10 Best Motorcycles For Women In 2024

A motorcycle is an economical mode of commuting, and it’s exciting too. It can go on hills and forests where you can not drive a car. That’s why women’s interest has grown in recent years, as more and more women are discovering the thrill and freedom of riding on two wheels.

But selecting the right motorcycle for women isn’t an easy task. Although a motorcycle doesn’t differentiate genders, it could be difficult for a beginner female rider to handle the power of a 1000cc superbike.

I’m happy that you’re doing your research before purchasing a motorcycle. Are you looking for the best lightweight starter motorcycle for women with a lower seat height?

I have curated a list of the top 10 motorcycles for female riders with decent power, great handling, and stability. Moreover, I have also mentioned some important factors you should consider while buying a motorcycle as a beginner.

What Factors Should Be Considered While Buying A Motorcycle For Women?

While going through some bike forums, I found many girls asked – Can 5-foot women ride a motorcycle?

The answer is Yes.

Of course, a 5-foot girl can ride a motorcycle, and so can a 5-foot man. Motorcycles don’t care about your gender. All it requires is riding skills. If you can learn riding and handling, you can drive any motorcycle worldwide.

As a beginner female rider, you should start with a smaller engine size to sharpen your riding skills. Once you gain confidence, you can ride a 1200cc superbike or a 1500cc cruiser.

Here are some factors you should consider while purchasing your first bike for a female rider:

• Weight: The motorcycle’s weight is an important factor affecting handling experience and maneuverability. A lightweight motorcycle is easy to handle at higher speeds.
• Seat Height: When picking a motorcycle, the seat’s height is a crucial factor. This affects how easily you can put your feet down when you stop the bike. Many women like a lower seat height because it gives them more control and makes them feel more comfortable.
• Engine Size: If you’re an experienced rider, then engine size doesn’t affect you much, but as a beginner rider, it’s a crucial factor to consider while purchasing a motorcycle. A 150cc to 300cc motorcycle is perfect for beginner female riders.
• Adjustable Suspension: Depending on your weight, the front and rear suspension should be adjusted for proper ground clearance. Although most bikes come with adjustable suspensions, you should check before buying your first bike.
• Safety Features: As much as you twist the throttle, your motorcycle will go faster, but stopping a motorcycle at a higher speed isn’t easy. And braking a motorcycle in wet road conditions isn’t free from the risk of accidents. So, you must consider a motorcycle with ABS (Antilock Braking System) that drastically reduces the risk of accidents while braking.

Best Starter Motorcycles For Women In 2024

Considering all the factors and taking test rides of many bikes, I have shortlisted the best starter motorcycles for women that offer great stability and handling.

Here are the top 10 bikes for female riders with short and medium heights-

Motorcycle	Engine Size	Weight	Height
KTM 125 Duke	125cc	138 Kg	785 mm
Honda Grom 125	125cc	102 Kg	761 mm
Suzuki GSX-R125	125cc	134 Kg	785 mm
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R	249cc	182 Kg	785 mm
Yamaha YZF-R3	321cc	167 Kg	780 mm
Suzuki GSX-250R	248cc	178 Kg	790 mm
Honda CB300R	286cc	147 Kg	800 mm
Royal Enfield Classic 350	348cc	195 Kg	800 mm
Yamaha V-Star 250	249cc	147 Kg	650 mm
Honda Rebel 300	286cc	191 Kg	690 mm

1. KTM 125 Duke

If you’re a beginner and want to improve your riding skills, the KTM 125 Duke is the perfect motorcycle to start with. It has a small engine size of 125cc that generates 14.3 horsepower and a maximum torque of 12 Nm at 8000 RPM.

KTM 125 Duke offers great fuel economy. Also, the motorcycle weighs only 137 kg, which makes it convenient to maneuver and ride in the city.

KTM 125 Duke features a comfortable and upright seating position, which is perfect for female riders who are just getting used to the feel of a motorcycle. The motorcycle has an adjustable seat height of 785 mm, which can be further lowered.

It also comes with ABS (Antilock Braking System), which improves braking performance in slippery and wet road conditions.

Overall, the KTM 125 Duke is an excellent choice for beginner female rider to improve their motorcycle riding skills. KTM motorcycles have good resale value; hence, you can upgrade to a powerful motorcycle in the future.

2. Honda Grom 125

The Honda Grom 125 is a cute little motorcycle with a sleek and sporty look. It’s a compact bike perfect for beginners and experienced riders.

The Honda Grom is powered by a 125cc engine that delivers plenty of power for city riding while still being easy to handle and maneuver.

It’s an incredibly lightweight motorcycle with a compact frame and comfortable riding position. Also, the motorcycle has great fuel economy (approximately 200 MPG), which is perfect for long rides.

3. Suzuki GSX-R125

Suzuki is a well-known brand for motorcycles, and the Suzuki GSX-R125 is yet another small-engine motorcycle for beginner female riders with a 125cc liquid-cooled engine.

The motorcycle is very lightweight and offers an aggressive riding position. The 125cc engine is fine-tuned and generates a maximum power of 15 PS @10000 RPM.

I love the sporty design that has a Moto GP look. Because of its aerodynamic design, the motorcycle can run up to the top speed of 72 miles per hour. Overall, the Suzuki GSX-R125 is a good starter motorcycle for a female rider.

4. Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R is part of the Ninja series of sports bikes and was first introduced in 2020. The ZX-25R is powered by a 4-cylinder, 249cc engine, which makes it one of the most powerful bikes in its class.

It also has advanced features such as a lightweight chassis, high-performance suspension, and electronics. My wife has upgraded from KTM 125 Duke to Ninja ZX-25R and is very satisfied.

I would like you to note that she has ridden the 125cc KTM Duke for more than one year and now feels confident in riding powerful bikes.

So, if you have some experience in motorcycle riding, then Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R is a perfect choice. The bike looks sporty, and its compact design makes it easy to maneuver.

5. Yamaha YZF-R3

If you’re a beginner motorcycle rider, the Yamaha YZF-R3 is a great option to start with. The ultra-lightweight chassis makes it easy to control, and it has a lot of power from its advanced engine design, borrowed from the bigger R6 model.

The YZF-R3 is powered by a 321cc, liquid-cooled, inline twin-cylinder engine, which generates 41 horsepower at 10,750 RPM. The initial pickup is excellent, and the aerodynamics makes the motorcycle feel stable at higher speeds.

The motorcycle has advanced features like high-performance suspension, dual-channel ABS, and electronics.

6. Suzuki GSX-250R

Suzuki GSX-250R is an ideal motorcycle for daily commuting on highways and in the city. It has a 248cc twin-cylinder fuel-injected efficient engine that gives 70 to 75 MPG.

GSX-250R has a sleek and sporty design, with sharp lines and aggressive styling that gives it a modern look. The sitting position is very comfortable, which helps in long rides.

The smooth and responsive engine provides ample power for city and highway riding. The suspension is also well-tuned, providing a smooth ride on smooth and rough roads.

If you’re looking for a 250cc motorcycle for women, then the Suzuki GSX-250R is a perfect choice. It’s one of the best beginner-friendly sportbikes under a $5000 budget.

7. Honda CB300R

Honda CB300R perfectly combines power, smoother handling, and fuel efficiency. If you have experience riding sports bikes, then the Honda CB300R is the perfect motorcycle for sharpening your riding skills.

As I told you earlier, the motorcycle doesn’t differentiate the gender. All it requires is your confidence and expertise in riding. I recommend you go to the nearest Honda dealership and take a test ride of the CB300R.

Honda CB300R has a 286cc liquid-cooled engine that produces 31 horsepower at 9000 RPM. It’s a very lightweight motorcycle (147 Kg) that boosts beginner riders’ confidence. If you’re upgrading from a 125cc motorcycle, you won’t be uncomfortable handling this powerful beast.

8. Royal Enfield Classic 350

Royal Enfield is a very popular motorcycle brand in India. According to a report by RushLane, Royal Enfield has a 95% market share in the 251cc to 500cc motorcycle segment. Out of 95% market share, 70% of sales come from Royal Enfield Classic 350.

If you love cruiser bikes, then the Royal Enfield Classic 350 is one of the greatest entry-level cruiser motorcycles for women. It has a 348cc engine that produces 20 horsepower at 6100 RPM.

Although it’s a heavyweight motorcycle (cruiser bikes are heavy), it doesn’t feel heavy while riding. The exhaust sound of the Royal Enfield Classic 350 is very attractive.

9. Yamaha V-Star 250

The Yamaha V-Star 250 has a 249cc air-cooled, V-twin engine with a Mikuni 26mm carburetor. Due to the highly efficient Mikuni carburetor, the V-Star gets approximately 78 miles per gallon (MPG).

If you love cruising at 60 to 70 miles per hour, then the Yamaha V-Start 250 is a great cruiser motorcycle to start. As soon as you gain confidence in riding and handling powerful motorcycles, you can upgrade to Harley Davidson Heritage Classic and other models.

Due to its lightweight design and extremely low seat height of 650 mm, it became easy to handle for a female rider.

10. Honda Rebel 300

If you love cruiser lifestyles and want to ride the streets confidently and comfortably, then the Honda Rebel 300 is a perfect choice. This motorcycle is powered by a 286cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that produces 25 horsepower.

Due to its lightweight chassis and superior handling, it became one of the greatest choices for women. You can start your cruiser motorcycle journey with the Honda Rebel 300.

Conclusion

The best motorcycle is that you feel confident and comfortable riding. First, understand your style and level of riding skills. KTM 125 Duke is the perfect bike to start your racing journey, and the Yamaha V-Start 250 is the lighter cruiser bike. If you already have some experience in motorcycle rides, then the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R and Yamaha YZF-R3 are the perfect sportbikes to take your riding skills to the next level.