From Motorcycling for Women: Beginner Bikes
Cruisers
Low. Lid Back.
Cruisers are good bikes to learn on because they’re low enough for most people to get both feet flat on the ground, which gives you better balance and more confidence.
They come “naked” so if you drop it you’re not breaking a lot of expensive options. But once you’ve got the hang of it, you may be tempted to add saddlebags, a small windscreen, maybe even tie on a sleeping bag and tent and take off on a classic American backroads journey.
Examples of cruisers you might look at:
Honda Rebel 250: This popular cruiser is light and low and a real keeper with decent performance on the freeway. Buy it new or find one used, but plenty of people don’t want to give up their Rebels.
Kawasaki Eliminator 125: This single cylinder “thumper” is a great entree into motorcycling at only about 300 pounds wet. But budget-minded commuters also love this zippy cruiser with a big 3.4 gallon tank and outrageously good gas mileage for under $2700.
Download the free ebook: Motorcycling for Women: Beginner Bikes to learn more about great beginner bikes in cruiser, sport, dual-sport, scooter, and dirt-bike categories.
Comments? I'd love to hear them. Use the comments feature below. Thanks!
Carla, I started riding on a Suzuki GZ 250cc for exactly the reasons you stated. Because of the low seat I could get both feet flat on the ground – a crucial point for building my confidence. Since there was no body work other than the fenders I didn’t worry (too much) about dropping it. I rode that little fellow for six months, then graduated to a BMW 650 CS. I’m on my fifth bike, a BMW 1200 GS now. That wonderful little GZ250 was the perfect starter bike for me – realizing I had outgrown the bike was a tremendous step forward.
Congratulations on your book – I hope every woman who is thinking about riding her own down loads a copy! [This recommendation goes out to guys with pant leg inseams less than 29″, too!]
– Cecilie
Cecilie’s Moto Journal
http://balsamfir.com/motorcycle.htm
OK, I am a guy (59 years old) and have had a Kawasaki Eliminator 125 for several years. This is not my first bike, I have had many street and dirt bikes over the years but, I must say, for my small frame (5’6.5″), this is a GREAT bike, easy to ride, very peppy and nice looking. I have put on a small windshield and connection for my satellite radio. I live in a very hilly area and the bike has no problems going up (or down). I can highly recommend this bike to anyone wishing to purchase.
My wife started out on a Suzuki GS500. The small cc bikes just didn’t have the umph that I knew she would want in a few months and they do not fit tall women well. She is 6 foot tall.
The GS500 was very lightweight for those not wanting to muscle a large bike. I also enjoyed the fun factor of the bike. The bike didn’t lack power when hauling a passenger either or moving at 65mph on freeways. It held it’s value well when we traded up to a V-Strom 650 a year later.
I would recommend this bike for any women of average to tall height that is just starting out.