Almost any type of motorcycle can be used for commuting in the city. Whether it's a 600 cc dirt bike or a powerful 1300cc Ducati, you can ride to work with similar effectiveness. However, you will still have to deal with factors like traffic, other drivers, traffic lights, and stops. Nevertheless, there are ways to make your city commute less stressful.
In today's world, the best motorcycles for commuting are compact and agile, allowing you to navigate through traffic and save precious time. The small size and maneuverability of these motorcycles make them ideal for busy streets.
When choosing a motorcycle for city riding, prioritizing compactness, mobility, and fuel economy is essential. Acceleration and speed take a backseat to these qualities when it comes to selecting the best small motorcycles for getting around town.
Additionally, a commuter motorcycle should offer a minimum level of safety, agility, and comfort. Only a few small motorcycles are specifically designed for urban riding, so we have compiled a list of the most suitable city motorcycles. These models are predominantly small, but still provide sufficient power, speed, agility, and performance.
The best small motorcycles for riding around town
Honda CB300R
Kicking off our list is Honda’s CB300R. The CB300R is an iconic motorcycle from the world-renown brand, Honda, and one of the most popular urban motorcycles you can have. Its comfortable riding ergonomics and compact size, make it a perfect small motorcycle for riding around town. The above-average riding height is ideal for navigating through city traffic while giving you a wider field of vision and upright seating style. If you are looking for a small, and punchy motorcycle for your daily commute, the CB300R ticks all the boxes. With just the right amount of power and a plausible design, this is certainly one of the best small motorcycles we could think of.
Ducati Multistrada 1260
While the large frame and sporty stance of the Ducati Multistrada make it a capable rival to dual-sport bikes, adventure motorcycles, and some off-road bikes, its quintessential purpose is to serve as a daily commuter urban motorcycle. This city-savvy daily motorcycle has all the bells and whistles of a perfect small motorcycle for city commuting. Talk of the dependability, safety components, and an attractive design. Its powerful 1262cc engine truly transforms the Multistrada 1260 into a beast of a machine capable of urban traversal.
Kawasaki Versys 650
The Kawasaki Versys certainly has the DNA of an adventure bike, due to its aggressive, tough, and rumble appearance. But behind the veil lies a reliable touring motorcycle for which many can use as a daily commuter in the urban space. What makes this motorcycle special is the fact that it rides smooth and allows you to sit upright in the standard position. This means it will be able to soak up the bumps and ride comfortably in a wide range of road conditions. Its compact size makes sure it is maneuverable in city traffic with great ease.
Yamaha MT-07
The Yamaha MT-07 is one of the most capable small motorcycles for beating the mid-morning rush. Built as a successor to Yamaha’s respected FZ-07, it carries several of the most prominent traits from its predecessor. This includes the powerful 687cc parallel-twin engine for enhanced performance and quick acceleration into and out of traffic. The Yamaha MT-07 is also incredibly comfortable, small in size, and fun to ride around town. Its slimline design is one of the key selling points as an urban commuter and the better than average performance.
BMW G310 GS
If you are looking for an all-rounded bike for daily urban riding, then the BMW G310 will not disappoint. The G310 derives its most prominent characteristic from BMW’s flagship adventure bike heritage. It is a simplified model carrying only the important characteristics while remaining compact for the city’s most close-cropped alleys. On top of that, it brings unrivaled performance in its class with its 313cc single-cylinder engine that is more than capable. If we are talking about performance and raw ability, the G310 more than exceeds most people’s expectations. The high-end instruments and tons of tech including BMW’s newly adopted ABS system make this a hard-to-beat choice for daily drivers looking for more than just a rightly-sized motorcycle.
KTM 390 Duke
If you love off-road bikes and dual-sport motorcycles from KTM, then you’ll love their cruiser even more. The 390 Duke is a well-rounded bike in terms of reliability, responsiveness, and design making it a surefire contender for the best city motorcycles. It has a reliable 372cc engine and a comfortable suspension that will tear down the streetways. It also has some sporty elements to add to its overall appeal, including a pair of massive Brembo brakes that true enthusiasts will appreciate. The design is streamlined and compact to make it easier for you to weave in and out of traffic. This makes it one of the best small motorcycles for city riding.
Husqvarna Vitpilen 701
Husqvarna is known for producing some of the best off-road motorcycles in the industry, but there’s no denying their ascent with other types of motorcycles too. The Vitpilen 701 is one great example from the company, showing its deviation from traditional off-road-focused bikes to street bikes and cruisers. We love the fact that this is one of the most attractive motorcycles you can own, thanks to its contemporary design, sharper lines, and up-to-date finish on body panels and peripherals. If you are not only looking for a motorcycle to traverse through tightly-packed city traffic but also a performance monster, then the Vitpilen 701 is a perfect choice. It has a powerful KTM 360 engine that is widely believed to be the most powerful single-cylinder engine. More than that, it is fine-tuned for handling and includes a WP suspension and Kiska ergo.
Suzuki TU250X
This motorcycle is, by all means, tiny, and weighs about 325 pounds. But that is its main selling point. If you are looking for a well-balanced, maneuverable, and greatly priced commuter motorcycle, then the Suzuki TU250X is a top contender. It boasts of only 16 horsepower, not so great for climbing hills or neck-breaking speed, but ideal for taking on the city streets. It is fuel-efficient and arguably one of the most economical at that and effortlessly able to deliver insane 80 miles per gallon. As for its design, it is certainly more functional-oriented than aesthetic and not likely to turn many heads. It is a perfect commuter motorcycle, especially for newer riders.
Harley-Davidson Street 750
This list would be incomplete without Harley Davidson’s Street 750. This cruiser is perfect for traversing the city landscape and weaving through tightly clenched traffic. It has a subtle appearance and has been tamed to suit the urban roads. It has an upright seat to give you a wide enough field of vision on the road as well as an ergonomic design for enhanced comfort, especially on long rides.
Honda MSX125 Grom
When talking of small motorcycles, the Honda MSX125 Grom is one of the most notable bikes out there. It is in fact a mini bike of sorts. The Grom is a perfect small motorcycle for taking you around town and on paved roads but might not take you on long adventures outside of the city walls. It is not the most practical motorcycle in the world, nor does it aim to be. It’s simply an easy-to-maintain motorcycle that takes you from point A to point B in the city. Can easily cut through the city traffic and help you avoid pesky traffic situations. It has a 124cc engine which is a liquid-cooled single-cylinder producing 9.80 hp. Most people love it for its small size and how fun it is to ride it around.
