No matter your age, there’s a great bike to learn on.

By Blake Conner, www.cycleworld.com

First of all, we have to qualify this list by saying that we could probably come up with 40 to 50 bikes that fall under this category. So these are just options that we’ve split into a couple of subsegments to give you an idea of what’s out there; some classics that we can’t leave off, and some that you may not have considered. A good rule of thumb is that if a bike on this list is close to what you’re looking for, but isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, take a peek at its competitors. The subcategories include first-ever bikes for kids, adults, and those who may have ridden in the past and are returning to motorcycling.

First Bike: Kids

This should be a no-brainer, but if you’re trying to get young kids into motorcycling, you want to start them on something that isn’t intimidating, is small, and isn’t too expensive just in case the kid isn’t into it after a year or so. Here are a few suggestions.

Yamaha PW50

We can almost guarantee that if you polled all the riders in a pro motocross or supercross paddock on which bike they got their start, a vast number of them would say a Yamaha PW50. Not only is the price right at $1,699, but the fully automatic transmission and adjustable throttle control is ideal for first-time riders. Let them concentrate on learning the basics of controlling the bike without worrying about a clutch and shifting. The 49cc air-cooled two-stroke has been around forever and is pretty much bulletproof. When your kid outgrows it, PW50s are a hot commodity in the used market. Want a similar four-stroke with gears? Check out the $1,749 TT-R50.

Honda CRF50F

What if you’re looking for an entry-level first dirt bike for your kids and you bleed red and not blue? Well Honda has you covered with its $1,699 CRF50F. This smallest Honda trailbike has features that will teach your kids the basics in a nonintimidating package. The CRF50F features a three-speed transmission with an auto-clutch, so they can get the hang of shifting without having to worry about the clutch. Other nice features include an adjustable throttle limiter and a keyed ignition, so they won’t ride unattended. The 50cc air-cooled four-stroke engine provides smooth power and minimal maintenance, so you can spend your time playing and not wrenching.

Suzuki DR-Z125L

Not all kids get started riding as soon as they can walk, so if you’re looking for a great starter bike for your preteen kid, the $3,499 Suzuki DR-Z125L is a good place to start. With its 124cc air-cooled four-stroke engine, easy-pull clutch, and five-speed gearbox, not only is it a nonintimidating bike to learn on, but one that they won’t immediately outgrow. With a spark-arrestor-equipped exhaust system the DR-Z125L is green-sticker legal in California, which means you can pretty much ride off-road all year with your family. With 19-inch front and 16-inch rear tires and a disc front brake, the chassis offers solid components that will help teach your kids the basics before stepping up to a bigger bike.

First Bike: Adults

Not everyone is lucky enough to have parents who shared the love of motorcycling at an early age. For those of you who missed out on early exposure to riding, the same rules apply: Start with a bike that isn’t intimidating, but is something that you can grow into without wanting to move on to something bigger right away. Here are a few fun bikes that look cool and fit the bill as great learning machines.

Kawasaki KLX300

Many adults getting into riding for the first time don’t think about dual sport motorcycles as a first bike. That’s too bad, because a bike like the $5,800 KLX300 is not only incredibly versatile, but also a lot lighter and easier to manage from a power standpoint than your average streetbike. The 292cc four-stroke single engine has enough power to make the bike street legal, which makes it great for getting to work or school or just running around town, but also provides enough oomph for trail riding. Fuel injection means that you won’t ever have to worry about the bike running perfectly, no matter where you live or ride. Disc brakes provide confident stopping while off-road-oriented tire sizes (21-inch front and 18-inch rear) allow lots of rubber options.

BMW G 310 GS

The lure of an adventure bike is pretty captivating. The look of these bikes promise the opportunity to explore roads of all types from paved to dirt. But BMW’s $5,890 G 310 GS is also a bike that offers a manageable liquid-cooled fuel-injected single-cylinder engine that provides enough power to keep up with freeway traffic, and is peppy and fun around town. Multiple seat options (32.3 inches, 32.8 inches, and 33.4 inches) means it can be customized for a variety of rider’s heights. Other features that make this BMW ideal for newer riders are the standard ABS braking system, a reasonable 386-pound fully fueled weight, and adjustable brake and clutch levers. A three-year or 36,000-mile warranty will keep you confidently rolling.

KTM 390 Duke

If you want a bike that is sporty and cool but won’t cost an arm and a leg or be totally intimidating, KTM’s $5,799 390 Duke is a great choice. This naked sportbike comes loaded with performance features and great components that will allow you to learn how to ride, but also keep you entertained for years to come. Power comes from a fuel-injected single-cylinder engine that makes 44 hp, while a slipper clutch and six-speed transmission keep the bike composed and in the sweet spot of the power. A sporty chassis and a low 328-pound dry weight, dual disc brakes with a four-piston, radial-mount front caliper provide great performance, while the ABS brakes even provide a Supermoto mode.

Getting Back in the Saddle

We’ve heard it before, but a lot of riders spent their youth riding motorcycles, but for one reason or another took a break from the sport. Later on in life, they realized what a mistake that was and decided to jump back into the fray. Like an older tool that’s become rusty, a bit of polishing is necessary to get the brain and reflexes back up to speed. Here are some great options for riders who want to get back on the horse.

Harley-Davidson Sportster S

OK, so it’s been a few years, but you want a new Harley and yet you want something that takes you back to another era, and a bike that isn’t intimidating and one that you won’t soon want to upgrade. But you also want something that is totally modern, with the look of a classic. You really can’t argue against the stance of the $15,499 Sportster S. If you squint your eyes, it looks just like classic Sportsters of old, but this one is powered by the new Revolution Max 1250T engine. Traditionalists will whine, but the air-cooled engines of the past can’t meet modern emissions standards, so a totally modern liquid-cooled V-twin with variable valve timing and double overhead cams pumping out 121 hp and 94 lb.-ft. of torque is the solution. Rider aids like Cornering ABS and traction control and creature comforts like cruise control make this the most high-tech Sportster ever.

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Want to get back into riding, and want something fun and capable but totally on the cheap? Like the idea of adventure riding, but don’t want to break the bank? The $5,449 Royal Enfield Himalayan surely ticks all of those boxes. The chassis provides long-travel suspension, and yet a totally reasonable 31.5-inch seat height, an upright seating position, and wind protection courtesy of the front fairing. Features like the switchable ABS provide the option of turning off ABS to the rear wheel for off-road riding, while a 21-inch front tire and 17-inch rear allows a lot of rubber choices for wherever you want to explore. The 411cc air-cooled engine is simple and yet comes equipped with fuel injection. Power is rated at 24 hp with an almost identical amount of peak torque. Accessories like the aluminum panniers further expand the Himalayan’s utility. Check out Jeff Allen’s Royal Nepal Adventure story in which he rode the bike in mountains it’s named after.

Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark

Remember when bikes could do it all, before there were sportbikes, adventure bikes, cruisers, and so on? Well, unless you’re a boomer, you likely don’t, but trust us there was a day and age where the same bike could serve many purposes. Not only is Ducati’s $9,195 Scrambler Icon Dark the least expensive bike from Borgo Panigale, it’s a very cool interpretation of the do-it-all motorcycle. You know it’s sporty because all Ducatis are, but it’s also amazingly versatile. The air-cooled fuel-injected 803cc desmodromic V-twin pumps out 73 hp and 49 lb.-ft. of torque. The chassis is anchored by a steel frame hung with a preload-adjustable shock and upside-down Kayaba fork. Wheels measure 18 inches front and rear and come with chunky Pirelli tires that handle dirt roads as well as asphalt.

Zero FX

Looking for a great urban commuter that can take you on fun short jaunts on the weekend? Have you ever considered an electric motorcycle? If the answer is yes to either one of those questions, then take a look at what Zero Motorcycles has to offer. The $12,995 FX comes with a 7.2kWh Z-Force Li-Ion motor that is rated at 46 hp and 78 lb.-ft. of torque. Zero’s claimed city range is 91 miles, while the highway rating at 70 mph drops to around 40. On a normal household 110-volt outlet recharge time is just under 10 hours, but an optional max accessory charger can cut that down to under two hours. Chassis highlights on the FX include Showa suspension front and rear, J.Juan brakes with Bosch Gen 9 ABS, and a 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear mounted with Pirelli Scorpion MT tires.