Fortunately, the world of motorcycling has long ceased to be a man’s business. It’s teeming with women who ride at the same level or higher than men, and that’s why we bring you this list of the best motorcycles for women.
At Powering, we seek to empower riders regardless of gender, and while we’ll go through all levels and price points, it’s especially important for women who are about to start riding to know that there are options for them to feel confident and strong on two wheels.
It’s true that anyone can enjoy a bike, but it’s also true that not all bike models are designed for different body types.
It’s not exactly the same if you are taller or shorter. You have to take into account your experience and training level. That’s why we thought of a checklist of the best motorcycles for women that covers the whole picture so that you always feel comfortable.
The best motorcycles for adventurous women
You already know that riding in the middle of the mountains, in motocross, or enduro circuits with big obstacles is not the same as riding on Fifth Avenue.
Once we have that clear it is important to look for options according to your body type, your experience, and your budget.
If you are a beginner we recommend you to go for a bike with simple mechanics, multipurpose, that adapts to your life on the street and that will accompany you in your first off-road steps.
Of course, it won’t be the same if you are a non-conformist competitor and want to reach the top of your performance.
Read on, this will interest you.
Kawasaki KLX230
We start with the Kawasaki KLX230 because it is an ideal bike if you are an urban rider who likes this combined style between city and country.
If you want to leave the asphalt a little and go immersing yourself in the off-road world, it can accompany you in both universes.
It has a very simple electric starter and the suspension is quite soft, so it will suit you very well on the street and in not so extreme places.
We recommend it for tall girls, above 1.70mts because of the height of the seat. In urban areas and with a lot of traffic, it will give you an excellent panoramic view.
Let’s say it’s a good off-road approach bike, or what we could call a casual trail bike. When you get more experienced and are looking to challenge yourself deep in the bush you will have to look at other options.
This Kawasaki is great for off-roading and getting off-road for a while, but its suspension isn’t quite ready for the more technical terrain.
If you choose to venture deeper, we recommend slowing down a bit and taking advantage of the excellent traction (this one is closer to a pure dirt bike).
YAMAHA TT-R230, one of the best motorcycles for women
This range has been produced by Yamaha for 30 years and with all possible technological adaptations, it remains an extremely reliable dirt bike for beginners.
The first version remained in operation for almost ten years. Today, it has a five-speed transmission and the inclusion of a front disc brake.
Let’s just say it’s not the top of the range, but it is a bike that will rarely let you down on the trail and has very interesting durability. Its suspension (especially the rear) has improved a lot in recent years.
Another important detail, for those who are just starting out, is to know that it is not necessary to go crazy looking for the latest technology. This bike has simple mechanics and that is the most important thing to learn the basics of driving.
The seat height favors most riders, at 87 cm from the ground. The good thing is that it still has a very good height, which allows you to navigate rocks and all kinds of obstacles well.
The weight distribution makes it a very dynamic and easy-to-control bike.
Honda CRF 250x
If you want to combine good performance and price go with this classic. This Honda has evolved over time and has an enviable competitive history, going back decades.
It’s a well-recognized, inexpensive, and reliable machine for the long haul. If you’re concerned about how to handle the power, it may not be the best off-road starter. But if you already have some experience, here is your best option.
It is also the typical warrior-bike that you can get second-hand…And get a lot out of it.
It has a 4 stroke, 5 speed and its seat is at 95 cm. We recommend it for women of average height.
Yamaha YZ125
Yes, we already know that Yamaha doesn’t change their designs much on MX bikes, but you know what, it doesn’t mean they are useless, on the contrary, their models still perform and they still make very high quality two-strokes.
It is quite light and its suspension (unlike the versions of previous decades) is very good.
If you are looking for a bike that combines lightness with power and speed this one has to be on your list.
An added bonus: It’s super cheap to maintain.
Nowadays there is huge competition for the Asian bike and yet it is still a classic. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
KTM 250SX-F, among of the best motorcycles for women
This one is really crazy.
It’s the forever-suitable bike for any rider. What’s the plus? It’s super light and at the same time ultra explosive and fast.
But make no mistake, if you’re just starting out this might not be the best option. It’s a really advanced bike designed for racing. Its design is best suited for medium to tall women.
We all know that female riders have been training with tremendous dedication and strength (even in quarantine at their home gyms).
But the combination of power and low weight of this bike really helps.
It’s a pure dirt bike, built for a professional or very advanced level and the first thing you have to learn is how to control the throttle (not for beginners).
To tame this kind of beast you need special sports preparation, otherwise and lack of postural hygiene, strength, and endurance will end up getting you off the bike.
Try the most complete and personalized training app with the best workouts and you will be ready for the challenge.
KTM 150 XC-W
A beautiful, robust motorcycle, and a guarantee of quality and level. Women who like to look good, even on top of the bike, will be fascinated by this model.
Its seat is 96 cm from the ground, but the plus for riders is that it is very light. 91 kg of weight makes it much easier to ride and it is much closer to the beginner riders than its cousin the KTM 250 SX-F.
It has a 2-stroke and a 6-speed gearbox. It depends on your budget, but when it comes to choosing a bike to start at the top, probably none of them meet the conditions of this one.
On-road: what a the best motorcycles for women?
If you are going to start 100 percent on asphalt, comfort and control have to be at the top of your checklist.
Honda Rebel 300
It is a little less classic than its previous version and that makes it look more adapted to the city. It is a beautiful model and super adaptable to the personality of every woman who starts on the bike.
Yes, it’s probably not the lightest bike and that’s a bit scary, but it’s extremely comfortable and has excellent stability, if you’re looking for security.
Its engine is much more powerful than it looks and in the curves this bike will give you a lot of confidence.
Are you afraid of shifting gears? This bike is very easy to handle in that sense too.
We do not recommend it for very wild roads, nor for long trips on asphalt. It will not give you an incredible speed, but it is more than respectable for everyday life and to learn to ride and gain confidence.
Honda Grom
Rider, this bike has many advantages, and perhaps we could start with how cheap and efficient it is.
It’s one of those sportbikes that will make you look like a boss, but it’s actually very beginner-friendly. Not an ultra-powerful bike, so it won’t punish you for basic riding mistakes.
Also, it is extremely comfortable for short people not only because of the seating position but also because it’s narrow enough for you to put your legs to the side.
You know, if you are a small rider, the Honda Grom can be your faithful friend, at least to start with.
The ground position and your legs comfortably positioned on the sides will not only be a matter of comfort. What will greatly improve your stability and control over the bike? Basically, you will feel more confident.
Among the best motorcycles for women, this one could not be missed.
Have you fallen in love with speed and are looking for power and style?
If you have already reached an intermediate or advanced level and want a bike with impact, personality, power, and speed, the Ducati Monster is a top choice without a doubt.
Of course, it is not an economical bike, on the contrary, it is expensive and exotic. It has a tremendous style, and in recent years it has renewed its design to become more compact and lighter.
It is a mix between comfort and control for the urban and the sporty. 4 strokes and 6 speeds in a machine that figures in our top of the best motorcycles for women.
Are you up for long bike routes?
If your thing is to hang flags and postcards through everything that crosses you, you need a special bike, for an intermediate level and adaptable to any body type.
BMW F 700 GS
Here we go to another level, with a very reasonably priced bike for its excellent performance. Many say that it is not the prettiest in its range compared to what other brands offer, but we do see it as quite nice.
Anyway, the important thing about this bike is not its beauty, but that it is a tough bike, designed for long trips where most of the time you will be on asphalt, and also very strong to go with you if you want to get into the mud. Its versatility clearly makes it one of the best motorcycles for women.
It has five different seat height options and that makes it much more women-friendly (although we don’t recommend using the lowest position).
Its suspension is quite docile and still adaptable to dirt or asphalt roads. It is powerful and its height is sufficient to handle dirt roads safely.
Unlike its bigger cousin, the BMW F800 GS, super recommended for motorcycle touring, this one is lighter and more maneuverable for smaller people.
The seating position will also invite you to be much closer to the tank, lower your center of gravity and turn with much greater stability.
In the checklist of road bikes for women, without a doubt, the BMW 700, with its four-stroke engine meets all the parameters to be the faithful companion of adventurous riders.
