With all the different types of motorcycles out there it can be difficult to find the perfect motorcycle for you. So we’ve created this blog post with a variety of articles on different types of bikes to help you make your decision!
What motorcycle should I get if I want to commute daily?
If you want to commute daily there are a few motorcycles that would be ideal. If you’re in a city and do a majority of your commuting during the week, then it’s probably best to get a smaller motorcycle engine like:
1.) Honda Grom – 125 cc SOHC 4-valve liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine with intercooler. 3 carburetors. 5-speed transmission
2.) Kawasaki Z125 Pro – 125 cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke motor with automatic oil injection. 5-speed transmission
3.) Honda CBR 300 – 296 cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke motor. 5-speed transmission
If you live in a particular city where the weather isn’t usually too cold or hot, then either of these bikes should suffice.
As for if you want to do a majority of your commuting on the weekend and travel some during the week, then you would probably prefer a bigger bike so that you can make longer commutes. These motorcycles have larger engines that can go farther distances (when combined with gas mileage) and will be able to handle long days on the road.
4.) Kawasaki Vulcan S – 649 cc parallel-twin engine with liquid cooling and fuel injection. 5-speed transmission (standard) or 6-speed manual transmission is available for an added cost.
5.) Honda CTX700N – 745 cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine with fuel injection. 6-speed transmission (standard) or 7th gear added to the Kawasaki Vulcan S for an extra cost.
What motorcycle should I get if this is my first bike?
If you’ve never had a motorcycle before then it’s probably best to get a smaller motorcycle. This will make it easier to learn how to ride since they are lighter and more forgiving with the throttle. Some of the best smaller motorcycles to choose from are:
1.) Kawasaki Z125 Pro – 125 cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke motor with automatic oil injection. 5-speed transmission
2.) Honda CBR 300r – 296 cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke motor. 5-speed transmission
3.) Yamaha YZ85 – 85cc 2 stroke carburetor single cylinder 2 wheeled motorcycle (no clutch, just an accelerator) with a 4-speed transmission. *Note there is a new model of this bike coming out in 2017 that has been upgraded from the original…but we’re not sure what’s different about it yet.*
These bikes can be ideal if you want to take things slow and learn how to ride before you get a bigger bike. You can still learn the basics of riding while still going fast enough on the highway or down dirt roads during your weekend excursions with friends.
A lot of beginners make the mistake of getting their first motorcycle to be too big, however…and then give up trying to ride because it’s too difficult for them. Most people who quit will say it’s because they got something that was too heavy in weight compared to what they were used to riding before. It makes sense then, if this is your first bike, to go for something smaller so that if you decide later on that you like motorcycles, you can advance onto a larger bike at a later date when you feel more confident. Plus, if you’re going for your motorcycle license exam, having a smaller bike will help HEAPS with the maneuvers.
What motorcycle should I get if I want an automatic transmission?
Depending on what area you live in, there are a few motorcycles that have automatic transmissions. But if you’re looking for one that’s not too expensive, then your best bet would be to get the Yamaha YZ85 (like mentioned above under ‘what motorcycle should I get if this is my first bike?’).
If money wasn’t an issue, then I would suggest the Kawasaki Vulcan S. It’s more expensive than the Yamaha YZ85, but it has a larger engine which means that you can travel longer distances and go on longer adventures during your weekends away with friends. Plus, if you’re wanting to do some traveling around the country once you have your motorcycle license (and are ready for a bigger bike), this is one of the only automatic transmission motorcycles that works well off-road and will be able to take you pretty much anywhere without any problems!
What motorcycle should I get if I want more horsepower?
If you like to go fast and do some racing or just really want to go crazy on the highway…then you’ll probably prefer a bigger bike. These bikes have larger engines which means they can generate more horsepower when asked for. Some of the best larger motorcycles to choose from are:
1.) Yamaha FZ-09 – 847 cc liquid-cooled in-line 4 cylinder motor with fuel injection and an automatic transmission. The best thing about this bike is that it has a 6-speed transmission for upshift & downshift capability. However, if you want to customize things more then you can get the Yamaha FZ-09 with the close-ratio version for an extra cost.
2.) Kawasaki Vulcan S (discussed above under ‘what motorcycle should I get if I want automatic transmission?’)
What motorcycle should I choose if I’m wanting to do some off-road riding?
If you’re looking at getting your class 2 or 3 license but are also interested in finding a good all-around motorcycle, then
What motorcycle should I get if I’m interested in track racing?
If racing on the track is your thing then you’re looking for two types of motorcycles: a superbike and a sports bike.
Three great superbikes to choose from are:
- Kawasaki Ninja H2R
- Suzuki GSX-R1000
- BMW S1000RR.
If you’re looking for something more affordable to start with, then check out the Yamaha R1 and KTM RC8 R.
The three top sports bikes to look into are:
- The Ducati 1299 Panigale
- The Honda CBR 1000RR
- The Yamaha YZF-R1.
You could also look at some of Kawasaki’s options like their ZX-10 models or their Ninja series (like I mentioned under ‘what motorcycle should I get if I want more horsepower?’).
What motorcycle should I get if I want to go touring?
If you’re looking into getting a bike to go traveling on, then make sure that it can handle both the highway and off-road conditions. There are a few options available if this is your priority:
1.) Royal Enfield Himalayan (the white version) – 535 cc single-cylinder petrol engine with fuel injection and an automatic transmission. This bike has been designed for tough touring conditions (even in extreme weather) and includes features like dual headlights, disc brakes at the front & back wheels, 5 gears…etc. Plus, they’ve had some really awesome reviews from customers who have tested it out already!
2.) Kawasaki Versys 650 – 649 cc parallel-twin 4 stroke motor with fuel injection. The bike has a 6-speed semi-automatic transmission in it so you have some more control over your gear shifting. It also has front & rear disc brakes, fairly good suspension, and can go on for super long distances!
3.) Honda CB500X (discussed above under ‘what motorcycle should I get if I want automatic transmission?’)
What motorcycle should I get if I want a cafe-racer bike?
While there are quite a few bikes out there that you could get that fit into the cafe/bobber category, one of our favorites is Honda’s CB500X. It has the vintage look to it and can handle well off-road.
That being said, here are three alternatives:
1.) Kawasaki W800
2.) Yamaha XSR700
3.) Suzuki TU250X
What motorcycle should I get if I’m interested in sport touring?
For those of you who are interested in traveling at high speeds on tough terrain, then sport touring is the type of riding for you! Sport touring bikes usually have large engines and fairly good suspension so that they can handle going over most obstacles.
There are a few great options out there for sport touring:
– Kawasaki Versys 650
– Honda CB500X
– Suzuki TU250X
What motorcycle should I get for off-roading?
If you’re looking for a super rugged, off-road bike then check out the Royal Enfield Himalayan, or (if this is above your budget) try out the BMW F 700 GS.
Two other options that are good if you want to go more extreme off-roading and do some light touring:
1.) Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro
or
2.) Honda CRF650L
These bikes can handle both long-distance riding and rough terrain! Plus they’re very comfortable to ride on for long distances.
Conclusion
Motorcycles can be a great way to get around or are perfect for those who just want more freedom. This blog post has covered the different types of motorcycles available and what they are best suited for so that you have an easier time finding your perfect match!
