Best motorcycles for beginners 2019

The best beginner motorcycles you can buy in 2019. We've rounded up some absolute stunners for all budgets.

Honda CB125R YM18 5001.jpg

There are some cracking learner-legal beginner motorcycles to buy right now, including the Honda CB125R, Yamaha MT 125 and the outstanding Kawasaki ZX125 Ninja and Z125.

Here are our five best beginner motorcycles you can buy in 2019.

 

1. Kawasaki Z 125 

After riding this fun beginner machine at the launch in Malaga, I was stunned by its edgy aggressive style and sports bike like handling. 

This small capacity green machine handles like a dream, all thanks to its Ninja H2 derived trellis frame and sporty geometry. Plus, the Z125’s smooth throttle is perfect for any newbie, and the responsiveness of the Z massively helps develop rider confidence. 

For these reasons, the Z125  is the number one bike to start your motorcycling journey on. 

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2. Honda CB125 R 

The smallest bike in the CB series, and mimicking the looks of the big daddy CB 1000R Neo Sports Cafe, the CB125 R has all the muscle and bark, without the bite.

For those of you who have an A2 license, there’s also a pokier CB300 R available - which looks just as awesome.   

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3. KTM 390 Duke 

This is another cracker of a motorcycle for A2 Licence holders. The KTM 390 Duke carries the same attitude as the beastly 1290 Super Duke R, just without all the mind-bending speed. 

Hop on this nimble 43HP ‘corner rocket’ and you’ll be sure to have an absolute blast. 

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4. Suzuki GSX-S 125 

Not since the 1990s has Suzuki stepped into the 125cc motorcycle market, but we’re so glad they did, as the GSX-S 125 is a proper lark. 

Suzuki has created a fun, practical and well-priced machine, that in the right hands can get a real hustle on - thanks to its sporty GSXR DNA.

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5. Yamaha MT 125 

‘Don’t be afraid of the dark’ and don’t be afraid of the MT 125! Yamaha mixed up the naked market with the introduction of the Hypernaked MT-09 in 2014. And now the compact MT125 completes the range of Yamaha MT models. 

Find out more.

What was your first bike? Tell us in the comments below.