/ Featured Article
Top 5 beginner-friendly big bikes
Be sure to check these bikes out if you’re in the market for your first big bike.
The allure of riding a premium, big displacement motorcycle is one that is all too hard to shake off. What with the worsening traffic conditions in the Metro and increasingly scarce parking amenities, the best way to get around in style is undoubtedly on a big bike.
With the middleweight big bike segment growing constantly over the past few years, customers are bestowed the luxury of choice. To add to that, technology found in premium high-performance machines has trickled down onto middleweight offerings. Of course, we wouldn’t recommend hopping onto a big bike as your first whiff of the two-wheeled experience, but these are bikes that are considerably more approachable as opposed to their high powered siblings.
Kawasaki Z400
Starting out this list we have an entry from one of the most popular big bike manufacturers in the Philippines, Kawasaki. The Japanese brand has seen massive success with their Ninja 400 sportbike among street riders and track day aficionados alike. Powered by Kawasaki’s ever-reliable 399cc 180-degree parallel twin, the Z400 delivers all the peppiness and linear acceleration as its fully-faired sibling, albeit in a more comfortable and commuter-friendly package.
The Kawasaki Z400 churns out a respectable 44 horsepower, more than adequate for long, cross country rides, as well as spirited rides on twisty mountain roads. In fact, the Z400 is one of the most powerful bikes in the segment, and weighing in at only 165 kg, is guaranteed to be a hoot to ride. Priced at P298,000 pesos, the Z400 sits in the middle of the price range for its segment.
KTM 390 Duke
The next entry on our list of beginner-friendly big bikes comes from the Austrian orange giant, KTM. The brand has built its reputation and transformed itself from a forlorn European dirt bike manufacturer to the biggest motorcycle manufacturer outside of Asia. Now assembled in the Philippines, the KTM 390 Duke presents itself as one of the more premium bikes in its segment. Equipped with features found on more premium machines, a full-color TFT dash, programmable ABS, and LED lights are all standard fare for the 390 Duke.
Breathing life into the bike’s lightweight 153 kg curb weight is a spritely and overly-excited 373cc single-cylinder engine pumping out 42 horsepower. To add to this, the 390 Duke is equipped with 43mm inverted forks and a preload-adjustable mono-shock from WP. To sweeten the deal even further, the 390 Duke is registered with the LTO as 400cc, meaning it’s one hundred percent expressway legal. The KTM 390 Duke is priced at P268,000 and is also offered in Special Edition and Touring Edition trims for P300,000 each.
CFMoto 400NK
The next bike on our list is actually the most popular 400cc-class motorcycle on our platform. A relatively new player in the local market, CFMoto has seen tremendous success since its initial launch in 2017. Its most popular model, the 400NK, continues to sell like hot cakes simply because of its bare-bones platform and extremely affordable price.
For just P215,000, you get a 400.4cc motorcycle guaranteed entry into the expressways. Apart from this, the bike comes with a 180-degree parallel twin similar to that of the Kawasaki Z400. The 400NK produces 41 horsepower and has a low seat height of 795mm, making it friendly for beginners. Perhaps the biggest downside for the 400NK would be its daunting 206 kg curb weight. Other components include an ABS system by Continental, J.Juan brakes, and a Bosch EFI system.
Kawasaki Bajaj Dominar 400
It can be argued that the Kawasaki Bajaj Dominar 400 is the bike that gave big displacement performance to the masses. With an engine similar to that of the KTM 390 Duke, the Dominar 400’s 373cc single-cylinder engine pumps out 40 horsepower.
The Kawasaki Bajaj Dominar 400 is priced at just P175,000 and presents itself with remarkable value for money. Weighing in at 187 kg, it’s no featherweight. However, it does make for a confident ride at both low and high speeds.
Benelli Leoncino 500
The newest player in the entry-level big bike segment comes to us from Benelli. With its Italian origins, the Leoncino 500 quite possibly boasts the best fit and finish in its class. To add to this, the bike’s 500cc parallel-twin engine gives it the most power in the entry-level class, at 46 horsepower. Perhaps one of the most striking features about the Leoncino 500 would be its retro styling, with its unmistakable round headlight, and scrambler-esque body lines.
The Benelli Leoncino 500 is also the dearest among the lot at P349,000. However, given the bike’s bump in displacement and premium componentry, the price is somewhat justifiable.
So there you have it, our list of the top 5 most beginner-friendly big bikes. If you’re in the market for your first big bike, be sure to drop by the dealerships of the bikes mentioned above. Also, be sure to check out more details about these bikes on our site.
Related Articles
-
5 things we love about the Kawasaki Versys 650 / Featured Article
Here are a few things that make the Kawasaki Versys 650 a bulletproof choice when it comes to those looking for practicality, dependability, and value for money.
-
5 things we love about the Kawasaki Z650RS / Featured Article
Kawasaki’s new Z650RS offers the versatility of a modern naked bike with dapper, retro looks. Here are a few things to love about it.
-
Top 5 reasons why the KTM 790 Duke is the best ‘cheater’ bike in the market / Featured Article
The KTM 790 Duke is one sharp-looking motorcycle, but its looks also tell you of its performance and potential excitement.
-
5 standout features of the all-new CFMOTO 450 NK / Featured Article
Let’s take a look at five things we absolutely love about the all-new CFMOTO 450 NK.
-
Are KTM’s unreliable? Not really and here’s why / Featured Article
Thinking about buying a KTM motorcycle, but worried about reliability? Read this and worry less.
Latest Features
-
Motorcycling 101: How to choose a helmet / Featured Article
With so many new helmets in the market, choosing your next one can be quite challenging.
-
How does adaptive cruise control work and what is it for? / Featured Article
Adaptive cruise control is a tech feature that’s gradually making its way to more and more motorcycles. Let’s take a look at how it works, what it’s for, and what bikes have this cutting-edg...
-
5 reasons why you should never ride your motorcycle without gloves on / Featured Article
If you’re thinking of riding your bike without gloves on, think again. Here are a few reasons why wearing gloves is an absolute must.