I remember my first time looking for a touring bike. I walked into the showroom and felt lost. Every bike looked huge. Every bike looked heavy. The sales guy kept pointing at the big ones. He said I needed a big engine for the highway. He was wrong.
I learned the hard way. I bought a bike that was too big. I dropped it in my driveway. That cost me money and pride. So I sold it and started over. That is when I found what really works for the best touring motorcycle for beginners.
This guide comes from my mistakes. I want to help you avoid them. Let me show you what to look for. I will also give you the best bikes to buy right now.
Big Touring Bikes Are A Trap For New Riders
Here is the truth. Most touring bikes weigh over 800 pounds. That is a lot of weight. Imagine trying to hold up a small car with your legs. That is what it feels like at a stop sign.
I remember trying to do a U-turn on a heavy bike. The bike started to tip. I put my foot down. But the bike kept going. Down it went. I could not stop it. The weight was just too much.
These big bikes also have big engines. We are talking 1800cc or more. That is a lot of power. Twist the throttle too fast and the bike jumps. This is scary for a new rider. You spend the whole ride scared. That is not fun.
The price is another problem. Big touring bikes cost a lot. We are talking 20,000 dollars or more. And that is just the bike. You still need gear. You still need insurance. The costs add up quick.
But here is the good news. Motorcycle companies figured this out. They now make touring bikes that are smaller. They are lighter. They are cheaper. And they are perfect for beginners.
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What To Look For In A Beginner Touring Bike?
Let me break this down simply. You do not need to be a mechanic. You just need to know these four things.
The Engine Should Not Scare You
You do not need 100 horsepower. That is too much. Look for 50 to 80 horsepower. That is plenty. But here is the real key. The power should come on smooth. When you twist the throttle, the bike should move forward gently. It should not lurch forward like a race horse.
I tested a bike once with a jumpy throttle. Every time I gave it gas, the bike jerked. My neck hurt after ten minutes. That is not what you want. Smooth power makes you feel calm. Calm riders are safe riders.
You Should Sit Up Straight
On a real touring bike, you lean back. Your feet are forward. Your arms are stretched out. This is comfortable on the highway. But it is hard to control in traffic.
For a beginner, you want to sit up straight. Your back should be relaxed. Your arms should bend slightly. Your legs should not be cramped. This position is easier to control. It also keeps your back from hurting after a few hours.
I rode a bike with a leaned forward position once. My back was killing me after an hour. I had to stop and stretch. That is not how you want to spend your trip.
You Must Be Able To Touch The Ground
This might seem obvious. But you would be surprised how many people ignore this. If you cannot put your feet flat on the ground, the bike will feel scary. Every time you stop, you will worry about dropping it.
Look for a bike with a lower seat height. Around 30 inches is good for most people. Also, look at the width of the bike. A narrow bike is easier to reach the ground on. A wide bike spreads your legs out. That makes it harder to put your feet down.
Wind Protection Matters
This is something new riders forget about. When you ride on the highway, the wind pushes against you. After an hour, you feel tired. Your neck gets sore. Your chest gets sore.
A good windshield changes everything. It pushes the wind over your head. You do not fight the wind anymore. You just sit there and ride. It makes a huge difference.
Some bikes let you adjust the windshield. You can move it up or down. This is a nice feature. You can set it just right for your height.
Storage Is Important For Trips
If you want to go on a trip, you need to carry stuff. Clothes, rain gear, snacks, and tools. Some bikes come with side cases. These are boxes that lock onto the sides. They are great.
Other bikes have a storage area built in. The Honda NC750X has a storage compartment where the gas tank usually goes. You can fit a helmet in there. It is a clever design.
The Best Bikes For New Riders
I have tested all of these bikes. Some I owned. Some I borrowed from friends. Some I rented for a weekend. All of them are good choices.
Honda NC750X
This is my top pick. The price is around 9,500 dollars. That is reasonable for a new bike.
The engine is 745cc. It makes 58 horsepower. This is perfect for a beginner. The power comes on smooth and easy. You never feel out of control. It also gets great gas mileage. You will not stop for gas very often.
Here is the cool part. The gas tank is under the seat. Where the gas tank normally goes, there is a storage compartment. They call it a "frunk". It holds a full helmet. This is so useful. I used it all the time. I put my helmet in there when I parked. I put my groceries in there. I put my rain gear in there.
You can also get this bike with an automatic transmission. Honda calls it DCT. It shifts gears for you. This is a game changer for new riders. You do not have to worry about the clutch. You just twist and go. It makes riding in traffic so much easier.
I let my friend ride this bike. She had never ridden before. She was nervous. After ten minutes, she was smiling. She said it felt easy. That is best touring motorcycle for beginners.
Kawasaki Versys 650 LT
This bike costs about 10,400 dollars. It comes with a touring package already included.
The engine is 649cc. It is a parallel-twin. This means two cylinders sitting side by side. The power is smooth and easy to control. You sit upright. The handlebars are wide. This gives you good control over the bike.
What I like about this bike is the package. It comes with hard side cases. These are 28 liters each. That is plenty of space for a weekend trip. The cases lock. You can take them off easily. The bike also comes with handguards. These keep the wind off your hands.
I took this bike on a 500-mile trip. It was comfortable the whole way. The windshield did a good job. The seat was comfortable. The bike felt stable on the highway. I did not feel tired at the end of the day.
The bike is also easy to ride in the city. It is not too heavy. It turns easily. You can filter through traffic if you need to. It is a versatile bike.
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Triumph Tiger Sport 660
This bike costs around 9,500 dollars. It feels like a premium machine.
The engine is 660cc. It makes about 80 horsepower. This is a bit more than the others. But the power is still smooth. You never feel like the bike is trying to get away from you.
The engine is a triple-cylinder. This means three cylinders. It is very smooth. There is very little vibration. When you ride for hours, vibration can make you tired. This bike does not do that.
The riding position is upright. The seat is well shaped. The windshield is big enough. The bike feels solid on the highway. It does not wobble. It does not shake. It just goes.
I was impressed with this bike. It feels more expensive than it is. The fit and finish are excellent. Everything feels quality. The suspension is good. The brakes are good. It is a well-made motorcycle.
Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650
This bike is different. It is a cruiser. The price is just 7,000 dollars. That is cheap for a new touring bike.
The engine is 648cc. It makes 47 horsepower. This is a great amount of power for a beginner. The bike is not fast. It is not jumpy. It is easy to ride.
You sit back on this bike. Your feet are forward. The seat height is low. It is only 29.1 inches. Almost anyone can put their feet flat on the ground. This gives you confidence when you stop.
The bike looks good. It has a classic style. People will stop and look at it. It gets compliments everywhere you go.
Royal Enfield sells a touring kit for this bike. You can add a bigger windshield. You can get a more comfortable seat. You can add a backrest for a passenger. You can add hard side cases. The total price with everything is about 8,200 dollars. That is still a great deal.
I rode this bike on some back roads. It was a relaxing ride. The bike is not powerful. But it does not need to be. It is about enjoying the ride. It is about taking your time.
Other Bikes You Should Look At
These are not my top picks. But they are still good choices.
The Suzuki V-Strom 650 is a popular bike. It has been around for years. The engine is proven and reliable. The riding position is comfortable. The windshield is good. It is a solid all-around bike.
The Kawasaki KLR 650 is a different kind of bike. It is more off-road focused. It handles gravel and dirt roads well. It has a large gas tank. You can go a long way without stopping. It is simple and easy to work on.
How To Pick The Right Bike For You?
Do not just read reviews and buy a bike. You need to do more.
First, think about your budget. How much can you spend? Do not forget the other costs. You need a helmet. You need a jacket. You need gloves. You need boots. These are not optional. They protect you. Set aside at least 1,000 dollars for gear.
Second, think about your riding style. Will you mostly ride on the highway? Or will you ride on back roads? Will you ride in the city? The Honda is great for everything. The Versys is great for highway and city. The Royal Enfield is great for relaxing back roads. The Triumph is great if you want a sporty feel.
Third, go sit on the bikes. I cannot say this enough. A bike might look perfect on paper. But it might feel wrong when you sit on it. Go to a dealer. Sit on every bike. Can you reach the ground? Does the seat feel good? Are the handlebars in a good position?
I made this mistake once. I bought a bike online. It looked great. The reviews were good. But when I sat on it, I hated it. The seat was too hard. The handlebars were too far forward. I sold it after two months. Do not be like me. Sit on the bike first.
Finally, consider buying used. A used bike is a great way to save money. Many people buy a beginner bike. They ride it for a year. Then they sell it. These bikes are often in great condition. You can save thousands of dollars. And if you drop it in a parking lot, it hurts less than dropping a brand new bike.
Tips For Your First Trip
Take it slow. Do not plan a 1,000-mile trip for your first time. Plan a short trip. Maybe 100 miles. See how it feels. See what you forgot to bring. Pack light. You do not need to bring everything. Bring the essentials. Clothes, rain gear, snacks, and water. You will learn what you really need after a few trips.
Plan your route. Know where you are going. Know where you will stop for gas. Know where you will stop for food. It is better to have a plan. You will feel less stressed. Check your bike before you go. Check the tires. Check the oil. Check the chain. Make sure everything is working properly. A breakdown on the road is no fun.
Final Thoughts
Riding a motorcycle on a trip is one of the best things you can do. You see the world in a new way. You feel free. You make memories that last a lifetime. But you need the right bike. A bike that is too big will scare you. A bike that is too powerful will scare you. A bike that is uncomfortable will make you hate riding. The bikes I have talked about are all good choices. They are safe. They are manageable. They are fun. Take your time. Do your research. Go sit on the bikes. Pick the one that feels right. Then get out there and ride.
