We all started somewhere, most likely pounding an old crock round and round a field with friends. But, eventually, we have to go legal and get onto the road, which means a motorcycle that is as legal as we are, but which is usually out of necessity, a small-displacement bike.

Luckily, the manufacturers also realize that every rider has to start somewhere and so there are some pretty amazing bikes out there that are not only perfect for beginners but which also offer enough ability and fun to keep even experienced riders satisfied. Of all these, it could be argued that a naked bike is the easiest and best motorcycle for a beginner to start his or her riding career. Luckily, there are a lot to choose from.

Updated August 2023: The naked standard motorcycle continues to be as popular today as it ever was. Their comfortable ergonomics, reasonable price and fun engines are some of the reasons why beginners gravitate to them. And to keep our readers up to speed on all the latest models, updates and developments, this article will be periodically updated.

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14 Aprilia Tuono 660

Starting MSRP: $10,499

Not many people saw this coming. Aprilia is best known for its scooters and large, hairy, sports bikes such as the RSV4 but the naked Tuono 660 is an excellent attempt to bring Italian sport bike flair and engineering to a wider audience. 100 horsepower and 49 foot pounds of torque from the 659cc parallel twin in a 403-pound (dry) package makes for very exciting performance, which the chassis is more than capable of handling with style and athleticism.

Performance Specs

Having said that, it can be as docile as you need it to be, and it is just such a confidence-boosting and educating motorcycle to ride if you are new to two wheels. As good as this is for beginners, this is also an experienced riders’ dream which makes it an excellent choice, along with the Triumph Trident 660, for those who might not be in a position to continually upgrade their motorcycles as their experience grows.

13 Triumph Trident 660

Starting MSRP: $8,720

Triumph’s triple-cylinder engine is proving itself to be a very versatile engine, able to be adapted to sport bikes, adventure bikes and now a light-middleweight bike perfect for beginners. The Trident 660 is an impressive piece of engineering in every department, from the engine to the chassis, equipment and build quality, which is second to none.

Performance Specs

The riding impressions are also excellent, the bike feeling solid yet light on its feet, with great handling, and the 80 horsepower three-cylinder engine gives sparkling but never harsh or intimidating performance. 417 pounds isn’t a lot of weight to be managing, and just like many of the bikes on this list, this is a bike that will keep you satisfied long after you’ve upgraded to something more powerful and faster.

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12 Yamaha MT-07

Starting MSRP: $8,199

OK, so we’re pushing the limits of the definition ‘beginners’’ bikes, but they deserve to be here. The Yamaha MT-07 has a beautiful character full of charm, docility but also a fair chunk of fire in its belly. A step up from the MT-03, the 689cc parallel twin engine pushes out a healthy 75 horsepower and 50 for pounds of torque in a 406 pound package, which is almost uncomfortably close to the MT-03 and Z400.

Performance Specs

Think of the MT-07 as an advanced beginner’s bike: you’ve passed your test on something small and are ready to move up, bypassing the 300-400cc models. Everything about the MT-07 is excellent, from the chassis, to the brakes, to the performance, to the comfort, the equipment and the general fit and finish. It’s a bike that will keep you happy for very many years.

11 Kawasaki Z650

Starting MSRP: $7,749

For those new riders that are more confident and feel that they need a motorcycle that they'll have for a long time, bypassing the Kawasaki Z400 straight to the Z650 is a logical choice. It maintains the same design language as all the other Z models in the lineup, has top of the line Kawasaki technology in its guts and only costs $8,249 (ABS model).

Performance Specs

You'll also have the smartphone connectivity, more torque and horsepower than the CF Moto 650NK and much less weight of only 412 pounds.

10 Suzuki SV650

Starting MSRP: $7,399

The old warhorse, as reliable as the day is long and not without its simple charms. A 90° V-twin 645cc engine pushes out 75 horsepower and 47 foot pounds of torque, but the figures only tell half the story. The SV650 is just so user-friendly and easy-going and yet has a great turn of performance and an excellent chassis should you want it.

Performance Specs

It’s not over-endowed with electronic rider aids, and it won’t get them now as it’s about to be replaced by a new parallel-twin engined version but that just means there will be more SV650s waiting to be snapped up. As a simple way of getting into motorcycling, with character, reliability and quality thrown into the mix, you simply won’t go wrong with an SV650.

9 Honda CB500F

Starting MSRP: $6,799

Honda has even more of a staid reputation than BMW, which takes some doing, but what that ruthless efficiency hides some really good motorcycles: good where they need to be and forget the flash and sparkle. The CB500F has a 471cc parallel twin engine, developing 47 horsepower and 31 foot pounds of torque, while the whole package weighs in at 416 pounds.

Performance Specs

What can’t be argued against is Honda build and engineering quality, which is legendary and, if the CB500F has a boring image, it’s certainly not like that on the road. It’s no fire-breathing sport bike, but it has a lot of ability in the chassis, brakes and engine. It’s just that it doesn’t shout about it outwardly.

8 CF Moto 650NK

Starting MSRP: $6,499

CF Moto also has a 300cc bike, called the 300NK, but the specs are slightly lower than the Benelli 302S, so we're recommending the 650NK version as an inexpensive upgrade instead. For $6,499 you'll get a liquid cooled inline-two engine that can produce 60 horsepower, and 42 feet-pound of torque.

Performance Specs

It weighs a bit on a beefier side, with 454 pounds of curb weight, but for the price we're willing to overlook it. There's also a 5-inch TFT display, LED lights and ABS.

RELATED: Why CFMoto Is The Best Chinese Motorcycle Manufacturer

7 KTM 390 Duke

Starting MSRP: $5,899

KTM has an overtly sporty image and this applies even to the smaller bikes in the range. While there is a 125 Duke and 200 Duke, in reality, the one you really want is the 390 Duke. Why? Well, in the 390 Duke you have a bike with excellent performance for its engine size: performance that even an experienced rider will find satisfying, even exciting, but which a beginner won’t find intimidating.

Performance Specs

The chassis is brilliant and inspires confidence as well as teaching the rider a lot about how a bike should behave. The 373cc single cylinder engine pushes out 44 horsepower and 27 foot pounds of torque and overall weight at 328 pounds (dry) is light enough to be easily manageable. Possibly even better, it looks fantastic, just like a miniature 1290 Super Duke, which is definitely a big part of its cool factor.

6 Husqvarna Svartpilen 401

Starting MSRP: $5,649

When KTM acquired Husqvarna, fans of the Nordic brand were concerned that the manufacturer would be gutted and swept away, much as Harley had done with Buell in the States. But alas that was not the case. Quite the opposite happened, as KTM began supplying their new subsidiary with engines and other components. Fast-forward a few years and the latest Huskies that were rolling off the factory floor were nothing short of stunning.

Performance Specs

Along with the Vitpilen, the Svartpilen was truly like nothing else on the road. And although the interior components were mostly KTM, that was nothing but a good thing, for KTM is known for great engines and chassis, and extremely polarizing looks. And if nothing else, the Svartpilen is one handsome and rugged looking naked bike.

5 Kawasaki Z400

Starting MSRP: $5,399

Different to the BMW and KTM in that Kawasaki chose a parallel twin engine for its 399cc Z400. This helps the power go up to 45 horsepower while the torque remains similar to the KTM at 27 foot pounds and the engine revs much sweeter and quicker. A wet weight of 363 pounds is excellent for this class and gives the Z400 scarcely believable performance, out of all proportion to what you would expect.

Performance Specs

Again, a family resemblance to larger bikes in the Kawasaki range, along with equal quality, helps the Z400 punch above its weight in every department. The chassis has been developed using knowledge from the SuperSport 300 class in World Superbike racing, in which Kawasaki is extremely active and while the Z400 might look innocuous, it has a lot of fire in its belly.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why We Love The Kawasaki Ninja 650

4 Honda CB300R

Starting MSRP: $5,049

Honda's baby CB costs just $5,049 US dollars. And for that you get something fun and special. The single thumper, predictably doesn't have much torque or power, but its light weight (just 317 pounds, wet) and handling characteristics, virtually guarantee a good time.

Performance Specs

Add to that an approachable seat height of 31.6 inches and ABS and any new rider should feel balanced and comfortable while getting some serious riding experience under their belt.

3 Yamaha MT-03

Starting MSRP: $4,999

As with the Kawasaki, the Yamaha has a parallel twin engine, possibly even more impressive than the Kawasaki in that its 321cc pushes out 41.4 horsepower and 22 foot pounds of torque, figures that aren’t too far from the 399cc Kawa. 373 pounds is the all-in wet weight. Typical Yamaha ability and styling, which manages to be much more modern and, dare we say, ‘youthful and funky’ than the Kawasaki, with which it shares so many qualities.

Performance Specs

‘MT’ is Yamaha abbreviation for ‘Master of Torque’ which might make sense in the MT-09 or MT-10 but seems a little out of place in the MT-03. However, the name establishes that all-important link with the larger-engined models and provides a ladder for young riders to aspire to. Excellent chassis and brakes give the Yamaha an edge over the competition.

2 BMW G 310 R

Starting MSRP: $4,995

Another great-looking small-displacement bike, perfect for the beginner rider. The BMW G 310 R looks like a miniature R 1250 RS or S 1000 R, which is something many manufacturers are getting right with their small bike offerings these days. Performance, especially compared to the KTM 390 Duke, is surprisingly docile, considering it has only a few horses less than the KTM.

Performance Specs

Where the KTM has been tuned for performance, however, the BMW has been tuned for ease of use and in this it succeeds. Its character is one of docility which can be mistaken for dullness, but it is simply efficient, in the way that only BMWs can be. It behaves with sure-footedness on the road and overall quality and design is what you’d expect from BMW.

1 Benelli 302S

Starting MSRP: $4,989

Chinese motorcycle manufacturers have been making great strides in entering the global market as of late. And though they're still synonymous with poor craftsmanship and unreliability, it's becoming increasingly clear that this kind of thinking no longer applies to at least two of the bike makers, namely Benelli (an old Italian brand, now owned by a Chinese company) and CF Moto.

Performance Specs

Benelli have been putting out a steady stream of affordable, well-designed machines aimed at the beginner and small capacity markets. The 302S is the perfect example of a reasonable, attractive naked bike, that won't scare anyone with speed, yet would be a great first bike to learn and commute on. It comes in four colorways, has a 300cc parallel twin engine and can produce 38 horsepower.