Motorcycling has long been seen as a symbol of freedom and enjoying the open road. The marketing for the latest bikes is often focused on the most powerful models, but these are not for everyone. What about the thousands of you that are starting your journey with your first bike?
If you’re looking for your first ever bike, or you’ve been away from motorcycles for a few years and want to get back into it, we want to help. As part of our series on beginner bikes, we’ve started with BMW Motorrad. We’ll take you through their best motorcycles for beginners, to get you started on your journey.
So what are we looking for in a beginner motorcycle? Well, something low to medium power, with forgiving handling is key to any beginner bike, We’ve also looked at how comfortable they are, and how good the visibility is. Finally, we’ve looked at starting prices, as most new bikers will be on a budget!
What are the best BMW bikes for beginners?
BMW Motorrad has one of the widest selections of bikes on sale currently. There’s everything from adventure bikes to heritage models, with a bike for almost anyone. For beginners, we’ve picked out five of the best options from BMW, and we’ll give you the stats on each model, along with our opinions.
We’re sure that if you’re looking for your first bike and you want to give BMW a try, there will be a bike here for you…
BMW G 310 GS – from £5,630
Adventure class motorcycles have become increasingly popular in recent years. The large-capacity BMW GS has been a front runner in this since it was chosen for the Long Way Round TV series, and the GS brand has grown from there.
The G310 GS is the entry-level GS model and our first choice on this list. The single-cylinder engine produces 34 bhp, which is a solid amount of power for new riders. The clutch is very light to use and all other controls are well laid out, which is always a BMW strong point. Most importantly, the brakes are ABS as standard and whilst not the most powerful, are very smooth. Should you want to do some off-road riding, the ABS can be switched off too.
Overall the BMW G310 GS is an excellent choice to introduce you to the world of adventure motorcycles. For experienced riders, the G310 may not have enough power, but that does not take anything away from this model as a first stepping stone.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Looks great | Lacks power |
| Easy and comfortable to ride |
BMW F 900R – from £8,675
Our second choice is the F 900R, and unlike the GS310, this belongs in the Roadster class. In short, a Roadster strips away the fairings and bodywork to leave a simpler, more traditional-looking machine. For some owners, the visual style isn’t as appealing, but for many, the more mechanical look is a bonus.
The 900 cc engine in the F 900R is perfect for beginners, with good torque at low speeds, and healthy power delivery. You get slightly more power here than the GS130, with 105 bhp – not a lot when you compare to performance models, but plenty for your first bike.
Another bonus for the F 900R is that if you only have a class A2 license, BMW sells a 94 bhp version in the UK. For those of you working towards a full license, this is a great option.
The F 900R might not be an obvious choice for beginners, but this bike has a lot going for it. It’s on the expensive side compared to rivals, but if you’re after a premium choice for your first bike, there aren’t many better options.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Smooth power | Clunky gearchange |
| A good long-term choice | Expensive |
BMW F 750 GS- From £8,600
For our third choice, we are returning to the Adventure Bike class, and with good reason. This is an area where BMW is very strong, and our next choice, the F 750 GS is proof of that. Compared to our earlier Adventure model, this is a more advanced bike, and more expensive as a result.
The F 750 GS engine produces 77 BHP and 61 lb/ft of torque. This is more than twice the output of the smaller GS and as a result, this is a bike that’s better suited to those long journeys. Even though it’s double the power of the GS model, this isn’t an intimidating bike for beginners. You get excellent visibility here, and like most BMW bikes, ABS brakes as standard.
The price of the F 750 GS is also on its features. As standard you get traction control, selectable rain mode, LED lights, a 6.5 “ TFT screen, a USB port, and a 12 v socket. That’s more features than you get on some modern cars, so overall £8,600 is a competitive price point.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Plenty of features and extras | Expensive for beginners |
| Excellent all round performer | The R850 might tempt you |
BMW C 400 X – From £6,250
At this point, you might be asking ‘what if I don’t want an adventure bike?’ This next model should have you covered, as the BMW C 400 X is a completely different machine, and perfect for urban use.
For the purists out there, you might be screaming at the screen right now because the C 400 X sits in between a true motorbike, and a scooter. That’s not a negative here, and in fact, it makes the C 400 X perfect for beginners, but for some, it won’t feel like a true bike. We completely understand that, but BMW list this as a motorcycle, and we think it’s got some great features worth your time.
Power isn’t the focus on the C 400 X, and the 350cc engine makes a modest 35 bhp. The lack of performance is balanced against a claimed 80 mpg, which will get you over 200 miles between refueling. Those are some impressive stats, and the positives don’t stop there.
The handling and design of the C400 X make it perfect for use in crowded areas, with good stability and a compact design that makes it easy to ride and park. You get a good amount of features here too, and I think BMW has clearly understood who this model is marketed at. With a TFT screen, keyless start, and USB chargers, this is a bike designed for beginners in the city.
We totally understand that the C 400 X won’t appeal to the majority of bike owners, and that’s for good reason. However, it’s great to see BMW releasing a bike focused on a very specific group, and nailing the design and features. Love it or hate it, the C 400 X is a great choice if you need a bike for the city, and we want to see more like this from BMW in the future.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Great practicality | Blurs the line between bike and scooter |
| Handling and power are perfect for beginners | Not an option for rural use |
BW CE 04 – from £12,270
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Our final BMW bike is the CE 04. It’s impossible these days to mention new bikes without talking about the electric options, and our pick from the BMW Motorrad lineup is the CE 04. Like the C 400 X, this is a bike/scooter hybrid that’s clearly focused on urban use, but it’s a different machine from its petrol-based sibling.
Currently, the CE 04 is the only electric 2-wheel BMW, but we like to compare it to another vehicle from their automotive lineup, the i3. Like the i3, the CE 04 is a model with a striking and futuristic design, that is sure to split opinions. It’s also been designed with simplicity in mind, perfect for urban use.
The design of this bike isn’t the only talking point though. As with all electric bikes, the performance and range are a focus for most owners, and in these areas, the CE 04 holds up well. You get the equivalent of 42 bhp from the motor and a 0-30 mph time of just 2.6 seconds. This isn’t the fastest electric bike by any stretch, but the performance will be enough for any beginner. The CE 04 is also available with reduced power for Class A1 riders, so even if you only hold an A1 driving license, this is an option.
A range of 81 miles is also claimed, which will be more than enough in most cities. There’s a wide range of options for charging the CE 04, in line with most electric vehicles, so running out will be a challenge. As you’d expect there are plenty of features to make this an ideal urban bike, with a 10.25” TFT screen to help with navigation, a heated seat option, and USB C charging.
We can’t ignore the price though, and at over £12,000, the CE 04 is just too expensive to compete as a bike for most beginners. As with most electric vehicles, the premium cost can be partly justified with the fuel savings, but the CE 04 is simply too much money. It’s a great machine but we feel it’s here as a test for BMW, and will hopefully lead to more affordable options in the future.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Unlike any other BMW bike | The Price |
| Great features and tech |
Summary
There we are, the five best BMW choices for beginning your motorcycle journey. BMW bikes are often focused on performance and long-distance use, but they have some great options for first-time owners. To summarise the options we’ve looked at here:
G 310 GS – from £5,630
F 900R – from £8,675
F 750 GS- From £8,600
C 400 X – From £6,250
CE 04 – from £12,270
If you’ve enjoyed this article and want to find out more, check out the links below:
The Best Honda Motorcycles For Beginners
The Best Motorcycles for Tall Riders
The Most Expensive BMW Motorcycles In 2023
