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There are multiple budget-friendly motorcycles in the market you can choose from, but there are only a handful of the best beginner motorcycles under $3000.
Whether you are looking for a naked motorcycle for commuting, a cruiser for touring, a sports bike for track riding, or an adventure/trail motorcycle for off-road riding we have short-listed the best beginner motorcycles for each of these segments to make your buying/choosing decision easier.
Here’s a list of the top 11 best beginner motorcycles under $3000,
- KTM Duke 200
- Kawasaki Ninja 300
- Yamaha V Star 650
- Kawasaki Versys X 300
- Suzuki Boulevard S40
- Suzuki DRZ 400
- Honda CBR 300R
- Suzuki SV650
- Honda CRF125F
- Honda CBR 250R
- Honda XR150L
Keep in mind that you can get motorcycles mentioned on this list from dealerships or private sellers in used or new condition (more likely in pre-owned/used) or from online marketplaces like Cycletrader.com, Motohunt.com, or under $3000 for sure, so don’t let a tight budget stop you from having fun.
Due to current emission standards, the prices have risen but previous versions of current motorcycle models mentioned on this list are easily accessible at budget-friendly prices.
1. KTM Duke 200
First on the list is KTM Duke 200 and it comes with a peppy liquid-cooled single-cylinder generating 25 hp and 14.16 lb-ft (19.2 Nm) of max torque, which is excellent for daily urban commutes and enough performance to keep the riding experience for beginners interesting.
You can get the 2020-22 year model of the KTM Duke 200 under $3000 on online marketplaces of new and used motorcycles such as cycletrader.com or motohunt.com
2. Kawasaki Ninja 300
The Kawasaki Ninja 300 is a great track-riding motorcycle with beginner beginner-friendly ergonomics package. The seat height and the rider triangle are fairly upright and comfortable which makes this motorcycle pretty good for daily commuting as well.
Ninja 300 comes with a 296cc parallel twin liquid-cooled engine, which generates 38.4 hp and 19.2 lb-ft (26.1 Nm) of max torque.
Even though it’s a sports bike the power delivery is linear and non-intimidating, which is certainly helpful for beginners and a great substitute for Ninja 400.
You can get the 2015-19 year model of Ninja 300 used or in new condition easily from dealerships or private sellers in fairly good condition whether it be online or offline.
But here’s another good news even though the Kawasaki Ninja 400 is hard to come by under $3000, with a few more dollars and adequate negotiating skills you can certainly get yourself a 2015-18 model of Ninja 400.
3. Yamaha V-Star 650
If you are not a track day enthusiast and your primary focus of riding a motorcycle as a beginner is comfort and clear purpose, then look no further than the Yamaha V Star 650 custom or classic.
The engine displacement of a 649cc V-twin air-cooled engine which produces 40 hp at 6,500 rpm and 51 Nm (38 lb-ft) torque at 3,000 rpm makes this motorcycle very tractable (easy to control).
And if touring and commuting is your ultimate goal then the V Star 650 is ideal for you and the seat height being 27.4 Inches (696 mm) makes this motorcycle a go-to choice for short beginner riders.
You can get the 2009-14 year model of Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom/Classic under $3000 on pre-owned/used motorcycle marketplaces with fairly low miles.
Another option you can look for is the Yamaha V-Star 250, which is another budget-friendly beginner motorcycle under $3000.
4. Kawasaki Versys X 300
Reliable beginner motorcycles under $3000 in the adventure segment are pretty rare but Kawasaki Versys X 300 is the one you can fully depend on.
The 296cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine produces 40 hp and 19.2 lb-ft (26 Nm) of max torque and is capable enough to hold highway speed of 80 Mph (130 Kph) with ease.
Versys X 300 can be your daily commuter, off-road adventurer, or fully capable touring motorcycle. Due to its 19-inch front wheel, the handling is adaptable to both urban and off-road riding conditions compared to the 21-inch front wheel that most super off-road focused adv have.
With adequate suspension and the weight of Versys X 300, this motorcycle can be easily handled by beginner riders.
This can be your all-in-one motorcycle and is capable of attacking difficult terrains when needed, so if you are unsure about your motorcycle choice and need a bike for commuting, touring, and off-roading purposes then without a doubt Kawasaki Versys-X 300 can do it all that too on tight Budget.
You can get the 2014-17 year model of Versys-X 300 between the range of $2500-$3000. And for tall riders is can be a really great motorcycle.
If you are specifically searching for motorcycles as a tall rider (5.10 ft or above men or closer to 5.8 ft for women), then please check our carefully curated article on 15 Best Beginner Motorcycles For Tall Riders ( Intermediate level motorcycles also included) at reasonable affordable prices from Top quality brands.
5. Suzuki Boulevard S40
Suzuki motorcycle engines are known for their strong and reliable engines and the Suzuki Boulevard S49 is one of those cruisers you should be interested in.
The Boulevard S40 comes with 625cc which sounds bigger but the caveat here is it’s a single-cylinder air-cooled engine that produces 31 hp and 37 ft-lb (50 Nm) of max torque.
Due to its lower seat height and linear power delivery, it can be an ideal candidate in the cruiser segment under $3000 for beginner riders.
This motorcycle can easily hold and stay stable at the highway/freeway speed limit.
The weight of Boulevard S40 is around 380 lbs (172 kg) but due to its seat height of 27.6 Inches (700mm) makes this motorcycle easy to maneuver even through tight spaces.
You can get the 2014-17 year model of Suzuki Boulevard S40 at the price range of $2400 to $3000 on online used motorcycle marketplaces.
6. Suzuki DR-Z400 S/SM
Who wouldn’t want a fun dual sports motorcycle as a beginner rider? The Suzuki DR-Z400 street version or Supermoto version is super peppy and fun to ride on every single time.
This motorcycle is for those who want to learn motorcycling but are not bound to one style of riding.
The DR-Z400 S and SM versions can easily attract a lot of young people due to their fun nature and overall capability of off-road trail/dirt riding and street riding as well.
DR-Z400 S and SM model can easily hold highway/freeway speed limit due to its 398cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder 4-stroke engine that produces 39.7 hp and 28.8 lb-ft (39 Nm) of max torque.
The lightweight nimble nature of the motorcycle and the weight of 321 lbs (146 kg) make this motorcycle easy to maneuver on difficult street and off-road conditions.
So if you are interested in off-road trail riding occasionally or even all the time DR-Z400 is the one you should go for.
You can get 2005-06 year models of Suzuki DR-Z400 S (street) and SM (supermoto) at the price range between $2400 to $3000.
And you won’t have to worry the current models of these motorcycles have not changed at all (apart from a few cosmetic changes) from their 2005-06 counterparts.
I think Suzuki nailed it and thought why fix it if it’s not broken?
7. Honda CBR 300R
Honda is another Japanese brand known for their reliable and long-lasting engines. For the majority of beginner riders, sportbikes are always their go-to choice whether you are a young man or an old-timer trying to rekindle your passion for motorcycling.
Honda CBR 300R is one of the best beginner motorcycles in the sports bike segment due to its linear power delivery and forgiving nature. You can make mistakes while learning to ride on this motorcycle and the consequences will not be severe.
The 1380mm wheelbase of CBR 300R is fairly short which contributes to excellent maneuverability and cornering ability. It comes with a 286cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that produces 30.4 hp and 19.9 lb-ft (27 Nm) of max torque.
The lightweight of this motorcycle is fundamental to its beginner-friendly appeal and holding highway/freeway speed limit will be no problem for the CBR 300R.
The top speed is around 98 Mph (157 Kph) is fairly good for a sub 300cc sports bike and CBR 300R is a good alternative for Ninja 300 in the beginner sports bike segment.
You can get 2015-2021 year models of Honda CBR 300R around the price range of $2500 to $3000 (or a few dollars more give or take) on cycletrader.com or motohunt.com in fairly good used condition.
8. Suzuki SV650
So if you want a motorcycle that you would not replace for a good 4 to 5 years and you can grow into as a beginner rider, then Suzuki SV650 is one of the top picks and favorites among riders in the naked bike segment all over the world.
SV 650 comes with a 645cc V-twin liquid-cooled engine that produces 72-74 hp and 47.2 lb-ft (64 Nm) of max torque. Though the power figures are on the intermediate side, the power delivery is linear and has a tractable quality to it.
The upright sitting position makes it ideal for daily commutes, but the performance availability just at a twist of the throttle makes SV650 a capable track-riding tool with some fairing and handlebar adjustability mods.
This naked motorcycle can be held on to for many years and still, it will never bore you due to its lightweight trellis frame/chassis and overall weight which contributes to its easy maneuverability/handling and torque punch at low to mid-range.
You can get 2001-07 year models of Suzuki SV650 under $3000 on cycletrader.com, motohunt.com, or motorcycles.autotrader.com.
And I have to say SV650 by Suzuki is the safest and most worthy beginner motorcycle you can settle on without a doubt as a beginner rider, which makes this bike one of the best beginner motorcycles under $3000.
9. Honda CRF125F
For all dirt bike trail riding enthusiasts and especially beginner riders who want to get into trail/dirt track riding, the Honda CRF125F is one of the best beginner motorcycles under $3000 in the trail/dirt motorcycle segment.
The overall lightweight (194 lbs or 87 kg) of the motorcycle coupled with a durable twin-spar steel frame makes the Honda CRF125F one of the lightest bikes in weight in the dirt/trail bike category.
It comes with a 125cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine which demands less maintenance and is powerful enough to jump over and tackle the crazy bumps and dips of an off-road trail track.
You can get 2021-23 year models of Honda CRF125F in brand new condition or sometimes with very low miles, between the price range of $2800 to $3000 on online marketplaces like cycletrader.com or motohunt.com
10. Honda CBR 250R
If you are running very tight on a budget and hoping to get a reliable beginner motorcycle under $3000 in a sports bike segment as a beginner rider, then the Honda CBR 250R is for you.
CBR 250R comes with a 249cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that produces 23.7 hp and 14.6 lb-ft (19.86 Nm) of torque which any beginner motorcycle rider can easily handle.
Though it will struggle to keep up with highway/freeway speed limits, around the city and urban commuting will be much easier. Honda CBR 250R can play a big role in building your foundational learnings and familiarity with the basic fundamentals of controlling and handling a motorcycle.
You will grow out of this motorcycle at a quicker pace with strong and reliable riding skills at a budget-friendly price.
You can get 2011-2015 year models of Honda CBR 250R between the price range of $2000 to $3000 on online motorcycle buy and sell marketplaces in a pre-owned condition.
11. Honda XR150L
We are finishing our list with a fun beginner dual-sports motorcycle called the Honda XR150L.
It is beginner-friendly, budget-friendly, and versatile with on-road and off-road riding conditions.
XR150L is perfect for your daily urban/inner city commutes and if the mood kicks in some off-road trails too.
The 149cc air-cooled single-cylinder engine produces 12.14 hp and 9.2 lb-ft (12.2 Nm) of max torque at low rpm.
So this motorcycle is clearly focused on urban commuting and off-road dirt tracks on a budget.
You can get a brand-new Honda XR150L for just $2971, and as a beginner rider dual-sports motorcycles are one of the best and fun options you can go for.
Beginner Motorcycles Under $3000 ( Most Asked Question FAQ)?
Is a 250cc a good beginner motorcycle?
250cc motorcycles are ideal beginner motorcycles for new riders because of their smaller engine size and linear power delivery as beginner riders can easily learn and grow the core skills of braking, throttle control, gear shifting, and turning/swerving.
