The Best Motorcycles For Heavy Riders
Updated April 24, 2023 by Simon Bertram

Big & Tall Doesn't Mean You Can't Ride
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These are the best 250cc bikes for novice riders:
There are some who have felt the call of the road, the howl of an engine beneath them, the wind whipping around their helmet as they twist the right wrist a little more. There is only one thing holding these riders back from enjoying life to the fullest — most motorcycles are designed for the average size male. So, if you’re taller or heavier than one, you might find some of them a little more challenging or uncomfortable to ride.
Yet, thankfully, there are bikes out there that are both great, end of story, and great beginner bikes. As with all things, approaching these slightly more powerful machines with a healthy dose of respect is a given, as they will be working just that little bit harder to get down the road with someone who’s on the heavier side astride them.
About Our Selections
The general consensus across all fields is that while a 300 or 400cc motorcycle will get you going to really enjoy motorcycling, it’s best to start off at about 500cc’s if you're 200 lbs or more. This way, the engine has a chance to get you moving and doing so in a fuel-efficient way. A 1000cc (or more) motorcycle will get the job done easier, but most of them can’t be considered beginner-friendly; that’s why you won’t see many of them on this list.
These selections considered ease of use, rideability, price, and how effective each motorcycle was in helping the beginner or newer rider learn the intricacies of riding. We are confident that any of these bikes will be superb starter or second bikes for the new riders to learn and enjoy on!
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R
A recommendation given with one gigantic caveat
Why We Picked It:
Keep in mind, any supersport bike is something to be treated with respect and a healthy dose of caution. The ZX-6R can and will bite your head off if you are stupid with it. The gigantic caveat we alluded to was that you absolutely need to have your idiot filter between your brain and your wrist in place at all times. This is because despite the bike being only 430 lbs in weight, it has an impressive engine that can find torque all across the rev range. The reason it gets out recommendation, however, is that it has a much gentler torque spike than comparable supersports like the Honda CBR600RR and the Yamaha YZF-R7.
A supersport will also never lack power, but the rider’s weight can and does affect the acceleration, braking, and overall rideability of the bike. Supersports also tend to have limited suspension travel — which is one of the aspects that’s most affected by weight — so keep this in mind before you decide to buy one.
SPECIAL NOTE: Despite recommended higher displacement, it is not recommended that a heavier rider starts on a 1000cc or greater bike in the supersport class. These bikes are snarling torque monsters that require a skilled hand to tame and are generally recommended as a second or even third bike for supersport riders.
Specifications:
Price: $10,699 to $11,999
Engine: 636cc inline four
Power: 127 HP
Torque: 52.1 lbs-ft
Transmission: 6 speed manual
Curb Weight: 430 lbs
Ideal For:
Newer riders looking for a supersport class bike that is friendlier than most in this class for their skill level
Highlights:
Extremely agile and flickable
An appreciably gentle lower revs torque curve, but once at about 6,000 RPM sharply increases all the way up to the redline at 14,000 RPM
ABS is an optional extra at the $11,999 price point. We highly recommend it, as it integrates with the traction control, ride-select modes, and up-only quickshifter to give you a track weapon that is also street viable
Learn More:
2023 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R specs, features, & pics
Kawasaki Ninja 650
Nearly two decades after its introduction, still one of the best beginner sport tourer motorcycles
Why We Picked It:
Two Kawasaki’s in a row? Yes. Kawasaki has an excellent hold on the taller and heavier rider segment of the sportier side of things. However, unlike the supersport bike recommendation, we recommend the Ninja 650 because it is a very good jack-of-all-trades. You can ride it upright in a standard position for touring, you can tuck down to the tank for some sporty riding, and it also won’t try to actively bite your head off as supersports do.
Despite being nearly the same weight as the ZX-6R, this Ninja 650 has almost half the horsepower and notably less torque, which follows because it has half the cylinders. This makes it a very approachable beginner bike, with a very linear torque curve and enough power for you to have fun. It also cruises incredibly well, allowing for longer rides without hurting your wrists or backside.
Specifications:
Price: $7,999
Engine: 649cc parallel twin
Power: 67 HP
Torque: 48.5 lbs-ft
Transmission: 6 Speed Manual
Curb Weight: 419 lbs
Ideal For:
New riders looking for a sport touring starter bike that is very forgiving but still has supersport DNA coursing through it
Highlights:
Sport standard seating, with slightly rearward pegs, for comfortable all day riding
A good "keeper" bike for the long term. Enough power and forgiveness to learn with, but when experienced, becomes a great canyon carving machine
Full suite of Kawasaki's excellent rider aids, including dual zone ABS, wheelie control, cornering stability control, and traction control, all as standard
Learn More:
2023 Kawasaki Ninja 650 specs, features, & pics
Suzuki SV650 ABS
Simply the best beginner sport bike, period, for over 23 years
Why We Picked It:
I’ll make it clear from the get-go: this is not only a great beginner bike for heavier riders; this is a great beginner bike, full stop. For years, it has been one of the top recommendations for a new rider to learn on, and that tradition continues with no adjustments for the 2023 model year.
The SV650 has a gentle but still grunty torque curve without any sudden torque spikes whatsoever. It also has enough power to get you going despite the aerodynamic deficiencies that a naked bike has, such as no cowling or wind deflector to help it cut through the air. Add that power and torque to a chassis that is easy to ride, giving you lots of feedback, and you have a bike that is known as a legend for a reason.
Read more about the Suzuki SV650.
Specifications:
Price: $7,849
Engine: 645cc V-twin
Power: 73 HP
Torque: 47.2 lbs-ft
Transmission: 6 Speed Manual
Curb Weight: 432 lbs
Ideal For:
Beginners riders looking for the best beginner motorcycle that can easily do freeway speeds, carve some corners, commute comfortably, and be ready for a little fun at all times
Highlights:
Firm but supple suspension and one of the best saddles in the business let you know what the bike is doing, without trying to shake your teeth loose
Power is always on tap, with linear and predictable delivery
Not much in the way of rider aids apart from ABS, but the bike is so planted that it does not need many.
Learn More:
2023 Suzuki SV650 specs, features, & pics
Indian Scout Sixty
A surprisingly zippy little sport naked that seems to simply enjoy going for a ride, commute or not
Why We Picked It:
The Indian Scout Sixty is a superb entry point into the premium cruiser segment. It’s powered by a 999cc V-Twin, but with only 78hp and 65 lb-ft of torque on tap, it’s quite a beginner-friendly motorcycle for the heavier rider. If these numbers do scare you, keep in mind that this bike weighs about 544 lbs, fully fueled up — that’s mid-weight in the bigger cruiser segment. It’s also got a low 649mm seat height, meaning most riders will be able to get both feet on the ground easily.
The kind folk at Indian Motorcycles have also mentioned that the Scout Sixty can carry 988 lbs (449 kg), which means that it can accommodate even the heaviest riders and possibly even a pillion and some luggage.
The Scout Sixty is a beautiful motorcycle with premium leatherwork, a flawless paint job, and multiple accessories to make it your own.
The Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Classic is another great option if you’re in the market for a cruiser and want something that’s Japanese. However, it is a heavier motorcycle and, with a smaller engine, doesn’t make as much power or torque.
Specifications:
Price: $11,749
Engine: 999cc V-twin
Power: 78 HP
Torque: 65 lbs-ft
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
Curb Weight: 544 lbs
Ideal For:
Beginner riders wanting a premium cruiser that is approachable and, when respected, can provide thousands of miles of joy
Highlights:
Torque is very present down low, but with a sensible amount of throttle, is very controllable and linear
One of the best saddles this side of $20,000, with an optional passenger seat available
Base model has very few features, including a digital dash, LED lighting, and that's about it. ABS, ride-mode select, infotainment, and more are all optional add-ons.
Learn More:
2023 Indian Scout Sixty specs, features, & pics
Honda Rebel 500
One of the best ways to learn how to ride a cruiser-style bike
Why We Picked It:
The Honda Rebel 500 is one of those bikes that comes along every few model generations and is just the absolute perfect bike for a beginner. Easy to handle, very forgiving, torque everywhere along the rev range without any peaks or spikes to scare you, and enough power that even a tall, heavy guy wearing a backpack full of bricks can get this little monster rolling at a decent clip.
What Honda did with the Rebel series is make sport cruising fun and accessible again to new riders. In years past, there was a big jump from low-powered “small 250 cc” sport cruisers up to the big boy mainstream cruisers with engines over 900 cc. The Rebel slips into the middle perfectly and is friendly to all levels of experienced riders.
If you feel the Rebel 500 doesn’t have enough performance for you, the Harley-Davidson Iron 883 is a good step up while it is still available on the market.
Specifications:
Price: $6,449 to $6,949
Engine: 471cc parallel twin
Power: 47 HP
Torque: 32 lbs-ft
Transmission: 6 Speed Manual
Curb Weight: 408 to 416 lbs
Ideal For:
Heavier beginner riders looking for a sport cruiser that will teach them everything to know about how to ride
Highlights:
A very simple, pure motorcycle that doesn't distract you with settings and features, but lets you just ride
Designed from the outset to be extremely beginner friendly, and as you grow your skill set, the bike transforms into a raw, pure, enjoyable sport cruiser
Dual zone ABS is an option for $6,749 on the ABS and $6,949 on the ABS SE variants. The only other real rider aid is a standard assist and slipper clutch.
Learn More:
Suzuki V-Strom 650XT
There are few better ways to go adventure touring for the bigger, heavier beginner
Why We Picked It:
The Suzuki V-Strom 650XT is one of the best motorcycles you can enter the ADV segment with. It’s a great everyday bike for pottering around town and holds its own even off-road. It’s perfect for heavier riders, and thanks to the tank having higher knee gaps, even a 7-foot tall rider will fit comfortably.
Powered by a V-twin, the same unit from the SV650, there’s excellent low-end torque readily available, which helps overcome the inertia of being stopped a little easier than a parallel twin. Both engines have their merits, but the extra grunt of the V-twin sells it just a little better.
Another advantage of the V-Strom 650 is that it really doesn’t break down. As long as you keep the chain clean and lubricated, the engine oil topped up, and don’t throw it off the edge of a cliff, you’d be hard-pressed to find a way to kill a V-Strom. They’re just as bulletproof and reliable as any bike from the big four.
Specifications:
Price: $9,599
Engine: 645cc V-twin
Power: 73 HP
Torque: 47.2 lbs-ft
Transmission: 6 Speed Manual
Curb Weight: 476 lbs
Ideal For:
Taller and heavier beginners looking for a comfortable and capable adventure tourer
Highlights:
Uses the same 645cc V-twin from the SV650, meaning it is a bulletproof, proven-reliable engine
Standard seating position and mid-mount pegs makes it comfortable even for the heaviest and tallest of riders
Traction control, stability control, and dual zone ABS are all standard
Learn More:
Triumph Tiger Sport 660
For those heavier and taller riders looking for capable tourer from the British brand
Why We Picked It:
The Tiger Sport 660 is a brand new model from the Triumph’s 2022 model lineup. It joins the British manufacturer’s recently-introduced 660 platform, and it appears as though the company has taken the opportunity to fill a hole in their lineup with a touring-centric middleweight bike. Triumph categorizes the bike as one of its ‘Adventure’ models, but with 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels at either end and a low (for an ADV) ground clearance, this is a bike that would best shine on the tarmac.
With 80hp and 47 lb-ft of torque from that sweet-sounding inline-triple, the Tiger Sport 660 is a treat to ride. It’ll get you up to speed with ease, and with a 4.5-gallon fuel tank and a host of storage accessories to choose from, you can spend hours on the saddle.
Specifications:
Price: $9,695
Engine: 660cc inline triple
Power: 80 HP
Torque: 47.2 lbs-ft
Transmission: 6 Speed Manual
Curb Weight: 455 lbs
Ideal For:
Beginners riders looking for a European sport tourer/adventure tourer that uses an inline triple engine and can go on very long rides
Highlights:
660cc inline triple engine is very smooth and has a very progressive and predictable torque curve
Huge 4.5 gallon fuel tank for extended inter-city or even inter-state rides
ABS, semi-adjustable suspension, shift assist quick shifter, selectable riding modes, and LED lighting all around are all standard
Learn More:
2023 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 specs, features, & pics