Kawasaki Ninja 250R
It’s a beloved starter bike, but once the new-rider glow fades, many riders soon admit that the Kawasaki Ninja 250R simply isn’t very exciting. Wringing a throttle out of this bike is like squeezing juice out of an orange, and its limited power makes the revs feel sluggish and buzzy, rather than sporty.
As riders become more skilled, they lose interest in the Ninja 250R and want to move onto more powerful bikes. It's quite muted and designed more for learning than chasing thrills, with a chassis and design that feels pretty low-spec.
As riders become more skilled, they lose interest in the Ninja 250R and want to move onto more powerful bikes. It's quite muted and designed more for learning than chasing thrills, with a chassis and design that feels pretty low-spec.
Honda Rebel 300
This Honda motorcycle may have Rebel in its name, but it’s more of a minimalist cruiser that never quite reaches its peak. The single-cylinder engine tries its best to power-up on the road, but it doesn’t deliver the oomph that experienced riders want. The low-slung stance is also fairly reserved when leaning into curves or corners.
Once you throw in the soft suspension and tame acceleration, the Honda Rebel 300 is more of a relaxed ride-at-sunset bike than a responsive beast that can tackle any route. Riders find it easy to master, but not fun to use long-term.
Once you throw in the soft suspension and tame acceleration, the Honda Rebel 300 is more of a relaxed ride-at-sunset bike than a responsive beast that can tackle any route. Riders find it easy to master, but not fun to use long-term.
Suzuki V-Strom 650
The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is a highly-competent bike that can handle itself on the road, but it’s not exciting enough to keep riders’ attention. Many of them think it’s one of the most boringly sensible motorcycles around. It drives well, can be relied on, and it’s comfortable, but that just makes it predictable and limits its potential.
There’s nothing adrenaline-fueling about a motorcycle with limited off-road capabilities, and it feels more like a calm tourer than an adventure bike that could take you anywhere. For riders seeking personality or punch, the V-Strom 650 feels just a little too polite.
There’s nothing adrenaline-fueling about a motorcycle with limited off-road capabilities, and it feels more like a calm tourer than an adventure bike that could take you anywhere. For riders seeking personality or punch, the V-Strom 650 feels just a little too polite.
BMW F800R
The BMW F800R looks sporty, but many riders find that the experience doesn’t quite match the promise on paper. It has a parallel-twin engine with decent torque, yet it doesn’t produce enough revs or noise to boost its performance beyond a relatively flat delivery. At certain RPMs, the bike’s weight makes steering feel more like work than play.
It’s good to have more practical and stable motorcycles available, but most riders want something that they look forward to riding each day. It’s a bit too tame for a naked bike, leaving thrill-seekers disappointed in the end.
It’s good to have more practical and stable motorcycles available, but most riders want something that they look forward to riding each day. It’s a bit too tame for a naked bike, leaving thrill-seekers disappointed in the end.
Yamaha XJ600
When it comes to bikes that get the job done, the Yamaha XJ600 certainly fits the bill. But does it leave any lasting impression? Not very often. It generally feels heavy for its class, and its carbureted engine needs a lot of encouragement to perform at its best. The handling feels dated, with soft suspension and quiet feedback that lacks urgency and playfulness.
It’s a solid commuter motorcycle, but can’t quite keep up with other more modern middleweights, making it feel more like a mode of transportation than the beginning of an adventure. It’s not a bad bike, but there’s no overwhelming joy involved.
It’s a solid commuter motorcycle, but can’t quite keep up with other more modern middleweights, making it feel more like a mode of transportation than the beginning of an adventure. It’s not a bad bike, but there’s no overwhelming joy involved.
Honda NC750X
Many riders find Honda motorcycles reliable but boring, and that’s exactly the problem plaguing the NC750X. It’s almost too sensible for its own good, with a car-derived engine designed for fuel-efficiency, not excitement. As a result, it delivers its power in a flat way, putting excitement firmly in the backseat.
Even the DCT transmission removes some of the engagement that riders love, putting convenience above exhilaration and calming the bike’s power to the point of boredom. If you want something smooth and predictable, choose the Honda NC750X, but don’t expect much more.
Even the DCT transmission removes some of the engagement that riders love, putting convenience above exhilaration and calming the bike’s power to the point of boredom. If you want something smooth and predictable, choose the Honda NC750X, but don’t expect much more.
Harley-Davidson M50
It feels sacrilegious to criticize a Harley-Davidson, but the M50’s small-platform cruiser design hasn’t aged as riders would have liked. The engine feels constrained, offering a lot of noise but no real pull, and the gear changes make acceleration feel sluggish. The bike’s additional weight holds it back even more.
The bike looks like it should be easy to corner and toss around on the road, but it doesn’t deliver anything extraordinary beyond its aesthetics. Every ride feels similar to the last, without the strong sense of character typically associated with Harleys. The M50 is a fine cruiser, but not particularly fun at higher speeds.
The bike looks like it should be easy to corner and toss around on the road, but it doesn’t deliver anything extraordinary beyond its aesthetics. Every ride feels similar to the last, without the strong sense of character typically associated with Harleys. The M50 is a fine cruiser, but not particularly fun at higher speeds.
Yamaha TW200
The Yamaha TW200 is a quirky and lovable motorcycle, but riders often admit that it’s not exactly fun or high-performance. It has tractor-tread tires that look cool and drive well off-road, but also make the bike feel slow on the pavement. The 196cc engine works hard but never feels truly strong, so riders need to put in a lot of effort.
We’ll admit that it’s charming to look at and many riders love its design and build, but it isn’t the spirited machine they expected. Speed is sometimes an issue on the road, and off-road it’s power, making the TW200 feel like a chore at times, which isn’t what riders want.
We’ll admit that it’s charming to look at and many riders love its design and build, but it isn’t the spirited machine they expected. Speed is sometimes an issue on the road, and off-road it’s power, making the TW200 feel like a chore at times, which isn’t what riders want.
Suzuki Boulevard C90
The Suzuki Boulevard lineup includes several models, but riders have two overarching concerns about all of the bikes: they’re heavy, and they’re underpowered. In comparison to its weight, the C90 feels particularly lethargic to ride, and its large engine produces relatively low power output compared to rival bikes.
It’s a good bike for relaxed cruising, but anybody expecting sporty handling or a beast that can out-speed its bulk will be disappointed. Boulevard models sometimes feel like more show than go, and you really see that with the C90.
It’s a good bike for relaxed cruising, but anybody expecting sporty handling or a beast that can out-speed its bulk will be disappointed. Boulevard models sometimes feel like more show than go, and you really see that with the C90.
Triumph Trident 660
We all know that Triumph makes excellent motorcycles, and the Trident 660 is certainly smooth and capable. But don’t forget that it’s an affordable entry-level bike, so it doesn’t have as much personality as you’d like. The triple engine is surprisingly muted compared to classic Triumph triples, offering power that’s good but not thrilling.
Some people find it too refined, with neutral handling that almost feels sterile, and a build that’s engineered to avoid excessive performance. It’s a top commuter bike, but riders who want to progress beyond entry need to look elsewhere.
Some people find it too refined, with neutral handling that almost feels sterile, and a build that’s engineered to avoid excessive performance. It’s a top commuter bike, but riders who want to progress beyond entry need to look elsewhere.
Honda CG125
It’s pretty beloved, but the Honda CG125 lacks one very important factor: fun. It’s built for durability and fuel-efficiency, not for thrills, with limited options to spice things up on the road. The lightweight frame and basic suspension often makes high-speed riding a bit nerve-inducing, with little powerband to explore.
The engine is too tiny to make much impact at all, and there’s nothing that feels urgent enough to hook riders. It’s more of a tool than a toy: great for errands and learning to ride, but not so much for exploring new routes or taking spontaneous trips.
The engine is too tiny to make much impact at all, and there’s nothing that feels urgent enough to hook riders. It’s more of a tool than a toy: great for errands and learning to ride, but not so much for exploring new routes or taking spontaneous trips.
Kawasaki Versys-X 300
On paper, a lightweight adventure-touring motorcycle sounds fun, but many riders feel that the Kawasaki Versys-X 300 misses the mark. You have to really rev the parallel-twin engine like crazy just to keep up with traffic, and long highway drives feel strained rather than spirited, making weaving near-impossible.
Off the road, it’s capable and dependable, but not particularly lively, and the suspension can feel bouncy or spongy when you push on it. The Versys-X 300 tries to be an all-round adventurer, but it lacks the grunt and squeal that makes riding exciting. On the whole, it’s too underpowered.
Off the road, it’s capable and dependable, but not particularly lively, and the suspension can feel bouncy or spongy when you push on it. The Versys-X 300 tries to be an all-round adventurer, but it lacks the grunt and squeal that makes riding exciting. On the whole, it’s too underpowered.
Yamaha XT250
The Yamaha XT250 is simple, rugged, and pleasant, which are all good things, but not particularly thrill-inducing. Many riders find it a bit dull, with a mild, sleepy engine that doesn’t provide much power to play with. On trails, it’s decent for exploring, but doesn’t inspire enough confidence to make riders go fast.
As for on the road, it’s easy to steer, but only suited to those who want to crawl along and not try anything too wild. The XT250 is modest to the point of boredom, with tame horsepower that often struggles to maintain freeway speeds.
As for on the road, it’s easy to steer, but only suited to those who want to crawl along and not try anything too wild. The XT250 is modest to the point of boredom, with tame horsepower that often struggles to maintain freeway speeds.
Triumph Scrambler 400X
It looks absolutely fantastic, but the Triumph Scrambler 400X is more style than substance. At least, that’s what seasoned riders think! The engine is smooth but not particularly punchy, and it lacks the torque that you’d expect from a Scrambler. Off-road, it’s more cosmetic than capable, with a heavy bulk and firm, non-compliant suspension.
The Scrambler 400X has the height and weight to remain upright and stable on the pavement, but its power delivery is too mellow to make it a full-on machine. Riders love how it looks, but this bike just doesn’t add the fun factor that its rugged image promises.
The Scrambler 400X has the height and weight to remain upright and stable on the pavement, but its power delivery is too mellow to make it a full-on machine. Riders love how it looks, but this bike just doesn’t add the fun factor that its rugged image promises.
Suzuki GS500
The Suzuki GS500 has been around forever, and its reputation is generally consistent. It’s low-maintenance and dependable, but do those qualities usually excite riders? No. The engine is adequate but uninspired, delivering power in a flat and predictable way that makes each ride feel sameish and dull.
The chassis is fine but lacks the coolness of modern sports bikes, causing riders to treat it as a starter bike, rather than something to own long-term. Once riders gain experience, they outgrow the GS500 and chase bikes that provide the adrenaline and agility that excites them.
The chassis is fine but lacks the coolness of modern sports bikes, causing riders to treat it as a starter bike, rather than something to own long-term. Once riders gain experience, they outgrow the GS500 and chase bikes that provide the adrenaline and agility that excites them.
Harley-Davidson Street 500
The Street 500 was Harley-Davidson’s attempt to lure in new riders, but once the initial buzz wears off, they find that it’s actually a fairly modest model. Its engine feels muted and lacks the signature rumble that people expect when they fire up a Harley. Acceleration is modest at best, and the suspension can feel very harsh.
Even worse, the motorcycle’s hefty build makes it feel slow moving off, sluggish around corners, and like a waste of potential on highways. It’s serviceable but not particularly sporty, and constantly leaves riders wanting something more.
Even worse, the motorcycle’s hefty build makes it feel slow moving off, sluggish around corners, and like a waste of potential on highways. It’s serviceable but not particularly sporty, and constantly leaves riders wanting something more.
BMW F650
The F650 was BMW’s first single-cylinder motorcycle since the 1960s, and while that wasn’t an issue in the past, it definitely drags it down now. It thumps more than glides along the road, with lots of vibrations but very little payoff. It’s tall and well-built, but not suited to anything more than regular commutes.
When riders take the F650 off-road, they find it fine, but not particularly enjoyable, and its efficiency can only carry it so far. The fun element is missing from this bike, making it functional to ride but not exciting or lively.
When riders take the F650 off-road, they find it fine, but not particularly enjoyable, and its efficiency can only carry it so far. The fun element is missing from this bike, making it functional to ride but not exciting or lively.
Royal Enfield Classic 350
The Royal Enfield Classic 350 has charm and style in spades, but there’s zero urgency beyond its looks. Riders twist the throttle in anticipation, then find that the bike produces more of a gentle putter than a hearty roar. Sure, it’s great for leisurely rides, but you can’t put your foot down and reliably zoom past relaxed speeds.
As far as handling goes, it’s steady but not agile, and its heavy weight only makes it feel less responsive when you try to accelerate. It will always remain one of the best-looking motorcycles, but riders are slowly passing up nostalgia for more modern thrill machines.
As far as handling goes, it’s steady but not agile, and its heavy weight only makes it feel less responsive when you try to accelerate. It will always remain one of the best-looking motorcycles, but riders are slowly passing up nostalgia for more modern thrill machines.
Buell Blast
Any motorcycle that’s known for being educational is great in theory, but what happens when riders want to truly let go? The Buell Blast isn’t built for that style of driving. The engine can feel harsh, especially at higher RPMs, and the ride quality is rough. As for the handling, it’s decent, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Even the Blast’s build is a little too underwhelming to really make it stand out, with a minimalistic design that makes every tiny rattle noticeable. Overall, there’s nothing that makes riders want to come back for more.
Even the Blast’s build is a little too underwhelming to really make it stand out, with a minimalistic design that makes every tiny rattle noticeable. Overall, there’s nothing that makes riders want to come back for more.
Kawasaki Vulcan 500
It borrows the Ninja 500’s engine, so you know that the Vulcan 500 is already at a disadvantage. However, the power delivery doesn’t match the bike’s weight and gearing, so the acceleration lacks that great torquey feel. The handling is too relaxed and the motorcycle feels too soft to mean business.
It’s a friendly type of bike that any rider could probably start off with, but it doesn’t ignite the spark that they’d expect from a cruiser, or from a Kawasaki. It’s another motorcycle that is good but not really fun to drive at all.
It’s a friendly type of bike that any rider could probably start off with, but it doesn’t ignite the spark that they’d expect from a cruiser, or from a Kawasaki. It’s another motorcycle that is good but not really fun to drive at all.
