Ten Great Beginner Motorcycles

One of the tamest members of the notorious Ninja family, the 500R is like a Ninja 250R on steroids-- while remaining manageable enough for beginners.

Built around the compact parallel-twin found in Kawasaki's Ninja 500R, the Vulcan 500 LTD is a well-balanced mid-sized cruiser that's well-suited for beginners.

The GS500F's sporty appearance should appeal to performance-oriented riders, but its air-cooled, twin-cylinder 487cc engine is tame enough for beginners.

For more check out our photo gallery of the 2008 Suzuki lineup

With a wet weight of 513 lbs, Yamaha's V-Star 650 Custom cruiser might be heavier than most bikes here, but its low 27.4 seat height and mild manners make it an approachable beginner bike.

Click here to view the entire 2008 Yamaha lineup.

If supermoto style is what you're after, the Suzuki DR-Z400SM offers that unique combination of a dirtbike body and street-biased suspension.

For more take a look at our photo gallery of the 2008 Suzuki lineup.

The cheapest member of the Harley-Davidson family, the Sportster offers back-to-basics style, a low center of gravity, and one of the greatest exhaust notes of any beginner motorcycle.

For more, see our '09 Harley Iron 883 Review and Photo Gallery.
Also, check out our '07 Harley Nightster Review and Photo Gallery.
And finally, take a look at our 2009 Harley Buyer's Guide, which covers all 33 bikes in the Harley lineup.

If you like the look of classic British bikes, you'll love the Triumph Bonneville. Its torquey air-cooled 865cc parallel twin doesn't need to rev high to produce decent power, and its iconic design combines retro styling and modern functionality. Read our 2009 Bonneville review, and take a look at the entire 2009 Triumph lineup here.

Don't let its Gixxer-like looks fool you; the Suzuki GSX650F's upright posture and tractable powerplant make it a great beginner bike.

Click here for a review of the 2008 Suzuki GSX650F
Click here for a photo gallery of the 2008 Suzuki GSX650F
Click here for a photo gallery of the 2008 Suzuki lineup

Though it's generally considered a premium product, beginners craving a versatile dual purpose bike might want to consider a BMW G650 Xcountry. Its 53 horsepower single-cylinder powerplant should offer years of reliable operation, and its oddball styling cuts a unique silhouette on the road.

The Honda Shadow Aero and Spirit 750's liquid-cooled 745cc V-twin might be more powerful than most bikes in this category, but low seat height and predictable handling make either bike a solid choice for beginners.