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When looking for your first bike, it can be difficult to discern the best starter motorbikes for women. This guide will help you know what to look for, and give you a list that of beginner motorbikes that women vouch for!
You don’t want something too big that you can’t handle, but also not something so small that you quickly grow out of. As women, sometimes it’s difficult to find motorcycles that suit us, due to height, weight, and width of the bike, which men don’t always have to worry about.
What to look for when buying your first motorcycle
The absolute best way to choose your starter bike is by going out and sitting on as many as possible. Only you can know exactly how the bike is going to feel and fit for your body.
Before buying my Kawasaki z400, I had my heart set on another bike. However, once I went to sit on it, everything felt all wrong. I loved the look of it, but I just knew that it wasn’t the bike for me. Once I sat on my naked bike, I instinctively knew that it was the perfect fit.
When scouting out your first motorcycle, there are a few specific things to consider for motorbikes for women:
Seat height
Some people will tiptoe when they arrive at a red light, and that’s okay! The most important thing is that you’re able to at least touch your feet on the ground and have enough leverage to hold the bike up at a stop. Some bikes may have an adjustable seat that allows you to lower the height.
Something I also noticed is that many motorcycles are made for men who have much larger inseams than women. Many times the problem wasn’t the seat, but the size of the tank or bike itself.
Weight
You WILL drop your bike. It’s just a matter of when and where. It’s very common to drop your bike, especially when you’re first learning. Accidents outside of your control can happen so you need to be prepared if you suddenly find yourself alone on a street with no one to help you lift your bike. At least for your first motorcycle, try to find one that you can lift yourself in case of an emergency.
Additionally, lighter weight bikes may be easier to handle and easier to stop.
Riding position
The more upright you are, the more comfortable you will be in the long term. Sport bikes may look cool, but constantly leaning over and putting all of your weight on the handlebars may not be sustainable for longer journeys. Really though, the fit of a bike all comes down to personal preference.
The engine
Sure, we all want a strong bike. However, more power comes with more weight and sometimes a change in the seat.
When you’re starting out, you want a bike that is small enough to learn on, but big enough to grow a bit. After a year or so, bigger bikes will feel like nothing.
I opted for a 400cc and still love it! It goes fast enough to get me anywhere I want, and does better on curves than some of the bigger bikes. When I was purchasing, I also tried the 650cc, but it felt HUGE– just so bulky and uncomfortable to me. Now though, I sit on a 650cc and can’t even feel a difference!
When starting out, I would recommend between 250 – 400cc (especially motorbikes for women), which you can later change if you feel comfortable and want more power, or just leave as is and be completely fine! 250cc is enough to get you around town and on longer trips, so you really don’t need anything bigger unless you want it.
10 of the best starter motorbikes for women
1. BMW 310 R
Engine: | 313cc, Water-cooled, single-cylinder 4-stroke engine, |
Weight: | 362 lbs (164 kg) |
Seat Height: | 30.9” (785 mm) |
Nice riding position and easy to handle. This little baby zips around curves and you’ll love how comfortable you feel riding it.
2. Kawasaki Ninja 400
Engine: | 399cc, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC 8-valve parallel twin |
Weight: | 366 lbs (166kg) |
Seat Height: | 30.9 inches (785 mm) |
The Kawasaki Ninjas are a powerhouse, and the 400 or 300 cc ones are great for those just starting out, as well as more experienced riders. They’re just a classic sport bike and a popular favorite of beginners.
3. Honda CBR 250r
Engine: | 250 cc Liquid Cooled, 4 Stroke, DOHC, SI Engine |
Weight: | 357 lbs (162 kg) |
Seat Height: | 30.9 in (785 mm) |
Either the 250r or the 500r (if you want a bit more power) are great bikes to start out on, and probably some of the most popular!
4. Yamaha R3
Engine: | 321cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC inline twin-cylinder; 4-valves per cylinder |
Weight: | 375 lbs (170 kg) |
Seat Height: | 30.7 inches (780 mm) |
The Yamaha R3 is another popular beginner bike, and very similar to the Honda CBR 250r. Try them out at a bike shop to see which one suits you better!
5. Kawasaki Vulcan 500
Engine: | 498 cc, Four-stroke, DOHC, eight-valve parallel twin |
Weight: | 472 lbs (214 kg) |
Seat Height: | 28.1 in (715mm) |
For those that want a bit more of a classic style. The Kawasaki Vulcan 500 gives the traditional look, without all the extra weight. The seat is also low so you’ll have no issues reaching the ground! It may weigh a bit more and pack more power than others on this list, but it’s really a great start to the more touring/classic style motorcycles.
6. Yamaha MT-03
Engine: | 321cc, liquid-cooled DOHC inline 2-cylinder; 8 valves |
Weight: | 370 lbs (168 kg) |
Seat Height: | 30.7 in (780 mm) |
I’m really obsessed with the design of the MT-03, but it also makes for an excellent starter bike! The bike may look aggressive without being overpowering, which is exactly what you want in motorbikes for women!
7. Honda CBF 250
Engine: | 249 cc Four stroke, single cylinder, DOHC, 4 valve per cylinder |
Weight: | 305 lb (138.5 kg) |
Seat Height: | 30.7 in (780 mm) |
The retro classic Honda CBF 250 is reliable and fun for cruising around town, while still enough power for long-range.
8. Yamaha Virago 250
Engine: | 249cc, air-cooled, SOHC, 60 degree V-twin |
Weight: | 302 lb (137 kg) |
Seat Height: | 27 in (685 mm) |
The Yamaha Virago is another great and durable bike, perfect for those wanting the classic motorcycle look and the comfort of a non-sport bike.
9. Suzuki GSX250R
Engine: | 248cc, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, SOHC, parallel-twin |
Weight: | 399 lbs (181 kg) |
Seat Height: | 31.1 in (790 mm) |
Another aggressive looking sport bike that looks cool, without all the extra added weight and bulkiness.
10. Kawasaki z400
Engine: | 399cc, 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled |
Weight: | 364 lbs (165 kg) |
Seat Height: | 30.9 in (785mm) |
Of course, I have to include my own! I may be a bit biased, but the Kawasaki z400 is well known as a great starter bike. The weight and the fact that I could almost flat foot is what sold me.
Let me know in the comments if you started on one of these bikes or have another that you’ve loved to death as your starter motorcycle!