Have you just passed your A2 licence tests and are ready to start looking for your first big bike? Well, I have some good news for you, you are in the right place!

In this blog, we are going to be running down the top ten best A2 motorcycles that are ready to ride straight out of the box (without a restrictor). So without further ado…

Kicking off the list, we have the race-focused KTM RC390…

The RC390 is powered by the tried and tested 373cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke engine that is capable of producing 43hp and 37Nm of torque. And thanks to KTM engine revisions, the torque and power figures have improved - making it a nippy little mean machine! 

Moving onto tech and for 2025, the RC is loaded with a full-colour TFT display, gear indicator, traction control, KTM’s supermoto ABS giving you some rearward sliding flexibility, cornering ABS, a quick shifter, and a slipper clutch.

Overall, the KTM RC390 really is a lot of bike for the £5,899 price tag, however, due to KTM facing some on going issues affecting their production - you might be able to pick a brand new bike up for a few hundred cheaper.

 

Our ninth spot has been awarded to the trusty Royal Enfield Hunter 350 - a well-loved model over here at BM HQ!

We had the pleasure of having the Hunter 350 in for testing and I have only heard (and read, make sure to check out the blog!) positive things. Coming equipped with the trusty 350cc air-oil-cooled single engine seen in both the Meteor and the Classic 350, the Hunter has peak figures of 20 bhp and 27 Nm (20-ish lb-ft) of torque for you to play with.

Now these might not be crazy figures especially compared to others on the list, however, the Hunter as normal with Royal Enfield is not all about powerful figures it is about having a great bike at a very affordable price point. 

In terms of tech, you aren’t going to see anything too flashy or modern, however, as we well know, many riders out there prefer the ‘no frills’ side of riding. The dialled-back, simplistic analogue and LCD dash and even ‘analog switch cubes’ give a more old-school look and feel to fit in perfectly with this retro charmer.

 

Number eight today goes to a model that has featured in a fair few of our top 10 A2 articles recently - we have the Kawasaki Z500!

The Z500 sits as the middle sibling between the 300 and 900 models, sharing that same hyper-aggressive angular, naked design and riding position seen across the Z range - that works so incredibly well.

Onto the engine, and you will find a new and improved Euro 5+ liquid-cooled, parallel twin that has been increased to 451cc whilst still adhering to A2 licence restrictions. The overall power output is the same as the previous model at 44.7hp but the maximum torque has been increased to 42Nm.

For 2025, the Z500 will come with both a standard (metallic spark black/metallic matte graphensteel grey) and an SE edition that adds a full-colour TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity, as well as a unique SE livery - starting from £5,699.

 

Coming in at seventh today, we have the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401.

Powering the Svartpilen 401 you will find a 398.6cc, liquid-cooled engine with 44.3hp giving it all those big bike feels, without stepping outside the A2 compliancy regulations. 

For tech, the 401 is packed with an improved 5-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity, an up-and-down quick-shifter, two riding modes, switchable traction control, and cornering ABS all as standard. If this top 10 was based on tech alone, then I do believe the Svartpilen would be taking one of the top spots today… 

All in all, the Svartpilen is a lovely-looking, rugged urban commuter - all for the rather affordable price point of £5,599!

 

If you’re looking for an A2-friendly adventure styled bike, then the Honda NX500 might be the one for you!

The NX500 has been built largely based on the former CB500X, however comes equipped with a new set of adventure-styled panniers, a TFT dash with smartphone connectivity, tweaked suspension, and traction control fitted as standard.

At the heart of the NX500, you will find a 471cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke DOHC engine that produces a rather respectable 47hp at 8,600rpm and 43Nm of torque at 6,500 - meaning it hits that top limit ‘sweet spot’ of the A2 category.

Onto the pricing, and you can pick yourself up a brand new NX500 in 2025 for £6,829 in three stunning colourways including Gunpowder Black Metallic, Pearl Horizon White, and Grand Prix Red. If I was going to pick one of these bad boys up for myself, I think I would have to go for the Grand Prix colourway - but that’s just my opinion!

 

Sitting pretty in the middle of our top 10 is the all-new and improved 2025 Aprilia Tuono 457…

Coming packed with a 457cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine with Ride-By-Wire throttle, the Tuono produces 47.6hp and 43.5Nm of torque at 6,700rpm, placing itself at the top end of what is allowed for an A2 bike. 

In terms of looks and styling, you will find (in true Aprilia style) a triple full-LED cluster headlight, small spoiler, low seat height and 159kg aluminium frame. All paying homage to the legendary Tuono 1000 R, whilst packing some excellent power-to-weight ratio - some of the best on this list today (if that’s what you are into)!

For pricing, the 2025 Aprilia Tuono 457 will cost you £6,130, which admittedly does make this one of the more expensive offerings on this list - however, I'd argue it's worth every penny.

 

Number four goes to the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 - an adventure bike with some serious style and decent road presence.

The 450 Himalayan was announced a few months back, and since its release has gained lots of traction, thanks to its on and off-riding capabilities and features, including pre-load adjustable rear shock, switchable ABS, and improved ergonomics.

These features, in addition to that punchy 452cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine capable of producing 40hp - all make Himalayan an attractive bike for both new and returning adventure riders alike!

Moving onto the price and the 450 starts from £5,750 for 2025, meaning that it will be one of the more expensive offerings we mention on the list today. However, if you are looking for a mid-range an A2 adventure bike, this is a great option to explore…

 

Kicking off our top three today, we have the CF Moto 450SR S… 

This neat little offering from CF Moto was also included in our top 10 A2 naked motorcycles VIDEO, and since seeing the 450SR S in the flesh a few MONTHS back at Motorcycle Live - it has only solidified my choice to put this bike at number 3. 

Coming equipped with a 450cc 2-cylinder inline, liquid-cooled engine, the 450 is capable of producing a rather respectable 46.3hp and 39.3 N · m of torque at 7750rpm. For the Asian markets, the 450SR S can produce over 50hp, however, over here in Europe, to comply with A2 restrictions, we are offered a slightly more restricted bike (that hasn’t overly affected the bike's performance, though, bear in mind). 

A feature of the 450 that impresses me is the tech. Coming equipped with a 5-inch curved TFT display (also seen on the standard version of the 450SR), smartphone connectivity, ABS braking, USB port, and LED headlights - this bike is a serious competitor, all for the price of £5,699. 

 

Sitting in the second place spot today we have the Triumph Scrambler 400 X. 

The Scrambler 400 X is another model we got the chance to test ride back last January (alongside its brother, the Speed 400), and in comparison to the Speed 400, the 400 X has been tweaked for some off-riding capabilities. Including Metzeler Karoo Street tyres, 19-inch (front) and 17-inch (rear) wheels, extended headstock, slightly sharper 23.2 rake angle as well as increased suspension. 

Powering the Scrambler 400 X, you will find a 398cc, liquid-cooled, four-valve engine that pumps out 39.5hp and 37.5Nm of torque at 6,500rpm. This certainly isn’t a bike that is going to be pushing the A2 limits, however, it is an affordable (£5,945) bike option for those who want a mix of on and off-roading capabilities - all whilst looking great too. 

Onto the colourway options, and you can pick yourself up a 2025 Scrambler 400 in three different options including Matte Khaki Green/ Fusion White, Carnival Red / Phantom Black, or a sleek Phantom Black/Silver Ice - my personal favourite! 

 

Taking the crown today, we have an unsurprising winner - the Yamaha MT-03! 

For 2025, the MT-03 has been updated for Euro 5+ and has seen nice upgrades, including improved smartphone connectivity and rider applications AND controls. This means that MT-03 riders can be notified of incoming calls, as well as messages (that can be seen on the LCD meter). 

However, it isn’t the tech features that have impressed me the most on this bike, it's the styling. The MT-03 sports a unique front end with a sleek triple headlight setup, fitting in nicely with the muscular street vibe the MT range is famous for.  It also emulates the riding style of its bigger brothers, thanks to its 2-cylinder 321cc engine, low-down torque, and strong engine braking. 

When it comes to the riding position, you will find that the MT-03 performs a slightly forward-facing riding stance, offering the comfort of an upright naked, but with a bit more sports-styled aggression - all for the price of £6,252. 

 

So there you have it, I hope you enjoyed my rundown of my top ten best A2 motorcycles for 2025!

Last but not least, if you do have an A2 motorcycle of your very own you need to insure - make sure to get a motorbike insurance quote direct with Lexham.