How to choose your first motorcycle: quick beginner’s guide

If you are reading this, you are probably looking for your first motorcycle. Congratulations and… welcome to the struggle, because the research phase is its own kind of suffering. You've watched hours of reviews, read tons of forums, built and rebuilt the shortlist, and you're still somehow less decided than when you started. The wrong choice, the wasted money, the bike you’ll regret six months in – it all starts feeling very real. It is not just you. We've all been there and we know exactly how tiring it can be. This beginner motorcycle buying guide cuts through the noise and gives you a sensible way to choose your first bike without losing your mind in the process. 

What type of bike calls to you?

The first question here is, “What motorcycle has inspired me to have one of my own?” What is this two-wheeler that deep down in your heart you imagine yourself riding? After reading tons of tips on the best first motorcycle for beginners you will eventually go for one that you simply like. Ultimately, you want to get something you look back at and think “Yeah, that thing is awesome.” 
Now, you don't have to commit to this style of bike forever. But if something in particular catches your eye, whether it be a sports bike or maybe the cruisers that your mates or your dad rides, that's a good place to start.
 

Some of the most common and popular motorcycle styles are: 

• Naked bikes or streetfighters
• Sportbikes
• Cruisers 
• Touring adventure (ADV) models
• Dual sport
• Enduro and motocross 

This is a very rough categorization since each category usually has some subdivisions in it, but for general understating this is more than enough. Not all styles offer beginner friendly motorcycles. Some are just not meant for newcomers (supersport models and heavy cruisers).
Whatever that is, find your calling and you will find the bike that brings you joy every day.

What will you do with it and where will you ride it?

So, what motorcycle should a beginner buy? The first thing you have to ask yourself before you even think about what brand or size you want is how you are actually going to use it? Are you going to be commuting on it every day? Is it just going to be a weekend ride? Or do you want to maybe try and do some more adventurous things and even go off-road?

And it's okay not to really have a clear idea on this yet. But if you have a general idea about it, it'll help us narrow the choice down to several models. Indeed, there is no point in buying a track-focused sport bike or an off-road adventure bike if you're just going to be commuting every day in traffic.

We highly recommend getting something that's a little more of a general purpose or general use, mostly because you don't know what kind of riding you want to do yet. 
You might think you want to have some super fast sport bike. But maybe you actually find out that you like the off-road side of things more, or maybe you’ll find that you just want to ride a little slower and in a more classic style. So, your purpose should be considered among the first things.

What's your budget?

The next question is what are you willing to spend on your first motorcycle and how are you going to pay for it. Are you planning to buy the whole thing outright or are you going to be financing? Because if you're paying cash, make sure that you have money aside for insurance and gear. On the flip side, if you're financing, make sure that you understand all of the fees and extras involved. And it's very easy to get yourself a bigger bike than you need to when going this route. So, try to stay within your means and not go for something that's big and shiny.

All in all, there are three ways you can deal with financing your purchase.

• Decide whether you are ready to take a loan or take up payments in installments. Many dealers offer such financing options, and they are perfectly viable if you have a steady income.
• Put aside some cash and keep monitoring the market. In general, you should budget somewhere between $4,000 to $6,000, and you can get a great first motorcycle. Additionally, you can find good deals for as low as $2,000 to $3,000 on marketplaces and classifieds in your region.
• Consider pre-owned motorcycles although these ones come with some risks. Buying a used bike from the last 10 years or so is going to be a big bet because you can never know how it was used. If you manage to find something with lower mileage, that can be a good fit.

Also, do not forget about factoring in a sum for protective gear. The absolute minimum is going to be a helmet, jacket, boots, gloves, and, of course, you want to pay for a decent quality set, which can easily run over $1,000. Then you're going to be all set and safe to go.

What technical specs to look for in your first motorcycle?

This is where things are getting more practical. We have outlined a basic first motorcycle checklist and some general best practices you want to stick to but you can adjust them to your particular situation.

Engine size and power

For your first bike, engine size does matter but not in the way that most people think. You don't need a massive engine to have fun. In fact, we believe that best beginner motorcycles should be between 300 to 500 cc. They'll be powerful enough to learn on, but forgiving enough to be able to build confidence. 
Ideally, you’d want to stick to something like 500 cc or below with two cylinders or less. A good beginner bike should have around 75 horsepower which is usually a pretty good benchmark. You don't want to get a 120-horsepower rocket ship as your first motorcycle as it's just going to be hard and even dangerous for you to use. 
As for cylinder setup, two cylinders or less means you shouldn't be getting anything that's a 600 cc 4-cylinder sports bike because such setups are way too powerful for a beginner, and it also means that something like a 600 cc parallel-twin could not be operated correctly by a beginner.

Motorcycle weight and height

Lightweight motorcycles for beginners are always better than heavyweight models. You have the ease of riding and the ease of putting your foot down without tipping over. Pick something that weighs 250 kg or less. Ideally, the 160 to 180 kg range is great for a beginner bike.

Lower seat heights tend to be better for beginners as well. If you can sit on your bike easily and comfortably and flatfoot it on either side, that's going to help you build confidence more than a bike where you're struggling or tiptoeing the floor. The best way to check that is to go to a dealership, sit on a few bikes, and see what fits you. Try to find something with a seat height of 760 mm or less as well.

Of course, it depends on your build. If you have really long legs, seat height may not matter as much to you. And if you are a larger rider, you might want to move up to something a bit more substantial. For those of you who are around 193 cm tall and 113 kg or more, we would recommend getting a dual-sport or an adventure bike in the 600cc category, as those bikes are more substantial and you are likely to feel more comfortable riding them.

We also do not recommend getting something super niche or specialized like sporty off-road models with too high seating. Get a motorcycle that is more general-purpose because you do not know what kind of riding you want to do yet.

Safety features 

In our opinion, ABS is a must, especially while you are still getting used to the feeling of braking on a motorcycle. The anti-lock braking system is one of the most important safety features. Do you know what one of the most common beginner mistakes is? In an emergency, the rider panics, grabs the brakes too hard, locks the wheels, starts sliding, and falls. After that, it all comes down to luck. ABS helps prevent exactly this kind of situation. In fact, in both the US and Europe, the sale of heavier motorcycles without this system has increasingly been restricted. 
The most reliable way to check the ABS system on a new bike is to take it to a motorcycle service centre, where the bike can be inspected on a proper lift.
If the model has traction control, that is even better. Do not let anyone shame you for using technology that helps keep you safe.

How to check a motorcycle before buying

Here is another practical part on how to choose your first motorcycle. If you are buying a new one, do not look only at the bike itself. Look at the seller too. A good dealer will set everything up, check the bike, and hand it over in perfect condition. A careless one can still sell you something with issues, even in a showroom. So first, make sure the dealer is trustworthy. Read reviews. Ask your friends around.

Here is your first motorcycle checklist: 

• Choose a trusted dealer.
• Check the papers and warranty.
• Sit on the bike and test the fit.
• Make sure all functions work.
• Confirm the bike was inspected before handover.
• If you are buying a used bike, bring an experienced friend with you or go to a service centre. And do not fall for lines like, “Brother, it’s perfect.” Check the papers. Check the mileage. Listen to the engine.
• Most importantly, ride the motorcycle before you buy it. That is how you will really understand whether it is right for you or not. If the specs look good and your heart says yes, go for it.

Final thoughts and takeaways

We do believe that you should choose a motorcycle with your heart. But your head should stay in the game too. If there is one of the most valuable tips for beginner motorcycle riders, it is this: do not rush the decision.

✅ Start simple.
✅ Do not chase power.
✅ Spend money on riding gear. You will need it.
✅ And always take a test ride before buying. Feel your future steel companion.

If you need help choosing your first motorcycle and testing it out, visit the closest Sharmax showroom. Our professional team will show you the options, explain the details, and let you sit on the bike and rev it a little so that you can get the real feel of the machine in action.