Kawasaki Ninja 650R: Beginner Bike Profile + Owner Reviews
Kawasaki’s Ninja 650R Has Been an Entry-Level Staple Since 2006 Bikes like the Ninja 650R, FZ6R, and SV650 are ideal for new riders that either needs something larger due to their height, or are confident in their ability to manage a bit more power than what the typical “beginner bike” ships with. With an estimated …
Suzuki SV650: Beginner Bike Profile + Owner Reviews
The Suzuki SV650 is Not Your Typical Beginner Motorcycle The SV650 defies the common convention that a beginner rider piloting a bike with 600cc’s or more is setting themselves up for failure. In most cases, the reality is that 600cc’s is simply too much for a new rider. The Suzuki SV650 respectfully disagrees with that …
2016 Honda CB500X ABS: Another Perfect Beginner Motorcycle
My wife wants to join me out on motorcycle rides, but not as a passenger anymore. She wants her own wheels. No problem since there are plenty of excellent options out there. She Wants To Write Too She wrote an introduction about what criteria were most important and why she picked the Honda CB500X in …
A Look at the 2016+ Royal Enfield Himalayan BS-IV
Royal Enfield launched a new motorcycle in 2016 that many riders got excited about. Earlier, bikers used to get their sports bikes modified in order to drive through the challenging, yet thrilling, routes of the Himalayas. Thanks to Royal Enfield, there is now an ever-ready bike that can take these challenges head-on. Royal Enfield took …
2018 Kawasaki 400 Ninja Review: It Lives Up To The Hype
I’ve been eagerly waiting for an opportunity to test ride the brand new 2018 Ninja 400. Finally last week I did just that at a Demo Day put on by the local dealership in Calgary: BlackFoot Motosports! The new 400 Ninja is lightweight, equipped with an all new trellis frame and has noticeably more horsepower …
Great Idea, Poor Execution Awards: 3 “Revolutionary” Motorcycling Ideas That Flopped
Economics: A Harsh Teacher Several times in history people and companies have taken big risks and won equally big. It’s the fuel for ambitious innovation and business venture as well it should be. Conversely, there are plenty of huge failures for the simple reason that no one, no matter how smart or successful really can …
7 Reasons You Should Ride a Scooter Instead of a Motorcycle
The Alternative Motorcycle? Scooters are probably the most common two-wheeled vehicles on the road worldwide other than bicycles. I suppose in that sense it’s the same as the alternative genre of music. Labeled in North America as the non-mainstream choice while in reality, it couldn’t be any more popular. Honda alone has sold almost 100 …
Moped vs. Scooter vs. Motorcycle: What’s the Difference?
The Short Answer The difference between mopeds, scooters, and motorcycles comes down to power and size. In reality, all three are actually just types of motorcycles, but they’re built with different purpose and levels of complexity. The Same But Different The simplest way to think of this is to picture three very different breeds of …
Four Great Starter Motorcycles You Won’t Outgrow in a Year
In life we’re often given the choice to stick with what we have or move on to a new challenge. Some people like myself, embrace change while others prefer familiarity and live by the motto “if it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it.” There’s nothing wrong with either approach, but I think with anything …
Lightweight Motorcycles Perfect for Smaller Riders
Small But Terrible This funny expression was shared with me by some five foot tall friends of mine from the Philippines years ago. Its meaning is similar to “not the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog”, commonly used on this side of the Pacific. Speaking as a somewhat vertically challenged person …
Best Motorcycles for New Riders – 2018 Edition
If you’re anything like me, the idea of a whole new fleet of motorcycles coming out is beyond tantalizing! I can’t wait to read all about them each year so I can go annoy salespeople with my questions while sitting on them (the bikes not salespeople). I think they see me coming and often just …
The Honda NC700X and 750X: Great Bikes for New Riders
A friend of mine happened to glance at my computer screen while I was researching the Honda NC700X today. He spotted its picture on the laptop screen and after a moment of admiring it exclaimed: “That’s a pretty sharp looking bike! I like the “beak” on it. Yeah it’s nice! Is that a good one?” …
The 5 Best Used Touring Motorcycles for Under $5,000
Touring For New Riders When it comes to long distance riding, the main two elements desired in a motorcycle are rider comfort and the ability to maintain highway speeds comfortably. You won’t last more than a few hours (at most) if you lose all feeling in your lower extremities due to the physical discomfort caused …
The 5 Best Used Dual-Sport Motorcycles for Under $5,000
Dual sport motorcycles are an exciting yet practical choice for beginning your two-wheeled riding experience. They are especially appropriate if you grew up riding off road and still wish to have the flexibility to spend part of your riding time there (without having to shell out more money for a second set of wheels). Dual …
5 Best Used Sport Bikes for Under $5,000
If you’re looking to acquire your first sport bike on the journey to becoming a confident and competent motorcycle rider here is a list of can’t miss bikes and tips just for you. Pick a Good Fit By this I mean pick a bike you feel comfortable sitting on and can reach the ground flat …
The 5 Best Used Cruisers for Under $5,000
If you’re looking to roam highways and byways in laid back, cool comfort while also keeping the price of ownership on the level, here is a list of can’t miss bikes and tips just for you. Low Rider Is Best Pick a bike that allows you to reach the ground flat footed. With cruisers this …
Automatic Motorcycles: They Exist! Our Picks for Automatic Bikes
Like Death and Taxes, Change is Certain Some choose to view change as a progressive opportunity in their life while others sadly fight against it as they bemoan the exodus from their comfort zone. That’s so unfortunate because, in my experience, the most growth gained comes outside our cozy bubbles of habit and complacency. When …
2018 Kawasaki Z650: First Ride/Review
Summary Introduced for the 2017 model year, the 2018 Z650 offers thrilling performance, easy handling, and lightweight maneuverability. New riders won’t have to worry about outgrowing the power too soon, but they should be careful: this “small” Z has more than enough power to be daring… and dangerous. Highly recommended for fans of naked bikes …
Kawasaki Z125 Pro: a Lightweight Streetfighter for New Riders
The media hub at AIMExpo 2018 – America’s largest and most significant motorcycle show – is electric. Media, vendors, and major brands from all over North America – and the world – have come in droves to showcase what’s new for 2018. Among them, perfect for new riders (and BestBeginnerMotorcycles.com), is the 2018 Kawasaki Z125 …
Triumph T100 Bonneville Review
What’s Old is New Again In 1959 the Bonneville T120 was brand new on the motorcycle scene. The 650cc engine producing 46 hp was considered a monster at the time and the bike was one of the fastest in production. The T120 monicker implied a top speed of 120 mph, but when actually tested by …
I Came, I Rode, I Conquered: Tackling Mountain Roads Safely
Many of my fondest, most happiest moments have occurred while aboard a two wheeled steed, moving at speed down a smooth sheet of blacktop asphalt. Warm air flowing past my face as the rising growl, “braaap”, or buzz of the engine drowns out all usual woes and cares. The dotted, yellow center lines appearing to …
Your First Bike: Choosing the Right Kind of Motorcycle
When it comes to choosing a first motorcycle many different options are available for consideration in matching up to your individual needs and wants. It centers around personal preference so much, that really no one can tell you one particular choice is best for you, but good insight can be gained by listening to what …
You, Me, & 650cc’s: The Best Starter Bikes for Two-Up Riding
You, Me, & 650cc’s: The Best Starter Bikes for Two-Up Riding So you’ve mastered the basics of riding alone on a motorcycle, and now you find yourself bringing along a partner. Riding two-up, colloquially known as having a Pillion, brings its own unique set of challenges. Not only are you responsible for your passengers safety, …
Starter Motorcycles for Heavier People
Three Great Starter Motorcycles for Heavier People So you’ve been bitten by the bug I call motorcyclus riderus and as a result have come down with a serious case of the bike fever, eh? It infects all different kinds of people, from many different walks of life and body types. The joy of riding knows …
The 5 Best Mini Bikes For Kids And For The Young-At-Heart This 2017
5 Best Mini Bikes For Kids You can call them whatever you like. Mini bike, mini moto, pocket bike, mini chopper, they’re all the same. But one thing is for sure: mini bikes are great fun. The mini bike is a miniaturized motorcycle. It is a scaled-down model of a real working motorcycle. Your kids …
The Best Motorcycle To Ride On a Date: Yamaha SR400
Best Motorcycle To Ride On a Date You’ve seen them. Svelte his and her versions of tailored motorcycle jackets, gloves, and helmets, locked in an embrace as they tour through the city. He’s got his hands on the handles and she’s locked around his waist. The two of them spirit through town with a devil …
5 Motorcycle Maintenance Tasks You Didn’t Know You Could Undertake Yourself
Let’s face it, taking your beloved motorbike to a garage and asking a bunch of strangers to fix or service it is never desirable. Unless you’re confident in the garage’s abilities and know they have a track record of awesome care and service, you’ll always be taking something of a gamble. This is particularly frustrating …
Suzuki GS500 Review
Suzuki GS500 Review The Suzuki GS500 is probably the perfect beginner motorcycle for someone who is confident in their ability to quickly grasp the basic motorcycle concepts. It’s a pretty small motorcycle, but it’s also powerful enough to lug around some of the bigger guys (250 lbs+!!) with relative ease. It gets great gas mileage …
Suzuki DRZ 400 SM Review
Words by Jim Pruner, photos by Nathan Guinn Suzuki DRZ-400SM Review A bulletproof, fun, and approachable bike, the DRZ-400SM is the epitome of the “Jack of all trades”, where it does all things well but no things exceptionally well. Should that deter you? Absolutely not. The DRZ is an example of a timeless and well-considered …
Suzuki DR200SE Review
Suzuki DR200SE Review The Suzuki DR200SE is a smaller displacement dual-sport that would make a great beginner motorcycle. It feels at home on the surface streets, or in the dirt with a robust engine with enough torque to get you over the hills or out of dangerous traffic! Suzuki DR200SE Has the Ideal Engine and …
