By their nature, most beginner’s bikes tend to offer good value. Novice riders tend to be younger, with less disposable income, and so can’t always afford the latest high-tech flagship machinery (which they don’t generally have the skills to exploit anyway). Manufacturers often use cheaper components: unadjustable suspension and less powerful engines, so building costs are lower.

But having said that, it’s still possible to find great-value machines. Competition for new riders is stiff, so bike designers have had to up their game. And as technology improves, it becomes possible to build even better bikes, while keeping costs down. These five machines all offer great first-time performance, while keeping your bank manager happy. And there’s even a 1,250 cc roadster that falls into this category, proving you don’t need to stick with small machines if you’re new to riding.