BMW G 310 R
It’s a unique combination of a sport bike, naked bike, and a little bit vintage. The BMW G 310 R has appeal across a few genres, and at a fantastic price point too. The ride is more upright than most sport bikes, but the 313cc single-cylinder with 34 horsepower feels much more powerful than you’d expect.
ABS brakes are standard equipment, and the bike weighs in at just 350 pounds including a full tank of fuel. The standard seat height is 30.9 inches, but a higher and lower option can be bought to give it just the right feel for you.
Triumph Bonneville Bobber
It’s another odd entry for beginner bikes, but not all beginners need a low-displacement engine. Perhaps you want a custom look but don’t have the experience to do it yourself. The Bonneville Bobber is great because it’s got the look you want in an exquisitely-developed package. It’s got that minimalist appearance and basic equipment, but no one will notice when they’re admiring your bike.
It’s built with a 1200cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine with 76hp, and that’s going to be fun. The seat is slung relatively low at 27.1 inches, but it looks super cool suspended above the chassis. The riding position is a little forward, and combined with its low position it handles and turns like a dream. Of course, it’s built with standard ABS and traction control, which are both important features for a powerful beginner bike.
Harley Davidson Freewheeler
It’s a clever name that plays off the term ‘three-wheeler.’ The 2018 HD Freewheeler might also be referred to as ‘an abomination’ by some motorcycling enthusiasts, but the fact remains that it’s a solid choice for entering the open-air cycling scene.
Because there’s no need to balance the Freewheeler on two wheels, the weight doesn’t matter. Good thing too, as the HD Freewheeler tips the scale at over 1,100 pounds with fluids. That extra wheel means that it’s nearly impossible to drop, too, though we’re sure that someone has managed it. The Milwaukee-Eight 107 is a massive 107 cubic-inch engine for a beginner bike, but it’s tamed down by the weight, and a very smooth six-speed manual gearbox.
The biggest challenge you’ll face with the Harley Davidson Freewheeler as a beginner rider has nothing to do with control. Instead, it’s acceptance as a biker from those who don’t consider a trike as a true motorcycle. Oh, and it costs twice as much (or more) than most of the other beginner bikes we’ve discussed so far.
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