Best Small Motorcycles of 2024 for Big Fun in a Compact Package

The hottest things on two wheels are small motorcycles with engines that top out around 400cc. Their diminutive engine sizes don’t make these street-legal rides any less entertaining, and they’re often more accessible to all riders, including newbies—whether off-roading, cruising, or daily commuting.

With summer in full-swing, motorcycle enthusiasts are out ripping roads en masse, and longer days mean that newcomers to the sport can get more seat time to put some rubber on the road. Whether you’re a seasoned biker looking to add a nimble commuter to your collection or a complete novice gearing up for your first ride, choosing the right small bore motorcycle is crucial. 

The sheer variety of bikes and features on the market makes it easy to feel overwhelmed when shopping for the perfect small motorcycle. These light, compact bikes are perfect for honing your riding skills while ensuring you look good on the open road. From urban cruisers to dusty dual sports, our lineup of the best small motorcycles promises to make your entry into the biking world a thrilling and memorable experience.

Our favorite overall small motorcycle is the Triumph Scrambler 400X—a reliable, crisp handling, and stylish bike at a very accessible price. Looking for something different? Here are some of our other favorite small motorcycle models for beginners and expert riders alike.

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Best Small Motorcycles of 2024 at a Glance

• Best Small Motorcycle Overall: Triumph Scrambler 400X
• Best Beginner Small Motorcycle: BMW G 310 R
• Best Dual Sport Small Motorcycle: Husqvarna FE 350s
• Best Sport Small Motorcycle: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R ABS
• Best Electric Small Motorcycle: Ryvid Anthem
• Best Off-Road Small Motorcycle: Kawasaki KLX 300R
• Best Adventure Small Motorcycle: KTM 390 Adventure
• Best Budget Small Motorcycle: Kawasaki Z125 Pro

Best Small Motorcycle Overall: Triumph Scrambler 400X Triumph Scrambler 400X is the best small motorcycle overall.

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We love a good scrambler. They’re sleek on the streets, but also down to get dirty. Triumph is already our go-to in the lighter bike world and for good reason: reliability, handling, and style all for an accessible price. Their hybrid heritage is what sets Triumph apart, and we’ve been Scrambler fans ever since we first threw a leg over one.

The 400X feels like a full-sized machine, thanks to a longer fork and larger front wheel so while it isn’t quite a dual sport, its versatility both on and off-road open ups the options for learners curious about both. Forty horses make this bike the most user-friendly in this roundup. It’s an ideal choice for new riders.

• Engine: 398.15cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, 4-valve, DOHC, single-cylinder
• Horsepower: 39.5 hp
• Seat Height: 32.87 inches
• Weight: 395 pounds (wet)

Best Beginner Small Motorcycle: BMW G 310 R BMW G 310 R is the best beginner small motorcycle.

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The G 310 R is BMW’s first street bike that’s smaller than 500cc—and its first model manufactured outside Europe (in India). Powered by a single-cylinder 313cc fuel-­injected motor, the naked bike has a respectable top speed of 90 mph. We found that its low center of gravity—along with stock ABS and a fueled weight of just 362 pounds—provided nimble and predictable handling—perfect for a new rider.

• Engine: 313cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, 4-valve, DOHC, single-cylinder
• Horsepower: 34 hp
• Seat Height: 30.9 inches
• Weight: 362 pounds (wet)

Best Dual Sport Small Motorcycle: Husqvarna FE 350s Husqvarna FE 350s is the best dual sport small motorcycle.

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A lot of new riders are hesitant to ride road, and for good reason. Heavy traffic and unpredictable drivers are an added variable that are a big turnoff for the uninitiated. That’s why many beginners have turned to dual sport riding to master balance, throttle control, spatial awareness, and overall technique. Husqvarna’s FE 350s ticks all the boxes for learners who want a nimble, street-legal commuter that also offers comfort and ease with off-road riding. 

The gentle 4-stroke powerband has an easy entry-level delivery right out of the box, with the potential to be uncorked with a variety of mods that can make the bike feel race-ready. Those options ensure that your needs for this machine can grow with your skill level. We also love that a lot of women new to the sport are choosing the Husky.

• Engine: 350cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, 4-valve, DOHC, single-cylinder
• Horsepower: 32.4 hp
• Seat Height: 37.3 inches
• Weight: 255 pounds (wet)

Best Sport Small Motorcycle: Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R ABS Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4R ABS is the best sport small motorcycle.

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We can’t help but think of the original Top Gun when Kawasaki comes up in conversation. While Maverick’s need for speed was atop a quick GPz900R, the Japanese brand has always been synonymous with thrilling high RPM fun. It’s no wonder their 400cc Ninja model is celebrating its 40th year on the scene. It just keeps getting better with age, especially with advanced technology like different power modes and traction control. 

We’ll drop this in the class of advanced beginner, since it does take reasonable skill to manage a machine of this caliber. Entry-level riders can easily cruise canyons and limit revs, making the six-speed transmission manageable, but it’s definitely a bike you can grow into, eventually screaming down the straights and maxing its 60 horses. 

• Engine: 399cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, 16-valve, DOHC, in-line 4 cylinder
• Horsepower: 80 hp
• Seat Height: 31.5 inches
• Weight: 415 pounds (wet)

Best Electric Small Motorcycle: Ryvid Anthem Ryvid Anthem is the best electric small motorcycle.

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The advancement of electric vehicle technology is one of the most exciting things to recently happen in the motorcycle industry. R&D teams are focused heavily on maximizing range, comfort, and power without sacrificing style, so it’s no surprise that our pick for the best commuter electric sport bike is the Ryvid Anthem. 

The Southern California manufacturer boasts one of the sleekest designs on the market that is no longer the look of science fiction. At $6,500, it won’t break the bank for an intro rider. The Anthem tops out in the 80 mph range which is great for city commuters who need to hop on the highway. As more Level 2 chargers become available in urban areas, the Anthem’s 70 mile-ish range can easily be topped up for a couple bucks.

• Engine: 72 volt air-cooled brushless DC motor
• Horsepower: 20 hp
• Seat Height: 31–34 inches, adjustable
• Weight: 313 pounds 

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Best Off-Road Small Motorcycle: Kawasaki KLX 300R Kawasaki KLX 300R is the best off-road small motorcycle.

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New riders who are afraid to put time in on two wheels while riding city streets (and veteran riders don’t blame you with the amount of smartphone-staring drivers out there these days) should look to a small dirt bike like the Kawasaki KLX 300R to build confidence. Not only is riding off-road on a small and nimble motorcycle like the KLX a blast, you can really fine tune a lot of skills that aren’t often needed while on the street. But when they are needed, they could save you a spill or a slide—skills like hopping logs (hopping a curb) and steering or sliding the back end through soft dirt or sand (navigating wet streets.

But even if you’re a long-time dirt bike guy looking for something a little tamer than a 450 or a squirrelly 2-stroke, or a young guy wanting to step up from his first sub 100cc off-roader, the KLX 300R will fit the bill. It’s a blast for riding trails and bombing through the wilderness because it only weighs 280 pounds, has a high seat height, and uses 43mm inverted shocks on the front and an adjustable gas shock on the back to give you 11.2 inches of travel to provide a cushy ride and easily clear obstacles. The electric-start engine is fuel injected and gives you snappy throttle response and has loads of torque for whenever you want to get a little sideways in the dirt. And it has Kawasaki’s Ergo-Fit system which allows you to adjust the handlebars four ways to dial in your perfect fit.

• Engine: 292cc, liquid-cooled, 4-valve, DOHC, single-cylinder
• Horsepower: 33 hp
• Seat Height: 35.4 inches
• Weight: 282.2 pounds (wet)

Best Adventure Small Motorcycle: KTM 390 Adventure KTM 390 Adventure is the best adventure small motorcycle.

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Riding a motorcycle means having options. We love a bike’s ability to not only save time by cutting through traffic, but to also enjoy ripping through the interior of an area by connecting two-track, forest trails, and the back roads less traveled. Often, those routes are filled with unpredictable conditions, like loose gravel, rocks, erosion, and potholes. While spontaneous hazards hardly constitute a proper “adventure,” we always appreciate tackling that terrain on an ADV bike like KTM’s 390 Adventure. The lightest in the brand’s fleet, it’s full of similar features to KTM’s larger bikes. 

Beginners can enjoy a smooth 44 horsepower experience shifting through six gears that feels tame next to KTM’s lineage of Dakar-ready machines. Its power to weight ratio makes it feel spry, tempering exhaustion after a few hours in the saddle. With almost a 245-mile fuel rage, you’re bound to be thinking about a trip through Baja after you ride one. 

• Engine: 372cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, 4-valve, DOHC, single-cylinder
• Horsepower: 44 hp
• Seat Height: 31.1 inches
• Weight: 379 pounds (wet)

Best Budget Small Motorcycle: Kawasaki Z125 Pro Kawasaki Z125 Pro is the best budget small motorcycle.

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Like the Honda Grom, the Z125 Pro is a tiny, seriously fun street machine that costs less than some high-end bicycles. Its compact size inspires confidence. The low, 31.7-inch seat height and upright riding position make it a great option for beginners, especially those who don’t want to hit the highway. Even at just 225 pounds, it can still haul a passenger, and you can go 160 miles before refilling the 2-gallon tank.

• Engine: 125cc, 4-stroke, air-cooled, 2-valve, SOHC, single cylinder
• Horsepower: 8.3 hp
• Seat Height: 31.7 inches
• Weight: 224.8 pounds (wet)

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What To Look For in a Small Motorcycle The Basics

Picking a riding style is the first step when choosing your own adventure on two wheels. First, ask yourself: Why do I want to ride and where am I going? There is so much varied terrain, ranging from congested big city streets to empty rural roads. Is there a bike for everything? No, but picking the right ride should fit with around 80% of your intention and alleviate any buyer’s remorse.

It’s nice to feel good about your purchase, so naturally you’re going to take price and vibe into consideration. Remember that while they share a passion for two wheels, Harley guys are different from sports bike gals, though both will always give a low slung peace sign as they pass by. Which one do you want to be? Do a little soul searching before you buy, exploring how you want to appear atop an iron horse and whether you can afford to look that good.

Power & Control

We second the opinion that power ranks right up there with riding style, especially in terms of how quickly it’s delivered. For instance, we can’t endorse dual sport bikes enough for first-time riders who’ll learn by putting around a parking lot. A comfortable, upright position with power that rolls on in a predictable way will better familiarize you with shifting through the gears to build more confidence. Electric and sport bikes hit differently and can quickly get out of hand in more advanced modes, so be humble and realistic with each twist of the wrist. Being a beginner can last years, and generally it’s better to be underbiked than over. Slow and steady will keep you safe.

Feel & Ergonomics

Can you touch the ground? Feeling planted is the equivalent of having a safety net when learning to ride. Manufacturers want you to feel one with the bike. For pros, their machine is an extension of themselves through R&D that informs factory floor ergonomics. As for newbies who are feeling the awkwardness of their first bike, knowing you’re in control is as simple as rolling off the throttle, applying the brakes, and putting a foot—or two—down at slow speeds or when stopped. Stability builds trust and trust builds confidence, so put less emphasis on the weight of the machine and more on whether it feels manageable between your legs.

Why You Should Trust Me

I have my father to thank for ripping 80 miles per hour across a dry lakebed on the tank of his Bultaco when I was 18 months old. While that seems incredibly irresponsible in hindsight, I haven’t stopped riding since. His guidance encouraged me to ride thousands of hours on a wide range of bikes, and earning a lifetime of experience. I’ve crisscrossed the country six times shooting for Harley-Davidson, raced desert races, traversed across the mountains and beaches in Baja on adventure bikes, and enjoyed giving guidance to new riders along the way. Off my bikes, I’ve covered every facet of motorcycle sports, from MotoGP to classic Indian hill climbers, listening to what works and what doesn’t from a long list of gear heads.

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