Beginner motorcycle riders may find some of the largest touring bikes to be too big and intimidating, however, that does not mean beginner riders cannot buy a touring bike or take off on a long trip. Instead, they need to work their way up to those massive touring machines. Starting smaller, lighter, and with less power enables them to practice their skills and gain confidence. Then, when they are ready, they can upgrade to a larger and more powerful motorcycle. These 10 bikes are perfect for first-timers because they have the right amount of power, storage, and comfort.
Updated March 2023: Every year, manufacturers release new motorcycle models. In order to keep our readers well-informed, we will periodically update this article with all the latest information available to us.
10 Honda CB500X
Honda is in the business of getting new riders to sign up for the motorcycle life. As such, over their many years in the industry, they've developed quite a few very successful beginner motorcycles. For those new riders familiar with Honda and their welcoming reputation, the CB500X is the perfect choice to start their new life as motorcycle travelers. There's nothing overtly exotic or even exciting about the CB500X and that's the point.
It's there to teach you how to ride for long distances, like a perfect coach. It won't punish you, if your throttle hand gets away from you. There are anti-lock brakes to save you when the inevitable rain hits out of nowhere. It's light and nibble, which allows for a spirited ride down any street. The TFT is a no-frills affair, with all the basic readouts you'll ever need on your trip. The tall windshield will keep the wind off you, and if you decide to bring a passenger with you, the bike includes handholds for them as well.
9 Kawasaki Versys 300
The Versys is relatively new on the touring scene, but it has already made a big impact. The 296cc liquid-cooled flat-winged engine gives the bike plenty of power and stays true to Kawasaki’s roots as a sport bike manufacturer. However, because it is tuned for the Versys and is smaller in size, beginners don’t have to worry about the engine overpowering their abilities. One drawback of this bike is the tall seat height. Shorter riders will struggle to get their feet on the ground while riding this bike.
8 Kawasaki Z650RS
The Z650RS is a standard motorcycle. The type of Swiss army knife that used to be ubiquitous in the 1970s and 80s, made for people who just want that one bike. That's all they need. And for beginners looking for a do-it-all motorcycle, the buck stops here. Its neutral seating position and comfortable seat are perfect for just about any style of riding (though maybe think twice before taking it off-road).
Want to commute to work every day? Here's the Z650RS. Want to ride off on a week-long vacation trip? Kawasaki has got your back with the Z650RS. It's a beautifully retro and lightweight, it is also tame and exciting at all once. The parallel twin is smooth and responsive, with plenty of torque on tap. And if you do decide to go on a longer trip, there are plenty of accessories and luggage options from Kawasaki or the aftermarket.
7 Triumph Tiger 660
This sport roadster is tailor-made for beginners that love the look and feel of Triumph's Triple hotshot, the Trident, but want something more practical for longer rides. It's comparatively smaller, but not all beginners can confidently say they are ready to commit to buying a larger touring motorcycle. The Triumph Tiger 660 lets beginners dip their toes into the world of touring without buying a bike that’s as intimidating as the BMW R 1250 GS.
Without the luggage, the bike looks clean and sporty, ready for a day on the curves or a ride through the city. Add the luggage, and you have a bike that’s ready for a long-distance ride. Should you decide you like touring, plenty of other accessories are available, such as additional lighting and heated grips.
6 Royal Enfield Classic 350
On the surface, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 may seem like an odd choice for a first touring motorcycle. But hear us out. One, it's comfortable. And two, it's $4,699. No, it won't win any races, but that's not really what you need when you're touring, anyway. And make no mistake, this gorgeously styled retro has everything you'll need for a proper getaway, provided you stick mostly to local roads.
Its 350cc single thumper produces just 20 hp and 19 lbs-ft of torque. That's pretty tame. But if you just got out of your motorcycle riding class, and your driver's license is still warm from the DMV printer, this machine will be more than enough. It'll be the perfect partner to usher you into the new world of motorcycle touring.
5 CFMoto 650 Adventura
This decade will prove to be the dawning of a new power player in the world of motorcycles. China has made great strides into the market and perhaps no one is more successful at it than CFMoto. And with the introduction of the 650 Adventura, CFMoto has fired its first shot at the ADV touring market. But is it better than its more seasoned competitors?
Time will only tell, though from what we've seen so far, the Adventura has all the makings of a proper beginner touring motorcycle. It's a relatively inexpensive, middleweight bike, that's comfortable on longer rides and has some nifty premium features like a TFT display with Bluetooth connection, hard panniers and an adjustable windshield. This is the perfect motorcycle to train yourself on while commuting or taking that long weekend getaway with your buddies.
4 Benelli TRK502X
The other Chinese manufacturer that's ready to tackle the beginner riding world is Benelli, a former Italian brand that was bought by a Chinese company not so long ago. And while the motorcycles are produced in China, they're still designed in Italy. One of those bikes is the TRK502X, and if the CFMoto Adventura is going after the Triumph Tiger, the TRK502X has BMW in its sights.
It is a modern, comfortable, road-biased touring motorcycle with similar features to the Adventura. And though the CFMoto bike has a bigger engine, the Benelli is lighter and more nimble. But the bottom line is that it just might come down to looks between these two motorcycles. And for newer riders looking for a little bit of that Italian flare, Benelli may be the right choice.
3 BMW F 750 GS
For the slightly more experience new rider, that has a bit of loose change in their pocket, this middleweight BMW is going to look real attractive. The GS line of BMWs goes a long way back. The German manufacturer knows what they're doing by now. The F 750 GS is a real premium choice for riders starting to make their way out into the world. It's got some real get-up-and-go in its two cylinder 853cc engine.
It is purpose-built for long range, road-biased riding. The seat is comfortable and fairly low to the ground at 32.1 inches. But the cool part is that BMW can provide a suspension lowering kit and low seat, which can bring down the height as low as 30.3 inches. That's perfect for letting beginners have their feet firmly planted at traffic stops, especially since it's a little on the heavier side at 493 lbs (wet). There are some great premium rider aides included as well, such as dynamic traction control, ABS, rider modes and adjustable brake and clutch levers.
2 Suzuki V-Strom 650
Don't let its boring reputation fool you. The Suzuki V-Strom 650 adventure touring bike is perfect for beginners and experienced riders alike, its tall stance and large wheels make it perfect for riding on the road and in the dirt. The 650cc parallel-twin engine is just the right amount of power for beginners. Although, the V-Strom is heavier than comparable bikes. Suzuki is known for producing reliable bikes, which makes this one a good choice. While there is a smaller 250cc model, it won’t perform as well on the highway because it lacks the necessary power.
1 Honda NC750X
Not much is ever written about the NC750X. It is quite often, a forgotten, distant choice for motorcycle riders. And that's a real shame because its low price, plush ride and automatic dual-clutch transmission makes it the ideal beginner touring bike. It's so easy to ride, that it almost feels as if Honda built it specifically to induce confidence in new riders looking to explore the world.
It's comfortable, has several riding modes, comes with an integrated storage compartment, has a windshield and a low seat height. For those new riders who are desperate to get into motorcycles, but are still struggling with manual transmissions, taller seats and heavy bikes, the Honda NC750X may be the perfect answer to all their traveling dreams.