Top light city motorcycles 2022 for a beginner

A couple of rules for choosing:

We've already covered some important points when choosing a motorcycle for beginners, but there's always something to add.

“The ideal motorcycle for a beginner - what is it?”

“Top 5 mistakes of a novice motorcyclist”

“Unsuccessful motorcycles for a beginner - what are they?”

In this selection, the main factors for choosing were weight and characteristics that will not disappoint first-season riders. There are new models here, yes, the price can bite, but this is not an aged bike from the secondary market, it doesn’t sprinkle sand from the pipes yet... and the amount of electronics in the new models turns training riding into pleasure.

A lightweight motorcycle is always convenient for novice riders. Only athletes tinker with motorcycles more than beginners. Beginners are not yet accustomed to the weight of the bike - it is inconvenient for them to park it, put it on and off the stand, they fall when they take the wrong trajectory for a turn or unexpectedly stall and do not have time to correct the situation. Therefore, you need to start, as they say, small.

Choosing a motorcycle for the city in 2022

So, the 2022 motorcycle season has ended, and despite the absence of a normal winter, motorcyclists tied up their gasoline horses in garages, put their equipment and helmet in boxes, exhaled and became ordinary pedestrians or motorists until spring.

And as famous classics wrote: everyone who does not have a car dreams of buying one, and every owner dreams of selling it. At least in secret from everyone and even from myself.

Every year I get this itch in the fall, what should I do for the new motorcycle season? Can I exchange the motorcycle for a new one? I’m starting to look for the 100,500th time, what can I buy? What's new? How much will you have to pay extra for this? For the last three years I have realized that within the given parameters I cannot change my bike. My main selection criteria were:

1. I need a modern urban motorcycle for every day of driving around the city and squeezing through traffic jams, not big, not heavy, with a cubic capacity of 600 to 900 cm3 and that, being 170 cm tall, I can confidently reach the ground with both feet. And definitely not a sports bike or chopper.
2. Ideally, the drive to the wheel is either a belt or a cardan. I have become very lazy and don’t want to take care of the chain. Maybe my last mot spoiled me, and of course the chain will do, too, but still...
3. It would be very desirable to have a fairing (i.e. not a bare naked bike without any wind protection) and a standard central case of 30-40 liters. Why regular? All non-standard developments can be both more functional and reliable, but with them the bike is almost always not so harmonious. And if you are on a long-distance trip and need a spacious luggage compartment, then yes, you can put what you need. And if you move around the city, then a small trunk for a raincoat, a warm lining, documents and other little things is enough.

That is, these parameters greatly narrow the range of motorcycles. I immediately threw away the Harleys (not my ideology yet), threw away all the Chinese (CFmoto and other brands), threw away rare brands like APRILIA and Husqvarna, threw away the Ducatti because it’s not normal to put a case on them and the following picture came together:

1. BMW F800GT. 798 cm3/90hp price from 900,000 rub. I've been going for the last 3 years. There are all the necessary options including a belt, wind protection, panniers, etc.

2. F750GS 850 cm3/77 hp from 920,000 rubles - a good bike, you can travel both in the city and across the field to the river, you can drive along the side of the road or even along the steps. Among the disadvantages is the high center of gravity (in the city you can’t afford it), I can’t reach the ground confidently with my feet, there is still a lack of power and the lack of normal wind protection.
3. F850GS 850 cm3/95 hp from 1,050,000r. Cons are similar to the younger brother, with the exception of the engine. Here it is already normal in terms of power.

4. XR900 893cm3/105 hp from 1150 000 rub. New for 2019/2020. I was waiting for him. It has all the new technologies, is convenient for the city and can even travel 500 kilometers along the highway to the neighboring city. Of the minuses: a little high, no normal fairing, no standard panniers yet, still a chain (although I don’t care) and high price + risk of theft.

5. Honda NC 750X. 745 cm3/55hp Price from 730,000 rubles (similar to Honda NC 700X, NC 750S). Not a bad workhorse. There were still options even on the machine. Everything is convenient, reliable, reasonable for the money, both purchase and maintenance. Less loss in value, convenient glove compartments. Of the minuses, probably only a boring sluggish engine, just like a pensioner. A mot without emotions, like all Hondas.

6. KTM 790 Duke 799cc and 105hp from RUB 770,000 When considering city motorcycles, you can’t ignore the KTM Duke. This is one of the most urban motorcycles. Super short in length, aggressive, daring, fast, maneuverable. With a normal, adequate price, a fleet of spare parts, etc. Among the minuses: there are no fairings, a chain, no space for a trunk, the bike is bare without any nice features like keyless entry, normal tidy, etc. But in general, the device can be considered.
7. Kawasaki Ninja 650 (and Z650) 649cm3/68hp from 590,000 rubles an inexpensive motorcycle, with an original design, an old weak 4-cylinder engine. For the city this is a normal option. There are no goodies, but the price is great.

8. Kawasaki Versys 650 649 cm3/69 hp from 720,000 rubles (2 cylinders) Another representative of the Japanese manufacturer. The average model between the city and the highway. And maybe even some off-roading. Boring weak models. In 2022, you don’t want pensioner stability, but charisma and car comfort.
9. Triumph Tiger 800 800cm3/95 hp from RUB 890,000 Very interesting model. An excellent compromise between the city, the highway and even off-road. I really want to take it for a long test. It should be considered as a good purchase today if you are not looking for speed and need a universal motorcycle for reasonable money.

10. YamahaTracer 900 847cm3/115 hp from 900,000r. For me, this is the best that Yamaha has today. The only downsides that can be noted are the high seating position and still not the city dimensions and the chain. And it is still more for country roads and highways. But he is a worthy competitor for the prizes of this rating.

11. Yamaha Niken 847cm3/115 hp New, no price yet. A very interesting three-wheeled motorcycle with the width of a regular motorcycle i.e. 85 cm along the handlebars. It looks a little ugly, but retains its sporty character, as well as maneuverability. A huge advantage is that you don’t have to stick your feet out in traffic jams or at traffic lights, and therefore don’t care about its height. But you wear three tires at once, and two steering forks. Those. in operation it will be 20-30 percent more expensive. But the mot is cool, I’m considering buying it. Let's see what happens to its price.

12. Yamaha MT 09 SP 847 cm3/115 hp from 850,000 rub. Old remanufactured motor. Boring design for the money and lack of technological improvements. It's like it's a motorcycle from the early 2000s. The dashboard is ancient, no innovative solutions, etc. Like all Japanese manufacturers, they are spinning old units and solutions in circles, changing the design a little. No fairing, chain. You can also look at the MT-10, but it’s already a bit heavy with a liter engine, the design is very controversial, and 160 horses in the city is too much!
    Read also: 
13. Suzuki GSX-S750A 749 cm3/114 hp 650,000 rub. An excellent budget motorcycle, with a lot of power, and handles well. The downside is the lack of panniers, a chain, lack of wind protection, and no modern advanced features. In general, you can take it with confidence, it won’t be boring.

14. Suzuki V-STROM 650 ABS 645 cm3/71 hp 630-670 000 rub. A motorcycle with a fairing, the ability to install a case, but with a high center of gravity. Not exactly suitable for the city, but you can drive on the side of the road and on paths. Also good for short distances. If you drive often, it is better to take it with a liter engine. Remember that motorcycles with the XT index are much wider than their counterparts without the index (like the 650 HT width is 910 mm, and for 650 it is 835 mm!). This is important for the city!

15. Strange motorcycle Kawasaki W 800 733 cm3/48hp from 770,000 rubles Weak, clumsy, uncomfortable in landing and taxiing. This is just for retro lovers. I drove a couple of kilometers on it and will never ride it again! But my colleague drove it for 2 years and was very pleased. So to each his own.

Looking through all the motorcycles, of course it begs to be said that the most suitable vehicle on 2 wheels for my parameters is a maxi scooter. And yes, there are only two main contenders: BMW and Yamaha. And of course (despite the completely inconvenient and blind rear-view mirrors) I am leaning towards my favorite European brand! Well, excuse me, I’ve cooled down on the Japanese! (and there are questions about mounting the rear wheel in the latest generation of T-max, etc.)

True, I cannot but agree that the Japanese, and in particular Yamaha, are leaders in many industries, and if I were choosing a boat engine or a gas generator, I would definitely choose a Japanese brand. That's what I did when I bought a digital piano from Yamaha. But with a scooter you need to think about it.

So, for myself, the bottom line is that I see the following actions for the winter period of 2020 :

1. Of all the motorcycles, I already own one of the most successful (even rather ideal) motorcycle for my needs. It’s clear that I’m a little bored with it and just want to update it. You can buy a fresher one or a new one (it’s strange, of course, to pay an extra 2-3 hundred to stay on the same bike). You can do airbrushing on it, for example (there will be a separate article). In short, think about it. If not, then move on
2. View the new BMW 650 Sport scooter. It is ideal for the city and surrounding area. Among the disadvantages of all scooters: they still lose in drive to motorcycles, the seating is stool-like and it is difficult to return from their comfort to drive. On the plus side, there is a huge built-in trunk, heating of everything, excellent wind protection and protection from rain. In general, this has been a huge temptation for several years now. It is still possible to test competitors .
3. See the new BMW XR900 motorcycles, the three-wheeled Yamaha Niken, YamahaTracer 900 Suzuki again (take it for a ride for the season). The only bad thing is that Japanese brands have been poorly represented lately, you can’t touch them properly or drive them. Piss in pokes, unlike the same BMW, for example...at least an hour-long test drive would give a much greater understanding of these motorcycles for real buyers. Eh, a flaw in the representative offices, a flaw!

I wish everyone who is looking for something to decide and buy exactly what suits them best. And let no marketing gimmicks touch you!

PS And one of these days I’ll get ready to write my thoughts on Ekip. I also always want to update it over the winter, replace something and see what useful new items there are. In short, there will be a separate article.

Honda CB300R Neo Sports Cafe

Where would we be without the legendary Honda CB? This is a classic! Beginners are always recommended to take a closer look at the Seabikhs and their variations. Even supported they are still popular. The new baby Honda CB300R is super lightweight at just 146 kilograms, a decel lighter than the KTM 390 Duke.

The weight alone puts the model at the top of the list as the first motorcycle for girls. When a girl chooses a motorcycle that is too heavy for herself, the phrase “I was thinking about making a face while I was lifting it” no longer seems funny.

The manufacturer characterizes this motorcycle as predictable, reliable at all levels of operating ranges, and maximally loyal to the driver. The engine is four-stroke single-cylinder.

Purely urban option. The fuel tank size is only 10 liters. The motorcycle is squat, actually, which is also more beneficial for fragile girls.

Price – 415,000 rubles.

New products from the Japanese "Big Four"

Yamaha

YZF-R1 is a supersport with an advanced engine. Injection and valves have been improved, while the usual 200 horsepower has been retained. The main changes include compliance with the Euro 5 standard. The electronics settings have become more precise and the body kit has changed. Fans of fast driving will appreciate the reduced aerodynamic drag.

MT-03 – “Torque Master” with updated frame and optics. The 321 cc engine remained here, the design of the body kits, optics and frame changed, and a new LCD instrument panel appeared. The appearance has become “sharper”, and the ride has become more maneuverable. Another representative of the series has changed - MT-125, whose engine has been “pulled up” to European standards.

T-Max 560 is a stylish scooter with a 32 cc engine. cm more voluminous. Comfortable seating position, low weight and a high-spirited engine make it an excellent solution for moving in city traffic.

Tricity 300 is a three-wheeled scooter with a futuristic appearance. The main advertising message of the motorcycle is aimed at young residents of European cities who are ready to give up cars in favor of a rational and fun means of transportation.

Honda

The Fireblade CBR1000RR-R is a sleek 200hp superbike. It is created for the track, and every element of the design is “charged” for victory. A compact engine, an extended wheelbase, a customizable electronic fork, and advanced functionality for monitoring the bike’s performance are just some of its characteristics. The model is as technologically advanced and maneuverable as possible.

Africa Twin is a favorite of travelers on endless roads and off-road. The 2022 configuration changes the exterior to an aggressive one with matte paint, gets a larger engine and a new dashboard. Now there is cruise control as standard, and the transmission can be either manual or automatic.

The CRF450R is a motocross bike with an improved chassis and an installed HSTC system. The 250 cc representatives of the series have also been updated, receiving upgraded brakes, engines and new color options.

Suzuki

The RM-Z250 is a well-proven enduro with a refreshed exterior that emphasizes racing ergonomics. The engine operates through a dual-injection system, which improves performance. The bike is designed for fast and safe cornering. The “senior” representative of the series, the RM-Z450, has also been updated, having undergone basic external and technical transformations.

Katana is a legendary sports tourer in a state-of-the-art body. The main changes affected the appearance; it became avant-garde with a hexagonal headlight and LED turn signals. The dashboard has been completely updated. The bike produces 150 hp. with an engine capacity of 999 cc. see, and Brembo calipers are responsible for braking.

Kawasaki

KX series – motocross bikes with engine capacity from 65 to 450 cc. see Subcompact configurations are often used to train young athletes and have proven to be excellent in cross-country racing. The KX250 model received the most upgrades. The new engine has a modern valve system. The frame is better able to absorb bumps, and the air filter design has been rethought to benefit high-rpm power. The oldest 450 cc representative of the series received modified graphics.

The ZZR1400 is a sport-tourer ready to boast a bright Golden Blazed Green color scheme.

ZH2 is a revolutionary representative of the naked class with a supercharged 998 cc engine. see Its main characteristics: 200 horsepower, LED optics, full electronics with cruise control, reliable Showa suspension and Brembo brakes, beloved by many.

The Ninja 1000SX is the fourth generation of Kawasaki's popular series. The designers have rethought the exterior, the optics have switched to LED technology, the electronics have been upgraded, and the engine now corresponds to the fifth eco-class.

Keep up with the times with Harley-Davidson

The most popular and even iconic American manufacturer also managed to intrigue fans with new bikes. In addition to the Pan America mentioned above, other models also deserve attention.

• Bronx is a roadster with a 975 cc engine and 115 horsepower. The manufacturer focuses on a bold appearance, which hides uncompromising handling. The motorcycle is planned to roll off the assembly line at the end of 2022.

• The 1200 Custom is a custom motorcycle with an impressive design. At the heart of the bike is the 1250 cc Evolution engine, which produces everyone's favorite working sound. This is a classic of the family, which is equipped with the latest technology. Power is maintained by a closed exhaust system. The finish, as always, shows the perfect combination of black and chrome.

• LiveWire, a conceptually new approach to driving, presents an electric bike with a power reserve of 225 km. Harley-Davidson followed eco-trends and did a great job. The bike accelerates to 100 km/h in 3 seconds. Without having to squeeze the clutch and change gears, just turn the handle and enjoy the speed. You can charge both at a specialized station and from a home outlet. The touchscreen display, adjustable frame and customization options make the LiveWire one of the most desirable bikes around. The model will be presented in 2022. The start of sales is focused on the current year.

The world's leading manufacturers have something to surprise with in the coming year. But the main thing is to directly meet any needs of the audience. Whether you love speed or travel, value reliability or eco-friendly products, the modern motorcycle industry definitely has the right solutions. So we look forward to market growth and further development of our favorite brands.