So here’s the thing about how to choose your first bike—you’re probably gonna overthink it. I definitely did.
I spent weeks googling specs I didn’t understand, watching YouTube reviews where everyone looked cooler than me, and creeping through Reddit threads full of people fighting over engine displacement like it was a religion. Meanwhile, I hadn’t even sat on a motorcycle yet.
But let me back up. I didn’t grow up riding dirt bikes or hanging with biker uncles. My mom freaked out if I even looked at a skateboard. So when I decided—at 29 and three-quarters—that I wanted to ride a motorcycle, it kinda came out of nowhere. Even I was like… am I having a quarter-life crisis or just romanticizing wind?
Spoiler: a little bit of both.
Step One: Accept That You Know Nothing (It’s Fine, Really)
You ever walk into a store and feel instantly dumb? Like when I tried to buy hiking boots and the guy asked if I needed something for “technical alpine terrain” and I was like, “Uhh… I mostly just walk to Trader Joe’s?”
Yeah. Walking into a motorcycle shop for the first time was like that—but with engines.
Every bike looked massive. Every person looked confident. And me? I was sweating through my hoodie trying to figure out if 300cc was “enough” or “too weak” or “only for children.”
Here’s the truth though: You don’t need to start big. You just need to start smart.
🧠 What Actually Matters about how to choose your first bike
Forget the loud opinions for a sec. Here’s the stuff that really counts when you’re picking your first motorcycle:
✅ Comfort and Fit (aka Can You Touch the Ground?)
I sat on a bike once that felt like straddling a horse on stilts. My toes barely touched the pavement and I panicked so hard I nearly tipped it over just trying to dismount.
Sit on the bike. Flat feet is the goal. If you feel wobbly just standing there, imagine stopping at a red light with a bus behind you. Not fun.
✅ Weight (Your Arms Will Thank You)
Heavier bikes might feel “cool” and “stable” but when you’re new, heavy = scary. If you drop it (which, hi, you will), you don’t want to be calling your roommate at 10PM to help you lift your pride off the sidewalk.
Look for something under 400 lbs if possible. It’s like training wheels for your adult self-esteem.
✅ Engine Size (Don’t Let Ego Pick This One)
So this is where people get weird. You’ll hear stuff like:
“Bro, you need at least 600cc or it’s not even fun.”
Ignore that bro.
For most beginners, something between 250cc and 500cc is perfect. Enough power to keep up on the highway, not so much that you’ll accidentally wheelie into next week.
✨ My Favorite Beginner Bikes That Didn’t Scare Me Off
Let’s call this section: “Bikes I Tried (or Nearly Bought) That Didn’t Try to Kill Me.”
1. Honda Rebel 300
Beginner vibe: The golden retriever of motorcycles
This was my first love. Smooth, comfy, not too fast. Felt like it whispered, “Hey buddy, we’re gonna be just fine.”
Why it works:
- Low seat height
- Predictable throttle
- Cute as heck
My only complaint? Someone once called it a “cute little bike” and I briefly considered violence. But whatever—it was cute and I looked cool as hell on it. (In my mind.)
2. Yamaha MT-03
Beginner vibe: Edgy art kid who’s surprisingly nice
Looks sharp. Feels sharp. Rides like a dream once you stop being scared of it. I test rode this one in jeans and a borrowed jacket. 10/10 would recommend (the bike, not my outfit).
3. Kawasaki Z400
Beginner vibe: Zippy lil’ gremlin with a heart of gold
This thing has pep. If the Rebel was a chill acoustic song, the Z400 is indie pop with a beat. You can grow with it, which is nice ‘cause you don’t have to swap bikes immediately when you stop riding like a nervous deer.
4. Royal Enfield Meteor 350
Beginner vibe: Sunday farmer’s market dad energy
Cruisy. Chill. Low-key. Doesn’t want to race—just wants to enjoy the ride. It’s like a picnic in motorcycle form. You’ll get nods from old guys and jealous looks from hipsters.
5. Suzuki SV650 (for the slightly bolder beginner)
Beginner vibe: That person who’s cooler than you but still invites you to hang out
It’s a bigger engine, yeah, but it delivers the power smoothly. Feels a bit more “real biker” but still manageable. This was my dream bike before I even knew how to shift gears.
Mistakes I Almost Made (So You Don’t Have To)
Let’s make this part spicy:
- Almost bought a 1000cc bike just because it was “on sale.” I didn’t even know how to turn it on. Thank God the guy at the dealership looked me in the eyes and said, “Dude. No.”
- Tried to impress a date by revving a loaner bike in neutral. It stalled. The date did not continue.
- Wore sneakers on my first ride. My ankle still holds a grudge.
Gear Up, Buttercup 🧢
You’ll feel like a poser at first. We all do.
But wear the gear.
Helmet, jacket, gloves, pants, boots. Even if it’s hot. Even if your friends are riding in shorts like lunatics.
Because nothing ruins your cool biker aesthetic faster than road rash and a hospital gown. https://bikelovezone.com/motorcycle-protective-gear-top-10-picks-for-maximum-safety-in-2025/
Real Talk: How to choose your first bike
This sounds dramatic, but motorcycles rewired my anxiety.
You can’t zone out when you’re riding. You can’t scroll, text, overthink, doomscroll—you’re present. It’s weirdly meditative. You feel the road, smell stuff (not always good) and become this mini metal animal zipping through the world.
I don’t know. Maybe it’s the wind therapy. Or maybe I just needed something that forced me to stop overthinking. Either way, it worked.
Final Thoughts (Not to Sound Like a TED Talk) about how to choose your first bike
Picking your first bike is like picking your first apartment. You won’t know what you really like until you live with it for a bit.
Don’t stress the specs too hard. Go sit on bikes. Ask dumb questions. Drop one in a parking lot (softly). Get back on.
You’ll know when it’s your bike. It’ll feel a little scary—but exciting. Like that first day of school energy.
And when you ride it for the first time? Oh man. That grin will not leave your face for like, three days.
