What Type Of Motorcycle Is The Most Difficult To Ride?

Riding a bike can be thrilling, but also very dangerous. In fact, when it comes to beginners, the chances of making mistakes are usually higher. That's why, before you embrace your newfound hobby, you'll want to know everything about your first motorcycle. Now, there is a smorgasbord of different bikes available for all types of riders. There are cruiser bikes meant for long-distance rides, sport bikes designed for the fastest riders, and touring bikes, which are ideal for thrill seekers. This implies that if you go with the wrong first motorcycle, you may end up turning your new hobby into a nerve-wracking challenge.

Of course, if you're a beginner, you probably don't want your first bike to be a BMW R1200GS — one of the coolest adventure motorcycles on the market. Instead, you'll want something that works with your body, not against it. Based on several years of riding experience, working on bikes (as a professional mechanic), and reviewing various types of motorcycles, I've seen how easily mistakes like misjudging throttle input and balancing shifts can escalate. You could injure yourself, cause accidents, or damage the bike, which is a recipe for costly repairs.

However, there are some motorcycles that are beginner-friendly, but other models will require every ounce of balance, focus, and control to handle safely (even for the experienced rider). In fact, as a former owner of a 1000cc Honda CBR1000RR, I have come to realize that the term "difficult to ride" depends on the riding context and skill level. After all, this bike was very easy to use while cruising on the highway, but a handful when navigating city traffic. With that in mind, below, I've put together a list of types of bikes that are challenging to ride.

For riders who want excellent track toys that are astonishingly fast, high-performance sport bikes will fit the bill. Motorcycles like the Kawasaki ZX-6R and Yamaha R1 have sleek designs and top speeds that are hard to beat. In fact, responsive throttle and light clutch are among the reasons enough as to why you should avoid buying high-performance sport bikes as a first-time rider. Unlike the gradual, predictable power delivery of the Honda Gold Wing, sport bikes will transform even minor wrist movements into sharp acceleration.

On top of the dizzying speeds, most sport bikes (like the Honda CBR600RR) come with firm, racing-grade suspensions that let you feel every pothole, crack, and road imperfection on public roads. Not only does this harsh riding experience result in discomfort, but it also makes it challenging for even experienced riders to control the bike. These bikes' aggressive riding position also gets criticized for causing potential physical strain and discomfort, especially on long road trips. The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R requires a signature forward lean that places your body weight on your wrists and arms. While this riding position is primarily for aerodynamic performance, it can affect your steering precision, emergency response, and even worse, cause fatigue.

For sure, sport bikes usually dominate the most difficult bike rankings, but there are some scenarios that can make other bike categories challenging. Take those large adventure bikes — the BMW R1250GS or KTM 1290 Super Adventure, for instance. While on open highways, these bikes will excel as comfortable tourers. However, this situation will definitely change once you load them with gear and take them on single-track trails. What was once a comfortable bike becomes a heavy liability with a tall center of gravity.

If you want a bike with long-distance capabilities, you might appreciate taking these reliable cruiser motorcycles for a ride. Well, they come with laid-back seating positions, iconic styling, and a smooth ride. However, despite offering impressive and relaxed ergonomics, their heavy weight and limited ground clearance will become a liability when maneuvering tight curves or U-turns. Even worse, if the motorcycle is air-cooled, as with many traditional cruisers, the heat radiating from the engines can be uncomfortable, especially in stop-and-go situations.

Then, there are vintage motorcycles, and although I love the nostalgic feeling (think the chrome, mechanical simplicity, character) they give, you'll have to adjust to the absence of ABS, traction control, or even modern disk brakes. In the worst-case scenarios, riders must even contend with fading drum brakes, carburetors that require choke adjustments on cold mornings, and regular maintenance. Plus, since most of the classic bikes have outdated ergonomics, they require old-school skills that many modern riders don't practice.