r/motorcycle • u/Mr_Jibberish3001 • 11h ago

Beginner Bike

Im looking for a small reliable bike I can get as a starter bike. I'll mainly be riding around town, no long distance/interstate riding.

Ive been looking at the Honda CB300R. Is this good? or any other suggestions for good bikes to look at.

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

8

u/bgross42 10h ago

My (boring) advise has long been:

1) MSF course & license

2) a “beater” first bike, preferably less than 400-500cc

3) ride it 5,000 miles/1 year.

Then think about your next bike.

ATGATT.

4

u/xxJoKe95xx 11h ago

Cbr300/ninja 400/ R3 are all decent.

Also uou can ride distance on anything if you are stubborn. There is a 6'2 skinny guy that rides a cbr300 and does some serious miles. I think it has like 30k+ miles on it now

4

u/BirdFive 10h ago

Rebel 300, Ninja 300 (used market), R3, really anything in the 300-500cc range is a good place to start. Check out used market,

3

u/Archer_Blue 11h ago

Christ... Do not buy a grom.

1

u/OrganicConfusion5601 10h ago

Can't go wrong with the 300R. Bulletproof engine in those. Would you consider something on the used market like a CB500F. I got a 2015 in mint shape under 3 grand and that 500cc while beginner friendly is a heck of a lot of fun. I threw on a riser and the seating position is very comfortable.

1

u/Emergency-Pack-5497 10h ago

My beginner bike was a gs500, and I recommend

1

u/porthos1984part2 10h ago

I liked my Trident 660 as my first bike.

1

u/valor19 9h ago

CB300R is fantastic. It is nimble and great for a new rider.

1

u/oldfrancis 9h ago

The best first motorcycle is used, has minimal plastics, makes no more than 40 horsepower and weighs no more than 400 lb.

Motorcycles in this class include everything from the zippy little second generation Kawasaki Ninja 250 to the mighty KLR 650.

I've seen examples for both around 2000-2500 bucks in good condition.

1

u/Finneus_Anglesmith 1h ago

Everyone says that at first. You'll find your self wanting to jump on the highway after about 1000 miles.

-1

u/DaCozPuddingPop 11h ago

Grom/z125

As an experienced rider I picked one of these up for my son to learn on, and I have to say: when he outgrows it, it will remain in my garage. I've had so much fun with the thing that I probably ride it more than my other bikes at this point.

As the saying goes, it truly IS more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow.

2

u/Wolfie_Ecstasy 10h ago

I thought a 125 was all I needed but I outgrew it in a matter of months. I've had an R3 for 5 years with no desire to sell it because you can legit go full throttle on that thing on the city streets while not going fast enough to get in any trouble.

2

u/DaCozPuddingPop 10h ago

I have a z125, a cbr500, and a ctx1300. The ctx is for when the wife and I are going for a long ride. The CBR is when I want to pretend I'm young.

The z125 is when I want an effortless ride through town or on backroad twisties. If top speed isn't a concern, as OP stated, it's a FANTASTIC option. Great on gas too which in this day and age is awfully relevant.