I posed the question on the Adventure Riders forum on what’s a chick bike and have gotten some fabulously hilarious responses. Ride on over there and be entertained. Got an opinion? Use the comments form (below) if you’re not an advrider member.
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I have just got to know what is all this about "chick bikes." I hear the term more and more often now.
I’m 5"7′ 130 pounds. Ride a big BMW K75RT and a little 500 cc Enfield,
and have ridden everything from a tiny Honda trail bike to a Fat Boy,
sidehacks, too. What makes a chick bike? Is it smaller? Is it prettier?
Is it sexier? Quieter? Cute and cuddly? Is there or should there be
such a category? Can chicks only call other chick’s chick bikes chick
bikes? "Hey girlfriend, look at that Monster. It is such a cool chick bike…"
There are plenty of guys shorter than me who are learning to ride who
need a low seat height and underpowered engine – which is how I’ve
heard chick bikes described – so that can’t be it. Really.
Here are a few bikes I’ve heard called chick bikes, and not all of them
are "underpowered" – there must be more. Do we – chicks, that is – like
them better? Would a guy – even a learner – be caught dead on any of
them if they were branded as chick bikes?
- Ducati Monster
- Harley Sportster
- Ninja 250
- Honda Rebel
- Aprilia Shiver
That picture of the pink bike would definitely be a “chick bike” ;). But, seriously, a Ducati Monster? I guess some people can stereotype anything if they think about it long enough.
Carla;
Yes you did get some interesting answers! Beginners should start on something easy to handle-125 to 250cc.Then move up as they gain experience. Years ago we taught new riders with honda trail 90’s and some honda 125 and 250cc bikes but that was 20 years ago.
I just started riding in March. I bought a used Suzuki Savage – I knew I wanted down the road to go on a trip so I discounted the Rebel although I looked long and hard at it.
I love my Savage! Perfect fit for my short legs, yet enough power to get me where I need to go. In June I did a 2000 mile round trip from Kentucky to Minnesota. Solo. No problems at all.
As I see it a chick bike is any bike a girl wants to ride.