Watch our Best Beginner Bike SHOOTOUT Here! rvz.la/3MtHyhX Sign up for our Rider Plus Membership for exclusive deals! rvz.la/44U9D8W Don’t forget to grab everything your bike needs from Motul rvz.la/44RdgfU
The fact that this video doesn’t have time stamps is a disservice to your subs. Nearly perfect vid. Why not put in the last bit of effort to make it flawless? When I get a chance I will do it myself if you haven’t.
Before anyone considers the Sondors, I urge you to read the subreddit about it. Lots of people placed deposits and still don't have build dates or promised-by dates. Can't get parts, performance isn't as promised nor range, etc. Just do your due diligence.
It's something I think important to consider for any rider, beginner or otherwise, but maybe more relevant to beginners who simply haven't been "around the block" so to speak yet when it comes to motorcycles and what to be mindful of while buying a new one -- any startup company or even just very small market share manufacturer like Sondors is going to have major accessibility and service shortcomings even less reputable major companies will not. Things aren't necessarily more likely to go wrong, but when (not "if", it's only a matter of time on any motorcycle) something does go wrong you'll have an easier time getting help or if necessary sourcing parts from a bigger and more established manufacturer; better yet a manufacturer that has physical presence in dealerships and which is familiar to mechanics outside dealerships because they've been around for decades and have high marketshare. Sondors is small, they're new, they're not present in dealerships, and they don't have the resources or back catalogue or presence in the used market any of the big players do. Should even a minor problem happen the easiest way forward will unfortunately sometimes with something like a Sondors be "replace the motorcycle", and it may not even be that much slower or more expensive than fixing yours.
@@Jonesy781 Definitely, the price for performance is really not there yet for anything being a little urban runaround or paddock bike you bring to the track to ride around everywhere except the track. I'm sure they'll "get there" eventually the same way cars have, and the guys have talked on HSLS before about how they're curious to see where the segment will go once any of the big manufacturers start exploring the space. But unless new regulations force their hand, I can't see much innovation within the decade because the petrol bikes are already researched and developed and they know how to make and sell them.
@@cowmath77 I don’t know man, I’ve been following EVs since about 2015 and the change is quite frankly the change is quite astonishing. I’d say 5-8 years and then an electric motorbike will hit the magic numbers for 70% of people. I mean, when it comes to mopeds the maths has been simple for years by now. Will it challenge a proper motorbike for long trips and journeys? Maybe not. But apart from the fact that it’s an edge case, they’ll get there as soon as someone figures out how to include fast charging for a reasonable cost. Please note I’m not talking passion here, just mobility. They’ll get there before we know it once more mainline brands start doing it properly (I think BMW will get there first tbh).
Why are smaller displacement bikes almost always called “beginner bikes”? I traded in my Harley-Davidson Road King for a Royal Enfield Himalayan and I could not be happier. It was a conscious choice to ride a smaller, lighter bike, get off the congested interstates and go some places that the Harley just wasn’t meant for. Watching most UA-camrs you’d get the idea that high horsepower, heavy machines are the only choice for experienced riders and that just doesn’t ring true in my case.
Drives me nuts too. Run the full gamut of bikes over 24 years and now have an unkillable vstrom 650 (more nimble and better balanced than the 1000cc), a svartpilen 401 (a flickable firecracker around town, that parks anywhere) and a Royal Enfield 500 (for a little sunday afternoon bumble to the beach). It takes an experienced rider to see beyond horsepower, just as it takes an experienced man to know marrying a supermodel would be a pain in the ass.
I think they mean beginner friendly. Light weight, easy handling and a balanced/good controleble power delivery. They don't say that this should be a first bike. They don't say that this can't be your second or nineth bike. And they certainly don't say that you can't be happy about them.
Thank you for your post! On a whim, I bought a KLX 230SM a week ago. I can't remember the last time I had this much fun riding a motorcycle!! I spent the last 5 years paying off my 2019 H-D 48. I did a Stage 3 Kit. I have loved it, BUT I have considered selling it and getting a 650ish bike. Your experience has helped nudged me further in that direction!
I enjoyed your episode but I disagree with the choice of the BMW 310. I just finished riding from Prudhoe Bay Alaska to Ushuaia Argentina on a Versys X300. I would not have been able to complete the adventure with cast rims and parts are very difficult to get in Central and South America. The cost to change the rims on the BMW is a deal breaker. I made the entire trip for $15,000 including bike, fuel, maintenance, hotels, and food. Alaska Versys Argentina
I can attest to the reliability and easy of learning on the Versys X 300. It’s my first bike and it has been fantastic. The performance is solid, the maintenance is fairly easy, and the seat is not terribly uncomfortable. What Ari said is true, it’s a good for highway and on light dirt roads. Overall I was very satisfied with my choice and plan on keeping it even if I purchase a larger displacement bike.
should be revived and kawa put the dang ninja 400 engine on it. versys 400x would be very great honestly in the unicorn territory if the parameters are right.
The Honda 500s make a great first (or forever) bike. Obscenely easy to ride, forgiving, comfortable, reliable, economical, low maintenance, and come in a bunch of different styles.
I second this. I've been riding a 2013 cb500x for a few years and I think it is the best starter bike for anyone who wants to get into adventure riding or riding really any type of street bike that isn't a sport bike
Haven’t ridden in over twenty years for one reason or another. But I really enjoy watching/listening to the Podcast. Very informative and entertaining.
I don’t want to see the 400 in a versys. too much plastic to break. I’d like to see Kawasaki make a scrambler - with a nice flat seat that doesn’t lean you’re a crotch into the gas tank. And keep the big gas tank
Scooters are great and I think more people should consider adding one to the garage for short trips and commuting. I've had a Zuma 125 for almost 10 years and love it, it wasn't my first bike but its the one I've owned the longest now. Sits next to a Grom and a Speed Triple 1050 but I've had an R6, Daytona 675, Sprint ST, Hypermotard and several other smaller bikes in the time I've owned it. Kill the stigma! Scooters are awesome, easily approachable, fun, economical and super chill. I'll probably part ways with it eventually in favor of another scoot 150-300cc just for a bit more performance but can't go wrong with a Zuma 125 or equivalent if you don't need to hit the highway. I think they fit especially well for people looking to get away from riding for whatever reason but are hesitant to since they might want to ride on occasion, be it cost, kids, or space since they are relatively safe, super cheap, and store just about anywhere.
LOVE hearing praise for the Versys X300. That was my first bike, I taught myself how to ride on it and put 8k miles on it within the first 6 months. Even took it from Kansas City, KS to Eureka, CA. It was an amazing machine and I wish I still had it!
Hello hello, Valentin here from Romania! (In case you read my comment, my UA-cam nickname is impossible to read so made it easy for you guys!) Just wanted to say thank you for this show. It is an amazing way for me to relax and to spend the time at the gym. I really like laughing out loud at you guys when you talk about motorcycles and it also expands my 2 wheeled culture. Just wanted to thank Spurge for being such a big fan of KTM. I never thought I would own one but after constantly hearing about ktm at highside lowside I decided to go for a test ride and, although it was not love at first sight, i found the 890 adv to be the most refined motorcycle of all middleweights, at least for me. Fast and strong! Take care both and I can't wait to listen to the next episode!
thanks for the timely episodes. My stepdaughter is wanting to get a bike and you guys are providing lots of good information for me to share with her while she contemplates what she wants to get for her first bike.
Would be interesting to see where the two new Triumph 400s line up against these -- especially in comparison to the Hunter and something like the Svarpilen.
I learned to ride on a Meteor 350 last year. I put 5000 miles on the bike in my first season but traded it in for a Himalayan this Spring for just the reason Ari was talking about regarding cruisers. The feet forward, low seat minimal suspension combination increasingly hurt my back and hips. I put a tall seat on the Himalayan and it gives me a much more natural, leg under, seat position with the ability to lift off the seat or stand to supplement the suspension. The Meteor motor / transmission is definitely more refined than the Himalayan but the roughness and rough edges is what makes the Himalayan a charmer in my opinion.
I think the Meteor's niche may just be those of us that have a main bike and want something else for hour long pleasure cruises, grocery getting, commuting on a nice day, etc.
just sold my GSXS1000 & purchased a 2023 Versys x300, absolutely love the little Kawasaki, killer little engine, awesome riding position & great stock suspension , ride it in the upper revs like a 2 stroke and enjoy the grin you will have from ear to ear, 🥰🥰
Believe it or not. Here in Thailand a Honda PCX 160 is considered a cool teenagers bike. If you are in high school and you ride a PCX then you are a cool kid from a wealthy house. The coolest and wealthiest kid ride an Xmax 300 however. 😊
When I was a kid back in the 90’s all the cool guys from the big city (Petchabun) rode sports bikes. Me? I always wanted Aunt Lek to come and pick me up on her old little Vespa 😂. I guess things have changed.
The intrepid trio of hosts laid out some good information. Best part to take away is "motorcycles are fun!" If you are not sure about this statement, check out their beginner bike episode. Smiles the whole time. I've been riding for about 18 years. It's still a blast!
Thanks for the great work as usual guys, I really loved that episode from ctxp as I myself was a beginner not so long ago, I would love to see that episode again but now for intermediate and advanced riders! Thanks again, greetings from Mexico love you guys
Coincidence? I purchased a super low mileage Z125 for my 17 year olds first street bike today! Great timing on the topic and I agree with most of your pics. That Hunter 350 from Royal Enfield looks great for the price. Can’t wait to see that bike on daily rider.
Scooters ROCK, I got an old Sym 250 and it is soooo comfortable for commuting, I also got an FZ8N for the weekends My old daily in Aus was a DR650 but after doing a lot of time in the Philippines I went to a scooter as a commuter. 6 bucks a week for petrol. It's the most practical.
Nothing like the sound of that engine. Like a proper Vespa for any Italian those of us who grew up in South East Asia will never forget that sound of the noodle lady setting up shop or auntie coming home from work. Love it.
Cb500x is the best beginner adventure bike for tall, large/XL riders. Also arguably the best beginner adventure bike in general. BUT, you definitely gotta go used if you wanna consider it a top tier, TRUE BEGINNER bike. Unless you already know you're gonna love it to death or money means nothing to you, it's pretty tough to justify spending 8k on a new cb500x as a beginner
As someone that bought the Versys x300 as a beginner bike, cannot recommend it enough. Fantastic around town, great mileage, good on the highway, decent offroad, it was cheap to buy and insure, easy to maintain. For a great bike to ride to work everyday and weekend fun, can't beat it.
As a new rider, I disagree with not including naked bikes. They look aggressive and fast. That's why I wanted a Duke... And there were non available so got a svartpilen.
Debated this for about 2 months before settling on a '20 KTM 390 Adventure for my first bike. I'm 6'5" so the height was a huge consideration. I don't regret that bike at all but 12 months later I starting designing my 22' KTM 890. Rode a 3-4 year old Himalayan in Patagonia about a month ago. I don't have experience with the other bikes in the beginner category. The 390 was an awesome starter bike where only on fast roads in Texas did I start **needing** more. The Himalayan, despite the weight, was just such a forgiving bike. I'd consider owning one along with my 890. I think between the 390 and Himalayan, I'd usually recommend Royal Enfield unless someone was really tall and was confident with more performance in a starter. Both are great going from beginner to novice. I don't think you're an intermediate rider until at least 50k miles on a motorcycle... motorcycle rider rank/stage criteria would make for an awesome episode!
Own a Meteor 350. Stellar red, real beauty. I also live in Norway, and the top speedlimit here is 50mph, so the Meteor is just perfect! Love your vids. It was actually Zachs video on the Meteor 350 last year that made me pick up the phone and order one
I have one as well, but Fireball Yellow like the one Jen rode in the CTXP episode and while I live in Canada I'm out west where only one stretch of highway has a posted limit above 100kph (62mph) so the Meteor is more than capable basically everywhere. Small and nimble enough to take into the city, planted and comfortable enough to take on the freeway, and it has great fuel efficiency to boot. Plus as you say it just looks fantastic; I certainly like some of the colour options available more than others but there isn't really a "bad" option in the whole bunch.
Good one guys! Can’t wait to see the new comics😂. Agree the variety of bikes available is mind boggling currently, and truly is to someone starting out. Spurg ya nailed it at the end. Just ride one and see what SMILES per gallon is all about!
If you're someone who's living in Southeast Asia, mainly Philippines, the PCX is a great pick amongst other smaller displacement bikes. Though, I also agree with Zac and Ari's distaste on its chrome handle bars, but, all in all, it's still a great budget-friendly bike that can suffice.
During the urban mobility category I found it interesting that you guys discussed larger scooters like the PCX 150 and Burgman etc, and all the way down to 50cc scooters but failed to consider the Honda 125 family as potential competitors….Sure you can’t really hit the highway on a CT125 or a Super Cub but I think in terms of city runabouts those are great options as well.
I think a Scrambler is the do it all bike for a beginner. Still has good ground clearance, and low. Off-road capable, hwy capable. Can handle jumps, rock climbs, and mud. The suspension can handle luggage. The Himalayan Scram is pretty much just a lowered Himalayan with 1" less suspension. The only issue would be long ride comfort with the peg position.
If you can find a really nice 1986 or 87 EX 250R Ninja it’s probably a collector item now! They were SO cool. I had one and loved it. Red vinyl knee protector and three spoke white wheels! Nothing else like it.
*sigh* no one ever mentions the CB300R. lol. good stuff guys. I watched the CTXP and found it very interesting. I think we should have a month where any media mention of the MT03 should be replaced with CB300R unless the actual discussion is about the MT.
In their defense Ari mentioned the cbr300r and said it was better than the R3. And they did say the naked versions of the sport bikes were not considered for the ctxp episode.
@@BS32768 True. That's about as close as the CB300R ever gets to a mention on most sites. Ari being a fan of the CBR300R was one of the things that helped me make my decision about the CB300R.
Y'all mentioned seat height of dual sports and the various smaller options (150-250cc from the Big 4). Just as Kawasaki started offering a low seat version of the KLX230, Honda now offers a low seat version of the CRF300L.
I bought a Himalayan 2 years ago. I'm supposed to be selling to bring the amount of bikes in the stable back to 2, but I'm having a hard time letting go of that thing. She slow, but tugs at your heart strings.
I found myself wanting to make 2 hours worth of comments...😅 And agreeing with spurgeon. The most significant idea centered around including a Royal Enfield with foot pegs in what I will call a standard position. I really enjoyed the beginner video and this discussion. Now that you've covered five categories in a very well done beginner video I would encourage you to do a video where you in turn encourage beginner riders to get a standard motorcycle, and in some cases a naked bike. Standard bikes such as the Honda Nighthawks and Triumph Bonnevilles can be modified with windshields or fairings, soft or hard bags, trunks and highway pegs, etc. As well as using 50/50 on/off road tires making a scrambler. I started riding street bikes in 1975 from a CB100 to a GS 1000G. I found that it's hard to beat a 450cc parallel twin for a beginner or commuter, with economy, ease of use, and a high fun factor included. I'm neither an engineer nor a marketing guy But I would have made a 450 twin for the Ninja, the Himalayan, the old Helix scooter, and many others. I still own a range of bikes from my CT110 to my V65 1100. But I find it very difficult to replace my SV650 V-Twin. And having had more than my share of cruisers: you wants torque! so a 1st Gen VN750 or VS800 beats any of the smaller cruisers. Having said all that, I think a Royal Enfield 650 P twin in standard or cruiser would make a great beginner keeper street bike. And you guys alluded to that when you pointed out that Triumph and Harley weren't serving that category. I'll stop there, great video guys!
The Yamaha XT250 is a great lightweight bike for the street and trail, it lacks a 6th gear and it’s not a great highway bike but as a beginner bike it doesn’t really matter. It also holds it resale value.
@@geraltofrivia4651 if your tall enough maybe so, the XT solves the problem for beginners of being able to flat foot it helping with confidence. As far as I’m concerned there’s not a better just different choices for the best fit.
Having just done a corporate demo event by Royal Enfield I was surprised to find the Hunter 350 to be the absolute best of the bunch. Shocked me as well. It was a ton of fun and absolutely could do hours of normal highway but would not be comfortable at elevated freeway speeds. Ergonomics for a 5'10" guy were better than the Interceptor.
I've had my 2019 Ninja 400 for about six months and it's an amazing bike. There's plenty enough power to have fun in the twisties, but you can just as easily commute with it and get 60 mpg. I'm going to upgrade to a liter bike soon, but I have no intention of getting rid of the Ninja.
I really appreciated this after watching your video, really helped narrow down what options would be a good first motorcycle for me! When I can finally afford one, that is.
Heard good things about those CF MOTOS. Not interested for myself but my niece might be getting her motorcycle license in the next year. So, might split the cost with my brother and get her one of those. Have to tell you I recently started reading some Common Tread articles. Started with Jens CE armor breakdown and ended up going down an old article rabbit hole for about three hours. The crew at Common Tread are some amazing writers with some fantastic stories to tell. I will be headed down that paper trail again and again. Adventure bikes are 2 wheeled S.U.V.s, and they can do anything you want all you need is the chutzpah to do it! I have a feeling the Meteor 350 might get largely relegated to MSF duty when the Meteor 650 releases here in the States. Yes the 650 will be more expensive but it will also be a bike you'll want to keep for longer than the 350. Something I never hear anyone mention is that you may have spent 5-10-15 years riding on the street and now want to try your hand at off road riding. Well, you're a beginner rider again. Its not a 100% different skill set but it is very different and I would say start off small in a new discipline. I have to disagree with Zack, electrics are not THE future, but they are part of the future. Many problems with going all electric chief among them is the amount of rare Earth elements needed to continually manufacture and recycle batteries. The gas powered I.C.E. was a great single answer to the booming auto market, but now a single answer is no longer attainable or sustainable. The answer, I think, is going to be diversity. Gas, electric, and, I think, predominantly hydrogen fuel cell is going to be what the future holds. The U.S. already has the infrastructure in place for I.C.E.'s so simply changing the combustible material to something much more eco friendly, like hydrogen, just makes sense. Sounds like the Rotax 990 in my Spyder RT, but don't think they'd do that one twice. Rotax 1330 maybe? Nope 0 for 4. Can't wait for the new comics the old ones were hysterical! Good show old sports see in 2!
I would love to see a USED beginner bike shootout. I know its harder to get them together but realistically most people like me arent looking at a ninja 400 for their first bike, were looking at a used ninja 250 for 1500 bucks...or a used rebel 250...not a new royal enfield. If they could go that route it would be super awesome to see how that plays out. Something like a 2500-3000 dollar budget.
My first bike was a Ninja 250. I was young and dumb. Financed it brand new. Didn't insure it (FL). Had it for about 2.5 months. It wasn't until years after it got stolen that I even realized it had a carburetor. My not have been the best experience, but such fond memories as well. I wouldn't trade'em for the world.
Give the Chinese your specs to build your engines, and they'll change them in the slightest way to outsell you. On top of that your brand takes a hit from quality and suddenly the Chinese version has the same reliability as your ktm. Oh well, every manufacturer seems to need to learn this on their own.
Great episode guys. Even though I'm not a beginner rider, I do enjoy small displacement bikes for around town and trails. Looking to get a ktm 390 adv to do some decent touring and trails.
Interesting bikes. I would very much like to try them both out. Think I would tend to lean towards Honda for that motor. Handling can be tinkered with. The shock can be upgraded. The basic character of the motor is permanent unless you seriously modify it. Which generally isn't done - for good reason.
Great Episode! Been considering a much smaller ADV bike for around LA and potential fire roads etc. (currently own 2 1200 cc bikes) Love the approach and bringing in some interesting considerations with various models after the test. Leaning toward Himalayan, mostly for the vibes, but lots to consider.
My first bike was a brand new 1973 Yamaha 80. I paid $375 for it when I was 11 years old. I moved to a used 1974 Yamaha DT 125 at age 12 ($400). From there I bought a new 1976 Suzuki TS 125 at age 14 when I got my drivers license. I think anything from Honda that is 150cc or less should be on a beginner's list: XR150L, Grom, Monkey, Super Cub, Trail125, and Navi. They won't work in LA, but most people don't live in LA. I live in a small town where the highest posted speed limit is 50 mph. Any of those bikes would work here. That said, I do the get the vanity thing. I spent 10 years of my life riding a Suzuki GS1000. But I had a blast riding a Honda Mini Trail on Langkawi Island (Maybe that was on Penang Island?). Let's face it, it is not easy to reach enlightenment.🙂
On scooter cool factor... I think Hondas minimotos are the answer for urban riding. Z125 and grom were mentioned, but I think the trail125 is appealing.
I wish I still had my first bike just so I could stump you on guessing the bike. It was a 74 Suzuki GT185 street bike with a parallel twin two stroke. I own seven bikes now and for some reason I would love to get a Ninja 400. I think a lot goes back to the fact that I always wanted a supersport, but now at almost 60 I wouldn't be last ten minutes on one. I don't think I would ever come close to reaching the max potential of the Ninja.
Spurgeon's totally right @ 34:45 Honestly kind of surprised Harley doesn't *actually* rebadge RE's to get new riders into the sport. Especially considering how they could easily lose money on entry level bikes and make it up in life-long customers.
Was watching the video, and loving it - until you spoke about the Honda PCX, which is sitting in my garage. I admit its kind of ugly, but its a blast to ride, and fill up.
I had a PCX for about a year until it was stolen but it was a great bike. I even took it touring once from Northamptonshire to the Shetland Isles (UK), it didn't miss a beat.
Like the show/podcast as usual!... Just the inner Guzzist is screaming out and just gotta say it, the new V7 AKA V7-850 uses the engine platform from V85TT after 2021 model, and due to the displacement bump, the HP also did got bump... But ya, older pre-2021 V7 does make less than 50HP off the crank...lol... Gotta love them lazy naming department... Either way, keep up the good work and waiting for the next one!
Speaking of beginner bikes: I'm learning motorcycle maintenance and my next task is to lubricate my cables. I've heard of everything from wd-40 to motor oil to all kinds of specialty products. How do I choose which lubricant to use on my cables?
My 20 year old son, a begginer rider, purchased the Z400 over the Ninja 400. He found the seating position with the taller handle bars, more comfortable.
I’ve ridden it and I currently own a KTM 690 SMCR and a BMW S1000XR. Even coming from these higher performance bikes, the Himalayan was definitely an engaging bike to ride even with a passenger. There’s something very charming about the raw thumper and being able to ride trails without feeling like you’re constantly fighting an uncontrollable over powered beast. I’m also a fan of the physical tach and the overall style of the dashboard. Plus it fits the environment of the country of it’s origin. Indian riding doesn’t involve a lot of high speed ripping through desert. It’s more slower riding in traffic, slower speed mountain roads and being able to work on it easily in rural underdeveloped villages. It’s a versatile machine.
@@csolivais1979 yeh, you definitely gotta go used if you wanna consider it a top tier, TRUE BEGINNER bike. Unless you already know you're gonna love it to death or money means nothing to you, it's pretty tough to justify spending 8k on a new cb500x as a beginner
Dear Ari, a CRF300 weighs 337 lb wet, a DRZ 400 weighs 275 lb wet. So don't rule out the DRZ 400 because you thought it weighed more than a CRF 300! Luv ya guys, Great video.
I think the Honda PCX is cool. For different reasons as to why I think a dual sport is cool. What I like especially about the PCX is that it isn't trying to be something it isn't. Also on the topic of EVs I think there is a limit to how much you can compare them price to price. Because while a 13,000 dollar EV motorcycle will be beaten performance wise by an equally priced ICE, change the oil once and the bikes are no longer equally priced. Over the span of a few years the ICE costed you much more than that EV did. Completely different technologies requires a different perspective. Not to say they are not comparable which is why I said there is a limit. That price gap doesn't just go away. A Honda PCX will take many years before it catches up to the cost of the Zero and what do you get by going EV then? Higher top speed? No need to go to a gas station? No maintenance? Advantages to be sure but are they worth that much?
The thing about dual sports is that if you buy it, you will almost certainly keep it for the rest of your riding life. Most beginner bikes may feel a bit lackluster as you progress in your skills. But it's fairly difficult to outgrow even a beginner dual sport riding dirt; and if you manage to do that, it never stops being fun just tractoring on dirt roads to explore around a bit. Even for going on vacation with the family, loading a dual sport on your truck or a trailer can be a terrific idea and dual sports tend to be the easiest bikes to load and unload, being light and narrow.
1:01:10 are you serious that thing weighs 460 pounds? my Kawasaki Z900 RS Café which is actually 948 cc only weighs 13 pounds more than that. That’s insane that a 250 can weigh that much
I might be biased as a Versys x-300 owner but i suspect it would have outperformed all the competition if it had been included. But also, i can understand why it was excluded because the engine is so similar to the Ninja 400, and having two kawasakis in the lineup would be a little redundant.
I think forward controls qualify a motorcycle as a cruiser more than any other single metric. The narrators seem to think the Royal Enfield was between a cruiser and a standard. That would be an easy fix as you could put buckhorn handlebars on the meteor making it even more of a cruiser.
The CFMOTO 450SR is actually pretty much a detuned cancelled KTM RC490 hence the Brembo. The motor is from the Duke 490/RC490. KTM and CFMOTO are in partnership in China. I still wouldn't touch it tbh due to lack of support.
Watch our Best Beginner Bike SHOOTOUT Here! rvz.la/3MtHyhX
Sign up for our Rider Plus Membership for exclusive deals! rvz.la/44U9D8W
Don’t forget to grab everything your bike needs from Motul rvz.la/44RdgfU
The fact that this video doesn’t have time stamps is a disservice to your subs. Nearly perfect vid. Why not put in the last bit of effort to make it flawless? When I get a chance I will do it myself if you haven’t.
Oop
Oo
Oop
Oo
Before anyone considers the Sondors, I urge you to read the subreddit about it. Lots of people placed deposits and still don't have build dates or promised-by dates. Can't get parts, performance isn't as promised nor range, etc. Just do your due diligence.
It's something I think important to consider for any rider, beginner or otherwise, but maybe more relevant to beginners who simply haven't been "around the block" so to speak yet when it comes to motorcycles and what to be mindful of while buying a new one -- any startup company or even just very small market share manufacturer like Sondors is going to have major accessibility and service shortcomings even less reputable major companies will not. Things aren't necessarily more likely to go wrong, but when (not "if", it's only a matter of time on any motorcycle) something does go wrong you'll have an easier time getting help or if necessary sourcing parts from a bigger and more established manufacturer; better yet a manufacturer that has physical presence in dealerships and which is familiar to mechanics outside dealerships because they've been around for decades and have high marketshare. Sondors is small, they're new, they're not present in dealerships, and they don't have the resources or back catalogue or presence in the used market any of the big players do. Should even a minor problem happen the easiest way forward will unfortunately sometimes with something like a Sondors be "replace the motorcycle", and it may not even be that much slower or more expensive than fixing yours.
It’s so hard to consider an electric bike that has the price of a 400 and the performance of a Grom. I wish they were better for the price
@@Jonesy781 Definitely, the price for performance is really not there yet for anything being a little urban runaround or paddock bike you bring to the track to ride around everywhere except the track.
I'm sure they'll "get there" eventually the same way cars have, and the guys have talked on HSLS before about how they're curious to see where the segment will go once any of the big manufacturers start exploring the space. But unless new regulations force their hand, I can't see much innovation within the decade because the petrol bikes are already researched and developed and they know how to make and sell them.
@@cowmath77 I don’t know man, I’ve been following EVs since about 2015 and the change is quite frankly the change is quite astonishing. I’d say 5-8 years and then an electric motorbike will hit the magic numbers for 70% of people. I mean, when it comes to mopeds the maths has been simple for years by now.
Will it challenge a proper motorbike for long trips and journeys? Maybe not. But apart from the fact that it’s an edge case, they’ll get there as soon as someone figures out how to include fast charging for a reasonable cost. Please note I’m not talking passion here, just mobility. They’ll get there before we know it once more mainline brands start doing it properly (I think BMW will get there first tbh).
I would never buy a motorcycle without a dealer network to easily procure parts and service
Why are smaller displacement bikes almost always called “beginner bikes”? I traded in my Harley-Davidson Road King for a Royal Enfield Himalayan and I could not be happier. It was a conscious choice to ride a smaller, lighter bike, get off the congested interstates and go some places that the Harley just wasn’t meant for. Watching most UA-camrs you’d get the idea that high horsepower, heavy machines are the only choice for experienced riders and that just doesn’t ring true in my case.
Drives me nuts too. Run the full gamut of bikes over 24 years and now have an unkillable vstrom 650 (more nimble and better balanced than the 1000cc), a svartpilen 401 (a flickable firecracker around town, that parks anywhere) and a Royal Enfield 500 (for a little sunday afternoon bumble to the beach). It takes an experienced rider to see beyond horsepower, just as it takes an experienced man to know marrying a supermodel would be a pain in the ass.
I think they mean beginner friendly. Light weight, easy handling and a balanced/good controleble power delivery.
They don't say that this should be a first bike. They don't say that this can't be your second or nineth bike. And they certainly don't say that you can't be happy about them.
Thank you for your post! On a whim, I bought a KLX 230SM a week ago. I can't remember the last time I had this much fun riding a motorcycle!!
I spent the last 5 years paying off my 2019 H-D 48. I did a Stage 3 Kit. I have loved it, BUT I have considered selling it and getting a 650ish bike. Your experience has helped nudged me further in that direction!
I enjoyed your episode but I disagree with the choice of the BMW 310. I just finished riding from Prudhoe Bay Alaska to Ushuaia Argentina on a Versys X300. I would not have been able to complete the adventure with cast rims and parts are very difficult to get in Central and South America. The cost to change the rims on the BMW is a deal breaker.
I made the entire trip for $15,000 including bike, fuel, maintenance, hotels, and food. Alaska Versys Argentina
why are y'all so feisty on this episode? I want a BTS on this one! lol 😂
Felt that too. Spurgeon seems so serious and on edge, like something is not right...
I can attest to the reliability and easy of learning on the Versys X 300. It’s my first bike and it has been fantastic. The performance is solid, the maintenance is fairly easy, and the seat is not terribly uncomfortable. What Ari said is true, it’s a good for highway and on light dirt roads. Overall I was very satisfied with my choice and plan on keeping it even if I purchase a larger displacement bike.
should be revived and kawa put the dang ninja 400 engine on it. versys 400x would be very great honestly in the unicorn territory if the parameters are right.
The Honda 500s make a great first (or forever) bike. Obscenely easy to ride, forgiving, comfortable, reliable, economical, low maintenance, and come in a bunch of different styles.
I second this. I've been riding a 2013 cb500x for a few years and I think it is the best starter bike for anyone who wants to get into adventure riding or riding really any type of street bike that isn't a sport bike
@@rondobrondo I've been thinking about getting one, or the NC750X for my first bike
Bought the 2022 Honda CB300F In India, and feel that it'll serve me well for the next 3-4 yrs.
Thanks Producer Chase for choosing my bike for the guessing game, I'm impressed they guessed correctly.
Haven’t ridden in over twenty years for one reason or another. But I really enjoy watching/listening to the Podcast. Very informative and entertaining.
Dude, go pick up a 2024 Honda CB500 or KLX300SM? Get back into it! You will kick yourself for being out so long.
"put the 400 into the Versys 300"
Yes, and sneak it into the KLX platform while you're at it please!
yeah i don't know why kawa hasn't done this yet, probably never. i guess a naked z400r is more likely to come.
I don’t want to see the 400 in a versys. too much plastic to break. I’d like to see Kawasaki make a scrambler - with a nice flat seat that doesn’t lean you’re a crotch into the gas tank. And keep the big gas tank
Yep, 400 Versys badly needed.
Klx 400 sm!
Scooters are great and I think more people should consider adding one to the garage for short trips and commuting. I've had a Zuma 125 for almost 10 years and love it, it wasn't my first bike but its the one I've owned the longest now. Sits next to a Grom and a Speed Triple 1050 but I've had an R6, Daytona 675, Sprint ST, Hypermotard and several other smaller bikes in the time I've owned it. Kill the stigma! Scooters are awesome, easily approachable, fun, economical and super chill. I'll probably part ways with it eventually in favor of another scoot 150-300cc just for a bit more performance but can't go wrong with a Zuma 125 or equivalent if you don't need to hit the highway. I think they fit especially well for people looking to get away from riding for whatever reason but are hesitant to since they might want to ride on occasion, be it cost, kids, or space since they are relatively safe, super cheap, and store just about anywhere.
LOVE hearing praise for the Versys X300. That was my first bike, I taught myself how to ride on it and put 8k miles on it within the first 6 months. Even took it from Kansas City, KS to Eureka, CA. It was an amazing machine and I wish I still had it!
been riding for 10+ years & just sold my GSXS1000, and purchased a 2023 Versys x300, awesome little bike, i could not be happier
Hello hello,
Valentin here from Romania! (In case you read my comment, my UA-cam nickname is impossible to read so made it easy for you guys!)
Just wanted to say thank you for this show. It is an amazing way for me to relax and to spend the time at the gym. I really like laughing out loud at you guys when you talk about motorcycles and it also expands my 2 wheeled culture.
Just wanted to thank Spurge for being such a big fan of KTM. I never thought I would own one but after constantly hearing about ktm at highside lowside I decided to go for a test ride and, although it was not love at first sight, i found the 890 adv to be the most refined motorcycle of all middleweights, at least for me. Fast and strong!
Take care both and I can't wait to listen to the next episode!
You should make an episode like this but for 2024. Now that Triumph has their 400 Speed and 400 Scrambler X.
thanks for the timely episodes. My stepdaughter is wanting to get a bike and you guys are providing lots of good information for me to share with her while she contemplates what she wants to get for her first bike.
Would be interesting to see where the two new Triumph 400s line up against these -- especially in comparison to the Hunter and something like the Svarpilen.
I learned to ride on a Meteor 350 last year. I put 5000 miles on the bike in my first season but traded it in for a Himalayan this Spring for just the reason Ari was talking about regarding cruisers. The feet forward, low seat minimal suspension combination increasingly hurt my back and hips. I put a tall seat on the Himalayan and it gives me a much more natural, leg under, seat position with the ability to lift off the seat or stand to supplement the suspension. The Meteor motor / transmission is definitely more refined than the Himalayan but the roughness and rough edges is what makes the Himalayan a charmer in my opinion.
I think the Meteor's niche may just be those of us that have a main bike and want something else for hour long pleasure cruises, grocery getting, commuting on a nice day, etc.
Good point with the ADV category though the Himmy is THE only purpose-built adventure bike!
Another great episode! Really enjoyed the CTXP episode and hope to see more like it!
just sold my GSXS1000 & purchased a 2023 Versys x300, absolutely love the little Kawasaki, killer little engine, awesome riding position & great stock suspension , ride it in the upper revs like a 2 stroke and enjoy the grin you will have from ear to ear, 🥰🥰
Believe it or not. Here in Thailand a Honda PCX 160 is considered a cool teenagers bike. If you are in high school and you ride a PCX then you are a cool kid from a wealthy house. The coolest and wealthiest kid ride an Xmax 300 however. 😊
When I was a kid back in the 90’s all the cool guys from the big city (Petchabun) rode sports bikes. Me? I always wanted Aunt Lek to come and pick me up on her old little Vespa 😂. I guess things have changed.
The intrepid trio of hosts laid out some good information. Best part to take away is "motorcycles are fun!"
If you are not sure about this statement, check out their beginner bike episode. Smiles the whole time.
I've been riding for about 18 years. It's still a blast!
Thanks for the great work as usual guys, I really loved that episode from ctxp as I myself was a beginner not so long ago, I would love to see that episode again but now for intermediate and advanced riders! Thanks again, greetings from Mexico love you guys
Coincidence? I purchased a super low mileage Z125 for my 17 year olds first street bike today! Great timing on the topic and I agree with most of your pics. That Hunter 350 from Royal Enfield looks great for the price. Can’t wait to see that bike on daily rider.
You guys are more right than you realize. As of 2022, the V7 shares a slightly modified version of the v85tt engine.
With a legit 64 ish hp, 39hp would likely be the heron head V7 I and V7 II.
Love this content for beginners, let's introduce this wonderful hobby to the masses.
Scooters ROCK, I got an old Sym 250 and it is soooo comfortable for commuting, I also got an FZ8N for the weekends My old daily in Aus was a DR650 but after doing a lot of time in the Philippines I went to a scooter as a commuter. 6 bucks a week for petrol. It's the most practical.
Super Cub should be mentioned in this conversation. Respect to the best selling vehicle of all time.
Nothing like the sound of that engine. Like a proper Vespa for any Italian those of us who grew up in South East Asia will never forget that sound of the noodle lady setting up shop or auntie coming home from work. Love it.
@@903lew 7 bikes in my garage, and guess what I took to dinner this evening. Also don't get me started on the CT!
@@mediocremichael You meet the nicest people as a bonus!
Cb500x is the best beginner adventure bike for tall, large/XL riders. Also arguably the best beginner adventure bike in general. BUT, you definitely gotta go used if you wanna consider it a top tier, TRUE BEGINNER bike. Unless you already know you're gonna love it to death or money means nothing to you, it's pretty tough to justify spending 8k on a new cb500x as a beginner
As someone that bought the Versys x300 as a beginner bike, cannot recommend it enough. Fantastic around town, great mileage, good on the highway, decent offroad, it was cheap to buy and insure, easy to maintain. For a great bike to ride to work everyday and weekend fun, can't beat it.
You guys should review the newly launched RE Meteor 650. Waiting on that..
As a 3rd year owner of the Ninja 400, I agree it's the goat in the category.
The Eliminator 400 or 450? should be announced June 6th. Hopefully under six grand. Should be awesome!
32:46 I can’t help but think that it looks like a Harley sportster 883 at least forever reason when I see it that’s what it reminds me of
As a new rider, I disagree with not including naked bikes. They look aggressive and fast. That's why I wanted a Duke... And there were non available so got a svartpilen.
You forget about the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401. It's a scrambler that's inexpensive and fully loaded.
Debated this for about 2 months before settling on a '20 KTM 390 Adventure for my first bike. I'm 6'5" so the height was a huge consideration. I don't regret that bike at all but 12 months later I starting designing my 22' KTM 890. Rode a 3-4 year old Himalayan in Patagonia about a month ago. I don't have experience with the other bikes in the beginner category. The 390 was an awesome starter bike where only on fast roads in Texas did I start **needing** more. The Himalayan, despite the weight, was just such a forgiving bike. I'd consider owning one along with my 890. I think between the 390 and Himalayan, I'd usually recommend Royal Enfield unless someone was really tall and was confident with more performance in a starter. Both are great going from beginner to novice. I don't think you're an intermediate rider until at least 50k miles on a motorcycle... motorcycle rider rank/stage criteria would make for an awesome episode!
Own a Meteor 350. Stellar red, real beauty. I also live in Norway, and the top speedlimit here is 50mph, so the Meteor is just perfect! Love your vids. It was actually Zachs video on the Meteor 350 last year that made me pick up the phone and order one
I have one as well, but Fireball Yellow like the one Jen rode in the CTXP episode and while I live in Canada I'm out west where only one stretch of highway has a posted limit above 100kph (62mph) so the Meteor is more than capable basically everywhere. Small and nimble enough to take into the city, planted and comfortable enough to take on the freeway, and it has great fuel efficiency to boot. Plus as you say it just looks fantastic; I certainly like some of the colour options available more than others but there isn't really a "bad" option in the whole bunch.
My garage once had just two bikes. an ‘87 softail custom and an ‘87 Honda Aero50. Best of both worlds. Nobody is above blasting around on a 50cc scoot
Good one guys! Can’t wait to see the new comics😂. Agree the variety of bikes available is mind boggling currently, and truly is to someone starting out. Spurg ya nailed it at the end. Just ride one and see what SMILES per gallon is all about!
If you're someone who's living in Southeast Asia, mainly Philippines, the PCX is a great pick amongst other smaller displacement bikes. Though, I also agree with Zac and Ari's distaste on its chrome handle bars, but, all in all, it's still a great budget-friendly bike that can suffice.
During the urban mobility category I found it interesting that you guys discussed larger scooters like the PCX 150 and Burgman etc, and all the way down to 50cc scooters but failed to consider the Honda 125 family as potential competitors….Sure you can’t really hit the highway on a CT125 or a Super Cub but I think in terms of city runabouts those are great options as well.
Love the PCX! Definitely way cooler looking than those bug eye things. Only the Ruckus pulls that off
I think a Scrambler is the do it all bike for a beginner. Still has good ground clearance, and low. Off-road capable, hwy capable. Can handle jumps, rock climbs, and mud. The suspension can handle luggage. The Himalayan Scram is pretty much just a lowered Himalayan with 1" less suspension. The only issue would be long ride comfort with the peg position.
If you can find a really nice 1986 or 87 EX 250R Ninja it’s probably a collector item now! They were SO cool. I had one and loved it. Red vinyl knee protector and three spoke white wheels! Nothing else like it.
*sigh* no one ever mentions the CB300R. lol. good stuff guys. I watched the CTXP and found it very interesting. I think we should have a month where any media mention of the MT03 should be replaced with CB300R unless the actual discussion is about the MT.
Ya, I love mine. Kinda wondering why the little CB doesn't get any love.
In their defense Ari mentioned the cbr300r and said it was better than the R3. And they did say the naked versions of the sport bikes were not considered for the ctxp episode.
@@BS32768 True. That's about as close as the CB300R ever gets to a mention on most sites. Ari being a fan of the CBR300R was one of the things that helped me make my decision about the CB300R.
Y'all mentioned seat height of dual sports and the various smaller options (150-250cc from the Big 4). Just as Kawasaki started offering a low seat version of the KLX230, Honda now offers a low seat version of the CRF300L.
I bought a Himalayan 2 years ago. I'm supposed to be selling to bring the amount of bikes in the stable back to 2, but I'm having a hard time letting go of that thing. She slow, but tugs at your heart strings.
I bought the 2022 KTM 390 Adventure with cast wheels.
I found myself wanting to make 2 hours worth of comments...😅 And agreeing with spurgeon. The most significant idea centered around including a Royal Enfield with foot pegs in what I will call a standard position. I really enjoyed the beginner video and this discussion. Now that you've covered five categories in a very well done beginner video I would encourage you to do a video where you in turn encourage beginner riders to get a standard motorcycle, and in some cases a naked bike. Standard bikes such as the Honda Nighthawks and Triumph Bonnevilles can be modified with windshields or fairings, soft or hard bags, trunks and highway pegs, etc. As well as using 50/50 on/off road tires making a scrambler. I started riding street bikes in 1975 from a CB100 to a GS 1000G. I found that it's hard to beat a 450cc parallel twin for a beginner or commuter, with economy, ease of use, and a high fun factor included. I'm neither an engineer nor a marketing guy But I would have made a 450 twin for the Ninja, the Himalayan, the old Helix scooter, and many others. I still own a range of bikes from my CT110 to my V65 1100. But I find it very difficult to replace my SV650 V-Twin. And having had more than my share of cruisers: you wants torque! so a 1st Gen VN750 or VS800 beats any of the smaller cruisers. Having said all that, I think a Royal Enfield 650 P twin in standard or cruiser would make a great beginner keeper street bike. And you guys alluded to that when you pointed out that Triumph and Harley weren't serving that category. I'll stop there, great video guys!
The Yamaha XT250 is a great lightweight bike for the street and trail, it lacks a 6th gear and it’s not a great highway bike but as a beginner bike it doesn’t really matter. It also holds it resale value.
A used wr250r is much better
@@geraltofrivia4651 if your tall enough maybe so, the XT solves the problem for beginners of being able to flat foot it helping with confidence. As far as I’m concerned there’s not a better just different choices for the best fit.
Having just done a corporate demo event by Royal Enfield I was surprised to find the Hunter 350 to be the absolute best of the bunch. Shocked me as well. It was a ton of fun and absolutely could do hours of normal highway but would not be comfortable at elevated freeway speeds. Ergonomics for a 5'10" guy were better than the Interceptor.
I've had my 2019 Ninja 400 for about six months and it's an amazing bike. There's plenty enough power to have fun in the twisties, but you can just as easily commute with it and get 60 mpg. I'm going to upgrade to a liter bike soon, but I have no intention of getting rid of the Ninja.
I really appreciated this after watching your video, really helped narrow down what options would be a good first motorcycle for me! When I can finally afford one, that is.
Heard good things about those CF MOTOS. Not interested for myself but my niece might be getting her motorcycle license in the next year. So, might split the cost with my brother and get her one of those. Have to tell you I recently started reading some Common Tread articles. Started with Jens CE armor breakdown and ended up going down an old article rabbit hole for about three hours. The crew at Common Tread are some amazing writers with some fantastic stories to tell. I will be headed down that paper trail again and again. Adventure bikes are 2 wheeled S.U.V.s, and they can do anything you want all you need is the chutzpah to do it! I have a feeling the Meteor 350 might get largely relegated to MSF duty when the Meteor 650 releases here in the States. Yes the 650 will be more expensive but it will also be a bike you'll want to keep for longer than the 350. Something I never hear anyone mention is that you may have spent 5-10-15 years riding on the street and now want to try your hand at off road riding. Well, you're a beginner rider again. Its not a 100% different skill set but it is very different and I would say start off small in a new discipline. I have to disagree with Zack, electrics are not THE future, but they are part of the future. Many problems with going all electric chief among them is the amount of rare Earth elements needed to continually manufacture and recycle batteries. The gas powered I.C.E. was a great single answer to the booming auto market, but now a single answer is no longer attainable or sustainable. The answer, I think, is going to be diversity. Gas, electric, and, I think, predominantly hydrogen fuel cell is going to be what the future holds. The U.S. already has the infrastructure in place for I.C.E.'s so simply changing the combustible material to something much more eco friendly, like hydrogen, just makes sense. Sounds like the Rotax 990 in my Spyder RT, but don't think they'd do that one twice. Rotax 1330 maybe? Nope 0 for 4. Can't wait for the new comics the old ones were hysterical! Good show old sports see in 2!
My first bike was a honda pcx 150 and I went out and slayed some canyons :)
"motorcycles are fun!" As someone that loves small bore bikes, that is absolutely the right takeaway.
Great selection for the 5 you've chosen. Though as a new owner of the '24 CB500 Hornet, I have to offer that up as the best for the road today.
I would love to see a USED beginner bike shootout. I know its harder to get them together but realistically most people like me arent looking at a ninja 400 for their first bike, were looking at a used ninja 250 for 1500 bucks...or a used rebel 250...not a new royal enfield. If they could go that route it would be super awesome to see how that plays out. Something like a 2500-3000 dollar budget.
You call them beginner, in the 3rd world we call them the most bike you can afford when you have a masters and 10 years experience
My first bike was a Ninja 250. I was young and dumb. Financed it brand new. Didn't insure it (FL). Had it for about 2.5 months. It wasn't until years after it got stolen that I even realized it had a carburetor. My not have been the best experience, but such fond memories as well. I wouldn't trade'em for the world.
Florida man sighting
Give the Chinese your specs to build your engines, and they'll change them in the slightest way to outsell you. On top of that your brand takes a hit from quality and suddenly the Chinese version has the same reliability as your ktm. Oh well, every manufacturer seems to need to learn this on their own.
Great episode guys. Even though I'm not a beginner rider, I do enjoy small displacement bikes for around town and trails. Looking to get a ktm 390 adv to do some decent touring and trails.
Klr650 and dr650 are much better platforms imo. The ktm is heavy and slow
Interesting bikes. I would very much like to try them both out. Think I would tend to lean towards Honda for that motor. Handling can be tinkered with. The shock can be upgraded. The basic character of the motor is permanent unless you seriously modify it. Which generally
isn't done - for good reason.
Great Episode! Been considering a much smaller ADV bike for around LA and potential fire roads etc. (currently own 2 1200 cc bikes) Love the approach and bringing in some interesting considerations with various models after the test. Leaning toward Himalayan, mostly for the vibes, but lots to consider.
What a great useful intelligent discussion. The takeaway is that the Kawasaki 400cc engine is great and they need to produce a Versys 400 ASAP.
always a pleasure listen to u guys
My first bike was a brand new 1973 Yamaha 80. I paid $375 for it when I was 11 years old. I moved to a used 1974 Yamaha DT 125 at age 12 ($400). From there I bought a new 1976 Suzuki TS 125 at age 14 when I got my drivers license. I think anything from Honda that is 150cc or less should be on a beginner's list: XR150L, Grom, Monkey, Super Cub, Trail125, and Navi. They won't work in LA, but most people don't live in LA. I live in a small town where the highest posted speed limit is 50 mph. Any of those bikes would work here. That said, I do the get the vanity thing. I spent 10 years of my life riding a Suzuki GS1000. But I had a blast riding a Honda Mini Trail on Langkawi Island (Maybe that was on Penang Island?). Let's face it, it is not easy to reach enlightenment.🙂
yes i did test ride the other bikes in this category.
On scooter cool factor... I think Hondas minimotos are the answer for urban riding. Z125 and grom were mentioned, but I think the trail125 is appealing.
I wish I still had my first bike just so I could stump you on guessing the bike. It was a 74 Suzuki GT185 street bike with a parallel twin two stroke. I own seven bikes now and for some reason I would love to get a Ninja 400. I think a lot goes back to the fact that I always wanted a supersport, but now at almost 60 I wouldn't be last ten minutes on one. I don't think I would ever come close to reaching the max potential of the Ninja.
The RE Meteor didn't appeal with those forward controls, but that Hunter 350 just looks like a real motorcycle. Hadn't seen that one before.
Good show guys. I’m not a beginner rider but enjoyed hearing your opinions because I would like to get a small bike to kick around on.
Spurgeon's totally right @ 34:45
Honestly kind of surprised Harley doesn't *actually* rebadge RE's to get new riders into the sport.
Especially considering how they could easily lose money on entry level bikes and make it up in life-long customers.
Love your Show!!! Keep up the great work!
Was watching the video, and loving it - until you spoke about the Honda PCX, which is sitting in my garage. I admit its kind of ugly, but its a blast to ride, and fill up.
I had a PCX for about a year until it was stolen but it was a great bike. I even took it touring once from Northamptonshire to the Shetland Isles (UK), it didn't miss a beat.
Like the show/podcast as usual!...
Just the inner Guzzist is screaming out and just gotta say it, the new V7 AKA V7-850 uses the engine platform from V85TT after 2021 model, and due to the displacement bump, the HP also did got bump...
But ya, older pre-2021 V7 does make less than 50HP off the crank...lol...
Gotta love them lazy naming department...
Either way, keep up the good work and waiting for the next one!
You guys should have Regular Car Reviews on the pod! He has lots of interesting takes on motorcycles!
that would be amazing
what about the husky 401? they seem to be great beginner bikes, in both scrambler and cafe trim. almost got one over my interceptor
I'd love too see BMW G400/G500. The power to weight ratio on the G310 is too low. BMW is missing out by not making mid size motorcycles
can't go wrong with a royal enfield, RE put as much care into their small bikes as they do into their bigger 650s
It’s their bread and butter. Always buy a brands mainline product, it’s what their business is built on.
Now I'm really curious as to why they can't get KTM/Husqvarna bikes?
Speaking of beginner bikes: I'm learning motorcycle maintenance and my next task is to lubricate my cables. I've heard of everything from wd-40 to motor oil to all kinds of specialty products. How do I choose which lubricant to use on my cables?
My 20 year old son, a begginer rider, purchased the Z400 over the Ninja 400. He found the seating position with the taller handle bars, more comfortable.
I believe that Spurgeon has a real phobia of the Himalayan. He won't even mention it 😅
I’ve ridden it and I currently own a KTM 690 SMCR and a BMW S1000XR. Even coming from these higher performance bikes, the Himalayan was definitely an engaging bike to ride even with a passenger. There’s something very charming about the raw thumper and being able to ride trails without feeling like you’re constantly fighting an uncontrollable over powered beast. I’m also a fan of the physical tach and the overall style of the dashboard. Plus it fits the environment of the country of it’s origin. Indian riding doesn’t involve a lot of high speed ripping through desert. It’s more slower riding in traffic, slower speed mountain roads and being able to work on it easily in rural underdeveloped villages. It’s a versatile machine.
You guys should’ve had the cb500x in there 😊
To expensive.
@@csolivais1979 yeh, you definitely gotta go used if you wanna consider it a top tier, TRUE BEGINNER bike. Unless you already know you're gonna love it to death or money means nothing to you, it's pretty tough to justify spending 8k on a new cb500x as a beginner
Dear Ari, a CRF300 weighs 337 lb wet, a DRZ 400 weighs 275 lb wet. So don't rule out the DRZ 400 because you thought it weighed more than a CRF 300! Luv ya guys, Great video.
I think the Honda PCX is cool. For different reasons as to why I think a dual sport is cool. What I like especially about the PCX is that it isn't trying to be something it isn't.
Also on the topic of EVs I think there is a limit to how much you can compare them price to price. Because while a 13,000 dollar EV motorcycle will be beaten performance wise by an equally priced ICE, change the oil once and the bikes are no longer equally priced. Over the span of a few years the ICE costed you much more than that EV did. Completely different technologies requires a different perspective. Not to say they are not comparable which is why I said there is a limit. That price gap doesn't just go away. A Honda PCX will take many years before it catches up to the cost of the Zero and what do you get by going EV then? Higher top speed? No need to go to a gas station? No maintenance? Advantages to be sure but are they worth that much?
The thing about dual sports is that if you buy it, you will almost certainly keep it for the rest of your riding life. Most beginner bikes may feel a bit lackluster as you progress in your skills. But it's fairly difficult to outgrow even a beginner dual sport riding dirt; and if you manage to do that, it never stops being fun just tractoring on dirt roads to explore around a bit. Even for going on vacation with the family, loading a dual sport on your truck or a trailer can be a terrific idea and dual sports tend to be the easiest bikes to load and unload, being light and narrow.
Meanwhile I'm the guy that's been riding road his entire life. And now learning off road riding on a Super10, instead of the TDubs.
1:01:10 are you serious that thing weighs 460 pounds? my Kawasaki Z900 RS Café which is actually 948 cc only weighs 13 pounds more than that. That’s insane that a 250 can weigh that much
I might be biased as a Versys x-300 owner but i suspect it would have outperformed all the competition if it had been included. But also, i can understand why it was excluded because the engine is so similar to the Ninja 400, and having two kawasakis in the lineup would be a little redundant.
Can you guys review the new bsa gold star 650
PCX is okay. I love when spurge suggested changing THE Stigma using your platform.
Any bike that you are enthusiastic about is okay. It's still cool.
I think forward controls qualify a motorcycle as a cruiser more than any other single metric. The narrators seem to think the Royal Enfield was between a cruiser and a standard. That would be an easy fix as you could put buckhorn handlebars on the meteor making it even more of a cruiser.
There is one bike that I would like for you to review which is the Honda GB350/S it's available in Japan and Also in India rebadged
The CFMOTO 450SR is actually pretty much a detuned cancelled KTM RC490 hence the Brembo. The motor is from the Duke 490/RC490. KTM and CFMOTO are in partnership in China. I still wouldn't touch it tbh due to lack of support.
1:29:03 Africa Twin DCT?
PCX is awesome. Very comfortable and great suspension.