If you are in the market for a commuter bike, there really are several different directions you can go in these days. Scooters are arguably the most practical choice, but they can be limiting in the sense that longer trips are more or less off the cards (with a few unique exceptions). The same goes for electric motorcycles, which have come a long way but are still pretty expensive compared to conventional gas-powered alternatives.

A mini-bike is another popular solution, but once more, any out-of-town trips will require a certain level of commitment to discomfort. An altogether better direction to go in is looking at a full-size motorcycle that is still light and nimble enough to handle tight city streets. While this decision may increase your weekly fuel bill, we feel the trade-off will be well worth it.

The motorcycle market is as diverse as it has ever been, and there isn’t just a motorcycle for every rider; there is even a commuter bike for every kind of rider. If you like cruisers, the Yamaha V Star 250 offers riders an authentic air-cooled V-twin that is still light and nimble enough to use daily without a fuss. Long stints on the highway might be a little taxing, but if you stick to back roads, longer weekend rides are within its scope.

If you are a budding explorer, the Honda CRF300L Rally presents itself as an almost ideal option. With the added wind protection, it is a degree more effective on the highway than the competition, and its economical single make it a highly effective commuter. None of the bikes competing in this space offer much in the way of performance, but the bike in question is most certainly a degree more fun.

Big adventure bikes are cool, but this approachable Honda adventure-tourer proves simpler, lighter motorcycles make more sense for real life.

While new rider-friendly, the KLX230SM is not just a beginner bike. It is a fun little supermoto that can appeal to anyone looking for an economical commuter. Most of the bikes available to us in this price range are not the most powerful machines, and this little supermoto is no different. While the little Kawasaki certainly doesn’t promise much in the way of power, a supermoto is certainly something a little different and will appeal to those who prefer not to follow the herd.

The KLX230 is where your dual-sport journey should begin, and there are several reasons for that

Naturally, overall power is not the aim of the game with this model being targeted at novice riders. What little power is available comes in pretty early on in the rev range, which is ideal for city riding where you are going from one stoplight to another most of the time and don’t often get past third. It is also as proven as any engine on the market, having been around for ages now, and certainly won’t be letting anyone down.

In this space, fuel injection actually isn't a given, but that is one of the few “modern” features you do get. Kawasaki doesn’t publish any fuel economy figures, but KLX230 owners have reported around 80 MPG. That means its two-gallon tank gives the little bike a realistic riding range of around 160 miles, which is more than you will ever need. With it being air-cooled, it is a very low-maintenance little engine, and for those interested in learning how to work on their own motorcycle, this is a great place to start.

While not at all fast, it is a fun bike to ride thanks to how light and nimble it is. With a wet weight of 302 pounds, it is a very light motorcycle that is easy to flick through town. It will be equally good on a tight canyon road, but rather obviously, only to a point. At its core, this is still a dual-sport, with a fairly rudimentary dual-sport chassis, and Kawasaki is not exactly trying to pretend it is anything more than a fun runabout. Just like the dual-sport model, ABS is standard, and so is smartphone connectivity (although we are not entirely sure what purpose this serves).

The only real changes are to the front suspension, which is a 37 mm upside-down fork, as opposed to a longer-travel conventional fork on the dual-sport. It also has a bigger, more effective front brake, 17-inch wheels with street tires, and a more youthful livery. Although we like the neon green/ebony colorway, there will be those who don’t. If you fall in that camp, switching out the plastics will be an inexpensive way to change the appearance.

This motorcycle is a more accessible version of the most popular beginner Kawasaki dual-sport ever made

The supermoto class hit its peak way back in the mid-00s, and ever since then, it has been slowly fading away into a niche. For those that don’t really understand the concept of riding a bike with a more dirt-oriented chassis on the street, we can only urge you to take one of these bikes for a test ride. The riding position and lighter weight just makes the bike feel way more fun to ride than it logically should. All that fun can also be had under the speed limit, which is just an added bonus.

The whole point of a motorcycle like this is that it really isn’t for everyone. While it makes a lot of sense for new riders looking for something unconventional, it is an equally good option for experienced riders simply looking for a fun, economical little bike that is able to put a smile on your face every day, as opposed to just every weekend.

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Source: https://www.topspeed.com/city-motorcycle-lightweight-reliable-stress-free/