Best Beginner-Friendly Motorcycles For Women

A couple of decades ago, motorcycling was a largely male-dominated community, but that’s changing fast. Fortunately, many women are now participating in the lifestyle of motorcycles — a welcome change. But the internet is full of problematic advice, the biggest one of which is that women can only ride a certain type of bike because of whatever reason. This list is here to prove them wrong — you can ride whatever bike you want.

Motorcycles don’t see gender, and since you are a new rider, you can learn to ride on any beginner-friendly motorcycle. So, we’ve put together this list of motorcycles best suited to women beginner bikers, not keeping gender in mind, but an average woman’s height and a newbie’s skill level. These motorcycles are beginner-friendly, with a low seat height, a narrow stance, and approachable handling. These bikes will help you learn the ropes, so you can move onto bigger motorcycles. Remember, riding a bike is about technique, and once you’ve got the technique right, anyone can ride a tall bike like the Ducati Hypermotard or a heavy bike like the Honda Gold Wing.

Related: Best Motorcycles For Women

10 Honda Grom/Monkey

Monkeying around the city has never been easier

Regardless of your height, build or experience, the Honda mini-motos, Grom and Monkey, are perfect for everyone. These little 125cc motorcycles are easy to ride and, thanks to their tiny dimensions, have a low seat height and light weight, making them easy to maneuver in parking lots. And despite being small motorcycles, these are two of the most fun motorcycles to ride. It’s no wonder that these bikes often bring out the “stupid” in bikers thanks to their small dimensions and peppy engines. These bikes have a cult following and rightfully so, and these might be the best beginner bike for you.

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9 Honda CRF300L Rally

The go-anywhere, do-anything bike for women beginner riders

You are interested in off-roading or don’t trust your local municipality to maintain the roads, then a terrific option for you is the Honda CRF300L Rally. This light-weight adventure bike is mostly off-road oriented but it can handle on-road duties quite well, and like any other Honda, it’s quite easy to live with. The large wheels and massive suspension travel, paired with a perky engine, make this an excellent off-roading machine that’s approachable for beginners. The only downside of the bike is its seat height; at 35.2 inches, it’s a tall motorcycle for a beginner, so pick this if you are okay with the height or have the skills to manage a tall motorcycle.

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8 Royal Enfield Meteor/Hunter 350

The back-to-basics approach to motorcycling

You want a big-bike feel, don’t care about rough roads, and prioritize style over performance, then you should pick the Royal Enfield Meteor 350. This bike features Royal Enfield’s brand new 349cc long stroke engine is easy going and under-stressed, making for a joyous low end — you wouldn’t mind thumping along at low revs in the city — as long as you don’t rev its bearings off. Granted, 20 horsepower is not going to set the roads on fire, but it’s a charming motorcycle that makes you appreciate the simple things in life. Plus, at 30 inches and 421 pounds, this bike is light and nimble to manage at low speeds. But if you’re not a fan of the pseudo-cruiser looks, you can choose the Classic 350, which offers a more heritage vibe.

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Related: Living With The 2023 Hunter 350 – Is It The Wittiest Royal Enfield For The City?

7 KTM 390 Duke/RC

Explosive experience in a small package

Warning: the KTM 390 platform will try to get you in trouble. The 373cc engine is notorious for its power delivery, the chassis is extremely sharp, and this bike is known for encouraging the worst in bikers. But get a grip on your hands, and this platform will surprise you with its refinement, ease of ownership, and mature riding experience. The 390 Duke is the preferred choice here as it’s packed with features, compact, and light for new riders, but you wouldn’t go wrong with its sport bike variant, the 390 RC, either.

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6 Kawasaki Ninja 400

When you dream of track days and winning races

The KTM 390 platform is no doubt capable, but it’s not for everyone. It’s a little too manic for new riders, which is where the Ninja 400 outshines the Austrian hooligan. The Ninja 400 is the best Japan has to offer in the sub-400cc sport bike segment, and boy does it exceed expectations. The bike is approachable for new riders but has enough grunt and handling to keep experienced riders entertained. Plus, it’s the only sub-400cc sport bike that doesn’t look tiny when standing next to a supersport. Once you get a hang of the bike, you’ll appreciate the crazy top end and the handling characteristic this bike has to offer.

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5 Suzuki DR-Z400S

The ultimate dual sport for new riders

For a dual-sport enthusiast, nothing beats the Suzuki DR-Z400 S, which comes with excellent long-travel suspension, large tires, and terrific off-roading capabilities. This lightweight motorcycle is a dirt bike for the street, right from its looks to the way it can handle technical off-roading trails. Of course, with a seat height of 36.8 inches, it isn’t the most comfortable for new riders, but with what it offers, you wouldn’t regret this purchase. This is a type of bike that you can enjoy for a long time, as long as you know what it’s meant for — don’t expect fun on a DR Z400S on your track day.

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4 Royal Enfield Himalayan/Scram

You’re going to love this one

Both Honda CRF300L Rally and Suzuki DR Z400S are excellent dual sport motorcycles, but the tall seat height will likely intimidate many riders. This is where the Royal Enfield Himalayan thumps into the picture. This small ADV bike has garnered a cult following, thanks to its tractor-like mechanics, a long-stroke engine with a strong low end, and a chassis + suspension setup that gives many dual-sports a run for their money. Plus, at 31.9 inches, the seat height is low enough for beginner riders, and trust us when we say this, this is one of the best bikes ever built. Don’t let the slow engine or rudimentary design fool you.

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Related: 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 – Performance, Price, and Photos

3 Honda Rebel 500

Easy to ride

The Honda Rebel has always been one of the best beginner motorcycles, especially for shorter riders. This bike has a seriously low seat height, making it approachable for novice bikers, and the engine is supple and easygoing despite packing a bit of punch — remember, it’s the same engine from the CBR500R and CB500F. Plus, it’s got gorgeous looks, and with the right mods, it can stand out in the crowd. The 40 horsepower engine is excellent around town, and the overdrive sixth gear helps it cruise on the highway with a little left to give. If you’re a complete beginner, you can also pick the Rebel 300, which is lighter and easier to ride, thanks to its smaller engine.

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2 Suzuki SV650

You thought we’d forgotten about this one?

The Suzuki SV650 gets a bad rep for being the MSF Course motorcycle, but it has always been one of the best beginner motorcycles, so it’s no surprise that it has made its way onto this list as well. The SV650 is a no-frills naked bike with an easy-to-manage yet powerful V-twin engine, a seat height of only 30.9 inches, and handling dynamics that are welcoming for new riders. Plus, this is perhaps the most forgiving bike above the 500cc range and will stand a lot of abuse from new riders. The SV650 is perfect for someone who wants an easy bike without sacrificing performance — by the time you outgrow this bike, you’d be able to ride superbikes with ease.

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1 Indian Scout Bobber Sixty

The American Dream on two wheels

The Indian Scout Bobber Sixty is a liter-class American cruiser, and yet, it is one of the easiest bikes to ride for beginners — don’t let the engine size startle you. Yes, the engine is big and loud, but offers a good low-end torque with a linear power delivery; it’s got the grunt to scare a Harley-Davidson off, but it’s not too much to intimidate new but confident riders. Plus, you sit low to the ground, so you won’t feel like you have to fight the weight or work out your leg muscles in traffic conditions. Remember, the Scout Bobber Sixty isn’t for a complete beginner, but if you respect the bike and are confident in your skills, it can help you become a better rider, so you can progress onto the bigger Indian cruisers.

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