The Best Parallel Twin Engine Motorcycles For New Riders

Why We Picked It:

The venerable Kawasaki 649cc parallel twin that lives in the heart of both the Z650 and the Ninja 650 has existed for some time. Introduced near the start of the century, the rev-happy parallel-twin currently produces 67 HP and 48.5 lb-ft of torque.

These models earn their beginner-friendly status because of their very linear power delivery, a slightly sporty standard seating position, excellent fuel efficiency, and very forgiving handling. That last point means you can build confidence with counter-steering and leaning to take corners more adventurously over time, and the bike will still put a grin on your face in the process.

Also, both bikes are well under $10,000—even new. Quite a bargain for what you’re getting.

Why We Picked It:

The fully-faired CBR500R gives newer riders an awesome introduction to sport and supersport-style bikes. Sharing the same 471cc parallel-twin with 47 HP and 32 lb-ft of torque as the other CB500 models, the big draw to the CBR500R is that it delivers supersport looks, but beginner friendly comfort, handling, and helps the new rider learn all about why sport bikes are one of the biggest sectors of the motorcycle market.

That engine also delivers very predictable and linear power, and is even forgiving if you crank the wrist a little too much with Honda's excellent ride-by-wire system smoothing out the delivery. A slipper and assist clutch combined with a very forgiving transmission will give the beginner great feedback so that they can get the feel of the bike without too much worry.

Honda's CBR300R, CBR500R, and CBR650R are all regarded as some of the best beginner sport bikes for a reason, as they are forgiving to the new rider and help teach them how to ride. Once a few seasons are under your belt, however, they all have the ability to become corner carving machines that will recharge your smile every single time you swing a leg over the saddle.

Why We Picked It:

The Honda CB500F is a bike between two worlds, and is friendly to the new rider in both of them. On one hand, it is a junior streetfighter, a naked sport bike that pleads and begs you to show it some corners and get your lean on. On the other hand, thanks to its sport standard riding position and very comfortable saddle, it is quite happy chugging along the freeway on your way to work.

Sharing the same 471cc parallel-twin with 47 HP and 32 lb-ft of torque as the other CB500 models, it will excel in both worlds. Add on the fact that it has ride-by-wire, brand name and class-leading Showa suspension, an assist and slipper clutch, and top of the line dual zone ABS, and this is a bike that will thrill you for years to come.

It should be pointed out that the CB500F has a much less aggressive upper body position than its CBR brother as the handlebars are raised an extra inch. It also is much easier to work on for maintenance, as there are no fairings to remove first, making this bike a great bike to learn how to wrench on as well.

Why We Picked It:

The Honda CB500X is widely regarded as the perfect beginner adventure bike. It offers handling and features aimed mostly at the road, but it's also more than capable of hitting the dirt trails and handling gravel roads with a hiccup. Sharing the same 471cc parallel-twin with 47 HP and 32 lb-ft of torque as the other CB500 models, for this bike the engine profile is tuned more towards low and mid-range torque.

The biggest difference between this and the other CB500 models is that it is the tallest, and has the highest seat height, of the bunch due to having the ground clearance needed for an ADV. It also features a standard seating position with midmount pegs so that you can easily stand on the pegs if needed. It is the least aggressive of the bunch, but still features ride-by-wire, ABS, and assist and slipper clutch, and all the other amenities you'd expect on a Honda.

It should be pointed out that the CB500X is very much aimed at pavement and packed road use. While it is capable of "pure" ADV riding and pathfinding, you will need to change out its tires to knobbier ones for the added traction.

Why We Picked It:

The Honda Rebel 500 is the sport cruiser variation that uses the CB500 engine. This model is widely considered the best beginner bike, only in part because the Rebel 500 is an extremely simple, not-at-all scary bike. The main reason is all the friendly, readily-available power it gets from the CB500 engine, and the way it eases the rider into learning the ins and outs of motorcycling.

It follows the principles of "K.I.S.S." or Keep It Stupidly Simple. You get a single digital instrument cluster, a low and comfortable saddle, mid-forward mounted pegs, and that's really about it. Of course, there is ABS if you want it, but unlike the other CB500 models, here it is an option.

It's that rawness, that simplicity, that makes the Rebel so popular. In a day and age where even "simple" cruisers are getting 5 ride modes and 14 different other settings, the Rebel 500 is just "a motorcycle" that aims to both teach the beginner how to ride, and then stay with them for the rest of their riding career as their trusty steel steed.

Why We Picked It:

The current Yamaha MT-03 has been around since 2020 as an evolution of the 2016 to 2019 model that reintroduced Yamaha as a viable competitor in the 300cc naked bike market. Powered by a 321cc parallel-twin that comes straight from the heart of the YZF-R3 supersport, the engine has been tuned to be much more street-friendly and much less of a track destroyer.

Also, the rear swingarm and suspension have been entirely reworked from the previous model so that this bike doesn’t feel as twitchy while cornering. This gives the beginner rider a planted, confident feel while cornering, which is only aided by adding an all-new upside-down front fork with 37mm of travel.

Despite its smaller engine size, it will still trade punches with the Honda CB500F that we recommended earlier in this list, as both are appreciably close on average power to weight. That's not to say definitively which model is better, just that there are always a wide variety of options for the beginner rider.

Why We Picked It:

When your entire style of sport and supersport bikes have a nickname known around the world, you have a successful model line. Suzuki offers up the GSX250R as its beginner-friendly introduction to the “Gixxer” line.

A tiny 248cc parallel-twin pushes out 25 HP and 17 lb-ft of torque. That may not sound like much, but you would be surprised at just how agile this bike is—as well as how it simply begs for more when cornering. Make no mistake: this is a real sport bike that doesn’t get newer riders into trouble and helps build riding confidence, all while wearing a truly legendary badge on the fairings.

Why We Picked It:

I’m slightly wary of recommending the Yamaha YZF-R3 as a beginner bike, so I’ll attach a caveat: this is only a beginner bike if you aren’t stupid with it. It requires respect, maturity, and patience to learn everything this supersport can do, and if you swing a leg over it without being properly geared up from head to toe, then I am not responsible in any way, shape, or form for what happens. In short, all the gear all the time, and idiot filter firmly in place between brain and right wrist.

Powered by a 321cc parallel-twin, it screams out an incredible 50HP. It will corner hard. It will want to wag its front wheel in the air if you give it too much throttle. It is light, extremely agile, and can get you into some serious trouble if you try to push its limits on the road.

However, if you want a bike to take to the track so you can learn how to properly ride a supersport in a controlled environment, there is no single better motorcycle than this one. It is track day nirvana on an R3, because all this thing will want to do is rocket down each straight to the next corner and have it for lunch with a little sip of sake as a chaser.

Eager to learn more? You should be. Read what Britanny had to say about the 2019 R3 in her wBW review.

Why We Picked It:

When you’ve been building bikes continuously since 1923, the modern world expects you to know how to make one hell of a motorcycle. Fortunately, the BMW F 750 GS more than lives up to that demand.

The 853cc (yeah, this is that exception we mentioned in the introduction) parallel-twin in this adventure tourer is an absolute gem, with 77 HP and 61 lb-ft of torque. It revs comfortably, isn’t at all twitchy with power output, and will sit happily in the low- to mid-revs all day, every day, while cruising.

The reason this is still a terrific bike for beginners is that it’s incredibly sure-footed. While it might be branded an adventure bike—and it may be a bit pricey at just under $10k USD for the base model—you get a lot for that money. Standard ABS is just the beginning; rider features also include dynamic traction control, multiple ride modes (street, rain, etc.), a clear-as-you-could-want-it TFT dash, LED lighting all around, superb stability control—and, because it’s a BMW, it will also be as reliable as almost any Japanese bike.

Seriously. If you think the Germans skimp at all on reliability or engineering, look at how many Police and Ambulance services in the EU use BMW motorcycles as their emergency escorts or first-responder vehicles. From the Metropolitan Police in London to the paramedics in Amsterdam, almost all of them ride BMWs. These are motorcycles almost never have mechanical breakdowns, and that reliability extends through all their models, including the venerable F 750 GS.