New Bike Buyer's Guide: Best Learner Approved Motorcycles

Royal Enfield continues to cement its standing as one of the world’s most powerful motorcycle brands. New models continue to hit the market at a rapid rate of knots – and with another handful to be released over the next 12 months the momentum shows no signs of abating.

It’s been off-the-charts frenetic, but also wonderfully entertaining thanks to models like the Guerrilla 450 which was first released in mid-2024 as a modern nakedbike pitch with loud colours, tech-friendly features and youthful styling.

With some serious heat in the LAMS-approved mid-capacity nakedbike category, the Guerrilla 450 builds its value proposition via performance, technology and finish.

The $8590 ride away machine feels thoroughly modern without losing the simplicity that has made Royal Enfield such a juggernaut – and it’s all tracking in a nimble package without losing high-speed stability.

The standard specification includes a six-speed gearbox, ride-by-wire throttle, slip-and-assist clutch, dual-channel ABS, switchable ride modes, comfortable Showa suspension, ByBre brakes, four-inch round TFT display with full-map Google navigation, USB-C charging port, LED lighting and phone connectivity. These inclusions put it ahead of most competitors on tech for the price.

The single-cylinder liquid-cooled 452cc single delivers 29kW (39hp) at 8000rpm and 40Nm at 5500rpm, with more than 85 per cent of that torque available from just 3000rpm. It’s flexible and responsive and doesn’t have to be revved incessantly to maintain the flow.

Royal Enfield also offers a wide range of genuine cosmetic and protective accessories for a more subtle effect if you want to tone the styling down a little. But the Guerrilla 450’s still no shrinking violet: there’s still plenty of extrovert in its DNA.

2026 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 at a glance:
Price: $8590 ride away
Engine: 452cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, DOHC, four-valve
Fuel capacity: 11 litres
Seat height: 780mm
Weight (wet): 185kg
Tyres: CEAT Gripp XL Rad, 120/70 R17 (front), 160/60 R17 (rear)
Suspension: Showa telescopic fork, Showa monoshock
Rider aids: Dual-channel ABS
Warranty: Three years, unlimited kilometres plus three years roadside assist

Triumph has been showing its considerable wares in the mid-capacity space for years, producing user-friendly, tactile triples in full-power or LAMS mode – with the acclaimed Street Triple leading the way about 20 years ago.

The Triumph Trident 660 is now available in both LAMS and full-power (LAMS in 2021 and then both from 2025), with the three-cylinder engine remaining as the magnificent epicentre.

The engine’s flawless in the $14,890 ride away Trident 660, with torque peaking at lower revs on the LAMS version than the full-power variety so it feels like a ‘sprinter’: punchy, with silky-smooth fuelling and a huge fun factor. There’s a versatile edge to the Triumph triple that just keeps on keeping on.

But that’s not all. In 2025 Triumph – for only a few extra bucks – upped the ante with more standard features: cornering ABS and traction control, cruise control, a quickshifter, a new Sport mode and smartphone connectivity as standard.

It’s not all top-shelf componentry. For example, the cruise control is basic and doesn’t allow increasing or decreasing speed once set. However, they are all worthy additions to not only add safety and convenience but also a further nod to the bike’s sporty credentials. And the build quality is about as good as it gets in this category.

The ride position is comfy and accommodating, but just edgy enough to allow for spirited riding. It handles with absolute precision, with the electronics, gearbox and quickshifter keeping up with all the clamour and intensity. It’s just so easy to get in the groove.

The Trident 660 is one of the best-value motorcycles on the market.

2026 Triumph Trident 660 at a glance:
Price: $14,890 ride away 
Engine: 660cc, liquid-cooled, 12-valve, inline three-cylinder
Fuel capacity: 14 litres
Seat height: 805mm
Weight (wet): 190kg
Tyres: Michelin Road 6, 120/70R17 front, 180/55R17 rear
Suspension: Showa 41mm upside-down fork, Showa monoshock 
Rider aids: Cornering ABS and traction control
Warranty: Two years unlimited kilometres

If there’s a machine that has a happy knack of fully engaging a rider in the joys of motorcycling, it’s the MT-07LA.

That’s why it has been such a success story for Yamaha Australia since in 2014 – as well as becoming a global hit. Locally, that’s 12 years of introducing hundreds of riders into powered two-wheelers, with the soulful 655cc parallel-twin proving its worth time and time again.

There’s something intrinsically fun-first about the engine, with power and torque remaining the same as they did from the model’s launch: 38.8kW (52hp) at 8000rpm and 57Nm at an extremely accessible 4000rpm, which is more than enough vigour.

Most of the evolution has been in electronics, with ride-by-wire and switchable throttle maps and traction control now standard – and with further customisation available. There’s also a five-inch TFT screen with smartphone connectivity, as well as new switchgear.

Wide handlebars and a neutral riding stance ensure the MT-07 can manage extended trips without any fatigue beyond the inevitable wind buffeting, and the light wet weight (182kg) loaded low in the high-tensile steel frame ensures it is up to the challenge of urban and open-road riding. Its low-speed aptitude – hello, lane filtering – is exemplary.

The latest version has a new upside-down fork and lighter wheels thanks to Yamaha’s ‘SpinForged’ technology, which have produced an even more responsive edge to what was already a sharp handling machine. There’s no doubt this is a learner-approved bike that encourages you to keep the momentum up.

The $15,149 MT-07 is a standout in the LAMS market, and it can be ridden like it houses a much larger engine than it does. That’s a powerful endorsement, right there.

2026 Yamaha MT-07LA at a glance:
Price: $15,149 ride away 
Engine: 655cc, liquid-cooled DOHC parallel-twin
Fuel capacity: 14 litres
Seat height: 805mm
Weight (wet): 182kg
Tyres: Dunlop Sportmax Q5A, 120/70R17 front, 180/55R17 rear
Suspension: 41mm upside-down fork, monoshock
Rider aids: Dual-channel ABS
Warranty: Two years unlimited kilometres

KTM loves to test itself in the cauldron of competition, but it’s not always about cutting-edge and performance metrics to achieve a means to an end. The 390 Enduro R proves that that.

It’s a simple design that uses the same platform as the brand’s 390 Adventure models and is a lower-capacity sibling to the popular 690 Enduro R.

In KTM’s taxonomy, it’s a dual-sport machine – but fit the right hoops and there’s some real trail bike flair that makes it bigger than the sum of its parts.

That’s why the machine has so endeared itself to the bikesales team, especially as we’re firmly in the ‘recreational’ space when it comes to off-road riding.

Cost is a factor, too, and at $10,695 ride away it’s a cheaper option than KTM’s performance armoury, and it also gets its own dirt-focused fully adjustable suspension, 4.2-inch TFT display, comprehensive electronics package, Metzeler Karoo 4 tyres, Brembo-approved ByBre braking components, and LED lighting.

The crux of the matter is that the 390 Enduro R doesn’t need taming. It feels like home from the outset, which is important if you’re an irregular trail rider and don’t want to be tied in knots trying to tame a stiffly suspended, power-packed racing machine.

Power and torque are confidence-building at 34kW (45hp) at 8500rpm and 39Nm at 7000rpm – but you also have to keep it on the boil in an old-school single-cylinder type of way – while the WP suspension is impressive with tonnes of travel (230mm) and the backbone to manage snotty terrain, water crossings and deep sand. It rarely reaches its limits.

Meanwhile, the comprehensive electronics package has switchable ride modes, a dedicated off-road ABS setting, the means to switch off ABS and traction control completely, and adjustable throttle response.

The 390 Enduro R is whatever you want it to be, which makes it a LAMS bike that packs a punch.

2026 KTM 390 Enduro R at a glance:
Price: $10,695 ride away 
Engine: 399cc, liquid-cooled four-stroke single-cylinder
Fuel capacity: 9 litres
Seat height: 890mm
Weight (dry): 159kg
Tyres: Metzeler Karoo 4, 90/90-21 front, 140/80-18 rear
Suspension: WP APEX fork, WP APEX monoshock
Rider aids: Dual-channel ABS, traction control
Warranty: Two years unlimited kilometres

After a few years see-sawing with Yamaha as the two companies returned serve with higher displacement models in the sub-500cc Supersport class, Kawasaki’s the current ‘leader’ with its Ninja 500.

Launched at the EICMA motorcycle show at Milan in 2023, and released in Australia the year after, the 451cc parallel-twin produces 33kW (45hp) at 9000rpm and 43Nm at 6000rpm. Compared to the outgoing Ninja 400, there’s a 6Nm increase in torque, achieved 2000rpm earlier. That’s significant and makes a seriously good LAMS bike even better.

The hike in capacity has come at the expensed of more mid-range vibes, which is an irritation rather than a deal breaker.

There are two versions of the Ninja 500: the base model and the Ninja 500 SW, which adds a TFT screen, KIPASS master key system, USB-C outlet, large windshield, pillion seat cover, LED turn signals, tank pad, knee pads, frame sliders and radiator screen for an extra $950.

The SE retails for $8949 plus on-road costs and the Ninja 500 is $7999 plus on-road costs.

Horses for courses, but the most impressive thing is that Kawasaki didn’t really need to walk the tightrope with the Ninja 500 – it simply carried over the best bits from the Ninja 400 and added more firepower.

Those best bits include an accessible seat height of 785mm, wet weight of 171kg, a light, a progressive slip-and-assist clutch, and brakes that have excellent feel and modulation – even with only a single disc front and a dual-piston caliper.

It handles beautifully, too, so learners can focus on fine-tuning their own performance without being worried about the Ninja’s behavioural traits.

And have we mentioned the eye-catching styling and lustrous paint? An excellent job, Kawasaki.

2026 Kawasaki Ninja 500 at a glance:
Price: $7999 (SE: $8949) plus on-road costs
Engine: 451cc, liquid-cooled four-stroke parallel-twin
Fuel capacity: 14 litres
Seat height: 785mm
Weight (wet): 171kg (SE: 173kg)
Tyres: Dunlop GPR300, 110/70-17 front, 160/60-17 rear
Suspension: 41mm fork, monoshock
Rider aids: Dual-channel ABS, traction control
Warranty: Two years unlimited kilometres

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