STYLE MATTERS
HOW TO CHOOSE A MOTORCYCLE YOU’LL ACTUALLY LOVE
THE FIRST MOMENT
The first motorcycle is a big moment. For many riders, it’s the start of something far bigger than simply owning a machine. It’s the beginning of a lifestyle, a mindset and a relationship with the road that can last a lifetime. But when you first start looking at bikes, the sheer number of options can feel overwhelming.
My first bike was a 125cc BX Brixton cafe racer. Which lasted all of a month in its stock form. It was nothing mechanical that changed, just the usual, tank colour and matte finishes on anything black.
Cruisers, cafe racers, scramblers, naked or adventure bikes, the list goes on. Each style carries its own personality and culture. The key to choosing your first motorcycle isn’t finding the “best” bike. It’s finding the one that feels right for you.
A good place to start is thinking about how you actually want to ride.
FINDING YOUR STYLE
THE CRUISER
If your vision of riding involves relaxed journeys, scenic coastal roads and the occasional long cruise, a cruiser might feel like home. These bikes are built for comfort and character. Low seats, relaxed riding positions and a laid-back feel make them perfect for riders who want to enjoy the journey rather than chase speed.
THE CAFE RACER
If you’re drawn to classic styling and minimalist design, the cafe racer has long been a favourite within motorcycle culture. Inspired by the British bikes of the 1960s, cafe racers are stripped back, purposeful machines. They’re about simplicity and style, the kind of bike that looks just as good parked outside a workshop as it does carving through winding roads.
THE SCRAMBLER
For riders who want versatility, scramblers have become increasingly popular. This is kind of the route I initially went down with the Triumph T120 Black Edition. With their upright riding position, chunky tyres and rugged stance, scramblers feel equally at home in the city or exploring gravel roads and countryside tracks. They carry a sense of adventure that appeals to riders who don’t want to feel limited by where the road ends.
THE NAKED BIKE
Then there are naked bikes, often the easiest entry point for new riders. These bikes focus on simplicity and usability. They’re light, manageable and designed for everyday riding, making them an excellent choice for commuting or learning the fundamentals of riding.
PRACTICALITY VS STYLE
While style matters, practicality also plays an important role in your first bike. It’s worth considering where and how often you’ll ride. A bike that feels perfect for weekend countryside rides might feel less comfortable navigating city traffic every day.
Seat height, weight and engine size are all factors that influence how confident you’ll feel as a new rider. A motorcycle that’s too heavy or powerful can take some of the enjoyment out of the early stages of learning. Many experienced riders will tell you that smaller, lighter bikes often deliver the most fun while you’re building experience.
A PERSONAL CONNECTION
But perhaps the most important part of choosing your first bike is something harder to measure, and that’s the personal connection.
When you find the right motorcycle, you’ll know. It’s the one that makes you stop and look back at it after parking. The one that makes you want to take the long route home. The one that sparks ideas about where the next ride might take you.
Motorcycles have always been personal machines. They reflect the rider, their style and the way they choose to experience the world.
Your first bike doesn’t need to be perfect. In fact, it rarely is. What matters is that it gets you started. Because once you begin the journey, the road has a way of shaping everything that comes next.
And before long, that first bike becomes part of your story.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JAMES WALKER
James Walker is an ex-professional racing driver with an obsession for motorcycles, speed and fashion. Drawing inspiration from years spent around motorsport, he now focuses on custom motorcycle culture, and has built a reputation around authenticity, individuality and following his new passion, whether that’s on the track, on two wheels, or through the brands and communities he creates.
