The 10 Most Reliable Motorcycles for Beginners (As of 2023)

You may be inclined to believe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but consider this: bike makers know how important someone's first motorcycle is, and almost all of them have something to offer for beginners.

And that leads us to the problem that prompted this piece. Because there are so many of them, choosing the right beginner bike may prove to be a bit tricky. There are a number of aspects to be taken into account when deciding, but we'll focus on a very important one in this article: reliability.

In a nutshell, that would be a motorcycle's quality of being something a rider can trust to operate consistently for a long period of time. Taking things a bit further, reliability can also mean a bike that eases the rider into the secrets of this trade (meaning it's easy to control and light on its wheels), and one that's not prohibitively expensive to buy and own.

The above description more or less fits a wide range of bikes from very different classes. Aside for the criteria listed above, we tried to choose the best ten of them based on things like availability, price, and public perception. You can have a look at autoevolution's list of 10 Most Reliable Beginners' Motorcycles below.

1. Husqvarna Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401

Despite most of the world's bike makers producing beginner bikes, only one of them intentionally recognizes them as such: Husqvarna.

You all know how moto companies have their own specific ways of classifying the machines they make, regardless of what is generally accepted in the industry. Although officially such a thing doesn't exist, Husqvarna is selling a couple of bikes as… Learners.

The two are the Vitpilen 401 and Svartpilen 401, both powered by a 373cc single-cylinder engine that only cranks out 37 Nm of torque. The powerplant sits in a trellis frame, in turn supported on the ground by means of WP suspension.

What sets the two bikes apart are the segments they were meant to play in. The Vitpilen was designed more like a café racer, while the Svartpilen is going for a more scrambler look. The two naked rides remain however solid choices for people in the market for a beginner bike (sorry, Learner), especially given their low prices: $5,649 for the Vitpilen and exactly the same for the Svartpilen, not including the $575 freight charge.

2. KTM 390 Duke

KTM plays about the same game as Husqvarna, so one will have to be quite informed about what each of the two European bike makers has to offer before going for one or the other. If the selection process ends with KTM as a winner, beginners have a very high chance of ending up in possession of a 390 Duke.

The bike is the perfect choice for riders who are looking for a more rugged experience thanks to the bike's compact size, nimble riding style, and potent yet forgiving engine.

The 390 Duke, together with the 125 and 250, was at the receiving end of an upgrade at the end of August 2023, meant to bring the ride into the 2024 model year. The changes have been described as the biggest for under-500 KTM bikes since 2011.

What that means, among other things, is that the engine now powering the bike is a 399cc unit fitted with improved cylinder heads and a new gearbox. Apex suspension, a tank spoiler, radiator covers, and LED lights are also thrown into the package.

The KTM 390 Duke is presently in the process of rolling out to its designated markets, but pricing for it is not known at the time of writing.

3. Ducati Scrambler

If you plan on going for something with an Italian flavor as your first bike, you can't really go wrong with Ducati. The company has been making incredible bikes since 1926, and although it specializes in more monstrous machines for experienced riders, it does have its share of perfect beginner bikes.

One that doesn't intimidate new blood as much as say the Monster (yes, riders' tastes are so varied that even the Monster is considered a good beginner bike in some circles) is the Scrambler.

Introduced in 2015 as a player in the standard class, the bike is presently offered in vibrant colors (there are nine of them to choose from), a twin-cylinder engine from the Desmodue family held in a steel trellis frame, and a revised riding position to make controlling it a breeze.

As you're reading this riders can choose from three variations of the Scrambler, namely the Icon, Full Throttle, and Nightshift. Pricing for either of them is only disclosed by dealers to potential buyers.

4. Suzuki GSX-S750Z

Just like Kawasaki, Suzuki is a name that inspires fear and respect among riders, not in small part thanks to legendary nameplates like that of the mighty Hayabusa. But before they get to ride these monsters, people must start with the likes of the GSX-S750Z.

Included by the Japanese in the street range of two-wheelers, it meets the rider's need of looking and feeling badass with the necessity of keeping them safe by not going overboard in terms of power and skill demands.

Described as a mid-size naked streetfighter, the bike uses a larger engine than what we've got in the other bikes on this list, namely 749cc. It's housed in a frame that combines attributes from street bikes and sport bikes, and comes with enough assistance systems to make using it as easy and intuitive as possible.

For the 2023 model year the Suzuki GSX-S750Z sells for $ 8,649.

5. Kawasaki Ninja 400

When someone hears the name Kawasaki spoken in a whispered voice, they immediately tend to think about the many bikes the Japanese company makes for experienced riders. I mean, not everyone can ride a bike called Ninja, right?

Well, not exactly right. The Ninja is not a motorcycle, but an entire family of them - a very large one, with 31 distinct models presently available on the bike maker's American configurator. Naturally, when discussing such a large army it's kind of common sense to assume the Ninjas have a little bit of something to offer to anyone.

Take the Ninja ZX-14R. That one is meant for people capable of handling a 1,441cc engine rated at 208 hp, and more than comfortable in hitting a top speed of 153 mph (246 kph) after paying over $15,000 for it.

At the other end of the Ninja family, the less imposing cousin, if you will, is the Ninja 400. This one is much more suited for beginners thanks to its 399cc engine, lightweight trellis frame and assistance systems it comes with.

At just $5,299 for the non-ABS version, the Kawasaki Ninja 400 checks the final box in making it one of the most alluring beginner bikes presently on the market.

6. BMW G 310 GS

As one of the largest bike makers in the world, German BMW bets heavily on beginner bikes to expand its reach into new segments of the customer base. The most highly regarded of them all are the motorcycles of the F and G families.

In fact, BMW is even running in some of its markets training programs called Rookie to Rider. For the task at hand, it uses the G 310 R, G 310 GS, F 750 GS, F850 GS, F 900 R, F 900 XR, and F 850 GSA. And it's the G 310 GS that made it into our list, not only because it matches all the criteria mentioned in the above paragraphs, but also because it's a relative newcomer to the market.

The motorcycle first came into the spotlight in 2016, when it was introduced as a sister model to the G 310 R. Put together with help from TVS Motor Company from one of the planet's largest moto markets, India, it seems to pack all it needs to be a learner's bike while also providing all the proper thrills.

The G 310 GS officially plays in the adventure segment and is powered by a four-stroke single-cylinder engine rated at just 34 hp. It comes with a beefy suspension system with seven inches of travel, and a three-gallon (11 liters) fuel tank.

The BMW G 310 GS got an update for the 2023 model year, a mostly visual one that didn't manage to bump the bike's price by much. You can have one for as little as $5,695.

7. Indian Scout Bobber Sixty

America's first motorcycle company is how Indian likes to describe itself. For many people in this world that equates to "my first motorcycle" as they choose such rides to be their companions during their initial trips.

Just like Harley, Indian makes some very impressive two-wheelers, many of them regarded as not necessarily beginner-friendly. The lineup does have plenty of models suitable for that though, including the Scout, FTR, and Chief.

The Scout in general is a perfect beginner ride, but we chose the Bobber Sixty for our list. Why? Well, because it's the only motorcycle out there that looks like a full-blown custom but remains friendly to its rider, no matter the skill level.

The bad boy holds in its frame a liquid-cooled V-Twin rated at 78 hp and tied to a five-speed transmission. A telescopic fork up front and a dual shock at the rear handle the bike's road performance.

Despite looking from the get-go like a bike that just rolled out the doors of some European custom garage, hence quite expensive, the Indian Scout Bobber Sixty sells from just $10,749.

8. Harley-Davidson Nightster

As one of the oldest and most important bike makers on the planet, Harley-Davidson is constantly in the minds of riders. In fact, I'm pretty certain (despite the lack of any study to back the following statement up) that many of those taking up motorcycling dream of owning Harleys.

The Americans have a very vast portfolio of bikes, and when it comes to newbies the most cited options are machines the likes of the Street, Iron 883, and in some extreme cases the V-Rods. We chose the Nightster for our list, not only because it is relatively new, but it also meets all the other criteria: affordable price, easy handling, low weight, just enough power…

Part of a lineup launched in 2021 with the Sportster S as a revival of a family that's been around since 1957, the model may look quite intimidating for a beginner, yet the specs speak to the opposite.

The bike is powered by a Revolution Max engine of the 975T variety, meaning it develops 90 hp and 70 ft-lb of torque. It weighs 481 pounds in running order (218 kg) and runs on a Showa front fork and dual outboard rear suspension, making it highly controllable.

Beginners can get their hands on a 2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster for as little as $13,499.

9. Royal Enfield Meteor 350

Back in 2021 Indian motorcycle maker Royal Enfield decided to bring to U.S. shores a model that at first glance looks simply perfect for beginner riders: the Meteor 350. Americans seem to think so too, as two years later the model is still alive and kicking on the local market.

Styled like a bike from decades ago (that's part of the Royal Enfield charm, after all), the ride relies on a 349cc engine installed in a twin downtube spine frame, and capable of developing 20 hp – not a breathtaking amount of power, but more than enough to keep people going around the city for as long as the almost 4-gallon (15 liters) tank allows.

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is available in ten variants (with the color of the fuel tank playing an important role in setting them apart), with prices starting at just $4,699.

10. Honda Super Cub

Many of us go into motorcycling with a clear idea in our heads: look and feel badass on a two-wheeled monster that's totally under our control. But for many others, who also use motorcycles for their daily dealings, the Super Cub is the perfect choice.

The motorcycle is the least spectacular of this entire list, and probably some of you will even have trouble classifying this as a proper bike. As an underbone, it's more of a scooter that has the disadvantage of looking very retro too – not something riders chasing speed and acknowledgment would go for.

But believe it or not the Super Cub is the most produced motor vehicle (that means cars, too) humanity has ever known, with over 100 million units assembled and sold since its introduction in 1958. Talk about reliability…

As it's offered today, in Super Cub C125 guise, the model is powered by a 124cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine tied to a four-speed transmission. The suspension is at the bare minimum, a telescopic fork at the front and two shocks at the rear.

On top of all of the above making the Super Cub a perfect beginner ride comes the thing's cost: at $3,899, it's not only the cheapest on our list, but probably the cheapest worthwhile motorcycle anywhere.

Bonus: Can-Am Origin and Can-Am Pulse
We throw this in as a sort of bonus entry. We initially planned to include in our list one of the Can-Am trikes presently on the market, because really, riding doesn't get any easier than doing it on three wheels. We then remembered the company is planning a return to the motorcycle market in 2024 with not one, but two bikes: the Origin and Pulse.

Both are electric bikes, making them ideal for use in the hands of newbies (among other things, there is no clutch in an electric bike, so the learning curve is not that steep). Their exact specs are not known at the moment, but as usual when it comes to products coming from one of the Bombardier Recreational Products companies, we expect nothing but the best.

We do know that whatever powertrain will be thrown in there it will be controlled by means of an automatic transmission, making operating it even easier. Price-wise, both of them will likely qualify for tax credits, making them affordable too.

So there you have it, autoevolution's list of best beginner bikes for 2023. Like all other lists of this kind, it's a mostly subjective one, because riders themselves, no matter their skill level, are subjective in their choices too.

It may very well be that some of you, even if you are beginners, will consider the bikes above too toned-down for their taste. Others would have probably chosen some other Suzuki or Indian or BMW, based on factors unique to each of you. We'd love to hear about your choice, so don't hesitate to let us know.