The best beginner motorcycles available at Larry's Small Engines in Ontario for 2026 are the Honda Monkey, Honda Trail 125, Honda CRF300L Rally, and Suzuki DR650SE. Each suits a different type of new rider, from urban commuters to trail explorers.

TL;DR

The Honda Monkey Z125MAT is the top pick for urban beginners. Lightweight, fun, and approachable at just 107kg with a low 765mm seat height.
The Honda CRF300L is the best all-around starter for trail and road. A 286cc dual-sport that handles both gravel side roads and Ontario highways.
Ontario doesn't restrict engine size for M-licensed riders. But most instructors recommend staying under 500cc for your first season.
You can buy before your M1. You just can't ride on public roads until that card is in your hand.
ABS brakes are worth the extra cost. Many models offer this option. Take it if it's available.

What makes a good beginner motorcycle?

Not every motorcycle suits a new rider, and picking the wrong first bike is one of the most expensive lessons you can learn.

Seat height is the first thing to check. If both feet can touch the ground at a stop, your confidence goes up immediately. The bikes on this list range from 765mm to 895mm, covering most rider heights.

Power range matters too. For most new Ontario riders, 125cc to 300cc is the practical window. There's enough power for county roads and light highways without the torque that catches new riders off guard. Ontario's Ministry of Transportation doesn't restrict engine size for M-licensed riders, but instructors consistently recommend staying under 500cc through your first season.

Weight is underrated. A bike under 150kg is far easier to manage at parking-lot speeds and a lot less stressful to pick up if you tip it over. New riders tip bikes. It happens to everyone.

Forgiving power delivery. A smooth, linear throttle means the bike won't snap out from under you. Honda's small bikes are consistently good at this, which is why they show up in beginner recommendations so often.

ABS brakes. If a bike offers ABS as an option or standard, take it. New riders panic-brake. ABS keeps the wheels from locking when that happens, which is the difference between a controlled stop and going down on the pavement.

Do you need your M licence before buying a motorcycle in Ontario?

You can legally buy a motorcycle in Ontario without a licence. You need at least an M1 before riding on public roads, but purchasing first is perfectly legal while you wait to book your knowledge test.

The M1 requires passing a written knowledge test at ServiceOntario. No riding involved. Limits you to daylight riding, no expressways, roads under 80 km/h.

The M2 follows after holding your M1 for 60 days and passing a road test. Completing a Ministry-approved safety course can shorten that wait to 22 days. M2 covers nearly all riding conditions.

The full M licence comes after 22 months on M2 (or 12 with a safety course), plus a final road test.

Buy the bike, sort your gear, book your M1 test. Just don't ride it home until that card arrives.

Best beginner motorcycles at Larry's Small Engines for 2026

Every bike below is available at Larry's Small Engines in Mono, Ontario. These are the models that make the most sense for new riders based on weight, power, and accessibility.

Model	Engine	Seat height	Wet weight	Best for
Honda CRF125FB	125cc single	778mm	91kg	Youth/beginner Off-road only
Honda CRF300F	286cc single	880mm	139kg	Off-road only
Honda CRF300L Rally	286cc single	895mm	143kg	Dual-sport
Honda Rebel 300	286cc single	690mm	172kg	Street only
Suzuki DR650SE	644cc single	885mm	166kg	Confident, experienced beginners

Honda Monkey, best for urban beginners

The Monkey is one of the most fun and approachable bikes Honda makes. The 125cc engine is modest by design, the 107kg wet weight makes it easy to handle in tight spaces, and the 765mm seat height is low enough for most riders. It's styled after Honda's iconic 1960s Monkey mini bike, which means it also turns heads in a way most beginner bikes don't.

For new riders spending most of their time in town or on quieter roads around Orangeville and Dufferin County, the Monkey is genuinely enjoyable without being overwhelming.

Best for: Urban beginners, shorter riders, riders who want a fun first bike without the pressure of a larger machine.

Honda Trail 125, best dual-purpose starter

The Trail 125 is Honda's modern take on the classic Super Cub platform. The 125cc engine, automatic transmission, and upright riding position make it one of the easiest bikes to learn on. It handles light gravel and dirt tracks as comfortably as it handles paved roads, which makes it well-suited to Ontario's mix of country roads and rural trails.

At 130kg wet and with a semi-automatic gearbox, it removes clutch management from the learning curve entirely, letting new riders focus on road awareness instead.

Best for: Beginners who want to explore both road and light trail, riders looking for a low-stress first bike.

Honda CRF125FB, best beginner off-road bike

The CRF125FB is Honda's purpose-built beginner off-road bike. At 91kg it's the lightest bike on this list, and the 125cc four-stroke engine is smooth and easy to manage. The big-wheel version (the FB) adds stability on rougher terrain compared to the standard CRF125F.

If your riding plans lean toward trails, fields, or off-road tracks rather than public roads, this is the natural starting point. This bike is not allowed on roads, and is only for off-road use. It builds fundamental bike control skills that transfer well when you eventually move to a larger machine.

Best for: Youth and adult beginners focused on off-road riding, riders building foundational skills before moving to a street bike.

Honda CRF300L Rally, best dual-sport bike

The CRF300L Rally is the adventure-touring version of the CRF300L platform. It adds a larger windscreen, more aggressive bodywork, and longer suspension travel for more comfort on rougher roads. The engine and core specs are oriented more toward longer on-road trips with occasional off-road capability.

For new riders who picture themselves doing day rides across Southern Ontario with some gravel in the mix, the Rally is a capable and approachable starting point.

Best for: Adventure-minded beginners, riders who want longer range on-road touring with light off-road capability.

Honda Rebel 300 E-Clutch, best road only starting bike

The 2026 Honda Rebel 300 E-Clutch represents a major evolution for one of the industry’s most popular entry-level cruisers. This technology effectively eliminates one of the biggest issues new riders face: clutch management. While you still retain a manual gearbox, you can switch it to automatic electronically. This vastly improves riding in heavy traffic, where stopping and starting constantly can wear a rider out.

Best for: New riders looking strictly for road use. It is an excellent beginner cruiser. It is an excellent beginner cruiser.

Suzuki DR650SE, best for confident beginners

The DR650SE sits at the upper end of what most instructors recommend for first-year riders. The 644cc single-cylinder engine produces strong, usable power in a package that's lighter than most 650cc bikes at 166kg wet. It's a long-running dual-sport platform with a proven track record for reliability and simple maintenance.

If you've ridden dirt bikes before, completed formal motorcycle training, or just have a strong sense that a 125cc or 300cc will feel too small too quickly, the DR650SE is worth considering.

Best for: Riders with prior off-road experience, confident learners, anyone who wants to skip the starter bike phase.

Off-road vs street, which type is better to learn on?

For new riders in Ontario who plan to stay on public roads, a dual-sport like the DR650SE is the most practical choice. It handles varied road surfaces well and builds solid foundational skills.

If you're primarily interested in trails, fields, and off-road tracks, a dedicated off-road bike like the CRF125FB or CRF300F gives you a more appropriate tool for that environment.

The Honda Monkey and Trail 125 are a category of their own: fun, approachable, and well-suited to casual urban or mixed-terrain riding where confidence-building matters more than outright capability.

Will you outgrow a 125cc or 300cc bike too fast?

Most new Ontario riders keep a 125cc to 300cc bike comfortably through their first full season. Some keep them for two or three years. The bike doesn't set your timeline, your riding habits do.

If you're putting on 5,000 km in a season on varied terrain, you may feel ready to step up in year two. If you're riding on weekends and covering 2,000 km, the 300 will feel appropriate for longer.

Honda dual-sport bikes hold their resale value well in Ontario.

The Suzuki DR650SE holds its value for a different reason. It's been in continuous production with essentially the same engine since 1996. Used examples sell quickly because the platform has a reputation for being a hearty machine that doesn’t spend a ton of time in the shop.

If you step up after a season or two, you're not throwing money away. That's a reasonable price for learning on the right bike instead of the wrong one.

What gear do you need as a new rider in Ontario?

Ontario law requires a helmet that meets approved safety standards. Beyond that, the law is quiet. The hospital statistics are not.

A helmet should be your first purchase. Full-face and DOT/ECE-certified.

A jacket with CE-rated armour at shoulders and elbows. Textile works well for Ontario's variable spring and fall temperatures.

Gloves designed for motorcycling, with palm sliders. Your hands hit the pavement first in almost any fall.

Boots over the ankle with ankle protection. Work boots pass. Running shoes do not.

Riding pants with CE-rated knee and hip armour. A lot of new riders skip these. Most regret it.

Larry's Small Engines can order your on-road gear by request.

Action steps

Book your M1 written test at ServiceOntario before you plan to ride.
Call your insurance broker before you sign at the dealer. Get a quote on the specific model you're considering.
Browse the current motorcycle lineup at Larry's
Sit on a few bikes in person. Seat height reads differently on a spec sheet then it feels with both feet on the ground.
Ask about financing.
Sort your gear before your first ride, not after.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best beginner motorcycle available at Larry's Small Engines in 2026?

For urban riding, the Honda Monkey is the top pick: lightweight, low seat height, and genuinely fun. For mixed on/off-road use, the Honda CRF300L is the most versatile option for a new rider. Both are available at Larry's Small Engines in Mono, Ontario.

Do I need my M licence before buying a motorcycle in Ontario?

No. You can legally buy a motorcycle without a licence. You need at least an M1 to ride on public roads, which requires a written knowledge test at ServiceOntario. On an M1 you can't ride after dark, on expressways, or above 80 km/h.

Can a beginner ride a 650cc motorcycle in Ontario?

Yes. Ontario doesn't restrict engine size for M-licensed riders. The Suzuki DR650SE is a 644cc dual-sport that some instructors recommend for confident beginners, but it asks more of you than a 125cc or 300cc machine. If you're uncertain, start with the CRF300L.

What is the difference between the Honda CRF300F and CRF300L Rally?

Both use the same 286cc engine. The CRF300F is more off-road oriented with more aggressive suspension. The CRF300L Rally adds a larger windscreen, more road-focused ergonomics, and longer suspension travel for comfort on mixed-terrain touring. For off-road only riding, the CRF300F. For longer road trips with some gravel, the Rally.

Where can I buy a beginner motorcycle near Orangeville, Ontario?

Larry's Small Engines in Mono, just south of Orangeville on County Road 10, is an authorized Honda and Suzuki dealer. Browse current inventory at larryssmallengines.ca/en/new/motorcycle/inventory/ or stop in at 286270 County Road 10, Mono. Call 519-941-1517.

Is the Honda Monkey a good first motorcycle for adults?

Yes, for the right rider. The Monkey is 107kg, has a 765mm seat height, and a smooth 125cc engine. It works well for urban riding and casual recreational use. It's not built for sustained highway speeds, so if you plan to highway commute regularly, the CRF300FL or DR650SE is a better fit.

Ready to find your first bike?

Larry's Small Engines in Mono has Honda and Suzuki beginner-friendly motorcycles in stock for 2026, from the Honda Monkey to the Suzuki DR650SE. Stop in at 286270 County Road 10, Mono, Ontario. The team is there Monday through Friday 8 AM to 6 PM (Friday until 7 PM) and Saturday 9 AM to 1 PM.

For most new Ontario riders, the Honda CRF300L is the right call in 2026. Versatile, reliable, and genuinely capable on the varied roads and trails around Dufferin County. If you want something lighter and more urban, the Monkey is hard to beat. Either way, you're starting from a dealer that's been serving this corner of Ontario for over 40 years.

Best Beginner Motorcycles in Ontario for 2026