Small bike. Big bike. Fast bike. Safe bike. Cheap bike. Cool bike. Old bike. New bike.
These are the thoughts and uncertainties that go through a new rider’s mind while considering their very first motorcycle, whether riding in Las Vegas or Miami.
I, too, had a million questions as I was searching for the “perfect” first bike. Apart from the MSF course, I had never been on two wheels before in my life, nor did I have a rider community to lean on or even a partner who rode. So when my search became more serious, I turned to the interweb, which naturally led to a Reddit rabbit hole and about 100 different opinions.
While it isn’t as easy as recommending one engine size or style for new riders, there is one tip that is rarely disputed in the biker community: buy a used motorcycle. Unless you have a ton of fun money laying around, don’t buy a new motorcycle as your first ride. The probability of dropping it is high. It just is. This is not meant to discourage but rather to help educate.
You’ll want a machine that can absorb all of your “oops” moments before upgrading. Buying anything used offers less of a commitment both financially and emotionally, allows for extra funds towards solid protective riding gear and allows one to ease into a new hobby–what if you discover you don’t enjoy motorcycling as much as you anticipated?
I still have my first bike: a 2007 Triumph Bonneville T100. How did I come to that conclusion, you ask? I Googled, “modern lady bikers” and I came across a woman who shared a resemblance to me, on a Bonneville. I immediately discovered www.cycletrader.com and found a used Bonnie in my price range and bought it in cash.
I didn’t even know how to ride it off the lot, so I had my partner pick it up later on and drop it off in a quiet street in my neighborhood, where I taught myself every day for two weeks before I finally ventured out into traffic. Although I got lucky with my selection, it would have been helpful to learn from fellow lady riders and weigh my options, so we’ve put together a list of the best used motorcycles for women new to riding!
Just about every company makes some good beginner options, but here are our top picks that are currently readily available:
#1 - Kawasaki Ninja 250/300
Japanese sportbikes of this size are readily available, affordable, very lightweight, and can easily be lowered to suit shorter riders. They require minimal maintenance, offer great gas mileage, and you can find parts for them everywhere. For these reasons, riders can use these bikes as an opportunity to learn basic maintenance.
Because of their lightweight components, Ninjas are very nimble and fun to zip around town on and can get out of any hairy situations on the highway. These bikes are not going to be for road trips or touring, and the riding position can be intimidating at first, but your knees and legs tuck naturally into a groove around the tank and provide a zippy and fun ride! These bikes are true confidence builders and can be aesthetically customized to match any personality!
#2 - Harley-Davidson Sportster
The Harley-Davidson Sportster comes in a few varieties and two staple engine sizes: 883cc and 1200cc. These are arguably the most versatile option for new riders, both men and women. To put it simply, Harley Sportsters are abundant, cheap, reliable, fit most body types, and come with unlimited customizability and major brand loyalty.
Other important features of the Sportster include great weight distribution, availability of inexpensive parts, and it's powerful enough to get you out of trouble but not enough to really get you into it. The major downfall of Sportsters is the unusually small “peanut” gas tank. Parts for these bikes are easy to find. Do you have “Chopper” dreams? Are you a daily commuter? Is the Harley life calling your name? This bike is for you, and any confident beginner rider.
#3 - Honda Rebel
The Honda Rebel can be found in a few engine sizes: 250cc, 300cc, and 500cc. This lightweight bike sits low and is very easy to handle for learning purposes. I do predict most riders would seek an upgrade for more “get-up-and-go,” but after some time on a Rebel, graduating to a bigger cruiser will feel organic. Honda Rebels are very cost-effective, especially if you are someone who strongly prefers a shiny new toy rather than used. Like most Japanese cruisers, these are inexpensive to insure and maintain, and the styling hasn’t changed much over the last two decades with traditional cruiser styling, lots of chrome, spoke wheels, 5-speed transmission, and a twin-cylinder four-stroke engine.
#4 - Triumph Bonneville or Street Twin
The Triumph Bonneville and Triumph Street Twin are very similar modern classics. These British motorcycles can be bought in a few different engine sizes (863cc-1200cc) while all options maintain nearly the same feel, weight distribution, and size. Quite obviously, I am a bit biased since the Triumph Bonneville was my first bike. However, I truly believe it is a fabulous first bike for various reasons. \
These bikes feature the nimble qualities a new rider would enjoy and offer more than enough power to keep a new rider happy, plus more advanced bonuses like stock ABS. I will note these bikes have a reasonably comfortable riding position but may not be ideal for shorter women. The Triumph name offers a timeless look and there’s no exception with these two models. If you have a decently strong, tall build and can flat-foot a Bonneville or a Street Twin, you won’t be searching for an upgrade anytime soon. Bonus: You can live out some fabulous “cafe racer” dreams with any Triumph Modern Classic.
#5 - Honda Grom
If anyone thinks they’re too small for the bike life, enter the Honda Grom 125cc. This single-cylinder (fewer cylinders = slimmer bike between your knees), 220lb bike gives plenty of power for a smaller rider. These bikes are forgiving, meant for play, will outlive your cat, and require little to no maintenance.
These are optimal to learn the ropes before moving up to a highway-speed bike. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re blessed with a taller inseam or plan on jumping on the highway. Small bikes like Honda Groms are designed to excite, tease, and build confidence towards joining other two-wheeled friends on the road!
Honorable Mention: The Yamaha V Star 650cc or 1100cc. They are affordable, reliable, and plentiful, with a very low seat height. This mid-size bike won’t easily be outgrown but is easy to maneuver.
Honorable Mention: The KTM 390 Duke. These bikes are super forgiving, nimble and not easily outgrown. The KTM aesthetics aren’t for everybody, and parts for this Austrian manufacturer aren’t as easily accessible or economical, but the brand is very sought after and reliable.
Izzy's 2021 KTM 390 DukeHonorable Mention: Any street-legal, fuel-injected dirt bike. They are super lightweight, vastly more affordable than a Harley or sportbike, and come in all sizes, both body and engine. Dirt bikes are tough! They can be dropped time after time and can easily be picked up without assistance. If you can flat-foot one of these bad boys, it’s fun to get experience on both dirt and pavement surfaces, and they serve as great machines to learn to “like” speed in a controlled way.
I personally discovered that my ideal “first bike” was something that would be a slight challenge at first but would not cause a desire to upgrade in engine size within the first year because that didn’t seem efficient. I am so proud of my first bike and it continues to be my daily commuter and even took me all around Northern Mexico within my first year of riding.
Recommending a beginner motorcycle for women isn’t as simple as suggesting that they choose a “small” or “slow” bike to start, but instead finding a comfortable bike that a rider can maneuver with ease. If you have good self-restraint, there’s nothing wrong with opting for a bigger bike, as long as you respect the machine and take it slow while getting acquainted with your new bike. What works best for one rider will for sure be different for another. The best advice is to get a bike that YOU are comfortable with.
When you're about to ride, Twisted Road has assembled the 9 safety tips that all riders need to know. Two wheels are two wheels and if riding is your passion, just keep on riding. Now go find a fabulous helmet and get to motorcycle shopping! Once you have some miles under your belt, you can always rent a motorcycle; Twisted Road becomes a very valuable resource because you can “try a motorcycle before you buy!”
Editor's note: This article has been updated with more relevant content and images.
