The Honda CRF300L is a blend of both off-road and on-road capabilities, so if you’re looking for something that can do a little bit of both, this is right up your alley. The 286cc engine, a continuing trend with Honda bikes, is easy to handle and learn with. The bike has good suspension, a nice design, and a forgiving engine for newcomers. MSRP begins at $5,449, and there are a few other models you can look at if you’re interested in additional features. The CRF300LS has a lower seat, for example.
In Dirt Rider’s review, the CRF300L is called a lightweight bike that’s “extremely accessible” to all people. While you’ll get the most value out of this bike if you take advantage of the off-roading capabilities, it’s still perfectly fine to use strictly on the road. It’s a bit more expensive than some of the other options on this list thanks to that versatility, but it’s not a big enough leap to where you’ll feel like you wasted money even if most of your riding is on the city streets.