No.1 Kawasaki Ninja 500R
Cost new: $5,499
This is the complete package:
51 mpg, aggressive style, a budget-friendly price tag, and gallons of
fun -- all courtesy of the Kawasaki Ninja 500R. With its bikini fairing
and belly pan, this tame Ninja oozes sexy
sportbike style without compromising comfort. A liquid-cooled 498cc
parallel-twin engine fires off enough torque for the twisties, while its
lightweight chassis works wonders for handling. The Kawasaki Ninja 500R
requires minimal maintenance and will last you for years to come. If
you’ve been touched by the Ninja after seeing
Top Gun, then the Kawasaki Ninja 500R is your Maverick.
No.2 Triumph Bonneville
Cost new: $7,699
Evel Knievel jumped one over Caesar’s Palace. Clint Eastwood rode one through Central Park in
Coogan’s Bluff.
Steve McQueen was rarely seen without one. The Triumph Bonneville is
testament that classic style can outlive half a century, for today the
bike is aesthetically unchanged from its 1959 debut. At 50 years old,
the Triumph Bonneville is still running strong with an air-cooled 865cc
parallel-twin engine, featuring EFI and an output of 67 horses. With
upright seating and scintillating British style, the Triumph Bonneville
is a legend in the motorcycle world and a must-have as your first bike.
No.3 Harley Davidson Sportster 883 Low
Cost new: $6,999
If you have a penchant for push
rods and a thirst for the open road, no other cruiser in American
history can tango with a Harley. But before you attempt to reenact
Easy Rider,
start with the Sportster 883 Low rather than blowing half of your
yearly salary on that new Wide Glide. Harley’s classic V-Twin melds with
dual chrome pipes and rear piggyback shocks, showcased by minimal
bodywork. Horsepower is low and torque is a passive 55 lbs.-ft, so
there’s nothing to be afraid of on your first hog. Slip on those chaps
and bust out the tassels -- your first Harley is a Sportster.
No.4 Yamaha FZ6R
Cost new: $7,090
So, you want a sportbike but you don’t want to break the bank
or your neck? The Yamaha FZ6R is the safest bet for future track
riders, offering smooth power, an accommodating seat height and enough
low-end torque to zip through the canyons. The FZ6R’s full fairing and
low handlebars round out its sporty aesthetics, while the fuel-injected
600cc inline-four engine cranks out 66.5 horsepower. Dual-disc brakes in
the front attribute to the FZ6R’s impressive stopping power, and the
bike is available in three different color variations. Keep walking past
that expensive and intimidating R1 and swing a leg over the Yamaha FZ6R
as your starter bike.
No.5 Ducati Monster 696
Cost new: $8,775
Few brands stimulate the saliva
gland to the obscene extent that Ducati tends to, and many of the
Italian empire’s hundreds of thousands of loyalists will remain with a
Duc for their entire lives. If you have lots of money and a burning
desire for pristine Italian architecture on two wheels, then a Ducati
Monster 696 is the beginning of the red carpet. With its signature
trellis frame, fuel-injected, 80-horsepower, L-twin engine, and stubby
tail section, the latest Monster 696 is the definition of Italian
innovation. A pair of upside-down Showa forks, radial Brembo brakes and
USB-equipped digital instrument panel boost the Monster’s quality meter
over many bikes in this price range.
No.6 Suzuki GS500F
Cost new: $5,499
The Suzuki GS500F is one of the
most versatile beginner motorcycles on the planet. This standard rocks
out with a full fairing and sleek bodywork for a sporty profile. Riders
who don’t want to be scrunched over the tank of a sport bike in order to
reach the clip-ons will love the upright seating position of the
GS500F. For power, the Suzuki GS500F’s 487cc parallel twin cranks out
just over 51 horsepower,
yet is frugal with its gas mileage. This bike can reach 115 mph, but
that’s pushing it to the max in sixth gear. The Suzuki GS500F heads the
welcoming committee of the Standard world.
No.7 BMW F650 GS
Cost new: $8,255
Who hasn’t dreamed of pulling a Ewan McGregor and circumnavigating the globe on a BMW adventure bike? Before you work your way up to an R1200 GS,
the BMW F650 GS will pave the road. But cast aside the “650” portion of
this Beemer’s model name, for the bike shares the same 798cc
parallel-twin with the BMW F800 GS. Those wacky Germans! The F650 GS
engine is detuned, staving off a little extra grunt for beginners, and
flaunts a low seat height. Heated grips, ABS and a few other optional
features make the BMW F650 GS a solid bike for novice rock hoppers.
No.8 Honda CRF230M
Cost new: $4,749
If you’re a dirt rider trying to bridge the gap between gravel pits and asphalt, the Honda
CRF230M is right up your alley. Honda’s supermotard cousin of the Honda
CRF230L dirt bike delivers exceptional gas mileage and exceedingly
manageable power, thanks to its air-cooled single cylinder. The Honda
CRF230M is more of a commuting machine than a competition supermotard,
ideal for riders looking for a lightweight, durable machine to flog
around the city.
No.9 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD
Cost new: $4,699
What happens when you take a
Ninja 1,000 engine from the '80s, slice it in half and stuff it into a
cruiser body? The Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD comes to life! With its
bulletproof parallel twin engine, the Vulcan 500 LTD is not only
reliable, but it possesses enough power to hang with bigger 850s. The
bike’s low seat height, wide rear tire and dual exhaust pipes contribute
to the bike’s classic styling. If you see yourself as a future highway warrior, then the Vulcan 500 LTD is an excellent start.
No.10 Suzuki TU250X
Cost new: $3,799
If your two-wheeled experience
is limited to squeaking around the block on a rusty Huffy, your best bet
is to opt for the least likely to cause pants-wetting motorcycle on the
market. The Suzuki TU250X is one of them, sporting a docile 249cc
air-cooled, single-cylinder engine,
upright riding position, and 75 mph top speed. Not to mention the
Suzuki TU250X’s Bonneville-like style and passenger-friendly seat. At
just under four grand, the Suzuki TU250X is a stellar starter bike.
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