Hey there! Finally starting your motorcycling journey? Limited budget? Limited allowance in choosing? Parents finally allowed you a motorcycle but are not buying you the superbike you want? Don’t worry and complain! It’s for your own good. You don’t want too much power so that you crash and die. You don’t want something expensive, because you are going to drop it at least once while learning, and you do not want to break something expensive. You might get less power, but more fuel economy and you will be able to use all that power confidently, which is better than being scared of dying while trying to open the throttle on a superbike because you wet your pants when you opened it up once and were close to crashing. Believe me, it is more fun, and safer, to ride a slow bike fast, then to ride a fast bike slow. Okay, enough philosophy, let’s cut to the chase. What do you want in your beginner bike? You want easy-to-use, non-intimidating performance, good fuel economy (so that you can go to longer rides, you will not have to ask your boss for a raise, and your parents will not complain when they see your petrol bills), light and manageable weight, unique character if possible, and decent versatility and being easy to ride, and lastly, cheap to buy and run. So, let’s start-
1. Yamaha R15-This wonderful bike is basically a baby superbike. And not just in its beautiful supermodel looks, but quite literally. It has a brilliant chassis that is derived from Yamaha’s liter-class superbike, the R1, and a beautiful engine that revs out to around 13,000 rpm. The way this bike rides is sublime, so sublime, that not only beginners, but even expert riders appreciate it. Some expert riders claim that even though they have practiced so much riding, and know every bike, they still haven’t managed to reach this bike’s true potential and extract the most from it, and that too with bare minimum tires and brakes! This bike is the best if you are into sport-bikes, are a racer-boy, or want to genuinely become a skilled track-rider. This is one of the best beginner racetrack-bikes, and even actual racers have started on an R15. This bike is just so perfect that there really is no bad R15. And it is fuel efficient as well! If there was a proper sportbike that comes close to perfection, it is this R15. If you want to be Valentino Rossi, go hard into the corners, want to hone your cornering skills, or just want to feel like a racer-boy and have a weekend blast while having a light bike and light clutch for city commuting, this is the bike for you. The price is expensive, but worth it.
2. Honda Unicorn- This affordable 150cc bike is reliable, light and fuel-efficient. It has a refined, peppy engine. It makes for an affordable commuter, which will last you long, until you can afford the big bike of your dreams.
3. Hero Xpulse 200-This is also a really good beginner bike for learning off-roading. This bike is very capable and can go literally anywhere. Also, it meets all the qualities of a good beginner bike as mentioned above.
4. Hero Honda Splendor-This bike is indeed a no-brainer. It is unbreakable, cheap, and an all-rounder. It is a workhorse and can do it all for you, and it can go anywhere. Might not have a lot of uniqueness and appeal, but if you are on a tight budget, want to get parts and maintenance done in the cost of a dinner, or want a bike that lasts until you buy the big bike of your dreams, without pinching a hole in your wallet.
5. All the Bajaj Pulsars-Indeed, all the Pulsars, specially the NS200, and N250, are good, sporty, cheap, and decently reliable beginner bikes. They indeed will keep you happy and have their own charm and appeal. They feel goofy and playful in their own way, and are easy to ride. Basically, they are capable sporty commuters that can do the long haul as well.
6. All the TVS Apaches-Yes, you heard me right. All of them deserve a fair chance. They are also a bunch of capable sporty commuters, that have race-bred chassis which provide you a unique experience.
7. All the Royal Enfield 350s-This would also make a good beginner bike, surprisingly. You just have to get used to the weight.
8. Suzuki Gixxer 150/250/Vstrom 250-This series of bikes are just underrated. They are affordable, reliable and versatile. They would make for a good bike that might stay with you for a very long time.
9. TVS Raider 125-If you just have to do city commuting and do some hooligan stuff with, and not anything serious, and want that fuel economy, this is the bike for you. This is a unique approach to commuter bikes, and is indeed one of a kind in its segment
10. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450-Yes, this is a bit powerful and on the premium side, but if you want a single-bike garage, want a true all-rounder, and want to keep a bike for very long and start doing long road trips and adventures, and you are a mature person who wants to keep a motorcycle just to make the most of it and cover long distances and make memories, this is a worthy investment that will only compound for probably more than a decade. Also, you can seat your partner and carry loads of luggage comfortably.
So, here goes. Do tell me if I miss anyone out.
