Alright, so you’ve got the itch to ride and you’re looking for your first motorcycle. Solid. As someone who’s been through the L-plate stage and spent way too much time stalking DoneDeal listings and bike forums, let me walk you through 10 bikes that make a brilliant first ride in Ireland.
We’ll cover what licence they need, what kind of riding they suit, the usual costs (new/used), and what they’re like to actually live with – insurance, maintenance, reliability, and whether they’re really learner-friendly or just look cool on Instagram.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the top 10 contenders, ranked by real-world practicality for Irish roads. Let’s get into it.
Licence: A1
Type & Best For: Naked commuter; city riders and learners
Cost of Purchase: New ~€4,000
Ease of Use: Featherlight (117kg), low seat (780mm), upright posture. Perfect for stop-start traffic.
Insurance: Very low
Maintenance: Minimal and budget-friendly
Made & Reliability: Japanese-made; famously reliable
Beginner Friendliness: 5/5
With its 124cc air-cooled engine putting out around 11 horsepower, the CB125F is light, nimble, and super forgiving. It’ll sip fuel at roughly 2 litres per 100 km and tops out around 100 km/h .
If you want a bike that just works without fuss, the CB125F is that guy. Light as a feather, easy clutch, and comfy as hell. It’s the definition of learner-friendly. Perfect for city commutes and nipping around town.
Licence: A1
Type & Best For: Sportbike styling; young riders wanting a sharper look
Cost of Purchase: New ~€6,200
Ease of Use: Sporty but manageable. Aggressive stance demands core strength.
Insurance: Moderate – sporty image pushes premiums up slightly
Maintenance: Routine services; parts widely available
Made & Reliability: Japanese quality; reliable as long as you keep up oil changes
Beginner Friendliness: 4/5 (more sporty edge)
It’s powered by a high-revving 124cc liquid-cooled engine that makes a full 15 horsepower and weighs about 142 kg. It’s quick for a 125, capable of nudging 120–130 km/h, and still manages great fuel economy around 2.5 litres per 100 km.
For its premium it also brings more features on the table, like, Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) technology, traction control system and assist & slipper clutch.
Want the sportbike look without the terrifying power? The R125 is a mini R1, but it’s learner-legal and surprisingly tame. It’s more expensive, but you’re paying for the styling and Yamaha quality.
Licence: A1
Type & Best For: Naked streetfighter; urban fun and learner thrills
Cost of Purchase: New ~€6,000
Ease of Use: Tallish seat (830 mm), ultra-light chassis (≈137 kg), razor-sharp handling – flicks through traffic effortlessly.
Insurance: Moderate
Maintenance: Slightly pricier than Hondas/Yamahas, but parts are readily available
Made & Reliability: Austrian design, Indian manufacturing; generally robust
Beginner Friendliness: 4.5/5
With a 124 cc single cranking out the legal 15 hp and a kerb weight under 140 kg, the Duke 125 feels like a pocket rocket – flick it through traffic, nail the throttle, and sip around 2.8 L/100 km. If your first ride needs to put a grin on your face, this is it.
If you’re looking for a learner bike that feels more alive, the Duke is it. Light clutch, agile steering, and punchy throttle make every ride feel playful.
Licence: A1
Type & Best For: Mini-naked commuter; tight city streets and learner confidence
Cost of Purchase: New ~£4,300
Ease of Use: Low seat (815 mm), smooth 15 hp delivery, neutral ergonomics.
Insurance: Low to moderate
Maintenance: Simple and cheap; Kawasaki parts network is solid
Made & Reliability: Japanese-built; rock-steady performance
Beginner Friendliness: 4.5/5
A 125 cc single pushes out 15 hp in a 147 kg package that feels rock-steady at all speeds. You’ll cruise happily at 90–100 km/h, burn about 2.8 L/100 km, and develop real confidence before stepping up.
The Z125 is like that one chill friend who always shows up on time. It’s not flashy, but it delivers, and you’ll feel in control from day one.
Licence: A1
Type & Best For: Budget sport; first-bike looks on a shoestring
Cost of Purchase: New ~£2,600
Ease of Use: Heavier (167 kg) and taller seat (820 mm), but stable
Insurance: Very low
Maintenance: Frequent checks; parts are cheap
Made & Reliability: Chinese-made; build quality improving, but be picky on condition
Beginner Friendliness: 3.5/5
It only makes about 12 hp, but with sharp styling and roughly 110 km/h top speed, it’s the “look at me” option for those on a tight budget. Expect around 3.1 L/100 km.
If you’re after sporty styling without the Yamaha price tag, the LXR delivers on looks. It’s heavier and not as polished, but gets you on the road for cheap.
Licence: A1
Type & Best For: Sport; mini-superbike experience on L-plates
Cost of Purchase: New ~€4,899
Ease of Use: Low seat (785 mm), light (134 kg), precise handling
Insurance: Moderate
Maintenance: Standard sportbike schedule; Suzuki reliability is top-tier
Made & Reliability: Japanese engineering; very dependable
Beginner Friendliness: 4/5
A full 15 hp from its 124 cc liquid-cooled single means it’ll hit 120 km/h easily, all while sipping about 2.5 L/100 km. Great if you crave proper R-series DNA in a learner bike.
This one’s got proper mini-superbike vibes. It’s sharp, quick, and a great stepping stone if you see yourself going full sport later on.
Licence: A2
Type & Best For: Naked; perfect A2 step-up for city and back-road blasting
Cost of Purchase: New ~€7,499
Ease of Use: Seat 830 mm, 165 kg, snappy throttle
Insurance: Moderate
Maintenance: More frequent than 125s, but well-supported
Made & Reliability: Austrian design; build quality solid when serviced
Beginner Friendliness: 4/5
This 373cc single delivers a punchy 44 hp. It’s super responsive, hits about 170 km/h, and still returns around 4L/100 km.
Honestly, it feels like a proper hooligan machine – in the best way. Light, powerful, and loud enough to make every ride exciting.
Licence: A2
Type & Best For: Naked; smooth twin for commuting and weekend rides
Cost of Purchase: New ~£5,799
Ease of Use: Low seat (785 mm), stable 49 hp twin, 167 kg
Insurance: Moderate
Maintenance: Easy-going intervals, Kawasaki toughness
Made & Reliability: Japanese build; bulletproof twin
Beginner Friendliness: 4.5/5
That 399 cc parallel-twin delivers linear power, handles like a dream, and sips about 3.5 L/100 km.
Z400 is what many riders wish they’d started on. Calm when you need it, fast when you want it – and it’ll be with you for years.
Licence: A2
Type & Best For: Naked; torquey twin for city lanes and country roads
Cost of Purchase: New ~€7,499
Ease of Use: Very low seat (780 mm), light 169 kg chassis, sharp brakes
Insurance: Moderate
Maintenance: Straightforward; Yamaha reliability legendary
Made & Reliability: Japanese engineering; high build standards
Beginner Friendliness: 4.5/5
Its 321 cc twin churns out 42 hp with smooth delivery and about 3.9 L/100 km economy. It’s like a friendly streetfighter – easy when you want it, wild when you need it.
MT-03 is like your cool older cousin – chill most of the time but can absolutely party when you twist the throttle.
Licence: A2 (restricted to 47 hp)
Type & Best For: Naked; long-term option you won’t outgrow
Cost of Purchase: New ~€8,795
Ease of Use: Low seat (785 mm), heavier (197 kg), forgiving V-twin torque
Insurance: Moderate to high
Maintenance: Moderate; twin-cylinder upkeep
Made & Reliability: Japanese V-twin; legendary durability
Beginner Friendliness: 4/5
Even restricted to 47 hp, the 645cc V-twin pulls smoothly and feels planted. Fuel economy sits around 4.7L/100 km, and it’ll do serious miles.
The SV650 is the kind of bike you grow into, not out of. Comfortable, powerful, and smooth – you’ll fall for the torque and that deep engine note.
There you have it – ten learner-legal machines that tick the boxes for Irish roads, budgets, and newbie nerves. Whether you want the bare-bones simplicity of a Honda CB125F or the go-everywhere versatility of a restricted SV650, there’s a first bike here with your name on it.
Take your time, try before you buy, factor in insurance quotes, and don’t forget quality gear. Once you’ve chosen, helmet on… and welcome to the two-wheeled club!
