you to decide which cubic capacity to start with - these are not sportbikes, and for this class “liter” is not so much. The choice of your first motorcycle should be thoughtful so that you get the pleasure for which you pay a lot of money. Which motorcycle is best to buy for your purposes is up to you to decide. Among the lightweight models, we can recommend the Yamaha XVS400 Drag Star, Honda Steed 400 and Suzuki VS400 Intruder. From the middle ones - Honda VT750 Shadow, Suzuki Boulevard C50/M50, Kawasaki VN900 Vulcan, Yamaha XVS 1100 Drag Star, Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 or Honda VT1100 Shadow.

Top best road bikes

We present to you the best road motorcycles that combine all the useful properties. The motorcycle rating we compiled covers well-known motorcycle manufacturers and the best road models.

Honda

• The NC700X is a versatile bike. Tight riding position for the motorcyclist. Built-in storage compartment in the false gas tank, a helmet fits in easily. The wide steering wheel makes it easy to control, and the narrow body helps overcome traffic jams. A big advantage is the fuel efficiency and space for shopping bags. The main advantage is the ability to install a second-generation Dual Clutch Transmission. It will help you change gears with a simple press of a button or transfer this function to the motorcycle itself. We think you will appreciate this feature in congested city traffic.
• CBF600SA and CB600FA are classic 600s, well equipped and comfortable. Honda's legendary unsurpassed handling gives confidence even to a novice on the road.
• The CB750 Cyclone is a classic Honda with a retro 70's design. And the 75 cc engine is also an attractive figure.

Zero S

An electric motorcycle is simply gorgeous in urban environments. Narrow, light, it maneuvers perfectly in traffic jams. The speed can be changed with a simple twist of the wrist. You don't have to worry about overcharging: when coasting and braking, some of the energy is returned to the batteries. In the city the charge will be enough for 100–110 km. A fairly large trunk would be a nice addition.

Kawasaki

• The Ninja is a great city and highway road bike, with a 1049cc 4-stroke engine that's very powerful. The comfort and practicality will undoubtedly please you, as well as the windshield adjustment and the position of the footrests in a sporty style. It is convenient to place the bags on the gas tank; you can also attach additional side bags to the seat.
• The Vulcan 900 cruiser from Kawasaki is a combination of power, maneuverability, comfort, and easy handling. In addition, the LT version is equipped with wind protection and cargo compartments. The 903 cc, 2-cylinder engine easily copes with travel in urban environments. An excellent road bike in a sporty style.
• The classic motorcycle model W650 also deserves attention due to its beautiful appearance and excellent performance. The slightly lowered suspension gives stability, and the engine sound is incomparable.

Aprilia Mana

A good motorcycle for commuting to the office and home. Comfortable seating position, low-mounted impressive footpegs, and straight, high handlebars are the qualities of this bike. And the 839 cc V-engine, taken from the Gilera GP800 scooter with a continuously variable transmission, provides the ability to change seven gears by pressing the handlebar or switch to automatic mode. Bags are provided for additional space.

BMW C650 GT

Although the BMW C650 GT is a scooter, it is powerful enough and nimble for quickly maneuvering between cars. The compartment under the seat can accommodate two helmets, and there are two glove compartments for small items. The impressive image of the manufacturer, of course, itself serves as an advertisement for this motorcycle.

Ducati Hyperstrada

Lightweight movable motards often began to be found in large cities. However, motocross bikes are designed for racing and are not comfortable for long trips. They do not protect the driver from the wind, and there are no luggage bags.

The Ducati Hyperstrada solves these nuances. The enlarged version with an 821 cc 2-cylinder engine will not lag behind the classic motards in mobility and agility. A wide seat, wind protection, and spacious bags make this road bike a good compromise between the coolness of a racing motorcycle and a comfortable, practical bike for long trips.

Suzuki

• The retro TU250X is the epitome of versatility and accessibility. Lightweight, only 148 kg, inexpensive and nimble, the little motorcycle is equipped with an injection engine - an excellent option for the budget-conscious motorcyclist.
• The classic SX750 Inazuma model from this motorcycle manufacturer is incomparably comfortable and convenient for the driver.
• Bandit is a great model: good torque, excellent frame and suspension, and power make this model a favorite among many motorcyclists.

Bonneville

Versatility, compactness and ease of operation are qualities that make the Bonneville called the ideal road bike in urban environments. Comfortable, lightweight, with a fast 2-cylinder engine, it will be your assistant on trips to work and back, especially since you can include various accessories and additional bags in the design.

Harley-Davidson

Undoubtedly, the best classic American manufacturer is Harley-Davidson. The largest heavy road motorcycles are still the dream of any motorcycle enthusiast.

• Breakout is a model that combines classic and modern;
• Deluxe - style of the 30s, the atmosphere of the motorcycle industry of those years;
• IRON 883 is aggressive, powerful, unbridled, the true king of American roads.

KTM 690 Duke

The ideal road motorcycle from KTM weighs 160 kg with a full tank, the single-cylinder engine accelerates to good speed, saving fuel. The anti-lock braking system and low price are a significant plus.

Road motorcycles

Any budget motorcycle for a beginner will most likely fall into this category. The class of road workers combines a wide variety of equipment, from extremely cheap “Chinese” to very expensive “Japanese” and “European”. Let's look at a few examples. Suppose you want to buy an inexpensive motorcycle for the city, and the venerable age of imported equipment does not bother you. In this case, take a closer look at the Honda CB 400 SF, Yamaha XJ600 Diversion, or Suzuki GSR 600. Or you can start with a smaller capacity and pay attention to small capacity bikes like the Yamaha YBR-125 - this is a very friendly lightweight bike that is used for learning to ride in motorcycle schools Worldwide. If you don’t have a lot of money, you can think about the Austrian KTM Duke 200, 250 or 390 - they are worth every ruble paid for them! Which motorcycle to choose if you don't have much money? At your service are dozens of Chinese brands, as well as the very popular Indian Bajaj, developed in collaboration with Austrian engineers from the aforementioned KTM company. In any case, it is better to start with something light and not too powerful, moderately dynamic and safe. Many experienced motorcyclists believe that the optimal bike capacity for a beginner is 400cc. Let’s just add that cheap motorcycles usually belong to the street class, that is, they are purely city bikes.

HONDA BROS

And yes, Honda again. But this time, the Japanese engineers involved in the design were clearly celebrating something and spilled a couple of glasses of their nuclear sake on the drawing table, giving birth to one of the most interesting budget motorcycles. The first to roll off the assembly line was BROS, codenamed “Product ONE,” which had at its disposal a high-torque 650 cc V-twin with 56 horses, of which about 50 have survived to this day. It was followed by the “Product TWO” - a 400cc version, which in the home market was dubbed the “courier motorcycle” due to its small size, low cost and reliability, which in turn, naturally, made it popular among courier services (we draw an analogy between Hyundai Solaris and taxi drivers). History aside, I will say that I personally know, if not everything, then a lot about this motorcycle. And also, I know about the fatal mistake generated by many CIS bloggers who, in their video reviews, reported that the timing drive is driven by gears, not a chain. Unfortunately, this is the most blatant lie, albeit a very sweet one, because the gear timing belt has an inexhaustible resource, unlike constantly stretching and ringing chains. Yes, indeed it is on a number of Honda motorcycles, such as the VFR family, but not here. But here there is a “PRO-Arm” cantilever swingarm, which is extremely rare for motorcycles in this budget. To be honest, it’s not at all clear how it got here, but it clearly sets the style for the entire motorcycle and has a good effect on handling. The design of Honda Bros itself is extremely simple and does not require special skills for maintenance. All the necessary components are in plain sight and the motorcycle can be disassembled down to the bare frame in a day, with smoke breaks.

Thus, taking into account the design, reliability and advantages of BROS-a, multiplied by its price (100 rubles for a live 400cc model), we get a pretty good device for everyday use.

Sportbikes and sports tourists

The first motorcycle for a beginner should not be too powerful. Leave the "liter" plastic rockets to those who know how to handle them - it's too risky! But this does not mean that a sportbike is not suitable for beginner motorcyclists. It’s just better to pay attention to moderately powerful models, like the old and inexpensive Japanese 400s. If you don’t want to get involved with too old equipment, you can consider options like the Honda CBR 600 F4i - this model is famous not only for its reliability, but also for its flexible character. But Chinese bikes are usually only stylized as racing equipment, but their technical characteristics do not correspond to their appearance. However, a sports motorcycle for beginners should not be able to accelerate to 100 km/h in 3 seconds. For sports tourists, it makes sense to consider the Kawasaki ZZR 400, and for light but modern sport bikes - the Yamaha YZF-R3, Honda CBR 300R or Kawasaki ZR-300 Ninja. And if suddenly you don’t want to acquire a category A license, then you can also buy a moped! For example, Aprilia RS50 - to drive this sportbike, you only need an M category license, but it can accelerate to 120 km/h, and it will take less than 10 seconds to do this.

HONDA CB400 SF

I ask everyone to make a surprised face, but yes, the “Sibikha” is indeed one of the best motorcycles in this class, leaving far behind all its brothers in terms of popularity. But is he really that good? Let's figure it out.

I am not going to list all the versions in which this motorcycle was produced (training, VTEC, dovtek, S, R, super-duper-hyper VTEC, spec I, spec II, spec III, Bold'or). After all, within the designated budget, your main task is just not to buy the training version, which is distinguished by a simpler suspension, exhaust, controls and electrics. But here’s my advice - everything else, my friend, shouldn’t worry you at all. Having bought a good, live “seabiga” for up to 150 thousand rubles in ANY of the versions, except for the training version, you automatically did not overpay an ounce or a bit. Gone are the days when good CB400s cost about 100 thousand rubles. Calendars expire, the years go by, the PTS of these motorcycles is already filled with the names of the same lucky ones as you, and there are fewer and fewer live vehicles. Despite the general reliability of the components and assemblies of this motorcycle, most of them are already in a pre-infarction state. Let's add here a rusting frame, which from the factory was not particularly rigid, a lot of collective farm, which newcomers screw on their favorites, and a huge demand for spare parts, which increases their cost, and in the end we get happiness, for which we will have to hunt pretty hard. But the Honda CB400 SF can become a faithful city horse, which, with proper care, will carry you while others hang around in service and extract money from their owners.

Touring enduro

Choosing a motorcycle for long trips is not easy. If you're on a budget, you might consider models like the Honda XL400V and XL650V Transalp. For those who have more money, we can recommend the Honda XL700 Transalp, Kawasaki Versys 650, Suzuki V-Strom 650 or Yamaha Tenere 700. These tough steel horses can take you to the very ends of the world, and they can handle roads of any quality. They differ from classic road motorcycles by long-travel suspensions, increased ground clearance and general adaptability to harsh operating conditions. It is better not to go into swamps with such equipment, but any touring motorcycle is not afraid of dirt tracks and light off-road conditions, especially if it is “shod” in the appropriate rubber.

Honda VRX 400

The main urban dude and my personal favorite of this collection. In addition to the fact that he is beautiful, he gives incredible driving comfort. Straddling the line between a road biker and a cruiser, the VRX combines the qualities of both. Wide soft seat, high steering wheel and very smooth ride. The engine is similar to those found on Honda Bros and Honda Steed. Otherwise, there is no point in talking about its reliability and ease of maintenance, because everything has already been said more than once. The only negative is weak dynamics, but it’s stupid to expect it from 33 horses and 34 Newtons of torque. However, for a leisurely drive around the city, the engine has enough capabilities. In addition, it has low consumption, unlike spinning forced in-line engines, and a pleasant sound.

Enduro

A 400cc motorcycle in this class is already a serious piece of equipment. Which motorcycle should you buy for someone who is just about to learn how to conquer off-road terrain on two wheels? Perhaps something lighter, 125 or 250 cc. The market is full of inexpensive Chinese models, but there are also Japanese ones, for example, Suzuki DR 250R, Kawasaki KL 250, Honda XR 250 or Yamaha XT250 Serow. They are inexpensive, weigh little, and are easy to handle. These models are designed specifically for moderate off-road use and not for the city, so they are suitable for you if you are wondering how to choose a motorcycle specifically for off-road travel. Replacing the wheels with others of a smaller radius and installing road tires will not be able to turn an enduro into a full-fledged motard, and for asphalt it is better to prefer a classic motorcycle.

The best enduro touring bikes in 2022

BMW R1200GS Adventure

A representative of the legendary GS series, which domestic motorcyclists lovingly call “geese”. A very serious unit for long journeys. The R1200GS Adventure compares favorably with its predecessors in its versatility due to the use of several separate control modes, including in rainy weather and when driving on the highway. The motorcycle is equipped with massive engine protection, plastic panels and wide pegs. Separately, it is worth noting the spacious gas tank with a capacity of 30 liters and a modern on-board computer with the ability to navigate and monitor the condition of the “iron horse”. The downside is the usual BMW high cost of both the vehicle itself and regular maintenance and additional accessories.

BMW R1200GS Adventure Advantages:

• excellent versatility without the need for special knowledge;
• volumetric fuel tank;
• well controlled and maneuverable;
• reliable suspension;
• comfortable straight fit;
• interesting design and ergonomics;
• spacious trunks and topcase.

Flaws:

• expensive maintenance;
• slight vibrations at high speed;
• short speed stroke.

KTM 1190 Adventure

The “civilian” version of the motorcycle is a regular participant in the Dakar rally series, a worthy competitor to BMW cars with its unique design. 148 hp engine and explosive character inherited from a sports bike. Fans of comfortable travel will certainly appreciate the full power package and all-terrain preparation, including a reinforced chassis and anti-lock braking system. This model is simply created to give pleasure to its owner - the most comfortable fit for driving over long distances, adjustable suspension, wide tires and several automatic driving modes.

KTM 1190 Adventure Advantages:

• good controllability and predictability;
• powerful two-cylinder engine with a volume of 1195 cc;
• comfortable straight fit;
• possibility of adjusting the suspension operating mode;
• excellent visibility in the rearview mirrors;
• smooth, vibration-free engine operation;
• fairly low average consumption;
• efficient and comfortable Brembo brakes with ABS;
• excellent off-road preparation.

Flaws:

• high heat generation from the engine;
• intermittent problems with gear shifting.

Ducati Multistrada 1200 S

The best-selling model of the Multistrada series with a superbike-derived 160 hp engine. A sophisticated electronic control system with several driving modes and suspension adjustments, special Pirelli tires and a stunning design with the signature red color - all this is the Ducatti Multistrada 1200 S. In addition, the model is equipped with a special traction control system and ABS. This option combines the features of a city, sports and touring motorcycle and is truly multi-purpose.

Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Advantages:

• semi-active suspension with various modes;
• powerful engine with high thrust from the lowest revs;
• variety of driving modes;
• light weight and excellent handling;
• original design;
• good aerodynamics and lack of windage;
• soft clutch and 6-speed gearbox;
• maximum safety;
• official service interval - 24 thousand km;
• large volume of luggage cases.

Flaws:

• complex and expensive repairs;
• high price;
• lack of ability to disable ABS with one button.