5 Great Motorcycles for a Beginner Rider

It won't be news to you that racing bikes are designed with a focus on high speed. But still, the main task of an ordinary motorcycle is to ensure safety on the road. In the virtual world, it is quite easy to maneuver fast bikes through the streets, but we still do not live in a fictional reality.

Luckily, advances in technology have brought safety features, driver-assistance technology, and real-world reliability together into the very best electric motorcycles. They ensure that you can ride an electric motorcycle safely on city streets, and everything is completely legal.

You are in the right place if you are looking for the best electric motorcycles with specific features. Keep reading to find out which one is best for you.

Ducati Scrambler Nightshift

Price: 1,043,000 rubles
Engine: 803 cc cm, Desmodromic L—twin
Power: 73 hp
Weight: 196 kg

In the fall of 2021, Ducati has expanded the Scrambler family with a new version of the Nightshift. It's still the same Scrambler, with the exception of some details. Firstly, it has a lot of black parts and a matte silver blue finish. Secondly, the rear-view mirrors are located at the ends of the handles, and thirdly, the bike’s saddle is designed for two. The Scrambler family is loved for its engine: a cool, perky and uncompromising unit with which you can not just move, but drive with fire.

The ghost of cheapness: why Chinese motorcycles are dangerous

When you really want a motorcycle, but don’t have the money for a quality device, many are ready to turn a blind eye to any warnings and buy a “Chinese” one. We'll tell you how such a purchase can turn out

Natalya Umnova
The Chinese auto industry has certainly progressed over the past couple of decades, and now some companies are able to produce a product worthy of competition with, for example, Korean cars. And yet, until now, most of even the most popular Chinese cars “delight” their owners with regular, more or less serious breakdowns. But maybe the Chinese are doing better with motorcycles? After all, two-wheeled vehicles are in great demand both in China itself and in other Asian countries, and are the main means of transportation for the majority of the population of India, China, Vietnam, Indonesia and other countries in the region.

Traditionally, Chinese manufacturers specialize in small-capacity motorcycles. These are motorcycles and scooters with an engine capacity of up to 400 cm3, and the bulk fits into 50-150-250 “cubes”. There are, however, several companies that produce equipment that is more similar to motorcycles in our understanding, with a 500+ cc engine, but these are usually products of former European factories bought by Chinese investors, for example, Benelli or Saggita. We will not talk about them, but will focus specifically on small-capacity budget equipment.

Everything here is like the big ones: there are scooters, scooterettes, maxi-scooters, classic motorcycles, pit bikes, enduro bikes and even sportbikes. And the number of companies producing two-wheeled vehicles and brands of this equipment is incalculable.

Who is there?

Chinese companies, both automobile and motorcycle, rarely come up with their own. And why reinvent the wheel if everything has already been invented before? It's easier to copy and change a little. And sometimes you can do without this slyness.

In terms of appearance, motorcycles don’t need to be copied too much; fortunately, casting a new plastic body kit is easier than casting a car body. But the engines and frames are worth it. The vast majority of engines installed on Chinese motorcycles sold in Russia (and in other countries) are copies of the 1958 Honda Super Cub engine (!) and its later modifications. Modern Chinese engines, based on the Honda “donor”, have a volume of 50-120 cm3.

Engines with a volume of 140-180 “cubes” are the same Cub, but with some of the “filling” from engines of the SV family. Such units are found mainly on pit bikes BSE, Kayo, Pitster-Pro, Mikilon and equipment under Russian brands.

The SV series engines themselves are produced as single-cylinder (125-232 cm3) and two-cylinder (125, 250-350 cm3). However, they are quite expensive for budget equipment, so they are less widespread in our country. The most interesting models with this engine are the Johnny Pag (Jonway) and Regal Raptor choppers.

Another popular donor for Chinese engines is again the 1976 Honda CG125. The cubic capacity of these engines is increased to 232 (250) cm3 by boring the cylinder. Here they are found on Stels (QJiang), Lifan, Irbis, Patron vehicles.

One of the most modern clones is the Chinese version of the Honda CBF125/150 engine, but it is already much more expensive. In Russia, motorcycles with this engine are presented under the Patron (Yingang) brand.

There are also copies of Suzuki GS/GN engines with a volume of 125-150-200-250 cc. But they are even more expensive than Honda CB/CG. They are used mainly by Baltmotors.

If we talk about the interchangeability of Japanese engine parts with their Chinese “analogs,” then you can’t be sure of anything. Some parts can actually be installed in Japanese (cylinder heads, shafts, carburetors), but some are deliberately made a little different so that “original” spare parts do not fit (intake and exhaust, for example).

In addition, even “original” spare parts often come from the manufacturer are not the same: either the gap is not the same, or the holes for fasteners are slightly in the wrong place.

What, what are these “Chinese” made of?

Today, Chinese engines, copied from Japanese ones and produced in millions, have reached a good level of quality and are the least dubious part of a motorcycle from the Middle Kingdom. But everything else...

The main problem is the metal used in the frame, steering columns, shock absorbers, mounts, etc. It is of very low quality and does not withstand any serious loads. Anything can break, even in the process of intended use: steering columns, frames, rims burst, footrests and stands fall off...

With this quality of metal, there is no need to talk about the rigidity of the chassis and, accordingly, the stability and predictability of the motorcycle in motion. It may turn the wrong way or in a different way than the driver expects. It is “baptized” in the most harmless tilts: the front part goes to the right, the rear part goes to the left, and vice versa. The brakes become red-hot after a series of several turns or a long descent. After bouncing on bumps or jumps, you can land on cracked running boards...

Another common problem is the quality of the build itself, which does not comply with any standards: 50/50 that you will be lucky and buy equipment that will last a decent amount of time. And the same 50/50 chance that you won’t be lucky. So after purchasing any Chinese motorcycle, you just need to check and tighten all the fasteners. And it would be better to go through the entire device - suddenly somewhere they forgot to install a gasket or an oil seal or boot or installed it incorrectly...

How to live with this?

It is clear that when you really want a motorcycle, but there is no money yet for a quality one, many are ready to “forget” any warnings, difficulties and their own safety. However, we must warn.

Riding Chinese pit bike, enduro and sport bike classes becomes especially unsafe. These are light, small devices with “evil” motors, designed to be installed in a durable, geometrically adjusted chassis, and not in what often plays the role of such in motorcycles made in China or assembled in Russia from Chinese kits. These motorcycles can reach speeds of 100 km/h or more without providing the necessary rigidity, strength, reliability or ride quality to give the driver control and control.

Perhaps, only truly experienced motorcyclists who know how to cope with a disobedient, kicking “horse” that resists its “rider” in every possible way can afford to ride Chinese motorcycles.

In fact, cheap “Chinese” motorcycles are bought as first motorcycles, often for teenagers who have just received their “licence” (or have not even received it) and have at least learned to ride. But it’s one thing to ride around the country in the summer, where the speed is lower and there is no traffic, and another thing is to go into the city or on the highway, where the equipment is required to operate all systems accurately and reliably.

What's the result?

Ideally, it is better not to buy cheap Chinese motorcycles. However, if for some reason you cannot avoid the purchase, here are some tips:

Choose only among brands that have been present on the Russian market for more than 5 years, for example, Alpha, Keeway, Zongshen, Stels, Lifan, M1NSK, Patron. This way you will most likely be able to avoid problems with the lack of spare parts.
Choose classic models or “choppers” as the most durable.
Don't buy Chinese sportbikes! Enduro and pit bikes are also not worth it.
Don't buy Chinese motorcycles for teenagers. It’s better to let them be content with fifty-kopeck scooters!
Focus on the price of 80-100 thousand rubles. Of course, it is no longer as attractive as 30-40 thousand, but think for yourself what the cost of such a motorcycle is and, accordingly, the quality of materials and work, if the final price in Russia also includes delivery, duty, profit of the manufacturer and seller and other expenses ?
Be prepared for the fact that everything will have to be modified with a “hammer and file” and that the service life of the equipment will still remain a mystery to you.
Don’t buy a “Chinese” one with your “last” money: at least a helmet is required for the motorcycle (again, better not Chinese), plus insurance and maintenance. In addition, there is a high probability that you will soon have to spend money on spare parts and repairs. A motorcycle, no matter what it is, is a rather expensive pleasure.

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Discussion Cancel

Nikolay:
09.13.2021 at 19:04
Almost everyone I know drives Chinese vehicles. ... after a year the motorcycle gets its ass. Mine is already 5 years old, it's perfect and I love it. Yes, the power is not Japanese, but it has already worked out its price. If you change his oil on time, he will forgive everything. The metal leaves a lot to be desired, but it's not terrible, and if you look at the price, it's beautiful
Answer
Yuri:
01/01/2021 at 14:05
The article is quite objective, many points are indicated correctly. (I had the opportunity to drive both Japanese and Chinese vehicles, as well as repair them).
Answer
Dmitriy:
09/08/2020 at 18:19
Aftor is openly delusional. From the Chinese industry, there is outright racket only among scooters. — they break down often, and even then all except the CPG. We don’t kill the crankshaft on them at all. This is not a chizh wad Izh. Among mopeds and motorcycles {With proper use} there are even fewer problematic options. You need to understand that if you take a 15-year-old cunt “Alpha” even from a store, and the cunt fancies himself as Valentina Rossi and drives like a sports bike, not a single engine will survive under such loads. Do you think that if this is an expensive Japanese product, then only Motul should be poured into it, but the Chinese will tolerate punishment. Ale, don't be such imbeciles. China is not China, but the engines need attention. I myself drive a 250cc motorcycle, liquid cooling, 4 valves per cylinder, the motorcycle is six years old, replacement is only for consumables and still no repairs. Comrades, do not be biased. Take care of your equipment and it will repay you in kind.dmitriy_vladimirov1991
Answer
Nikolay:
03/21/2021 at 01:57
Read also: Scooter Nexus Street 4-stroke, 50 cm³
Absolutely true, if you treat technology negligently, then no motorcycle will withstand it, I also have a Chinese sport bike and Planet 5 and I’m not complaining, everything works without any complaints
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Aprilia Tuono 660

Price: 934,000 rubles
Engine: 660 cc cm, in-line 2-cylinder
Power: 95 hp
Weight: 183 kg

The completely new Aprilia Tuono 660 began production quite recently - at the beginning of 2021. Its brother RS was well received by riders last year. The motorcycle's engine and its weight create the perfect balance of handling and dynamics. This makes the Tuono 660 very convenient for both beginners and experienced riders. It is equipped with many systems. For example, you can choose one of five riding modes, and there is a traction control system, which is usually found on more expensive bikes.

Moto Guzzi V7

Price: 817,000 rubles
Engine: 850 cc cm, V-shaped (90º), 2-cylinder
Power: 65 hp
Weight: 189 kg

Piaggio and Moto Guzzi have updated their V7 lineup. For 2021, the 744 cc Goose engine has been replaced by an 850 cc V2 producing 65 hp. and 73 Nm. The bike received two versions: Stone and Special. They differ not only in color schemes, but also in some details that do not affect the characteristics. The price of the motorcycle is also captivating.

Review of promising electric motorcycles 2021

A certain trend has emerged in the motorcycle market, where even true fans of traditional motorcycles are changing their prejudices in favor of electric models.

This comes as almost every motorcycle company is developing at least one electric model. So little by little the two-wheeled market is turning to electric bikes.

Promising models for 2021. Among the companies producing electric motorcycles, there are mono brands that produce only electric versions. But recently, well-known brands have also become more active and have mastered the production of one or two new generation models. Among the notable new products on the market in 2021 are:

Zero SR/S. The vehicle, weighing 229 kg, has a range of 130 to 250 km (depending on modification), with the ability to recharge from the Power Tank for another 50 km. With active driving, it will not be possible to travel more than 200 km, so they offer the additional installation of a fast charger (for 3 thousand euros). The starting price of the model is from 21.54 thousand euros. Today there are almost 10 models in the Zero Motorcycles line.

Zero SR/S one of the models in the line

Energica EGO+RS. The road version of the Italian brand accelerates from zero to hundreds in just 2.6 seconds, and the top speed is limited to 240 km/h. A capacious battery (21.5 kWh) ensures autonomy of up to 400 km. The price of the model starts from 31 thousand euros.

Representative of the Italian brand Energica

KTM Freeride R-XC. Model for movement over rough terrain. The travel of the front and rear forks is 250 mm and 260 mm, respectively. With a power reserve of only 77 km, the electric bike is suitable for active recreation. The car can be driven with an A1 driver's license, and the price for the KTM will be only 7.695 thousand euros.

KTM Freeride R-XC. Model for movement over rough terrain.

Tacita T-Cruise. The Italian road model has 3 battery capacity options - from 9 kWh to 27 kWh. The driving range will be in the range from 112 to 300 km. All versions of the model are equipped with only a 60 hp engine. s., and the price increases significantly from the base 11.965 thousand euros, taking into account the increase in battery capacity.

Harley-Davidson LiveWiro . The brand's first electric model has a motor with 75 hp output. and a torque of 70 Nm, which is enough to accelerate the bike to “hundreds” in just 3 seconds. Top speed is limited to 177 km/h. Thanks to the fast charging device, it will be possible to replenish the charge from 0 to 80% in just 40 minutes, and the maximum range after charging will be up to 225 km. The starting price for the first electric Harley-Davidson model is almost 33 thousand euros.

Harley-Davidson LiveWiro is still expensive

It seems that, as in the case of electric vehicles, further development of the electric motorcycle segment will lead to a noticeable reduction in price.

As a conclusion. Don't forget about the numerous Chinese models of electric motorcycles. For example, the model of the new brand Alrendo TS Bravo starts at 10 thousand euros with a minimum autonomous range of 150 km and an engine power of 75 hp. Taking into account the still insufficient reliability of the first models of well-known brands, such cars are a good alternative today.

Benelli TRK502

Price: 500,000 rubles
Engine: 500 cc cm, in-line 2-cylinder
Power 47 hp
Weight: 213 kg

This motorcycle is not distinguished by its original design. But in this case, the cool thing is that you will be the only motorcycle brother or the only motorcycle sister in the company who rides a Benelli. Why might you choose this bike? Look at the price of the basic version and its characteristics. For example, a copy of Travel prepared for travel will cost approximately 600,000 rubles. The bike's engine is very simple and there will be no problems with it. The bike feels a little too tall, but the saddle height is a manageable 84.6cm.

Tips for choosing the best electric motorcycle

Choosing a powerful motorcycle seems to be a bit of a daunting undertaking. Ultimately, your riding behavior and personal preference are some of the main deciding factors in choosing the best electric motorcycle for you. Despite the variety of models available, there is only one electric motorcycle suitable for each rider.

Follow these tips to find the best electric bike for you.

Decide what you want to use the motorcycle for

For many people, one of the main reasons for choosing an electric motorcycle is to reduce carbon emissions. This is a laudable motivation, but not the only reason why riders are choosing electric bikes these days.

These spirited stallions are designed to give their gas-powered brethren a run for their money when it comes to variety and speed, providing more functionality and a choice of model to suit your specific needs.

Consider whether you need an electric motorcycle for commuting, trekking, backpacking, outback riding or adventure riding. Once you have decided on the purpose of the motorcycle, start selecting specific features that suit your needs.

Distance

The range of a motorcycle is the total distance it can travel on a single charge. Pay attention to electric motorcycles with a significant power reserve. But keep in mind that the distance is only an approximate figure. The range specified by the bike may be affected by certain factors, including:

Traffic jams;
Your riding style;
Your weight and height;
Type of road;
Weather.

Before choosing a motorcycle based on the range that will suit your needs, think about your average daily mileage and typical route. If you ride primarily on rural roads, your needs will be different than those of a highway or city street rider.

Aim for a range of around 100 kilometers on lighter models. If the nature of your route and other factors require a longer travel range, choose heavier models that can provide a range of up to 200+ miles.

Power, torque and speed

Then you need to know what to expect from the motorcycle when you step on the gas. This may seem a little technical and complicated to some, but once you get the basics down, it's extremely easy to understand.

Firstly, the power of an electric motorcycle is calculated in horsepower, and is measured in kilowatts. Multiply kilowatts by 1.34 to determine the motorcycle's horsepower. However, in most cases, power parameters can simply be found in the declared characteristics of the bike. So, if you see a rating of 100 hp, that means you have a hundred live horsepower between your legs!

Torque refers to the acceleration of a machine and is measured in ft-lb. More torque gives more acceleration. And finally, speed. The speed of an electric motorcycle depends on its power and weight.

No matter how stylish and attractive the design of an electric motorcycle is, it is recommended to take your time and familiarize yourself with all the specifications before purchasing.

Battery life

Motorcycles with internal combustion engines wear out over time after driving many kilometers. The same thing happens with the batteries of even the best electric bike. Battery life (not range) is critical for any electric motorcycle.

Lifespan varies greatly from model to model. For example, some Zero motorcycle models have a battery life of 570,000 km, while other models have a standard battery life of 1.5 million km thanks to Tesla's lithium-ion battery technology.

Although most models are equipped with batteries with a decent service life, you, as the owner of the car, can influence its service life.

Charging time

Wondering how quickly you can completely drain your motorcycle battery? Charging time for electric motorcycles depends on the type of charger. Many models come with built-in Level 1 or 2 chargers, and some others have CCS (DC) fast charging capability.

The Level 1 charger uses a 120V connection and charges slowly. Typical charging time with a Level 1 charger is 10 to 13 hours. A Level 2 charger uses a 240V connection and typically charges in less than 3 hours.

The CSS charger provides lightning-fast charging. These types of chargers can boost your bike to 80% in about 45 minutes.

Dimensions and weight of the electric motorcycle

You must pay special attention to the ergonomics of the bike because if you are uncomfortable sitting on it, you will not be able to control it properly.

The seat height should be appropriate for your size and the weight should be comfortable for you. The best models allow you to easily adjust your riding position to suit the terrain. An electric motorcycle should be comfortable at all times, whether you're out on a stop-and-go ride or leaning forward slicing through the dirt.

Guarantee

Electric motorcycle manufacturers provide a warranty that covers the motorcycle parts and frame. Make sure the warranty also covers battery life.

To remain covered by the warranty, you must comply with certain conditions. These conditions include:

The correct way to charge the battery.
The maximum and minimum temperatures recommended for operating the bike.
The level of charge left in the battery if you do not intend to use it for an extended period.

Hi-tech

Electric motorcycles have more advanced features like no other before. It's not just fancy tech stuff. Instead, the technology aims to ensure rider safety using advanced technology.

A preference for models with advanced warning systems, Bluetooth connectivity to mobile apps, GPS tracking and more is the norm.

Yamaha MT-07

Price: 713,000 rubles
Engine: 689 cc cm, in-line 2-cylinder
Power: 75 hp
Weight: 184 kg

Yamaha has updated two of its MTs: MT-07 and MT-09. We are interested in the first version, the engine of which complies with Euro 5 standards. Yamaha has also optimized the fuel injection system and added a two-into-one exhaust system, which not only helps reduce emissions, but also makes the engine run smoother.

You can find out about other interesting motorcycle news for 2021 here.

Photo: Ducati, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Benelli, Yamaha, Logan Weaver / Unsplash

5 Great Motorcycles for the Beginner Rider

Why should you buy an electric motorcycle?

Still not on board with electric motorcycles? Let's answer why these bikes are worth it.

Service

With electric motorcycles there is literally no liquid to worry about - fuel, oil, etc. no need to worry. You don't have to become a skilled home mechanic to own any of these beauties—they won't break down anytime soon, anyway.

Sure, some components require periodic maintenance, but you definitely won't be fixing leaking gaskets or changing the oil.

Saving

Whatever one may say, charging an electric motorcycle is much cheaper than filling up with gas or buying gasoline.