Three bikes worth buying for beginners

I remember researching motorcycles for weeks before buying my first one. After consulting many experienced riders and technicians, I narrowed down my options to one particular classic Japanese four stroke – a 1990 Honda CG125. 

Honda CG125 and the likes of it have no electrical components that either complement or stabilise performance. With such classics, any rider can grasp a basic idea of the technical aspects and all the ins and outs of a motorcycle. 

However, these bikes do need constant attention; small mechanical and electrical issues keep arising every now and then and workshops end up becoming riders' second home.  

If you are a beginner planning to purchase your first bike, it would be wise to buy a 21st century second-hand one rather than settling for classics, unless you really want hands-on experience with grease. 

With the demand for bikes that has grown by more than 380 percent in the past decade, now there are many options available for a rider to choose from. 

Today, I will talk about three motorcycles worth considering as your first, be it brand new or second hand. 

Runner Dayang AD80S DELUXE

Runner Automobiles has managed to mobilise a vast portion of the delivery services and ride-sharing market with its range of affordable two-wheelers. 

Within its product line, the Dayang AD80S Deluxe stands out to be the most sought-after bike for commercial purposes. Powered by an 85cc engine, the AD80S can be a very good bike for beginners.

It has enough power to help learn how to pick up pace and maintain it on the road. Though the bike comes with drum brakes on the front and rear, it is more than enough to provide a smooth braking experience, given its moderate engine capacity. 

One of the best features of purchasing this bike is availability of spare parts. You can find Runner motorcycles' spare parts almost everywhere and that too, at competitive prices. 

Even if you do not find specific components at your local workshop, you can install similar parts manufactured by other brands. It might cost a bit more but the output will be even better. 

The Runner Dayang AD80S Deluxe is currently being sold at a discounted price of Tk70,000 by Runner Automobiles. If you want to go for a second-hand one, you can easily find it online within a price range of Tk30,000-50,000.

Vespa SXL 125 

It is not necessary that your first motorbike has to be a commuter; scooters can be the perfect beginner two-wheelers, especially because the majority do not come with gears! 

Over the past 3 to 5 years, the demand for scooters in Bangladesh has drastically increased allowing manufacturers and dealerships to bring about varieties of scooters. Runner Automobiles also seized the opportunity and, once again, introduced the most beloved scooter brand of all time - Vespa. 

Though there are many affordable scooters in the market, opting for the Vespa SXL 125 would be ideal as the brand never seems to disappoint users.  

In terms of performance, comfort, handling, riding experience, and glamour, there is no other scooter in Bangladesh that can be compared to the Vespa SXL 125 within its price range. 

The price of a Vespa SXL 125 currently starts at Tk189,000 and goes up to Tk197,000 depending on the colour. The second-hand ones can be found within a price range of Tk120,00-150,000.

TVS Stryker

If you want your first bike to be a bit more powerful and stylish than the Dayang AD80S, the 125cc TVS Stryker would be an ideal choice.

TVS's presence in Bangladesh's motorcycle market became prominent with its Apache series. With time, the automaker introduced a wide range of motorcycles in its product line and the Stryker stood out for its slight design resemblance with the early Apaches. 

The TVS Stryker, powered by a 125cc engine, offers a perfect blend of performance and handling. It is very user friendly even for beginners; allows riders to take control quickly and begin testing limits eventually. 

If you are worried whether 125cc would be "too much" for a beginner's bike, I can assure you that the engine displacement is not the only factor that influences performance. The Stryker comes with disc brakes on the front, allowing riders to apply brakes efficiently while reducing the braking distance. 

Overall, the 125cc TVS Stryker is a complete package of efficient performance, handling, fuel economy, and value for money. 

Brand new TVS Strykers are available at a price of Tk119,990 and you can easily find good second-hand ones within a price range of Tk60,000-100,000.