Short answer: For most new riders, the best first motorcycle is a lightweight 300–500cc standard, cruiser, or small adventure bike. Bikes in this range are light enough to handle at low speed, forgiving of mistakes, cheap to insure, and easy to resell when you’re ready to move up. Start with a bike that fits your body and your riding, not the biggest one you can afford.
At Empire Cycle & Powersports in Spokane Valley, we help first-time riders find that bike every week. Here are the questions we get asked most, answered straight.
What size motorcycle should a beginner get?
A 300–500cc bike is the sweet spot for most new riders. It has enough power to keep up with highway traffic but not so much that a nervous throttle hand gets you in trouble. Riders who are shorter, lighter, or planning to stay mostly in town can be happy on 250–400cc. Taller or heavier riders, or those who’ll do a lot of two-up and freeway riding, may want to start at the upper end of that range.
The number that matters more than raw engine size is seat height and weight. You want to be able to get both feet reasonably flat on the ground at a stop and pick the bike up if it tips over in a parking lot. A 400cc bike you can flat-foot will build your confidence faster than a 650 you’re tip-toeing on.
What’s the best type of motorcycle for a beginner?
It depends on where you’ll ride, but a standard (naked) bike is the most beginner-friendly all-rounder. Here’s how the common styles compare for a first bike:
| Style | Best for | Beginner notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard / naked | City and mixed riding | Upright, neutral seating; easy to control; great first bike |
| Cruiser | Relaxed street cruising | Low seat height (easy to flat-foot), low center of gravity |
| Dual-sport / small ADV | Riders who want pavement + light trails | Tall but light; very forgiving; versatile |
| Dirt bike | Off-road and trails only | Not street-legal in most cases; great for learning throttle control |
| Sportbike | Track and aggressive street | Powerful and less forgiving — better as a second bike |
If you’re torn, sit on a few. The right feel beats the right spec sheet.
Should a beginner buy new or used?
Either works, but buy the bike that’s mechanically sound and fits you — condition matters more than age. A well-kept used bike lets you learn (and drop it a few times) without stressing over a scratch, and you’ll lose less money if you decide to upgrade. A new bike gives you a warranty, no unknown history, and the latest safety and rider aids like ABS.
At Empire we carry both. You can browse our new inventory or our pre-owned bikes — and every used unit now lists its mileage so you know exactly what you’re looking at.
What are good beginner motorcycles to look at?
Look for approachable models from the lines we stock: Empire carries CF MOTO and Triumph as our two largest street lineups, plus Husqvarna. We are not a dealer for other brands, but pre-owned bikes from Yamaha, Harley-Davidson, and others regularly come through on trade — see the pre-owned inventory for what’s in right now. CF MOTO in particular has a strong run of small- and mid-displacement standards and adventure bikes that are priced right for a first bike, and Triumph’s smaller models are a favorite for riders who want a name-brand step up.
Prefer to skip gas and gears entirely? We also stock electric motorcycles — twist-and-go, no clutch, quiet, and genuinely easy to learn on.
Browse everything on two wheels here: Empire motorcycle inventory.
How much does a first motorcycle really cost?
The sticker isn’t the whole story anywhere — except at Empire, where it is. Most dealers advertise a low number and then stack on freight, setup, and documentation fees at the counter. Empire uses Up Front Pricing: the price you see already includes freight, setup, and our doc fee. The only things added are sales tax and title/registration, which every buyer pays no matter where they shop. So the number on the listing is the number you plan your budget around.
Beyond the bike, budget for gear (helmet, jacket, gloves, boots), a rider training course, and insurance — which is refreshingly cheap on a small first bike.
What should I do before I ride off?
Take a rider training course and gear up first — it’s the best money you’ll spend. A basic rider course teaches clutch control, braking, and cornering in a parking lot before you ever touch traffic, and it often earns you an insurance discount and can waive part of the license test. Then get a properly fitted helmet and protective gear.
When you’re ready to find the bike, you can schedule a test ride, browse our full inventory, or just text us at 509-498-3541 with what you’re looking for and your budget. We’ll point you at the right first bike — not the most expensive one.
Empire Cycle & Powersports — Spokane Valley, WA. New and pre-owned motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, and snowmobiles, all with Up Front Pricing.