“Four wheels move the body; two wheels move the soul” is the saying among motorcyclists. And it’s easy to see why you might be tempted to join this two-wheeled world.
Riding a motorbike is a great way to commute. In fact, about 2,700 people travel by motorbike to the city of Melbourne for work each day.1
Motorcycles are space-efficient, cheap to run and cause less wear and tear to roads – and motorcyclists are generally less affected by traffic congestion, meaning they may benefit from shorter travel times. An emerging market of electric motorbikes is now also offering a quieter, low-emissions motorcycling option.1
If you’re thinking of becoming a motorcyclist, you might want to learn more about good motorbikes for beginners. In this article, we speak to an expert and give you six learner-approved beginner motorcycle options, all designed to help you build your confidence out on the road as safely as possible.
Once you’ve chosen your bike and sorted your safety equipment – including a helmet – you might wonder what the best motorcycle insurance options are.
What to look for in a beginner’s bike
When you first get your motorcycle licence, you’re restricted to bikes under the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (or LAMS – more on that below). The good news is that within LAMS, “there are all sorts of different bikes you can have,” says Dean Mellor, Editor of Australian Road Rider magazine.
“You’ve got naked bikes, sports bikes, tourers, cruisers such as a Harley Davidson – the whole lot. The best bike is the one that’s going to make you happy.”
Mellor suggests taking a seat on any of your shortlisted options prior to purchasing, to make sure they feel comfortable – including checking the seat height.
“If you’re going to be riding around town, small and light is what you want, with handlebars that are up quite high, so you’re in a more upright seating position. It just gives you a better view of what’s going on around you,” he says.
“(As for) performance … when you’re learning, you want something with nice, tractable torque down low, strong mid-range power and a light, progressive clutch. Anything that makes it easier to ride.”
What is the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS)?
LAMS restricts learner motorcyclists to specific makes and models, effectively prohibiting them from riding more highly-powered models.2 With safety benefits, such as a lower power-to-weight ratio LAMS-approved motorcycles are designed to help protect inexperienced riders while they are still developing their skills.3
In New South Wales, for example, that means a learner motorcyclist can’t ride a bike with an engine exceeding 660cc in capacity, or one with a power-to-weight ratio exceeding 150kW/tonne. Modified motorcycles are also not permitted, and electric bikes must not exceed 25kW of power.2
Refer to your state or territory for the full list of learner-approved motorcycles:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
Six options for a LAMS-approved beginner bike
With Mellor’s help – along with intel from reviews and awards from leading Australian motorcycle publishers – and in no particular order, we’ve pulled together an overview of some good motorbikes for beginners for 2025.
1. Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 from $10,9904
Mellor suggests Royal Enfield for a beginner bike. “All of their bikes are learner compliant,” he says. The Interceptor 650’s 648cc parallel twin-cylinder engine has plenty of power, while you’ll feel like you’re in the 1960s with the seven-inch single headlight and twin analogue instruments.4 The Interceptor 650 also has an Anti-lock Braking System,4 which may offer beginners easier control while braking.5 “In the city, it’s just about perfect, really,” says a review from MCNews.com.au.6
KTM 390 Adventure from $10,0707
A close relative of the KTM 390 Duke, KTM’s 390 Adventure was voted the 2023 bikesales Learner Bike of the Year.8 It drew praise for its 373cc single-cylinder engine, comprehensive technology, lightweight chassis and value. “It’s a bike that learner riders will find easy to ride, yet will remain usable and engaging long after they obtain their full licence,” says bikesales.8
CFMOTO 450SR from $7,9909
“Modern CFMOTOs are really good motorcycles,” suggests Mellor. “They’re up there with the Japanese brands now.” The Chinese-built 450SR comes equipped with a 449.9cc parallel-twin engine and an advanced Traction Control System developed by Bosch to help prevent rear wheel slip and aid vehicle stability in varied riding conditions.9 According to a review in MCNews.com.au, “it’s well built, well styled, comfortable, the engine is a ripper, and it handles intuitively well.”10
Triumph Tiger Sport 660 from $15,89011
While it’s been a few years since the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 was awarded 2022 bikesales Learner Bike of the Year,12 this 660cc three-cylinder11 model remains a favourite learner-legal option among Australian bike reviewers. “A bike that will make almost anyone happy,” says bikesales. “It’s practical, learner-friendly, and affordable. What more do you need?”13
Yamaha MT-07LA from $14,89914
Want a naked bike – a more classic, exposed look that does without plastic exterior panels15 – for your first motorcycle? Consider the Yamaha MT-07LA, a bigger brother of the Yamaha MT-03. A finalist at the 2023 bikesales Learner Bike of the Year, “the Yamaha MT-07LA is a long-standing favourite among learner riders, having been first released in 2014.”8 The MT-07LA is powered by a 655cc two-cylinder engine,14 making it one of the more powerful options on this list.
Honda NAVi from $3,00616
Mellor says you can’t go wrong with any bike from “the established players – Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki and Yamaha. They all have full ranges of learner bikes”. Honda’s NAVi was voted one of the Top 5 Learner Bikes for 2024 by TorqueCafe.17 Something of a cross between bike and scooter, the quirky NAVi employs a fuel-efficient 110cc engine and, unusually, an automatic transmission.16 “For a newbie, you can’t ease into riding easier,” says TorqueCafe.17
Buying a beginner bike – FAQs
How important are ABS brakes for a beginner motorbike rider?
“Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) are vital, and you should look at a later model motorcycle that has ABS if you’re a learner rider,” recommends Mellor. Since November 2019, ABS have been compulsorily required on all new motorcycles in Australia.18
What is the appropriate size motorbike for a beginner?
Look for something that you won’t outgrow once you’re on your full licence, says Mellor. “That might mean buying a bike with an engine capacity closer to the 660cc limit,” he says.
Mellor suggests that if you’re doing a lot of freeway miles, to look for “an adventure-style bike” with a windscreen or fairing – plastic exterior panelling that offers wind protection for the rider and reduces aerodynamic drag.19
Meanwhile, many dirt bikes are learner-approved, but “you don’t want to be riding around on the road on knobby tyres because as soon as it rains, you won’t have any grip,” he says. “A dirt bike is noisy and wears quickly as well.”
With so many beginner motorcycles to choose from, it’s becoming easier than ever to hit the road on two wheels. There are also several motorcycle insurance options to consider.
Youi offers Comprehensive and Third Party options for Motorcycle insurance, including Third Party Fire & Theft and Third Party Property Only cover. For motorcyclists in NSW and South Australia, Youi also offers Compulsory Third Party insurance.
Not sure which one is for you? Start a quote with Youi for insurance that’s a bit more you-shaped.
Note: Information in this article is relevant as of December 2024 and by its nature will change over time. Check relevant manufacturer websites for price and specification updates if this information is important to you.
1 Source: City of Melbourne – Motorcycles
2 Source: NSW Government – Approved motorcycles for learner and provisional riders
3 Source: Stay Upright – What does LAMS mean?
4 Source: Royal Enfield – Interceptor 650
5 Source: Ride-Tek MTA – Benefits of ABS Motorcycles
6 Source: MCNews.com.au – Royal Enfield 650 Interceptor Review, March 2024
7 Source: KTM – 390 Adventure
8 Source: bikesales – KTM 390 Adventure | 2023 bikesales Learner Bike of the Year Winner
9 Source: CFMOTO – 450SR
10 Source: MCNews.com.au – CFMOTO 450 SR Review, June 2023
11 Source: Triumph – Tiger Sport 660
12 Source: bikesales – Triumph Tiger Sport 660: 2022 bikesales Learner Bike of the Year Winner, December 2022
13 Source: bikesales – 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660 Review, August 2022
14 Source: Yamaha – MT-07LA
15 Source: CFMOTO USA – What is a naked bike?
16 Source: Honda – NAVi
17 Source: TorqueCafe – TOP 5: Learner Bikes, February 2024
18 Source: Australian Government – Australian Design Rule 33/01 – Brake Systems for Motorcycles and Mopeds, January 2018
19 Source: 12K MOTOR – Enhance Your Ride: A Guide to Motorcycle Fairings, September 2023
