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RideApart Names The 10 Best Motorcycles For New Riders And The Top Choices Are All At Centennial Auto-Sport & Tire

Jan. 26 2022 News By Centennial Auto-Sport & Tire

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Whether you're young, middle-aged, or older, becoming a motorcycle rider doesn't usually go hand-in-hand with buying a heavy high-powered bike. Most riders choose to start off with something a bit more straightforward than a Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP or a KTM 1290 Super Adventure S. 

Choosing a first motorcycle that doesn't intimidate is the wise choice for all kinds of reasons:

  • you can trade-in or sell when the time comes to upgrade
  • a smaller-engined motorcycle should help save on insurance costs
  • smaller-engined bikes are often linked with lower seat height that takes the pressure off low-speed maneuvering 
  • spending a relatively small amount of money on motorcycles when you're a new rider will help you learn more about the kind of motorcycling activities you enjoy most before making a larger investment

So, where do you start? What are your best options for a first-timer's new motorcycle in 2022? Ask the experts at RideApart. They just compiled a list of the 10 Best Motorcycles For Beginners In 2022, and all of the top bikes are actually motorcycles we sell at Centennial Auto-Sport & Tire. You can read RideApart's rankings here, or scroll down to see the reasons we believe these machines are so well-suited to new and experienced riders.

HONDA NAVI

What does RideApart say? "Grom-inspired styling, playful colorways, and a bevy of customization options show beginners that bikes can also be a form of personal expression."

Why Is It Perfect For New Riders?

  • It's ridiculously affordable. Pricing starts at just $2,299.
  • An automatic transmission means you don't need to worry about learning to shift on your first bike.
  • There's good power. There are plenty of perfectly usable 50cc bikes – Honda makes a few good ones of its own – but the Navi's 109cc single-cylinder provides some extra punch.

Why Does It Work For Experienced Riders?

  • Honda's top priority with the Navi? Make it reliable. It's full of proven components.
  • The low 30-inch seat height makes it ideal for riders of all sizes.
  • There's a lockable storage box below the fuel tank that's actually removable.

YAMAHA MT-03

What does RideApart say? "It's small, it's nimble, it's good at fuel economy – all things most commuters like in a bike they're riding to work or school every day."

Why Is It Perfect For New Riders?

  • Sold at Centennial Auto-Sport & Tire in Charlottetown, the MT-03 is a quick naked bike with the spirit of the MT-09 at an exciting $5,899 price point.
  • With a low 30.7-inch seat height, it's easy to get accustomed to this sporty bike.
  • The more upright seating position of a naked bike (compared with a traditional sport bike) is much easier on the body.

Why Does It Work For Experienced Riders?

  • The MT-03's 321-cc engine is a twin-cylinder with great torque for all driving scenarios. 
  • Front suspension on the MT-03 is an inverted KYB fork – it's solid, stable, and nimble.
  • ABS is standard equipment on the MT-03, so you can really stand on the brakes and stay safe without locking up.

KTM 390 ADVENTURE

What does RideApart say? "For those that lust for a life on the unbeaten path, KTM's 390 Adventure is the perfect gateway to the world of adventure bikes."

Why Is It Perfect For New Riders?

  • In the realm of adventure bikes, the 390's 33.6-inch seat height is geared toward, well, just about anybody.
  • This is Prince Edward Island – you want one bike that can tackle signature dirt roads and the pavement.
  • KTM's 390 range is renowned for superior comfort. The ergonomics are spot-on, from the angle of the bars to the cushion of the seat to the height of the foot pegs.

Why Does It Work For Experienced Riders?

  • In a world of wildly costly and complicated adventure bikes, the 390 Adventure's $7,449 price is more than welcome.
  • You never thought a 373cc single could punch like this, but KTM is a master at squeezing at more, more, more horsepower.
  • As your skill level increases, the 390 Adventure proves that it has the breadth of talent to support that. There's a slipper clutch, Bosch off-road ABS mode, and WP APEX suspension.

SUZUKI DRZ400S

What does RideApart say? "It's a classic in the dual-sport space for a reason, and plenty of riders speak its name fondly because it's quite good at its job."

Why Is It Perfect For New Riders?

  • This is a proven platform. Nobody can predict sheer perfection in reliability, but the DRZ400S is widely regarded to be as tough as nails.
  • It's a capable dirt bike designed to handle on-road use, so it's ideal for new riders who want to split their riding time.
  • It's highly customizable. The aftermarket community for the DRZ400S and DRZ400SM (different suspension/wheels/tires) has been huge for more than a decade in part because the core bike is such an affordable ($7,799) all-around machine.

Why Does It Work For Experienced Riders?

  • If there's any component on the DRZ400S you'd like to improve, you can do so affordably. 
  • The 400cc engine is more than capable of handling highway speeds, but there's lots of torque to lug you through a woods trail.
  • There's a nostalgic appeal to the DRZ. It's simple, straightforward, honest, and authentic. It's meant to be ridden and ridden hard.

HONDA REBEL 500 ABS

What does RideApart say? "The combination of that extremely friendly low seat height and curb weight that's just a hair over 400 pounds is incredibly confidence-inspiring."

Why Is It Perfect For New Riders?

  • The simple fact that you can latch onto a comfortable, easy-to-ride cruiser for $7,999 is crazy.
  • The Rebel's 27.2-inch seat height is perfect for smaller riders who want to flat foot with both feet at every intersection. 
  • Let's be honest: you want your first bike to look cool. The Rebel's round LED headlamp, chunky back tire, and the blacked-out components are nothing if not cool.

Why Does It Work For Experienced Riders?

  • The Rebel takes its 471cc twin-cylinder engine from the CBR500R sport bike. Open up the taps and there's plenty of pop to make some magic.
  • The Rebel 500 is meant to be fun. Part of the fun for many motorcycle riders is shifting. Not only does the Rebel 500's slipper clutch prevent rear-wheel lockup when downshifting, clutch lever effort is reduced by 30%.
  • Want your Rebel 500 to feel different? The rear twin shock absorbers offer five steps of pre-load adjustment.