Top 10 Motorcycles for New Riders - Full Licence

Now that you’ve passed your motorcycle training, it's time to get shopping for your first ‘big’ bike. As always there are a lot of choices and trying to make the right choice can seem a little tough. To help guide you on your way the RideTo team have put together a list of ten great choices for new riders.

1. Triumph Bonneville T100 - £9,100

We’re always a fan of Triumphs and the T100 is no different. The iconic parallel-twin offers that superb retro classic feel that we all love, with some modern features on top. The 900cc twin provides a nice punch of torque when you need it and the latest ride-by-wire throttle gives you an immediate throttle response. The T100 handles superbly and fills you with confidence as soon as you set off.

Quick Stats:

• Max Power: 64.1BHP (47.8KW) @7500rpm
• Engine Cooling - Liquid Cooled
• Displacement: 900 cc
• Weight: 115kg
• Fuel Consumption: 68.9 mpg
• Tank: 14.5 L
• Can be fitted with an A2 compliance kit

2. Harley Davidson Iron 883 - £ 8,895

The legendary Harley Davidson Iron 883 is a popular choice for beginners. The classic V twin, whilst not the most powerful, more than makes up for it in the low-end torque which is bound to put a smile on your face. A nice low ride position and dual shocks make this cruiser a comfortable ride. The Iron 883 also has plenty of aftermarket parts that mean you can customise these bikes and make them your own.

Quick Stats:

• Max Power: 51BHP
• Engine Cooling - Air-cooled
• Displacement: 883 cc
• Weight: 256 kg
• Fuel Consumption: 51 mpg
• Tank: 12.5 L
• Can be fitted with an A2 compliance kit

3. BMW 310 GS - £5,435

The G 310 GS is the perfect companion for discovering your city, beyond its borders and off the asphalt roads. Whilst it doesn't seem like a huge jump up from a 125cc this fantastic GS offers all the design and specs you would expect from any BMW. Thanks to the comfortable ergonomics and high-quality equipment, this bike is perfect for those longer journeys. Tipping the scales at just 158kg the GS is very light, perfect for those shorter riders. Of course, its 313cc 34bhp engine means this is a great choice for those riding with an A2 licence.

Quick Stats:

• Max Power: 34BHP @9500rpm
• Engine Cooling - Air-cooled
• Displacement: 313 cc
• Weight: 158 kg
• Fuel Consumption: 71 mpg
• Tank: 13.1 L
• A2 Compliant

Yamaha MT- 07 - £6,500

The MT-07 has been a popular choice for new riders since its launch in 2014. The slim hyper naked character makes it an approachable choice for smaller riders. The 2021 model is the third generation of the MT-07 and brings an all-new LED projector headlight, bigger front disks for more stopping power, Michelin road 5 tyres and of course the 690cc, 2-cylinder engine is fully EU5 compliant. The MT-07 is also one of the most stolen bikes of 2021, so make sure that you secure you bike properly with something like the EasyBlock Motorcycle Lock for the MT-07. This Lock is s designed for the MT-07 and allows you to lock your motorcycle very time you stop.

Quick Stats:

• Max Power: 74BHP @ 8,750 rpm
• Engine Cooling - Liquid-cooled
• Displacement: 689cc
• Weight: 184 kg
• Fuel Consumption: 53.8 mpg
• Tank: 14L
• Can be fitted with an A2 compliance kit

Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 - £ 6,099

The continental GT brings classic styling prevalent in the ’60s, taking us back to a time where cafe racers ruled. One of two 650 twins that Royal Enfield has brought to market to take on the likes of the Triumph. The retro-inspired clip-ons, bump stop seat and stripped-down racer silhouette resonates cafe culture. The air-cooled parallel twin pumps out 46.8bhp which is great amounts of fun in most scenarios and also makes the GT A2 compliant. Since launching, Royal Enfield has taken the modern classic scene by storm with the continental GT being the UK’s best selling bike in 2020.

Quick Stats:

• Max Power: 46.8BHP @ 7150rpm
• Engine Cooling - Air-cooled
• Displacement: 648cc
• Weight: 198 kg
• Fuel Consumption: 70.5 mpg
• Tank: 12.5 L
• A2 Compliant

Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 - £6,750

The smallest of the 2021 Ducati line-up, the Sixty2 is Inspired by the youth culture of skateboarding, surfing and pop music and is the most “popular” Ducati Scrambler of all time. The Italians have opted to fit this little scrambler with a Desmodromic L-twin engine but with a smaller displacement than its older siblings. Whilst not pumping out heaps of power, the Scrambler offers a nice approachable 40bhp which whilst being A2 compliant is also perfect for new riders and great around the city.

Quick Stats:

• Max Power: 40 BHP @ 8750rpm
• Engine Cooling - Air-cooled
• Displacement: 399cc
• Weight: 167 kg
• Fuel Consumption: 62 mpg
• Tank: 14 L
• A2 Compliant

Suzuki SV650 - £5,999

The ever-popular SV 650 first burst onto the scene in 1999, ever since, this iconic motorcycle has seen continual improvements and still embodies the sporty personality a lively, mid-sized V-twin roadster can deliver.

The SV puts out 71Bhp, making for a great ride and gives you enough oomph to put a smile on your face whilst not being too daunting. One of the things we love the most about the SV is how reliable they are, the build quality is superb and if for some unfortunate reason something were to fail, you’ll be pleased to know parts are readily available and at the lower end of the price range.

The SV really is a great all-rounder.

Quick Stats:

• Max Power: 71 BHP @ 8500 rpm
• Engine Cooling - Liquid-cooled
• Displacement: 650cc
• Weight: 198 kg
• Fuel Consumption: 56 mpg
• Tank: 14.5 L
• Can be fitted with an A2 compliance kit

Honda CBR650R - £7,729

We jump up into the supersport bike category with the Honda CBR650R. This high revving inline-four puts out almost 94bhp and sounds phenomenal as you crank it up through the gears. Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC) maintains rear wheel traction so you can focus on carving through those twisty. Full LED lighting, LCD display and assist/slipper clutch are just a handful of the more premium features you will find on the CBR.
The Honda CBR650R is a great choice for those looking for a sportbike that's going to be heaps of fun whilst still being manageable.

Quick Stats:

• Max Power: 93.8 BHP @ 12,000rpm
• Engine Cooling - Liquid-cooled
• Displacement: 649cc
• Weight: 208 kg
• Fuel Consumption: 48 mpg
• Tank: 15.4 L
• Can be fitted with an A2 compliance kit

Kawasaki Ninja 650 - £7,099

The Kawasaki Ninja 650 is a bike that will not only suit those new to motorcycling but has plenty to offer those that are experienced. This is a bike that will keep you interested and you will want to own for a long time to come. The Performance version comes with an Akrapovic exhaust system, a bikini screen and a colour coded seat cowl. Restriction for A2 Licence compliance is also available from the dealers.
With its new trellis style frame, twin-cylinder water-cooled engine, low seat height and distinct Ninja personality the new 650 is a stylish and practical answer to the needs of the new rider. There is also a Ninja 400 if you prefer something with a little less power.

Quick Stats:

• Max Power: 67 BHP @ 8,000rpm
• Engine Cooling - Liquid-cooled
• Displacement: 649cc
• Weight: 190 kg
• Fuel Consumption: 48 mpg
• Tank: 18 L
• Can be fitted with A2 compliance kit

KTM 390 DUKE - £4,799

The KTM 390 Duke is a great example of a motorcycle designed for the urban environment. The Duke is super lightweight at 177kg making handling easy, yet the powerful engine packs plenty of torquey punch, it guarantees a thrilling ride, whether you're fighting your way through the city or carving through the back roads.

The Duke comes with ‘KTM My Ride’ which enables you to connect your phone to the bike enabling the rider to control music as well as incoming calls without taking your hands off the bars.

Quick Stats:

• Max Power: 44 BHP
• Engine Cooling - Liquid-cooled
• Displacement: 373cc
• Weight: 177 kg
• Fuel Consumption: 67 mpg
• Tank: 13.4 L
• A2 Compliant

Whichever bike you go for, make sure you're safe, protected and looking good with the very best biker gear from our RideTo Store.