Buying your first motorcycle is a big deal, and we’ve created a list of the best motorcycles for first-time riders. Whether you’re 18, 38, or helping your kid get started, the stakes feel high, and they should. Choosing the right bike can be the difference between a smooth first season and an overwhelming or unsafe start.

We get asked this question a lot at Imperial. Riders walk into our Burnaby motorcycle mechanic shop looking for advice, or parents message us after their kid shows them a Craigslist post and asks, “Can we go see this tonight?”

So we decided to ask the people who work on motorcycles every day: our mechanics.

Here’s what they had to say, and what we recommend when it comes to picking the best motorcycle for a first-time rider.

Start Simple, Stay Safe

We asked Emerson what he’d suggest for an 18-year-old looking to ride. No hesitation:

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“Something fuel-injected, so relatively modern. Small displacement—250 to 400 max. Ninja 400 is a good place. Ninja 300s. R3s are great.”

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And as usual, he’s right. These bikes are light, smooth, easy to handle, and forgiving. They’re fast enough to grow with you but not so fast you’ll get into trouble on day one.

Stefano backed it up with similar advice: 

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“It depends on what you want to get into, but, maybe an R3, CBR 300–something that’s harder to hurt yourself on.” 

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And if you’re not planning to ride on the road right away? Another one of our techs took a different angle: 

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“Probably a dirt bike. A little 100 or 125. I’d say there’s the hills, go ride.” 

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It’s solid advice. Before you hit city streets, a season in the dirt can teach you a lot about balance, throttle control, and handling real terrain.

What Actually Matters in a Beginner Bike

Here’s the thing: your first bike doesn’t need to impress anyone. It needs to fit you, teach you, and keep you out of trouble.

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Here’s what to prioritize when buying your first motorcycle: 

Weight: Lighter is better. You want something you can pick up if you drop it.

Seat height: You should be able to flat-foot it or get close. That adds confidence.

Throttle control: Smooth power delivery matters more than raw horsepower.

Reliability: New riders don’t need to chase rare brands or vintage bikes.

Maintenance: Fewer things to go wrong = more time riding, less time fixing.

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A 300cc class sport bike or standard is a great place to start. Bikes like the Yamaha R3, Kawasaki Ninja 400, or Honda CBR300R have become beginner staples for a reason. They’re easy to ride, widely available, and they hold their value well if you decide to upgrade later.

Common Mistakes New Riders Make

We’ve seen new riders come in with bikes that were way too big, too heavy, or too powerful for their experience level. And we’ve seen parents surprise their kids with something that looks cool but isn’t the right fit.

Some of the most common issues we see: 

• Buying a 600cc supersport as a “starter bike”
• Picking something too tall or heavy to manage at low speeds
• Skipping the inspection and buying something with mechanical issues
• Not factoring in gear and maintenance in the budget
• Thinking they'll outgrow a smaller bike in a few months

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A 300–400cc bike isn’t something you outgrow. It’s something you learn on. And once you’ve mastered it, you’ll ride everything better.

Let Us Help You Choose The Right Bike 

Buying your first motorcycle doesn’t need to be stressful. Bring it to Imperial for a quick once-over, or just give us a call if you want to talk through what makes sense based on your riding plans. We don’t sell bikes here, so all you’ll get from us is honest opinions and free pre-purchase inspections. 

We were new riders once too, so we’ve got your back. We’re here for new motorcycle riders in BC, and we love helping people get started the right way. 

If you’ve got a bike in mind, we’ll inspect it for you free of charge. If you’re still deciding, we’re happy to walk you through your options over the phone or just pop by to our Burnaby motorcycle mechanic shop and chat us up at the counter. If you’ve already bought a bike, be sure it’s dialled in before your first ride. We’re happy to help you there, too. 

Book an inspection or service with Imperial Motorcycles.

We’re based in Burnaby but service clients right across Greater Vancouver. We work on everything and we’re happy to talk motorcycles with anyone who’s just getting started.