Best Beginner Motorcycles - A2 Legal (EU/UK) 2026
689 motorcycles
Scooters
Underbones
Naked Motorcycles
Sportbikes
Sport Tourers
Touring Motorcycles
Cruisers
Adventure Motorcycles
Dual-Sport Motorcycles
Enduro Bikes
Motocross Bikes
Supermotos
Trials Bikes
Minibikes
Electric Motorcycles
Beginner Friendly
How this is worked out: eligibility below is calculated from each motorcycle's published power and weight specs, not an official legal determination. EU/UK A2 uses the real formula (≤35kW, power-to-weight ≤0.2kW/kg) but can't account for factory-restricted variants of a more powerful base model. Australia's LAMS scheme is officially an approved list, not a pure formula - the power-to-weight ratio shown (≤150kW/tonne) is a strong indicator but always check the current state LAMS list before buying. The US has no federal beginner power cap, so those picks reflect commonly-recommended low-power specs, not a legal requirement. Always confirm current rules with your local licensing authority.
How this list is ranked - current models (2024-2027, newest year of each), scored out of 100
- 35 points - fit for purpose: a low seat, light weight and the most usable power within the licence limit, compared with every other bike in this list.
- 25 points - rider interest: how often riders look the bike up on MotorcycleDB.
- 20 points - owner ratings: the average MotorcycleDB rating, weighted by how many people rated it (unrated bikes get a neutral score).
- 10 points - complete data: power, torque, weight, seat height, tank, top speed and ABS on record.
- 10 points - verified specs: figures checked against published manufacturer sources.
No manufacturer pays to appear or to rank higher. A high score means a strong, well-documented bike for its class - always check the full specs and the size comparison for your own fit.
#601
2027 Honda PCX125
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 41/100 · 12.3 hp · 130 kg · 764 mm seat
The 2027 Honda PCX 125 is a practical automatic scooter designed for daily commuters and urban riders seeking …
#602
2025 KTM 125 SMC R
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 41/100 · 15 hp · 152 kg · 860 mm seat
#603
2026 Znen ADV 150
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 150 kg
The 2026 Znen ADV 150 is an automatic scooter designed for urban commuters and casual riders seeking reliable,…
#604
2026 Ascend R9 200
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 204 kg · 780 mm seat
The 2026 Ascend R9 200 is a practical automatic scooter designed for budget-conscious commuters and new riders…
#605
2026 Ascend Defender 300
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 204 kg · 780 mm seat
The 2026 Ascend Defender 300 is a practical automatic scooter designed for commuters and casual riders seeking…
#606
2026 Janus Gryffin 450
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 150 kg · 813 mm seat
The 2026 Janus Gryffin 450 is a classic single-cylinder motorcycle ideal for riders seeking vintage charm with…
#607
2025 GAS GAS EX 250F
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 104 kg · 956 mm seat
The 2025 GAS GAS EX 250F is a lightweight enduro bike designed for intermediate to advanced off-road riders se…
#608
2026 Malaguti Mission 125 City
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 12.1 hp · 154 kg · 900 mm seat
The 2026 Malaguti Mission 125 City is a practical commuter scooter designed for urban riders seeking efficient…
#609
2024 Herald Brat 125
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 14 hp · 147 kg · 820 mm seat
The Herald Brat 125 is a lightweight British retro-styled commuter designed for new riders and urban enthusias…
#610
2024 Herald Maverick 250
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 24 hp · 148 kg · 885 mm seat
The 2024 Herald Maverick 250 is a lightweight enduro designed for beginner and intermediate off-road riders se…
#611
2024 Kawasaki Z125 Performance
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 15 hp · 147 kg · 815 mm seat
The 2024 Kawasaki Z125 Performance is an entry-level naked bike ideal for new riders and urban commuters seeki…
#612
2024 Yamaha Tricity 300
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 27.6 hp · 239 kg · 795 mm seat
The 2024 Yamaha Tricity 300 is a three-wheeled scooter designed for commuters and urban riders seeking stabili…
#613
2024 MV Agusta Lucky Explorer 5.5
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 46.9 hp · 220 kg · 860 mm seat
The 2024 MV Agusta Lucky Explorer 5.5 is a lightweight adventure bike designed for riders seeking nimble handl…
#614
2024 Hero Glamour Xtec
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 10.7 hp · 123 kg · 798 mm seat
The 2024 Hero Glamour Xtec is a feature-rich 125cc commuter motorcycle designed for riders seeking modern conn…
#615
2024 Yamaha R15S
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 18.1 hp · 142 kg · 815 mm seat
The 2024 Yamaha R15S is a lightweight sport bike designed for entry-level riders and commuters seeking an affo…
#616
2024 Kawasaki Z e-1
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 12 hp · 135 kg · 785 mm seat
#617
2024 Malaguti Madison 200 City
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 17.3 hp · 154 kg · 810 mm seat
The 2024 Malaguti Madison 200 City is a practical urban scooter designed for commuters seeking reliable daily …
#618
2026 Maeving RM2
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 9.7 hp · 145 kg · 775 mm seat
The 2026 Maeving RM2 adds a proper two-up bench seat to the RM1S's 11.1 kW peak, 261 Nm powertrain and 80-mile…
#619
2026 VeliMotor VMX3000
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 16.1 hp · 108 kg · 900 mm seat
The VeliMotor VMX3000 is the EU EEC/COC road-homologated version of VeliMotor's core electric dirtbike platfor…
#620
2026 VeliMotor VMX10S Police I
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 24.1 hp · 118 kg · 880 mm seat
The VeliMotor VMX10S Police I is a police-spec version of VeliMotor's VMX10S electric adventure motorcycle, fi…
#621
2026 MH XRT 125
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 14.5 hp · 157 kg · 775 mm seat
The 2026 MH XRT 125 is a retro-styled 125cc naked bike for learner riders who want classic scrambler looks. It…
#622
2026 Niu Mqi GT EVO
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 6.7 hp · 128 kg · 816 mm seat
The 2026 Niu MQi GT EVO is a 125cc-class electric commuter scooter from the Chinese maker NIU. A 5 kW rated hu…
#623
2027 Honda SH Mode 125
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 11.7 hp · 118 kg · 765 mm seat
The 2027 Honda SH Mode 125 is a compact, easy-going scooter for city commuters and new riders. Its 125cc singl…
#624
2027 Honda Dax 125
A2 legal (EU/UK)
Score 40/100 · 9.3 hp · 104 kg · 775 mm seat
The 2027 Honda Dax 125 is a lightweight minibike that appeals to beginners, urban commuters, and riders seekin…