Type of Motorcycles | Safest Bikes Based on Engine Size and Capacity (2024)

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Type of Motorcycles | Safest Bikes Based on Engine Size and Capacity? ›

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that motorcycles with an engine of 1,001-1,500 cc have a higher fatal crash rate than lower cc engines. Engines with 500 cc or above account for 40% of accidents, while engines with 50-125 cc account for only 20% of accidents.

Most bikes hover in the 400cc to 1,000cc range. Lightweight bikes go from 50cc to 350cc. Middleweight bikes range from 400cc to 950cc. While heavy bikes go from 1,000cc to 6,500cc.

There are seven main types of motorbike you're likely to encounter when looking for your new bike – supersport, adventure, touring, street, 125cc, scooter and off-road. You'll also sometimes hear sport touring, but it's usually included as part of the touring category.

A general recommendation for new riders is a 250 or 300cc bike, but a 600cc bike would be powerful enough to support a heavy rider and therefore a better choice. Ultimately it'll come down to what's comfortable for you to handle.

You'll want something that delivers the full experience—so we recommend looking for bikes with at least 300cc. That said, a bike with more than 600cc may be difficult for new riders to handle.

The speed of 250cc motorcycles can vary, but on average, you can expect a top speed of around 85 mph (approximately 137 km/h). Some, such as the Kawasaki Ninja 250R, can even reach an impressive top speed of 105 mph (169 km/h).

The 450cc dirt bike is a true powerhouse in the world of off-road biking, boasting a top speed of between 100 to 120 mph. But it's not just about raw speed; it's also about control and stability.

Cruisers. A cruiser is a motorcycle with a low seat height, thick tires, and a V-twin engine. Overall, the cruiser is a great choice for beginners because they're stylish, comfortable, and has a relaxed power output to handle better at low speeds.

Cruisers are known for being comfortable, varietal, and popular. Top cruiser brands include Harley-Davidson, Indian, and most metric manufacturers (like Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, and Kawasaki). Typically cruisers are heavier bikes, with resulting lower power to weight ratios, and a focus on comfort and low-end torque.

What's the best size motorcycle for a beginner? ›

We agree with that consensus that 250cc motorcycles are the way to go for beginners. But if you're not convinced, here are some reasons why you should consider this engine size for your first bike.

You can get anything from a 125cc (cubic centimeter) engine to something more than 2,000cc. For beginner motorcycle riders, the recommended engine is 500cc to 600cc. The lower the cc figure, the easier the bike will handle, and the more forgiving it will be to the inevitable mistakes that new riders make.

The larger the total volume (or CC), the more energy can be burned and the more power can be generated. Of course, more power is not always better; it all depends on your riding needs. A 250 CC bike might be ideal for city commuting, but you might want something with 600 CC or more for long-distance touring.

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to determine the most reliable motorcycle – although the Big Four Japanese brands (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki) tend to dominate the market for dependability. Luxury brands like BMW and Ducati tend to be less reliable not to mention more expensive to maintain and repair.

We found the best beginner motorcycle overall is Triumph Speed 400. It's a bargain-priced canyon carver that looks sharp and performs perfectly for new-in-the-saddle riders. If that isn't quite what you're looking for, read on for some more of our favorite models for beginners.

The shorter crankshaft helps V4 engines deliver more power than their inline counterpart. More power is great, but there are certain performance details to consider. V4 engines make handling your bike less comfortable, but this experience differs from rider to rider.

In general, bikes with higher cc engines tend to be more powerful and faster than those with lower cc engines. However, it's important to note that other factors, such as the bike's weight and design, can also impact its overall performance.

The average 125cc bike will likely have a top speed of around 70mph, and should be able to cruise along at 50 to 60mph quite comfortably. A second-hand 125cc bike can be picked up from a few hundred pounds, while a new high performance machine could set you back more than £4,000.

1. WORLD'S LARGEST 2,500cc CAPACITY. The world's largest production motorcycle engine is an all-new 2,500cc Triumph triple, with even larger capacity and more performance than its legendary predecessor.