Top 8 Best Starter Motorcycles For Women

While motorcycles are not built specifically for men or women, there are some features and specs that may be better suited for women riders who are just getting started.

While the number of women to men riders is currently about 1 in 10, surveys indicate that the number of women riding motorcycles is increasing.

Every woman that wants to ride a motorcycle should go for it.

This page will review a few of the best starter motorcycles for women, criteria used to select them, and also a few buying tips which may be useful when you venture to purchase your first motorcycle.

Best Starter Motorcycles for Women

1. Honda Grom 125

The Honda Grom 125 has a 30 inches seat height, 229 pounds weight, LED lights, superb stopping power with hydraulic disc brakes, digital instrument panel, good suspension, and all these can make it an ideal starter motorcycle for a woman.

You can opt for the additional ABS feature for extra safety.

Key specs include:

• 124 CC 4-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine.
• Seat height: 30 inches.
• Fuel tank: 1.45 gallons.
• Fuel economy: 134 MPG.
• On-road weight (full tank): 229 Lbs. (103.87 Kgs.).
• Hydraulic disc brakes (with the option of ABS).
• 4-speed transmission.

This motorcycle can be ideal for you if you are planning to use it for your city commute; however, you may feel the lack of power and versatility once you have mastered motorcycle riding.

Approximate basic price: $3,399.

More info: Honda

2. Honda Rebel 300

The Honda Rebel 300 with its 286 CC engine, 6-speed transmission, slipper/assist clutch, wide tires, low seat height, low weight, and superior handling features can be a perfect starter motorcycle for you as a woman and be your companion for years to come.

Key specs include:

• 286 CC 4-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine.
• 6-speed transmission.
• Seat height: 27.2 inches.
• On-road weight (full tank): 364 Lbs. (165 Kgs.).
• Fuel capacity: 2.96 gallons.
• Fuel economy: 78 MPG.
• Hydraulic disc brakes (ABS model is also available).

Approximate basic price: $4,499 – $4,799 (with ABS).

More info: Honda

3. Kawasaki Ninja 400

The Kawasaki Ninja 400 with its manageable weight, powerful engine, good suspension, ABS disc brakes, and the slipper clutch feature can be a good starter motorcycle for a woman.

This motorcycle can give you a confident and comfortable ride.

Key specs include:

• 399 CC parallel-twin, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine.
• Disc brakes at the front and rear with optional ABS.
• Seat height: 30.9 inches.
• Fuel capacity: 3.7 gallons.
• On-road weight (full tank): 366 Lbs. (166 Kgs.)
• 6-speed transmission.

Check if the 30.9 inches seat height suits you and discuss with the dealer what changes are possible under the ERGO-FIT feature to suit your needs.

Approximate basic price: $5,199 (Non-ABS) and $5,499 (ABS).

More info: Kawasaki

4. Royal Enfield Himalayan

The Himalayan is a royal bike from the Indian manufacturer, Royal Enfield.

The Himalayan is an all-terrain motorcycle and you can ride it on-road or off-road.

Key specs include:

• 411 CC Single-cylinder, Air-cooled, SOHC engine.
• 5-speed transmission.
• Seat height: 31.5 inches.
• On-road weight (with 90% fuel): 439 Lbs. (199 Kgs.).
• Fuel tank: 4 gallons.
• Dual-channel ABS, switchable to a single channel.

Himalayan has good suspension, disc brakes with ABS, upright riding position, and a tough 411 CC engine, and will make you feel comfortable and confident whether you are riding in the city, or the freeway, or on a country road.

The on-road weight of Himalayan is a moderate 439 pounds, however, the seat height may not be comfortable for all the women who are looking for a starter motorcycle. Take a test ride and see how it suits you.

Approximate basic price: $4,749.

More info: Royal Enfield

5. Honda Rebel 500

The Honda Rebel 500 has a classic style instrument panel showing the data including gear position indicator and fuel consumption in digital LCD display, LED lights, wide front wheel for superior handling, and good suspension.

Key specs:

• 471 CC 4-stroke liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine.
• 6-speed transmission.
• Hydraulic disc brakes (also available with ABS).
• Seat height: 27.2 inches.
• On-road weight (full tank): 408 Lbs. (185 Kgs.).
• Fuel tank: 2.96 gallons.
• Fuel economy: 67 MPG.

Low seat height and moderate weight give you comfort and confidence as a starter woman rider.

You can add additional accessories like comfortable rider and passenger seats, passenger backrest, saddlebags, etc.

Approximate price: $6,199 – $6,499 (with ABS)

More info: Honda

6. Harley-Davidson 2020 Street Rod

Comfortable seats for rider and passenger, responsive front and rear suspension, powerful engine with 47 ft.-lb. torque, and strong brakes (with optional ABS), all make the Harley-Davidson Street Rod a probable good starter motorcycle for a woman if you do not mind handling 525 pounds weight.

Specs include:

• 8 CC X V-Twin engine.
• Seat height: 29.8 inches.
• Weight (ready on road with a full tank): 525 Lbs. (238.14 Kgs.).
• Fuel tank: 3.5 gallons.
• Fuel economy: 54 MPG.
• 6-gear transmission.

The specification of this motorcycle shows a lean angle of 40.2º (left) and 37.3º (right), please check your comfort level with this.

Approximate price: $8,699. ABS option @ additional $750.

More info: Harley-Davidson

7. Kawasaki Vulcan S ABS

Vulcan S has low seat height, quality suspension, 649 CC engine, and disc brakes with ABS. It can be your starter motorcycle, provided you are confident of handling its weight.

The tires are sufficiently wide to give you a safe ride.

Specs include:

• 649 CC 4-stroke Parallel-twin liquid-cooled DOHC engine.
• 6-speed transmission.
• Seat Height: 27.8 inches.
• Front and rear disc brakes with ABS.
• Fuel capacity: 3.7 gallons.
• Weight (with full tank-road ready):  498.3 Lbs. (226 Kgs.)

Vulcan S has an ERGO-FIT system that allows you to suit the motorcycle to your body type and the good thing is that you can do this at the level of your dealer.

Approximate basic price: $7,199 – $7,599 (with ABS)

More info: Kawasaki

8. Triumph Street twin

Triumph Street Twin has retained the authentic character of its earlier Bonneville, along with the present state-of-the-art technology like excellent stopping power, road and Rain riding modes, optimized torque-assist clutch to reduce the rider’s effort on the clutch lever, USB charger under the seat, moderate weight, and comfortable seats for you and your companion.

Key specs include:

• 900 CC liquid-cooled SOHC parallel-twin engine.
• Seat height: 29.9 inches.
• Fuel tank: 3.2 gallons.
• Multifunction display including engine rpm, odometer, fuel gauge, gear position, etc.
• Disc brakes with ABS.
• 5-speed gearbox.
• Weight (without fuel): 436.5 Lbs. (198 Kgs.).

Street twin comes with ABS and switchable traction control for your safety and an electronic Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) as an additional accessory.

At 900 CC, you may feel the Street Twin a slightly powerful, but for it, your Street Twin is good for city rides and also for touring.

If you are planning to ride the motorcycle for many years, and ready to put some learning in the beginning, Street Twin can be your starter motorcycle.

Approximate basic price: $9,300

More info: Triumph Motorcycles

Note: The miles per gallon mentioned in this article are as claimed on the manufacturer’s website and under standard conditions.

Choosing the Best Motorcycle as a New Woman Rider

We have considered the following factors while choosing motorcycles.

Seat height: Seat height is important in a motorcycle since the rider must have her feet firmly on the ground for a safe and confident ride.

Motorcycles with a maximum seat height of 30 inches are ideal, however, a few (2 numbers) up to 31.5 inches are also suggested, considering other factors.

Weight: Weight is as important as the seat height, since, the rider should have the ease of handing the motorcycle before she starts riding it.

Brakes with ABS: The major fear of any starter motorcycle rider (man or woman) is skidding and falling when you apply the brakes and this happens due to the locking of the wheel (specifically the front one) during sudden brakes.

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) functions to prevent the wheel (or wheels) of your motorcycle from locking when you apply the brake and also fine-tune the braking pressure between the two wheels. ABS will improve the stability of your motorcycle and may reduce the braking distance.

Watch these videos to understand more about ABS.

Other factors considered are engine power, suspension, and of course the price. Even though colors can be an important factor for women, they have to satisfy themselves with the limited colors available.

What to Look for in a Starter Motorcycle

First, you have to decide what’s the purpose of your motorcycle, which can be commuting to your workplace /college, riding for fun with friends, touring, off-road riding, etc.

There are different types of motorcycles, such as cruisers, sportbikes, on/and off-road bikes (dual sport), touring, and sport-touring.

Once you made up your mind consider the following:

Comfort: Sit on the motorcycle and asses:

• The seat height is comfortable and you can place your feet firmly on the ground.
• Can you comfortably reach the handlebar, clutch, various controls on the handlebar, and foot controls?
• Can you maneuver and handle the weight and size of the motorcycle with ease?

Test ride: Take a test ride and see if the ride is comfortable or not, and can you reach all the hand and foot controls?

If you do not feel comfortable, do not hesitate to say so.

Most of the motorcycle manufacturers have some means of altering some parameters like seat height, handlebar, suspension, etc. to match your physical body, discuss with your dealer, and seek his help.

Apart from your height, the dealer will ask for your inseam measurement before suggesting any modification on the motorcycle.

Once you are satisfied with the above, you need to check the engine power, suspension, brakes, ABS feature, colors available, accessories available, and make a decision. Motorcycles have lean angles for turning, and you need to consider this also.

Last but not the least, consider your budget and go for the best one. If you plan to consider a used motorcycle, take the help of a friend or a mechanic who knows about motorcycles.

Make a wise choice and do not decide without taking a test ride. Consult your friend who already rides a motorcycle.

Riding a motorcycle is fun and there is no reason why only men should enjoy it.

Do not forget to wear all the necessary safety gear!