When I first started riding one of the things that got me saddle time consistently day in and day out was the ability to carry stuff so I could justify hopping on the bike to do various things (groceries, etc) or take it on the highway to commute with it. Saddle time is the best teacher, and a more practical bike gives you far more opportunities for saddle time. I feel like if I had a supermoto as my first bike my opportunities to actually ride for practical purposes would be severely limited and it would just end up being a weekend toy. To me the Sport Tourer just seems like the best option. It eliminates the weaknesses of the cruiser while retaining the practicality of a bagger, and you don't have to deal with the big price or tall heavy nature of an adventure bike, which is a serous handful as a beginner. And if I wanted to take a bike on the dirt, I think I'd far prefer just buy some cheap ass 150/250cc purpose built used dirt bike off FB marketplace for a couple grand instead of potentially beating the piss out of my nice clean street bike that is sporting street tires. I mean I get the appeal of a dual sport or supermoto for certain people, but I don't think that's what you should be learning off road riding on.... you're either going to baby the shit out of it or you going to dump it and feel way worse about it than you should.
bought my first bike last year at 51 years old. Picked the RE Meteor 350. Not fast but neither am I and loving it so far. Don't want to get sporty, or go to a racetrack or go off road.
Got my first bike at 52, after recovering from heart surgery, a 250cc cfmoto, did 11000 km in the first year, then went to a Vulcan 900, then a triumph Thunderbird storm, now riding a Valkyrie.
Great choice buddy. I've had everything from 200's to 1000's . I think I've finally decided at 57, that it's funner to ride a small bike fast than a big one slow.
At 41 I bought my first bike last august in ‘22 and it was a low rider ST, fast forward to January ‘23 I bought a ninja 1000SX. Sit on different bikes and go with what is comfortable to you. Take the MSF course, practice and be safe. Everyone focusing on what’s the best first bike is missing the point, the best first bike is the one you bought and got you riding.
My advice after reaching my second season of riding - buy something used. You don't really know yet what you like and dislike as a noob other than looks. And even that changes after some riding experience. So start cheap and figure it out on bikes that don't depreciate much. I lost 1400 usd on my first used bike after a full year. Not too bad. I went from an 800 cc cruiser to a 1730 cc cruiser, also used.
Love the video Spite. I would disagree about the cruiser, I think a Rebel 500 or Yamaha bolt are great beginner bikes. I started on an R3 around 2017, but gave up because it was too light and the area I live in gets very windy, so that was scary. If you are not in a windy area those bikes are fine, but I got back into riding in 2022 and started on a yamaha bolt. The bike was big and heavy, intimidating but only for the first 2-3 rides around the neighborhood. Once I got used to how it handled and the weight I learned on it, very forgiving, very easy to ride and put my foot down, specially being a short rider that was huge. Once I put 1000 miles on the bolt, I jumped on an MT07, that bike felt so easy to ride after I was used to the bolt, it felt like I was ridding a bicycle.
I just got my first "real" bike and love it so much. I bought a navi 2 months ago to learn the super basics but actually riding it over 35 MPH felt super sketchy. I bought a Z400 last week and told myself if it feels the same I'm not going to get into riding. But the feel was literally a night and day difference. I was nervous hitting corners at their recommended speed limit of 30 MPH (45mph road) on the navi but with the Z400 I can fly through those same corners at 40-50 with literally 0 issue. The bike almost feels like its magnetized to the ground around corners like the g force just pulls me closer to the road where as on the navi I felt like the bike was going to slide out from under me at any second.
A thing I tell people who want to start riding is not to get wrapped around the axle about what bike they want. Get one that is affordable and in working condition. The first bike is what you use to determine what you REALLY want as a motorcyclist. Statistically you arent going to keep it for very long, so dont worry so much about it. Get a simple machine, learn on it, and then start looking at what your next bike will be. Opinions change over time and I would never recommend going into debt for a type of bike you may not actually like in the long run.
argument against the DRZ 400... CB300R.. same wheels (essentially but CB is tubeless), same weight (3lbs in it) and similar power (DRZ has 3.5hp more at the wheel) except CB comes with a slipper clutch, ABS, fuel injection, better front brakes (slightly worse rear), 31.5" seat height (but half the ground clearance), 6 speed and looks damn smexy... plus it's suspension is nothing to sneeze at, it's pretty good even if you only get pre-load on the rear... and you can absolutely toss some adv/knobby tires on it and go hit some fire-roads or logging trails... won't be particularly good at it but it can do it. Edit: and the CB is about $1800~ give or take cheaper than the DRZ. (all prices in CAD)
Triumph Speed Twin 900 (Street Twin), great for those of us with a very short legs(27inch inseam), I fall in love a little bit more every time i ride it - never fails to put a smile on my face.
I picked up a Honda XR80R for teaching my friends and family how to ride. It's got a reasonable seat height, light weight, and low power. It's a bike just about anybody could develop foot and hand control familiarity with in an open field or on some trails in a safe environment away from cars. It's also fun and never needs to get relegated to yesteryear. There's always someone else just coming into the picture that's about to discover the joys of 2 wheels and a motor.
My first bike was / is a cruiser and I definitely didn't regret the decision to go down that route! For anyone else who doesn't care about performance, I can't recomment cruisers enough! Great bike to start with :)
I think Bonneville style is the best. You get a bit more lean angle than a cruiser it’s comfy and it’s easy to Mount luggage without buying special bags.
Another good option in this class, if you want something just a little bit different, is Moto Guzzi V7 Stone. Beautiful and practical bike..nice and torquey for beginners and older non boy-racer types like me!😊
The best bike to start on hands down is a '79 Honda XL500 with basically no brakes. It taught me to ride super defensively and assertively. I had to anticipate what everyone was going to do because there was a big chance I wouldn't be able to stop in time if I didn't hahaha
I started back in 2006 on a ‘91 Honda Nighthawk 750 which was the “big” version of the bike I did the MSF course on. I don’t regret it, but it only lasted me about 8 ninths as I recall before I laid it down in a field and bend the handlebars pretty bad. I then got a Suzuki Bandit 1250S which served me well for 55k miles. I don’t know, at the time anything smaller didn’t seem like a real street bike… times have changed.
I recently began with a naked 125cc and I’m now sure that I did the right thing. The low weight, low power has allowed me to really learn how to properly ride (not there yet, of course). In 3 days I’m taking my A drivers license exam and, if successful, I can ride whatever bike I want, but I think that I will not go all over my head and continue to ride and practice with my “fast” Suzuki S125! 🎉
Came back to motorcycling after 20 year break (used to ride CBR600/VFR400) and bought a 2012 SV650. Absolutely fast enough at the moment, easy to ride, if I drop it I won’t be looking at thousands to repair and it does 60mpg. Ultimately it doesn’t really matter what you start with, you can have fun on (almost) any bike. Also, Turbo Busa next..
Oh man...I got my driving license last year (end oct) at 35. I have a ninja 1000sx, which i find it very stable on the road, but somehow, I don't have a strong click...I just bought my second motor, a rebel 1100, I can say I am in love with this machine. The power, the comfort (i still need to buy a new seat)...it is insane...how easy it feels to manouver...just LOVE this sport cruiser:)
I started on a rebel 300: a small, light, "sporty" cruiser that actually does decently well on forest roads. I learned a lot on that bike, and squeezed everything I could out of that bike. When I traded it in I got trade in value 300 less than what I paid for it with 10K miles on it. Currently I have a sportster. I am customizing that bike into the bike I always wanted. Its a cruiser, but I can still tackle the twisties - with some upgrades - fairly well. Lately, I have been looking at a KLR 650 so I can go off road and long distance adventures
I was ready to argue with your #1 spot, entirely because I'm a dual sport simp, until you unveiled it, and despite needing knobbies in my life, I totally agree. And as far as being miserable on the highway (my wr250 sure as hell is) that's all the more reason to find a more scenic way everywhere, making the journey just as important as the destination.
I was actually surprised how capable my WR250 is on the highway after I switched over from a KLX 250 a few months ago. Even at highway speeds, my WR pulls past traffic very easily when I need it to. The previous owner did some performance mods to it including a full aftermarket exhaust and Power Commander V fuel tuner, so I don't know how much that has to do with it, but I'm really surprised at how quick this thing is and how wide the power band is.
@Dave Moody Mine's had all the usual airbox, full fmf and a programmer, so it's plenty spunky, but I run a bigger rear sprocket for better woods performance, so at 70 the poor thing's revved out to like 9k anyways. I could make it way happier there going back to a stock sprocket (which I tried last year, UT switched back for this summer) and tossing a more comfort focused seat on vs my narrow offroad seat (gets real uncomfortable by the time you've been sitting an hour)
Dont overthink it friends. If you really are someone looking to get their first bike get the one you really liked in the moto school when you got your license. Remember the one that felt comfortable? Yes, that one. These bikes are there for a reason. Get it, ride for a season or two, sell it, and by then you will have a good idea what you need or what you want. Thats assuming you hava a license. If you dont, go get one and dont buy anything until you do! Cheers!
Absolutely fantastic overview of the different general categories of bikes as they relate to beginner riders! This is the simple, but detailed comparison that I think a lot of people will find really helpful! I got a naked bike as my first and really enjoy it. it's stupid simple, easy to ride, confidence inspiring, and still fun. Plus yeah I think it looks pretty cool. I don't think a naked bike would really disappoint most beginner riders. I totally looked at supermotos and advs though. Priced out of the ADV space and I wasnt really into the hooligan energy of the sumo. so I went with a naked. What I love most is that you acknowledge that there really isnt a silver bullet here and that people should buy what calls to their needs and desires. Great video as always
Rode dirt bikes when I was a kid. 30 odd years later, finally got my endorsement, and I go right out and buy a husky sm610. And I LOVE that f'n bike. Longest ride thus far is 400 miles round trip. And that was a blast. Love your channel, love your content. Thanks for all you do, Mr. Spite!
I figured the supermoto was going to end up as your number one, originally born to be the perfect compromise of all types of riding. I guess I’ll have to reconsider my options.
My first bike was a CB450k6 that I picked up as a project and have not yet finished. Fast forward another project later and I decided to pick up something that wasn't a project. My "beginner" bike is a 1976 Goldwing and there is definitely a learning curve to it.
My first bike was a 1970 Kawasaki H1 triple 2-stroke. Talk about jumping in head first or thrown to the wolves. What a ridiculous choice for a "first bike"! Every bike I rode after that was a piece of cake. But to this day I remain a die hard 2-stroke fan. 😊
3 weeks in on my Trident 660. Your reviews of it on that 'other' channel convinced me and I am so frickin happy bro. Even the negative comments of having a lazy throttle are a huge positive for a new rider like me. All the best to you my friend. Keep the good content coming
I have had 2 naked bikes 150 cc and 250 cc and currently own a dual sport 200cc. When you are starting out, choose a bike which is comfortable, cheap and spares are readily available. Remember, you want a bike which removes stress from your everyday lives rather than add to it. No motorcycle is wrong. It is just a matter of starting out easy and slowly upgrading as you gain more experience slowly. Ride safe, ride well.
As a 5‘5 rider i got myself a low naked bike (cbf600na) as my first bike.. i can flatfoot it with thick boots on and I was quite fine with it. Put around 1000 miles on it. But when ob vacation in thailand i had a little rebel 300. i just fell in love with the even lower seat and super easy handling in low speed and stuff like that. When i recover from my shoulder injury i will probably switch to either a rebel 500 or vulcan 650…. I am so lokimg forward to the next spring 😍
Started just a few years ago at age 47 with a KLX250. Very few things to do during the Covid lockdown, and it was a great time to get out on the road and practice since there was very little traffic, since nobody had anywhere to go. Figured I would quickly outgrow it and move on to something bigger, but it just had so much of a fun factor and trail riding with it was perfect. I just recently switched to a WR250X. Almost the same, but I like having the supermoto wheels for the street and I have the spare dirt-style wheels with full knobbies for off-roading. For a 250, the WR has significantly more HP and torque which makes it a slightly better trail bike for me and I feel more capable on the highway for the few times I actually do get out on one. The KLX seemed to lack passing power in the higher gears when you're already at highway speed, but the WR's additional horsepower and torque makes it so I can maneuver past other traffic quickly without lingering in their blind spot. Fits easily in my small shed and is great on gas. Seat concepts aftermarket seat makes longer rides way more comfortable and a few performance mods and fuel tuner gave me a little bit more noticeable power to enjoy. The previous owner lowered it slightly and it seems to be noticeably more nimble and maneuverable for having the same weight as my previous KLX. Maybe I'll move on one day to an adventure bike but for now, this thing just keeps me smiling.
Spike. I took your advice back in 2022 and bought a kawasaki z400. Being 70 years old I love it ❤. I've been putting some ninja racing accessories on. 50 mpg top speed 120 mph. Cheap insurance. Just wìsh there was a better design wind shield. Love your views.
I'd actually consider CB500X and Vstrom as adventure bikes... not sports touring bikes... with the CB actually being a great unicorn option for beginner big dudes.
First bike I bought was a Monster 796...everything good on paper, low weight, lowish power. Besides the jerky throttle, it has been a perfect vehicle to learn on. I also bought a Z900RS and that bike used to get away from my throttle, a little too much for me
My first bike was a 2013 Yamaha Zuma 125. A year later I bought a 2023 Suzuki GSXS 750, and a broken 2004 Suzuki Intruder 800 as a project bike. I haven't found a bike I like more than my Zuma 125 and plan to ride that little scooter until it breaks in half.
I daily drove a supermoto for about 4 years. I came from dirt biking though my childhood so it was truly the best starter street bike for me. KTM 525sx modded into being a supermoto.
I started on a Honda cb250. Reasonably light and easily manageable power with comfortable riding position and excellent neutral handling. Around suburbia it was a fun bike to learn on. You had to work the gears and rev it out to go sort of fast but that made it more enjoyable. I dropped it a few times and it was generally only a brake or clutch lever or maybe a mirror that needed replacing. If you're new to riding a light bike will make life easier while you build your skills.
I bought my fiancé a CBR250 as her first bike. She had never ridden a motorcycle before, never sat on one, nothing. It’s very forgiving, it’s light, it’s got a very neutral seat/riding position which definitely makes it easier to learn on. And, while it isn’t that fast, it’s not slow either. Especially around town. The highway is manageable but definitely pushes it to it’s limit, but around town it’s a lot of fun to ride around on and for right now that’s what she needs. For the cost of about 3k, I think it’s really a great option. I’ve ridden motorcycles on and off most of my life and though I don’t ride much anymore and no longer have a bike of my own, that 250 is super fun and low stress to ride around.
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Ok thinking about first motorcycle. I would take an end goal split between current year of a BMW1250 GSA adventure bike or a Honda Africa Twin with DCT transmission. So for a starter bike before either of the other 2, a friend recommends my buying his 1993 Honda shadow 1100. I am the Swiss army type, hence the dirt/ highway type of the first two. But for starting out, I guess it could work (shadow). I live on the Pacific Northwest in the mountains. Terrain would be some gravel roads, paved 2 lanes, 4 lanes divided and interstate highways over mountain passes. Trips could be across town to a couple hundred miles at a stretch across the aforementioned road types in one trip, little of everything. By profession I am a long haul trucker, so 3,000 plus miles a week is normal. I have driven 8,9,10,12,13,and 15 speed transmissions with and without clutches, automatics/auto-shifts. Hence Honda Africa Twin with DCT, being a familiar frame of reference for transmissions. I am 6 foot, 300 lbs and wear a size 18 boots and 32 inseam. So I do not want to start with TOO SMALL OR TOO BIG of a bike and have zero interest in stunts, tricks, wheelies etc. I can watch TH-cam for that. So what would be a good bike before “graduating” to a BMW GSA1250 or an Africa Twin with DCT?
This is pretty much what I've been saying to a bunch of people who've been asking me for advice for their first bike. All I'd add is to pick a bike with a neutral riding position so it's easy to control. Get something with foot pegs that sit directly below your bum & are far enough away to feel comfortable & not cramped, and a reach to the handlebars that doesn't make you stretch to reach them. Oh, and you will drop it at some point, no matter how careful you try, so get something naked that's easy to get cheap parts for. They'll usually end up on a Ninja 400 anyway, but at least I tried to warn them.
I think a ninja 400 or similar are in the spectrum of great beginner bikes :) Yes they have fairings and will be more expensive to fix but my cbr500r is a great great starter bike and it has a few scratches and such but i still love it and think it's a good beginner bike
@@atem8101 You're absolutely correct, and as Spite said, you should start on the bike that you want to ride. But, with 3 mates who've just gotten in to motorcycling in the last 12 months & another 2 who will be doing it later this year, I've seen my fair share of used beginner bikes recently. I'm yet to find a bike with a fairing that doesn't have a number of scratches in the plastics, and some of them are real horror shows. The number of bikes that have been "dropped by the previous owner" is absolutely staggering.
I started out on dirt bikes first bike I owned was an fzr400 but used to ride 750's and kz900's all the time had a 78kz1000 for a few yrs as well but as I get older I went with the 636 plenty of power and fun to ride perfect for the street or track if you have a good back lol
Spite knows!!! I started off on a Tomos 50cc moped and an 1986 Honda Nighthawk 650 (yes, the old shaft drive ones) but now I've got a 2019 XT250 and a 2020 R3. They do everything that I need to do; they're cheap to run and maintain. I adopt a more European mindset when approaching motorcycles- utilitarian tools to get my ass to work and back, instead of fun weekend toys. Well, they're ALWAYs fun, but ya know what I mean.😎🔥
Bought my first bike in 2005, brand new klr650. Quickly bought my second bike, 2006 sv650. Kept that combination of bikes for a long time as they both satisfied my needs distinctly. Haven't been on a klr650 since 2014 but I am tempted to buy the new S version just to have something reliable and cheap to scoot around on. Currently own a duke 890 which I consider to be the spiritual successor/evolution of the sv650 type of bike.
Couldn't agree much more. Sumo/Dual sport would be on top of the list for those that aren't to short. Standard (naked)/scrambler would be a very close second. I started on a 83 Honda 550 Nighthawk for a few months, but quickly moved to an 07 FZ6 that I really consider my first bike. I love it so much I still have it 16 years later 😂. I got a Suzuki DR650 about a year ago and think it would have made a better first bike. It's versatile, fast enough and if needed can be lowered with factory built in settings. It's also a template bike like the Sportster with a huge aftermarket.
Naked bike/Sport-touring style motorcycles would be my pick if I had to start all over again. I started on the Ninja400, and three years on I'm still riding it, carving up the mountain roads. I've worked on the bike, made adjustments/improvements to make it my own and I'm glad that I did that instead of trying to get something more powerful and being scared to REALLY commit because everything about bigger bikes were so much more expensive. That's the thing people don't really tell you. They talk about the performance difference, how it feels to ride, what it sounds like, but it's rare for them to tell you what the cost of maintaining different types of motorcycles are, especially when comparing smaller displacement bikes to bigger ones. Bigger bikes just usually means everything just costs more. Wanna slip-on for your 600-1000cc sportsbike? that will cost you nearly twice as much as a one for a 400cc bike. This applies to most aftermarket components. Oh, and if you get your motorcycle serviced, most places will have tiered service fee based on displacement. Just another thing to keep in mind.
Dag nabbit, Spite. You almost had me in tears placing Dualsports that low. I've spent a minor fortune converting my '21 FE450 to a superlight ADV bike. Think Dakar-style less the rear tanks. That's not good enough for Uncle Spite?... Then you got me all giddy, because - as everyone knows - once you get a SuMo, no other bike is getting saddle time ever again. I'm currently at phase 3 of the transformation. 17" wheels and 320mm six-pots and some top-shelf rubber. All my kids are going to inherit is a garage full of take-offs and one tricked out Husky. 🙂
CRF300L Rally is a pretty good beginner ADV bike if you’re tall enough. The larger tank and the Dakar styling makes it a little unique in this space, but it is still only a 300.
Learnt on a Z650 (UK A-licence rider training), ended up with a Ninja 650 as my first bike as someone was selling a used one locally for a good price (and it's almost the same as a Z650). Your recommendations make a lot of sense though!
SuperMoto is life! That said I got an Enduro because across the road north of me is farms and rural gravel roads and south of me us all suburban dense city streets. I have fully adjustable dual adjustable front and rear suspension and because of streets I can throw 80/20 adv tires on and if they ever bulldoze the farms in the next five years to expand urban spraw which is highly likely l could then toss on 17" rims and street tires and play Super Moto life. That said I still think keeping a separate dedicated off road bike is best because the optimum engine displacement and power to weight ratio is 350cc when riding off-road / trail riding on a 4-stroke and you want all your gearing very low to delivery all that power curve under 40 mph. That is an optimal off road machine build for optimum enjoyment. Getting 450cc or tall gearing to compromise and work on streets makes for a poorer off road experience and heavy adventure bikes with taller gearing, no. There will never exist the unicorn motorcycle because of this simple fact. You want tall gearing for streets and you want low gearing for off-road. You can't get something inbetween and slap a 450cc or larger engine on and ever be truly satisfied. Stick with two bikes. 👍
my first big bike is my hornet 900 2006, in red, found out after getting her that spite also had one haha, good to know he thought the same of her as i do
Great video! You hit a home run with this one! I was a super sport guy after moving from a ninja 250 to a Ninja Zxr600. Now I am a cruiser guy. I would have died if I started on that Zxr600. Now I tour on my Harley. 😊 😊😊
i wound up on a cb300r as my first bike and love it, but the best decision i ever made was taking a course that had lots of different bikes to try out. before ever buying a bike i already had time on adv, dual sport and cruisers.
Mini bikes. Personally, for the younger and/or shorter/cash-strapped folk, I'd also toss in Mini bikes. Sure they'll only reach highway speeds by pushing the engine more than you realistically should, but they're great for city or small town commutes, light, usually cheap, and surprisingly fun even for taller riders. I'm 6'1, a little on the large side, and reguarly ride Harley-Davidson's, but I still have fun going around town on our KSR110 and would love to have our old Z50 brought back to running condition. (Also the looks I get from other people when they see a huge guy on a tiny bike is *hilarious*
First bike was a cruiser. While I don't regret it and even think it may have been the best choice for me, I think an ADV bike is the best overall style. Looking at getting an africa twin next year for that go anywhere fun and long ride comfort. Eventually I want that and a Harley road king and i'll be happier than a pig in shit
I started on a sports bike...loving it...i Don't feel confident or couldn't concentrate on lazy positions...hate naked bikes or those advs...couldn't even handle them...but oh yeah...a r3 is lkke omg...not a super sport but yeah for that committed position and am so comfy on it...went 650kms... 403 miles on it on a single stretch
I feel that the DRZ400SM is not really beginner friendly, the seat height and torquey single could be a bit too much. Honestly naked bike and beginner sports bikes is where it's at, bikes like the Yamaha MT03, Kawasaki Z300/Z400, Suzuki GSX250, Honda CB300 and their sport versions are all SUPER approachable.
Contrary to all recommendations and to what I thought I'd get, I ended up with a carburated 750 sport bike from the 80's as my starter bike. No regrets. Though I wouldn't mind it being a bit lighter. And now I'm hypocritically trying to convince my brother to start on a 2 cylinder naked. But I know he'll end up on a GSXR 750.
Damn man, I wish I saw this 3 years ago. I totally rejected the drz to start on because the seat height was intimidating as a new rider. I’ll definitely get one in the future
Mostly I'm just here to see the spicy comments.... but my first bike was a 2015 CBR650f. Still have it. Its a fun and reliable bike but I agree about the plastics. I like how it looks right up until its time to start servicing stuff.... then I start dreaming of a naked bike... Probably will get a naked at some point in the future.
I think that a second hand dualsport with a few dents and not too many miles is the best learner bike. For the first six months you will have fun on anything with two wheels so style and performance are not that important. Pick one that fits your body, a 650 for a big man, a 125 for a boy or small woman and a250 or 400 if you have a medium build. The most important thing is to be able to put your feet on the ground and be able to dominate it and not be scared to throw it around. You will learn all the survival skills you need on it and they are designed to survive being dropped which you are going to do. Practice your skills in a car park, ride around in suburbia and go play in the dirt. Do donuts, learn how to powerslide, practice doing jumps and wheelies, all these are fun on a dualsport. After six months you will be ready to move on and you can trade it in on your dream bike or just park it in the back of the shed and keep it as a fun toy.
Nice. I just got a Kawasaki KLX300SM for my first motorcycle. I love how light it is, but I definitely would prefer a larger fuel tank to hug with me legs and a second cylinder. I just don't like the vibration or sound of a single. Also, mine doesn't have ABS, which I definitely would have preferred. I didn't get the DRZ400SM because it was 1 inch too tall for me, and I didn't get a naked because the one I wanted a Honda CB300R, but someone bought the day I went to pick it up.
75hp. That’s a really good call. Much more and you start adding power management into the mix. Never heard anyone put it that way. I’m a big size appropriate guy also.
Lol my first one was a naked scrambler - cut my teeth fast on it. Only a 125cc, and that’s where I think everyone should begin (or below 250-300 at least). I then jumped to a 1250cc, 2.6 second 0-60 bike lol. I wanted an 850GSA at first, but couldn’t afford the silly finance offer.
I started with a DRZ and now have what Spite had before which is the KTM 690 SMCR. It combines the best of a supermoto such as the 450s and naked bike in one. If I only had one choice, this would be the one. I’ll I’d one more bike to my collection and I’m torn between a naked (MT09) or a sport tourer. I think I’ll go with the sport tourer, BMW S1000XR because it’s more comfy for a passenger and I still have a hooligan supermoto to balance out the “dad bike” factor that comes with it. 😂
I started with a CBR 600 in the early 2000s. I personally was signifigantly over matched. So much so it turned me off motorcycles for about twenty years. I started anew last year with an older V-Star 1100 and recently added a RE Himalayan. Its been a complete diffrent experience. If I had chosen diffrently, I would probably have never quit the first time.
Beginner motorcycles, well if you want a fully unrestricted License then you should start out on a big bike from day1. That is how it have been in most Europe countries and is so today as well. Milions of Europeans started on 750cc or even bigger bikes because the law requires it. But light and nimble bike would be nr1 recommendation, a street triple 675 is what I would say. Heck, my driving school bikes were suzuki izuma or was it isuzuma 750, zx700r(the aircooled naked one with rear monoshock), honda cb750f, honda cb1000ra and my bandit 600 mk1 when I actually took my license years later when 600cc was allowed to be used for unrestricted license in 2010 or something, before that the bike had to be 750cc and had over a certain power rate.
@@CaseyJones88 not a screamer engine. I don’t know what you’re talking about but not everybody wants to go off road.. you can’t get the same on road performance in an off-road machine.
If I had to do it all over again and start today, I would probably start on a scram 411, or a hunter 350. And yes, I'm saying that as a Royal Enfield Simp, but the price, reliability, ease of service, and accessibility to a variety of riding styles would let me figure out exactly what I wanted to do as a writer, without a huge investment, and on something that I would want to keep forever
Thank you for reminding people that weight matters in the world of beginner bikes.
Also for beginner girlfriends
Weight is really important for beginners
That's why beginner should start on an inline four 600.
Shots fired in the thumbnail! 😂
I feel him and yammy have beef. 😮😮
You mean a $14,000 Ninja 400 isn’t a good first bike? But it revs high!
My response to the thumbnail: No.
They are literally giving me what I asked for.
@@nikolaig1 Didn’t Yammie say the same thing?
@@emmettturner9452 You asked to pay $13000 for that few ponies in a almost super sport?…😂
When I first started riding one of the things that got me saddle time consistently day in and day out was the ability to carry stuff so I could justify hopping on the bike to do various things (groceries, etc) or take it on the highway to commute with it. Saddle time is the best teacher, and a more practical bike gives you far more opportunities for saddle time.
I feel like if I had a supermoto as my first bike my opportunities to actually ride for practical purposes would be severely limited and it would just end up being a weekend toy.
To me the Sport Tourer just seems like the best option. It eliminates the weaknesses of the cruiser while retaining the practicality of a bagger, and you don't have to deal with the big price or tall heavy nature of an adventure bike, which is a serous handful as a beginner.
And if I wanted to take a bike on the dirt, I think I'd far prefer just buy some cheap ass 150/250cc purpose built used dirt bike off FB marketplace for a couple grand instead of potentially beating the piss out of my nice clean street bike that is sporting street tires. I mean I get the appeal of a dual sport or supermoto for certain people, but I don't think that's what you should be learning off road riding on.... you're either going to baby the shit out of it or you going to dump it and feel way worse about it than you should.
bought my first bike last year at 51 years old. Picked the RE Meteor 350. Not fast but neither am I and loving it so far. Don't want to get sporty, or go to a racetrack or go off road.
Got my first bike at 52, after recovering from heart surgery, a 250cc cfmoto, did 11000 km in the first year, then went to a Vulcan 900, then a triumph Thunderbird storm, now riding a Valkyrie.
Congrats on the bike and welcome to the club. Good choice!
That was my first bike as well. Their 650s are great if you ever feel you need more power but not crazy amounts.
@@bishopsfishops7440 yep I’m thinking about…can’t decide between Super Meteor and Interceptor
Great choice buddy. I've had everything from 200's to 1000's . I think I've finally decided at 57, that it's funner to ride a small bike fast than a big one slow.
Spite: "Get what makes you happy."
Me: Buys 50lbs of Old Bay
May God bless you brother
@@hunterboyd1780 Nah. Sin is more fun
Hell yeah......
Don't be legendary. Be Epic.
Happy with my CB650R for my first bike
At 41 I bought my first bike last august in ‘22 and it was a low rider ST, fast forward to January ‘23 I bought a ninja 1000SX. Sit on different bikes and go with what is comfortable to you. Take the MSF course, practice and be safe. Everyone focusing on what’s the best first bike is missing the point, the best first bike is the one you bought and got you riding.
For me naked bike is perfect in terms of form , function and customization
Just got my first bike, Trident 660, and I love it. Ride about 150-200 miles per week.
My advice after reaching my second season of riding - buy something used. You don't really know yet what you like and dislike as a noob other than looks. And even that changes after some riding experience. So start cheap and figure it out on bikes that don't depreciate much.
I lost 1400 usd on my first used bike after a full year. Not too bad. I went from an 800 cc cruiser to a 1730 cc cruiser, also used.
Love the video Spite. I would disagree about the cruiser, I think a Rebel 500 or Yamaha bolt are great beginner bikes.
I started on an R3 around 2017, but gave up because it was too light and the area I live in gets very windy, so that was scary.
If you are not in a windy area those bikes are fine, but I got back into riding in 2022 and started on a yamaha bolt.
The bike was big and heavy, intimidating but only for the first 2-3 rides around the neighborhood. Once I got used to how it handled and the weight I learned on it, very forgiving, very easy to ride and put my foot down, specially being a short rider that was huge.
Once I put 1000 miles on the bolt, I jumped on an MT07, that bike felt so easy to ride after I was used to the bolt, it felt like I was ridding a bicycle.
I just got my first "real" bike and love it so much. I bought a navi 2 months ago to learn the super basics but actually riding it over 35 MPH felt super sketchy. I bought a Z400 last week and told myself if it feels the same I'm not going to get into riding. But the feel was literally a night and day difference. I was nervous hitting corners at their recommended speed limit of 30 MPH (45mph road) on the navi but with the Z400 I can fly through those same corners at 40-50 with literally 0 issue. The bike almost feels like its magnetized to the ground around corners like the g force just pulls me closer to the road where as on the navi I felt like the bike was going to slide out from under me at any second.
A thing I tell people who want to start riding is not to get wrapped around the axle about what bike they want. Get one that is affordable and in working condition. The first bike is what you use to determine what you REALLY want as a motorcyclist. Statistically you arent going to keep it for very long, so dont worry so much about it. Get a simple machine, learn on it, and then start looking at what your next bike will be. Opinions change over time and I would never recommend going into debt for a type of bike you may not actually like in the long run.
argument against the DRZ 400... CB300R.. same wheels (essentially but CB is tubeless), same weight (3lbs in it) and similar power (DRZ has 3.5hp more at the wheel) except CB comes with a slipper clutch, ABS, fuel injection, better front brakes (slightly worse rear), 31.5" seat height (but half the ground clearance), 6 speed and looks damn smexy... plus it's suspension is nothing to sneeze at, it's pretty good even if you only get pre-load on the rear... and you can absolutely toss some adv/knobby tires on it and go hit some fire-roads or logging trails... won't be particularly good at it but it can do it.
Edit: and the CB is about $1800~ give or take cheaper than the DRZ. (all prices in CAD)
Triumph Speed Twin 900 (Street Twin), great for those of us with a very short legs(27inch inseam), I fall in love a little bit more every time i ride it - never fails to put a smile on my face.
I picked up a Honda XR80R for teaching my friends and family how to ride. It's got a reasonable seat height, light weight, and low power. It's a bike just about anybody could develop foot and hand control familiarity with in an open field or on some trails in a safe environment away from cars. It's also fun and never needs to get relegated to yesteryear. There's always someone else just coming into the picture that's about to discover the joys of 2 wheels and a motor.
I was all but ready to start on a DRZ400, and then I inherited a CB500X. It's been a good beginner bike to me thus far.
My first bike was / is a cruiser and I definitely didn't regret the decision to go down that route! For anyone else who doesn't care about performance, I can't recomment cruisers enough! Great bike to start with :)
I think Bonneville style is the best. You get a bit more lean angle than a cruiser it’s comfy and it’s easy to Mount luggage without buying special bags.
Another good option in this class, if you want something just a little bit different, is Moto Guzzi V7 Stone. Beautiful and practical bike..nice and torquey for beginners and older non boy-racer types like me!😊
Lol yea truimph built almost every bike out of one.
Just remember even if a bike isn't the optimal choice it does not mean it's a bad choice
The best bike to start on hands down is a '79 Honda XL500 with basically no brakes. It taught me to ride super defensively and assertively. I had to anticipate what everyone was going to do because there was a big chance I wouldn't be able to stop in time if I didn't hahaha
I just bought an R7 for my first bike, I love it! It scares me slightly and also makes me excited to ride her at the same time.
I started back in 2006 on a ‘91 Honda Nighthawk 750 which was the “big” version of the bike I did the MSF course on. I don’t regret it, but it only lasted me about 8 ninths as I recall before I laid it down in a field and bend the handlebars pretty bad. I then got a Suzuki Bandit 1250S which served me well for 55k miles. I don’t know, at the time anything smaller didn’t seem like a real street bike… times have changed.
My first Bike is my V-Strom 650XT, i love it! It does everything and im still finding „my style“
I recently began with a naked 125cc and I’m now sure that I did the right thing.
The low weight, low power has allowed me to really learn how to properly ride (not there yet, of course).
In 3 days I’m taking my A drivers license exam and, if successful, I can ride whatever bike I want, but I think that I will not go all over my head and continue to ride and practice with my “fast” Suzuki S125! 🎉
Came back to motorcycling after 20 year break (used to ride CBR600/VFR400) and bought a 2012 SV650. Absolutely fast enough at the moment, easy to ride, if I drop it I won’t be looking at thousands to repair and it does 60mpg. Ultimately it doesn’t really matter what you start with, you can have fun on (almost) any bike.
Also, Turbo Busa next..
Oh man...I got my driving license last year (end oct) at 35. I have a ninja 1000sx, which i find it very stable on the road, but somehow, I don't have a strong click...I just bought my second motor, a rebel 1100, I can say I am in love with this machine. The power, the comfort (i still need to buy a new seat)...it is insane...how easy it feels to manouver...just LOVE this sport cruiser:)
I started on a rebel 300: a small, light, "sporty" cruiser that actually does decently well on forest roads. I learned a lot on that bike, and squeezed everything I could out of that bike. When I traded it in I got trade in value 300 less than what I paid for it with 10K miles on it.
Currently I have a sportster. I am customizing that bike into the bike I always wanted. Its a cruiser, but I can still tackle the twisties - with some upgrades - fairly well.
Lately, I have been looking at a KLR 650 so I can go off road and long distance adventures
Spite you would be proud. My first bike was a 95 vfr750. Been riding 4 years now and still my favorite that I own
+1 for the VFR club! 98 VFR800 here. amazing machine.
I was ready to argue with your #1 spot, entirely because I'm a dual sport simp, until you unveiled it, and despite needing knobbies in my life, I totally agree. And as far as being miserable on the highway (my wr250 sure as hell is) that's all the more reason to find a more scenic way everywhere, making the journey just as important as the destination.
I was actually surprised how capable my WR250 is on the highway after I switched over from a KLX 250 a few months ago. Even at highway speeds, my WR pulls past traffic very easily when I need it to. The previous owner did some performance mods to it including a full aftermarket exhaust and Power Commander V fuel tuner, so I don't know how much that has to do with it, but I'm really surprised at how quick this thing is and how wide the power band is.
@Dave Moody Mine's had all the usual airbox, full fmf and a programmer, so it's plenty spunky, but I run a bigger rear sprocket for better woods performance, so at 70 the poor thing's revved out to like 9k anyways. I could make it way happier there going back to a stock sprocket (which I tried last year, UT switched back for this summer) and tossing a more comfort focused seat on vs my narrow offroad seat (gets real uncomfortable by the time you've been sitting an hour)
@@rotorhead5000 Ah, that'll do it. We giveth to the low end and it taketh from the high.
@@davemoody9263 So sayeth Graham Jarvis (his name be praised) unto us dirt muppets. Amen
Dont overthink it friends. If you really are someone looking to get their first bike get the one you really liked in the moto school when you got your license. Remember the one that felt comfortable? Yes, that one. These bikes are there for a reason. Get it, ride for a season or two, sell it, and by then you will have a good idea what you need or what you want.
Thats assuming you hava a license. If you dont, go get one and dont buy anything until you do! Cheers!
Absolutely fantastic overview of the different general categories of bikes as they relate to beginner riders! This is the simple, but detailed comparison that I think a lot of people will find really helpful!
I got a naked bike as my first and really enjoy it. it's stupid simple, easy to ride, confidence inspiring, and still fun. Plus yeah I think it looks pretty cool. I don't think a naked bike would really disappoint most beginner riders. I totally looked at supermotos and advs though. Priced out of the ADV space and I wasnt really into the hooligan energy of the sumo. so I went with a naked.
What I love most is that you acknowledge that there really isnt a silver bullet here and that people should buy what calls to their needs and desires. Great video as always
Two Stroke!!!!!. But seriously something light and fun.
Rode dirt bikes when I was a kid. 30 odd years later, finally got my endorsement, and I go right out and buy a husky sm610. And I LOVE that f'n bike. Longest ride thus far is 400 miles round trip. And that was a blast. Love your channel, love your content. Thanks for all you do, Mr. Spite!
I still say my little 2004 honda cb600f hornet is the best purchase I've ever made.... 100hp and less than 26k miles for 2500$.... love it!!!
Get whatever makes you happy, perfect advice
I figured the supermoto was going to end up as your number one, originally born to be the perfect compromise of all types of riding. I guess I’ll have to reconsider my options.
My supermoto is my first bike and I absolutely love it! I recommend anyone gives one a try if you're even thinking about it
My first bike was a CB450k6 that I picked up as a project and have not yet finished. Fast forward another project later and I decided to pick up something that wasn't a project.
My "beginner" bike is a 1976 Goldwing and there is definitely a learning curve to it.
My first bike was a 1970 Kawasaki H1 triple 2-stroke. Talk about jumping in head first or thrown to the wolves. What a ridiculous choice for a "first bike"! Every bike I rode after that was a piece of cake. But to this day I remain a die hard 2-stroke fan. 😊
3 weeks in on my Trident 660. Your reviews of it on that 'other' channel convinced me and I am so frickin happy bro. Even the negative comments of having a lazy throttle are a huge positive for a new rider like me. All the best to you my friend. Keep the good content coming
I have had 2 naked bikes 150 cc and 250 cc and currently own a dual sport 200cc. When you are starting out, choose a bike which is comfortable, cheap and spares are readily available. Remember, you want a bike which removes stress from your everyday lives rather than add to it. No motorcycle is wrong. It is just a matter of starting out easy and slowly upgrading as you gain more experience slowly. Ride safe, ride well.
As a 5‘5 rider i got myself a low naked bike (cbf600na) as my first bike.. i can flatfoot it with thick boots on and I was quite fine with it. Put around 1000 miles on it.
But when ob vacation in thailand i had a little rebel 300. i just fell in love with the even lower seat and super easy handling in low speed and stuff like that. When i recover from my shoulder injury i will probably switch to either a rebel 500 or vulcan 650…. I am so lokimg forward to the next spring 😍
Started on my 97 VZ800 Marauder, saving up for a new CBR650R or possibly a nice used FJR1300. I just wish i would've started sooner.
Passed my test at 40 years old and my first bike is a Triumph Speed Twin 1200 big engine but so easy to ride
Started just a few years ago at age 47 with a KLX250. Very few things to do during the Covid lockdown, and it was a great time to get out on the road and practice since there was very little traffic, since nobody had anywhere to go. Figured I would quickly outgrow it and move on to something bigger, but it just had so much of a fun factor and trail riding with it was perfect. I just recently switched to a WR250X. Almost the same, but I like having the supermoto wheels for the street and I have the spare dirt-style wheels with full knobbies for off-roading. For a 250, the WR has significantly more HP and torque which makes it a slightly better trail bike for me and I feel more capable on the highway for the few times I actually do get out on one. The KLX seemed to lack passing power in the higher gears when you're already at highway speed, but the WR's additional horsepower and torque makes it so I can maneuver past other traffic quickly without lingering in their blind spot. Fits easily in my small shed and is great on gas. Seat concepts aftermarket seat makes longer rides way more comfortable and a few performance mods and fuel tuner gave me a little bit more noticeable power to enjoy. The previous owner lowered it slightly and it seems to be noticeably more nimble and maneuverable for having the same weight as my previous KLX. Maybe I'll move on one day to an adventure bike but for now, this thing just keeps me smiling.
CooL post man!!! Ride safe out there. 😉
my first street bike was an f800gs. Reliable, great off-road, relatively light.
Spike. I took your advice back in 2022 and bought a kawasaki z400. Being 70 years old I love it ❤. I've been putting some ninja racing accessories on. 50 mpg top speed 120 mph. Cheap insurance. Just wìsh there was a better design wind shield. Love your views.
What tires would you suggest to purchase for my kawasaki z400 2022 for on and off road?
I'd actually consider CB500X and Vstrom as adventure bikes... not sports touring bikes... with the CB actually being a great unicorn option for beginner big dudes.
Spites got a great talent for video making, love this channel
First bike I bought was a Monster 796...everything good on paper, low weight, lowish power. Besides the jerky throttle, it has been a perfect vehicle to learn on.
I also bought a Z900RS and that bike used to get away from my throttle, a little too much for me
My first bike was a 2013 Yamaha Zuma 125. A year later I bought a 2023 Suzuki GSXS 750, and a broken 2004 Suzuki Intruder 800 as a project bike.
I haven't found a bike I like more than my Zuma 125 and plan to ride that little scooter until it breaks in half.
I daily drove a supermoto for about 4 years. I came from dirt biking though my childhood so it was truly the best starter street bike for me.
KTM 525sx modded into being a supermoto.
My first bike was a Turbo Busa which helped me handle my dream bike, The Grom!
I started on a Honda cb250. Reasonably light and easily manageable power with comfortable riding position and excellent neutral handling. Around suburbia it was a fun bike to learn on. You had to work the gears and rev it out to go sort of fast but that made it more enjoyable. I dropped it a few times and it was generally only a brake or clutch lever or maybe a mirror that needed replacing. If you're new to riding a light bike will make life easier while you build your skills.
I bought my fiancé a CBR250 as her first bike. She had never ridden a motorcycle before, never sat on one, nothing. It’s very forgiving, it’s light, it’s got a very neutral seat/riding position which definitely makes it easier to learn on. And, while it isn’t that fast, it’s not slow either. Especially around town. The highway is manageable but definitely pushes it to it’s limit, but around town it’s a lot of fun to ride around on and for right now that’s what she needs. For the cost of about 3k, I think it’s really a great option. I’ve ridden motorcycles on and off most of my life and though I don’t ride much anymore and no longer have a bike of my own, that 250 is super fun and low stress to ride around.
I’m so glad you started your own channel! This is amazing! Please keep making videos!
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looks like the referral link isn't working. Just an FYI
Would you consider the 2023 Honda XR650L?
@@jongy100 Fixed, sorry
Ok thinking about first motorcycle. I would take an end goal split between current year of a BMW1250 GSA adventure bike or a Honda Africa Twin with DCT transmission. So for a starter bike before either of the other 2, a friend recommends my buying his 1993 Honda shadow 1100.
I am the Swiss army type, hence the dirt/ highway type of the first two. But for starting out, I guess it could work (shadow). I live on the Pacific Northwest in the mountains. Terrain would be some gravel roads, paved 2 lanes, 4 lanes divided and interstate highways over mountain passes.
Trips could be across town to a couple hundred miles at a stretch across the aforementioned road types in one trip, little of everything.
By profession I am a long haul trucker, so 3,000 plus miles a week is normal. I have driven 8,9,10,12,13,and 15 speed transmissions with and without clutches, automatics/auto-shifts. Hence Honda Africa Twin with DCT, being a familiar frame of reference for transmissions.
I am 6 foot, 300 lbs and wear a size 18 boots and 32 inseam. So I do not want to start with TOO SMALL OR TOO BIG of a bike and have zero interest in stunts, tricks, wheelies etc. I can watch TH-cam for that. So what would be a good bike before “graduating” to a BMW GSA1250 or an Africa Twin with DCT?
This is pretty much what I've been saying to a bunch of people who've been asking me for advice for their first bike. All I'd add is to pick a bike with a neutral riding position so it's easy to control. Get something with foot pegs that sit directly below your bum & are far enough away to feel comfortable & not cramped, and a reach to the handlebars that doesn't make you stretch to reach them. Oh, and you will drop it at some point, no matter how careful you try, so get something naked that's easy to get cheap parts for.
They'll usually end up on a Ninja 400 anyway, but at least I tried to warn them.
I think a ninja 400 or similar are in the spectrum of great beginner bikes :) Yes they have fairings and will be more expensive to fix but my cbr500r is a great great starter bike and it has a few scratches and such but i still love it and think it's a good beginner bike
@@atem8101 You're absolutely correct, and as Spite said, you should start on the bike that you want to ride. But, with 3 mates who've just gotten in to motorcycling in the last 12 months & another 2 who will be doing it later this year, I've seen my fair share of used beginner bikes recently. I'm yet to find a bike with a fairing that doesn't have a number of scratches in the plastics, and some of them are real horror shows. The number of bikes that have been "dropped by the previous owner" is absolutely staggering.
I started out on dirt bikes first bike I owned was an fzr400 but used to ride 750's and kz900's all the time had a 78kz1000 for a few yrs as well but as I get older I went with the 636 plenty of power and fun to ride perfect for the street or track if you have a good back lol
Spite knows!!! I started off on a Tomos 50cc moped and an 1986 Honda Nighthawk 650 (yes, the old shaft drive ones) but now I've got a 2019 XT250 and a 2020 R3. They do everything that I need to do; they're cheap to run and maintain. I adopt a more European mindset when approaching motorcycles- utilitarian tools to get my ass to work and back, instead of fun weekend toys. Well, they're ALWAYs fun, but ya know what I mean.😎🔥
I started on a klr last summer, I’d say it’s got approachable but adequate power, and it’s not cramped like the street 500’s at the msf class.
Bought my first bike in 2005, brand new klr650. Quickly bought my second bike, 2006 sv650. Kept that combination of bikes for a long time as they both satisfied my needs distinctly. Haven't been on a klr650 since 2014 but I am tempted to buy the new S version just to have something reliable and cheap to scoot around on. Currently own a duke 890 which I consider to be the spiritual successor/evolution of the sv650 type of bike.
Couldn't agree much more. Sumo/Dual sport would be on top of the list for those that aren't to short. Standard (naked)/scrambler would be a very close second.
I started on a 83 Honda 550 Nighthawk for a few months, but quickly moved to an 07 FZ6 that I really consider my first bike. I love it so much I still have it 16 years later 😂. I got a Suzuki DR650 about a year ago and think it would have made a better first bike. It's versatile, fast enough and if needed can be lowered with factory built in settings. It's also a template bike like the Sportster with a huge aftermarket.
Naked bike/Sport-touring style motorcycles would be my pick if I had to start all over again. I started on the Ninja400, and three years on I'm still riding it, carving up the mountain roads. I've worked on the bike, made adjustments/improvements to make it my own and I'm glad that I did that instead of trying to get something more powerful and being scared to REALLY commit because everything about bigger bikes were so much more expensive. That's the thing people don't really tell you. They talk about the performance difference, how it feels to ride, what it sounds like, but it's rare for them to tell you what the cost of maintaining different types of motorcycles are, especially when comparing smaller displacement bikes to bigger ones. Bigger bikes just usually means everything just costs more. Wanna slip-on for your 600-1000cc sportsbike? that will cost you nearly twice as much as a one for a 400cc bike. This applies to most aftermarket components. Oh, and if you get your motorcycle serviced, most places will have tiered service fee based on displacement. Just another thing to keep in mind.
I love my 636 first bike no regrets!!
zx4r ergos are pretty much same as the ninja 400. Very comfortable. Besides it being expensive and a tad heavy, i think it makes a great beginner bike
Agreed, maybe it’s really the price that doesn’t make it as beginner friendly. After sitting on one though I’d definitely buy it
I've been searching for a video like this for some time now. Perfect timing.
Dag nabbit, Spite. You almost had me in tears placing Dualsports that low. I've spent a minor fortune converting my '21 FE450 to a superlight ADV bike. Think Dakar-style less the rear tanks. That's not good enough for Uncle Spite?...
Then you got me all giddy, because - as everyone knows - once you get a SuMo, no other bike is getting saddle time ever again.
I'm currently at phase 3 of the transformation. 17" wheels and 320mm six-pots and some top-shelf rubber. All my kids are going to inherit is a garage full of take-offs and one tricked out Husky. 🙂
CRF300L Rally is a pretty good beginner ADV bike if you’re tall enough. The larger tank and the Dakar styling makes it a little unique in this space, but it is still only a 300.
Learnt on a Z650 (UK A-licence rider training), ended up with a Ninja 650 as my first bike as someone was selling a used one locally for a good price (and it's almost the same as a Z650). Your recommendations make a lot of sense though!
SuperMoto is life! That said I got an Enduro because across the road north of me is farms and rural gravel roads and south of me us all suburban dense city streets. I have fully adjustable dual adjustable front and rear suspension and because of streets I can throw 80/20 adv tires on and if they ever bulldoze the farms in the next five years to expand urban spraw which is highly likely l could then toss on 17" rims and street tires and play Super Moto life. That said I still think keeping a separate dedicated off road bike is best because the optimum engine displacement and power to weight ratio is 350cc when riding off-road / trail riding on a 4-stroke and you want all your gearing very low to delivery all that power curve under 40 mph. That is an optimal off road machine build for optimum enjoyment. Getting 450cc or tall gearing to compromise and work on streets makes for a poorer off road experience and heavy adventure bikes with taller gearing, no. There will never exist the unicorn motorcycle because of this simple fact. You want tall gearing for streets and you want low gearing for off-road. You can't get something inbetween and slap a 450cc or larger engine on and ever be truly satisfied. Stick with two bikes. 👍
my first big bike is my hornet 900 2006, in red, found out after getting her that spite also had one haha, good to know he thought the same of her as i do
Great video! You hit a home run with this one! I was a super sport guy after moving from a ninja 250 to a Ninja Zxr600. Now I am a cruiser guy. I would have died if I started on that Zxr600. Now I tour on my Harley. 😊 😊😊
I tried out some CF Moto motorcycles this weekend with a demo truck. I would have to say they make some pretty good feeling motorcycles.
i wound up on a cb300r as my first bike and love it, but the best decision i ever made was taking a course that had lots of different bikes to try out. before ever buying a bike i already had time on adv, dual sport and cruisers.
Mini bikes. Personally, for the younger and/or shorter/cash-strapped folk, I'd also toss in Mini bikes. Sure they'll only reach highway speeds by pushing the engine more than you realistically should, but they're great for city or small town commutes, light, usually cheap, and surprisingly fun even for taller riders.
I'm 6'1, a little on the large side, and reguarly ride Harley-Davidson's, but I still have fun going around town on our KSR110 and would love to have our old Z50 brought back to running condition. (Also the looks I get from other people when they see a huge guy on a tiny bike is *hilarious*
First bike was a cruiser. While I don't regret it and even think it may have been the best choice for me, I think an ADV bike is the best overall style. Looking at getting an africa twin next year for that go anywhere fun and long ride comfort. Eventually I want that and a Harley road king and i'll be happier than a pig in shit
I started on a sports bike...loving it...i Don't feel confident or couldn't concentrate on lazy positions...hate naked bikes or those advs...couldn't even handle them...but oh yeah...a r3 is lkke omg...not a super sport but yeah for that committed position and am so comfy on it...went 650kms... 403 miles on it on a single stretch
I learned to ride on my dads klr, first bike I bought was a drz400s. Still have it. Great/fun bikes
I feel that the DRZ400SM is not really beginner friendly, the seat height and torquey single could be a bit too much. Honestly naked bike and beginner sports bikes is where it's at, bikes like the Yamaha MT03, Kawasaki Z300/Z400, Suzuki GSX250, Honda CB300 and their sport versions are all SUPER approachable.
I bought a used 2007 Suzuki GS500F. Probably the best newbie bike ever. Wish they still made them .
Start on anything you don't mind dropping and possibly damaging. 😊
Best comment!
Just got the BSA 650 Goldstar, classic naked bike with a big mono
Contrary to all recommendations and to what I thought I'd get, I ended up with a carburated 750 sport bike from the 80's as my starter bike. No regrets. Though I wouldn't mind it being a bit lighter.
And now I'm hypocritically trying to convince my brother to start on a 2 cylinder naked. But I know he'll end up on a GSXR 750.
So things have come full circle - right back to where I started in the late 70's when all bikes were naked
Sweet Sweet Validation of my beginner bike, thank you spite very cool 😎Still have my DRZ even though i've got an SMCR
Damn man, I wish I saw this 3 years ago. I totally rejected the drz to start on because the seat height was intimidating as a new rider.
I’ll definitely get one in the future
Mostly I'm just here to see the spicy comments.... but my first bike was a 2015 CBR650f. Still have it. Its a fun and reliable bike but I agree about the plastics. I like how it looks right up until its time to start servicing stuff.... then I start dreaming of a naked bike... Probably will get a naked at some point in the future.
I think that a second hand dualsport with a few dents and not too many miles is the best learner bike. For the first six months you will have fun on anything with two wheels so style and performance are not that important.
Pick one that fits your body, a 650 for a big man, a 125 for a boy or small woman and a250 or 400 if you have a medium build.
The most important thing is to be able to put your feet on the ground and be able to dominate it and not be scared to throw it around.
You will learn all the survival skills you need on it and they are designed to survive being dropped which you are going to do. Practice your skills in a car park, ride around in suburbia and go play in the dirt.
Do donuts, learn how to powerslide, practice doing jumps and wheelies, all these are fun on a dualsport.
After six months you will be ready to move on and you can trade it in on your dream bike or just park it in the back of the shed and keep it as a fun toy.
Nice. I just got a Kawasaki KLX300SM for my first motorcycle. I love how light it is, but I definitely would prefer a larger fuel tank to hug with me legs and a second cylinder. I just don't like the vibration or sound of a single. Also, mine doesn't have ABS, which I definitely would have preferred. I didn't get the DRZ400SM because it was 1 inch too tall for me, and I didn't get a naked because the one I wanted a Honda CB300R, but someone bought the day I went to pick it up.
My first bike was a H2 R, it really helped me hone my skills to trade up to my dream bike... A Rebel 300, I mean, what more could you ask for...?
75hp. That’s a really good call. Much more and you start adding power management into the mix. Never heard anyone put it that way. I’m a big size appropriate guy also.
Lol my first one was a naked scrambler - cut my teeth fast on it. Only a 125cc, and that’s where I think everyone should begin (or below 250-300 at least). I then jumped to a 1250cc, 2.6 second 0-60 bike lol.
I wanted an 850GSA at first, but couldn’t afford the silly finance offer.
I started with a DRZ and now have what Spite had before which is the KTM 690 SMCR. It combines the best of a supermoto such as the 450s and naked bike in one. If I only had one choice, this would be the one. I’ll I’d one more bike to my collection and I’m torn between a naked (MT09) or a sport tourer. I think I’ll go with the sport tourer, BMW S1000XR because it’s more comfy for a passenger and I still have a hooligan supermoto to balance out the “dad bike” factor that comes with it. 😂
I started with a CBR 600 in the early 2000s. I personally was signifigantly over matched. So much so it turned me off motorcycles for about twenty years. I started anew last year with an older V-Star 1100 and recently added a RE Himalayan. Its been a complete diffrent experience. If I had chosen diffrently, I would probably have never quit the first time.
Beginner motorcycles, well if you want a fully unrestricted License then you should start out on a big bike from day1. That is how it have been in most Europe countries and is so today as well. Milions of Europeans started on 750cc or even bigger bikes because the law requires it. But light and nimble bike would be nr1 recommendation, a street triple 675 is what I would say.
Heck, my driving school bikes were suzuki izuma or was it isuzuma 750, zx700r(the aircooled naked one with rear monoshock), honda cb750f, honda cb1000ra and my bandit 600 mk1 when I actually took my license years later when 600cc was allowed to be used for unrestricted license in 2010 or something, before that the bike had to be 750cc and had over a certain power rate.
agree with you, something like a street fighter or sport tourer would be perfect started for the new gen
My first bike 3 years ago is what I’m still riding.. Ninja 650. Highly recommended. Fast, great mpg, good ergonomics.
Can't go off road and it has screamer engine, no thanks
@@CaseyJones88 not a screamer engine. I don’t know what you’re talking about but not everybody wants to go off road.. you can’t get the same on road performance in an off-road machine.
@@MagicCarpetRide8669 Long time, no see buddy 😂
@@CaseyJones88 It's got a parallel twin engine; which is why I opted for the CBR650R. But hey, like what you like.
@@squidlybytes a parallel twin is better around town. I would smoke you 0 to 60 no question about it.
well-thought out, concise and informative. thanks, Spite!
If I had to do it all over again and start today, I would probably start on a scram 411, or a hunter 350. And yes, I'm saying that as a Royal Enfield Simp, but the price, reliability, ease of service, and accessibility to a variety of riding styles would let me figure out exactly what I wanted to do as a writer, without a huge investment, and on something that I would want to keep forever
Think of it not as simping but rather that you're a member of a refined cult... We know the one true path, and it's through Royal Enfield
@@nickkrueger02 *raises a glass*🍷
Having owned a '21 Himalayan for 6 months, I think it's the perfect beginner bike.