Honda CB1100EX
Just because you’re a new rider doesn’t mean you need an underpowered bike, right? Honda has a machine that’s fantastic for beginners who aren’t what you’d call small in stature and has a little extra oomph. The Honda CB1100 EX is a standard motorcycle with basic options, and it’s perfect for a bigger rookie rider.
An 1140cc transversely-mounted four-cylinder engine tucks low into the frame and is balanced perfectly. That’s important for new riders, because it eliminates that standstill, tip-over risk. At 540 pounds, it’s not the lightest bike either, but it’s not hard to control. The seat height is a tall 31.2 inches – once again, a good beginner bike for the larger rider. Standard ABS and triple disc brakes are certainly welcome for the Honda CB1100EX to add safety for a new rider.
Suzuki GSX250R
Beginner bikes should still be fun to ride, and that’s what the Suzuki GSX250R is all about. It’s part of Suzuki’s Katana family, so it has the fully-faired sides and the sport bike appearance. Absent, though, is the indescribable power that Suzuki offers on the big sport bikes that would get new riders into hot water.
The parallel-twin two-cylinder engine is ultra-efficient, at up to 76mpg, as well as modestly enjoyable to ride. The Katana design is forward-leaning, which is a draw for many of the go-fast enthusiasts, but your body position isn’t nearly as aggressive as the GSX-R series.
The seat height is still rather tall at 31.1 inches, but at 392 pounds, it’s easier to handle than many other beginner bikes. Honestly, though, the Suzuki GSX250R is all about getting a beginner bike that looks like the ones the expert riders play with.
Honda Gold Wing
You might not think of the Honda Gold Wing as a beginner motorcycle, but a huge number of new riders are retired people who want a new hobby, and want to travel. This makes the 2018 Honda Gold Wing is the perfect bike.
Sure, it has a monster 1833cc six-cylinder engine, but being horizontally-opposed smooths it out. Control is actually quite impressive because the transmission has reverse on the manual gearbox, and walking mode on the automatic dual-clutch transmission. Did I just say ‘automatic transmission’? Yup, and that’s one of the things that makes the Honda Gold Wing so great for beginners.
Ride two-up on the Gold Wing easily, and there’s storage for overnighters in luggage compartments. The 2018 Honda Gold Wing is more stylish and even has Apple CarPlay integrated into the LCD screen in the cluster. Cruise control, a stereo, Bluetooth – you name it, the Gold Wing has it for the beginner touring bike.
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