Rev up those engines, folks, because owning one of the best motorcycles is like holding the key to a world of pure, unadulterated awesomeness on two wheels. It’s not just a machine; it’s a lifestyle, a ticket to adventure, and a declaration of freedom that sends shivers down your spine and makes your heart race faster than the speedometer can keep up with. The best motorcycles boast impressive speed, a sleek design, and a smooth riding experience that is incomparable to any other.
Motorcycle designs are constantly being innovated to reach the next level of safety and deluxe features. One recent study reveals a lighting system for cyclists that makes riding safer. This new lighting setup — six lights running from the top to the bottom of the motorcycle rather than a single headlight — helps other motorists see approaching motorcycles on the road. This can lower the risk of a crash, especially at night when it is more dangerous to take a spin.
As long as you are being safe, there is an undeniable cool factor associated with people who own motorcycles. Without saying a word, you are making a statement. When you pull up to a gathering or a coffee shop on your top-notch bike, you’re not just arriving – you’re making an entrance. People can’t help but admire your sleek ride, and you can’t help but smile like you’ve got a secret, which you do: You’re riding the best motorcycle in town.
But you’ve also got to make sure you’ve found the ideal bike for you. There are many different types of motorcycles available, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common types of motorcycles include:
- Cruisers: Cruisers are known for their comfortable riding position and relaxed cruising style. They are a good choice for beginners who want a motorcycle that is easy to ride and comfortable for long trips.
- Sportbikes: Sportbikes are designed for speed and performance. They have a more aggressive riding position and are more difficult to ride than cruisers. However, they are also more fun to ride on winding roads and offer a more exhilarating riding experience.
- Standard motorcycles: Standard motorcycles are a good all-around option for beginners. They offer a comfortable riding position and are capable of handling a variety of riding conditions.
- Dual-sport motorcycles: Dual-sport motorcycles are designed to be ridden both on the street and off-road. They are a good choice for beginners who want to explore both paved and unpaved roads.
- Scooters: Scooters are a good choice for beginners who want a motorcycle that is easy to ride and maneuver. They are also a good option for city commuters.
Owning a motorcycle is more than just awesome – it’s an exhilarating journey that never gets old. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just dreaming about that perfect two-wheeled companion, we have you covered. StudyFinds has created a list of the best motorcycles for 2024, according to experts. Did we miss one of your favorite models? Let us know in the comments!
The List: Best Motorcycles Most Recommended By Experts
1. Kawasaki
Number one on our list of best motorcycles for 2024 is the unforgettable Kawasaki. “Lightweight, affordable, practical, and with cool looks, the Ninja comes with the ideal engine for newbies who want to learn to ride skillfully without earning too many speeding tickets. There are other sporty, road-focused motorcycles like it, but most have single-cylinder engines, which can vibrate at highway speeds. The Ninja’s twin-cylinder, however, is smooth on highways but still light enough to be manageable in real-world traffic and parking lots. It’s exemplary of a formula that Kawi has been perfecting for decades,” shares Popular Mechanics.
With a variety of models to choose from, you won’t be disappointed. “Team Green has its slew of approachable bikes and the first couple that are great for the new rider demographic includes the Ninja 400 and Z400. Both have a 399cc parallel twin that’s loads of fun, providing a lovely spool up of power that riders won’t get tired of easily,” notes Motorcyclist Online.
Just because you are pint-sized, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the ride. “The Kawasaki Ninja 400 is one of the best beginner motorcycles out there and its low seat height makes it a breeze for shorter riders as well. It also makes a good city commuter bike for the same reasons–a weight of under 400 lbs, plenty of power at urban speeds and a compact form. Plus, it’s one of the more fuel efficient bikes out there,” shares Gadget Reviews.
2. BMW
BMW lends its class to motorcycles as well, which is why top experts agree that their BMW motorcyles should always be considered a top choice. “Argue all you want, but there are a lot of people arguing that the BMW K 1600 is the best cruiser bike ever made. It’s also easily the sportiest of them all. It’s a near-perfect balance of cross-country caravanning combined with cornering control. It’s fun and comfortable at the same time, a rare treat,” notes Auto Week.
Haters try to hate because BMW consistently tops automotive lists, but that never stops them. “Perhaps an obvious choice, but love it or hate it, you can’t deny that the BMW GS is still one of the best-selling bikes of any class in many countries around the world,” argues Top Speed. “And, it sells that well not just because it’s a BMW, but because it really is that good. Yes, rivals from KTM, Triumph, and Harley-Davidson (see below) have more power, and next to them, the BMW does look large. However, you can’t deny its ability on any surface: it’s at once a superlative long-distance tourer and a remarkably light and well-balanced off-road.”
Owning a BMW motorcycle isn’t for the faint of heart. “If you plan to spice up your ride with some dirt road riding, there are some specs that are up for the challenge, namely in the form of a substantial 7.1 inches of suspension travel at both ends and 19-inch front wheel. Swap out the tires for something with a more aggressive tread pattern if you ride anything more than fire roads,” adds Motorcyclists Online.
3. Triumph
Up next is the ever versatile Triumph. “The new engine is stunning, full of triple-cylinder character, and yet smooth and refined, despite the explosive performance, whereas the transmission is one of the best on any sport bike. Suspension is not as compliant as previously, but that only serves to sharpen up the handling, if that were possible. The whole bike feels slimmer and more compact, and the seat proves that sporty bikes don’t have to have a plank for a seat but can actually be comfortable,” raves Top Speed.
When you want to take charge of your ride, the handling on the Triumph allows you that power. “This well balanced and easy to ride street bike comes with an inline-triple that gives you Triumph’s signature 3-cylinder sound, along with plenty of power for such a lightweight motorcycle. The Street Triple R weighs just 420 lbs, and with 115 horsepower it has plenty of pep for an entertaining ride on the streets. Balanced handling has long been a Triumph strong point, and the Street Triple R doesn’t disappoint. This is one of the best handling motorcycles in its class, with fully adjustable suspension, optional Ohlins STX40 shocks, and beefy Brembo brakes,” writes Gadget Review.
Whether you choose one model over the other, the one thing you can count on is a thrilling ride. “As usual, Triumph had a host of impressive motorcycles on display at MCL and the first on our list is one you may already be familiar with – the Tiger 1200…The latest Tiger comes in a few different varieties so you can tailor it to your demands and budget range. We have the GT version, which is naturally more focused on touring, and the Rally, which has more emphasis on the bike’s off-road prowess,” says Lexham Insurance.
4. Ducati
Ahh. But the Ducati did make the list! “The Ducati DesertX is the brand’s first-ever take on a hardcore off-road-focused adventure motorcycle — unlike the more road and touring-oriented Multistrada lineup,” says Hi Consumption. “The chassis comes adorned in a full suite of bodywork that was inspired by the fairings on old ‘80s and ‘90s era Dakar rally raid bikes. And, while it is offered with a host of available factory add-ons, because of how new this model is, aftermarket part availability is still quite limited, though this will almost certainly change over time.”
A Ducati is not just a mode of transport; it’s a passport to your own personal adventure. “The visual styling has been slightly tweaked and comes in three different flavors with the Full Throttle, Icon, and Nightshift. They are all unmistakably Ducati Scramblers but now look a little sleeker and more streamlined. The main updates come to the engine and frame with Ducati managing to shave off around 4 kilos from the total weight of the bike. The latest 803cc Desmo engine puts out a claimed 73bhp with 48 lb-ft of torque. Interestingly, torque now peaks higher up in the rev range at 7000rpm but Ducati has stated it will still have the same smooth and easy-to-manage pull the Scrambler is famous for,” shares Lexhamin Insurance.
With a Ducati, you’re never just a commuter; you’re a rebel on a steel horse. “Someone seeking a Ducati for track use-only could easily pick up a Panigale and get the same basic V4 engine in a more corner-compatible cocoon. It might not be as comfortable to ride all week on your way to the Smoky Mountains and the Tail of the Dragon, but all the marketing material for this bike shows it on the race track, with a guy in a leather onesie scraping his knees around red-and-white FIA curbing,” writes Auto Week.
5. Harley Davidson
It would be a sin to have a list of best motorcycles without Harley Davidson on it. “Firstly, Harley-Davidson had the guts to go in a completely new direction, and secondly, it got it right the first time. The motorcycling world was ready to scoff when H-D announced an adventure bike, but quickly had to eat its words when the bike appeared. Here was a very real and viable alternative to BMW, KTM, Triumph, et al., which resisted the temptation to be ‘American’ and simply concentrated instead on being brilliant,” raves Top Speed.
Exploring new places on two wheels turns every trip into an epic journey with you as the hero. “A long time in the works, the highly-anticipated Pan America is the first adventure touring bike by American motorcycle giant Harley Davidson. Combining the traditional comfort of HD bikes with a power and torque sure to beat your average lightweight adventure bike, the Pan America opens up a whole new world to ADV riders,” adds Monimoto.
Wind in your face, sun on your back, and the open road ahead – that’s the kind of therapy only a motorcycle can provide. “The latest addition to the MoCo’s exclusive Icons Collection lineup the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King is a one-time release that’s limited to just 1,750 units worldwide. Directly modeled after the Milwaukee marque’s 1968 FLH Electra Glide, this top-of-the-line American-made cruiser combines unmistakably vintage styling with a modern powertrain and electronics package,” shares Hi Consumption.
Which motorcycle suits your style? Leave a comment to let us know!
You might also be interested in:
Sources:
- Gadget Review
- AGV Sport
- Hi Consumption
- Lexhamin Insurance
- Autoweek
- Popular Mechanics
- Monimoto
- Top Speed
- Motorcyclist Online
- Motorcycle Legal Foundation
- Woman Rider
I think the road king should have a high place in your listing. Have a 21road king and the most comfortable bike on the market, have put over 51,000 miles on mine in just over two years. On trips around town and even on hard pact trails. Just wanted to put that out there!
LOL not sure what ‘experts’ means here but with > 40 years riding experience leaving off Indian and Yamaha is clear indication they need to do more riding. 😉
What ‘experts’? What about Honda and Yamaha? Best quality, value for dollar, and innovation in the industry. Triumph? Really?
-Exactly! I’d like to meet these “experts”.
I have a H-D Pan America. It’s a great bike for sure. I also have an HD Ultra Classic and a Honda CRF 300L Rally. Love the Pan Am and wouldn’t of been surprised to see the Rally on the list.
This study finds nothing. You’ve recommended the brands, not the bikes. It could’ve been an absolutely random compilation with those descriptives, and it would still read like your bubblegum folks.
Click bait. Strange article that conveys essentially no useful information for anyone thinking about entering the market. Most motorcyclists are detail and spec driven, and you won’t find either in this article.
Like they said to Evel, “Maybe you should back up and try that again.”
Poorly written and vague article. It seems this writing is a personal opinion of certain brands but when you read it there are clearly particular models that they had in mind. None of them are well introduced however and it almost makes it feel like the manufacturers listed only produce one model. There are so many great and iconic bikes from other Manufacturers not listed.
An Indian deserves to be on the list as it has better technical advantages over the other cruisers.
Any article that includes the archaic air-cooled Harley in any top 10 best of anything can’t be taken seriously
The new goldwing doesn’t make the list along with the new Indian ! Serious you people must have been riding 10 minutes..lol pathetic list for sure! Lmao….the new big Indians look like a piece of jewelry next to Harley..lol. not to mention the performance…lol. plus the new goldwing is just plain unbelievable and fast…you should take up brain surgery and try self lobotomys…..lol. pathetic wannabe riders for sure!!!
Thanks Al, your absolutely correct.Goldwing…
I know every article praises the new Goldwing, some even say its the best touring bike, i wonder why?? Lol