The number of lady riders is steadily growing on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. There are more and more ladies-only motorcycle groups, women’s-sized gear have become significant factor in the motorcycle marketplace and you find plenty of motorcycles suitable for women. We will take a quick look which are the most popular models among women riders these days.
One in 10 motorcyclists is female – the number is actually 12,5% in the US, 13,8% in Germany and 13% in France. If you look up on the internet, you will find hashtags like #realwomenwhoride ot #motobabes, nonprofit motorcycle organizations for female motorcycle enthusiasts, ladies-only clubs and even studies which shows that ladies ride more safe than men. But what are the most popular bikes among ladies?
One of the most important factor for women is seat height, that’s the first thing most ladies want to find out when they see a new bike. That’s the reason why you don’t see many ladies on a BMW R1200GS – hell, you don’t even see small men on this bike. Weight is also a factor, less weight is obviously more manageable, no matter what your size and stature. Another factor is the distance from the seat to the foot pegs, and the width of the seat. Almost all cruisers have lower seats but there is more width to the seat and more distance between legs. Now, lets see what are the favorite motorcycles among women.
- Harley-Davidson XL883L SuperLow
The Sportster comes in five distinctive models, the most popular Sportster model ridden by women is the low series, the XL 1200L and the XL 883L. The XL883 SuperLow is the manufacturer’s entry-level model and it’s one of the lowest motorcycles out there. The distance from the seat to the foot pegs is just 25.3 inches – that makes this model ideal for shorter riders. No surprise the SuperLow is reported to be the most popular motorcycle for women in the US. The 883cc Evolution engine has more than enough power but the 3.3-gallon tank reduces the riding distance. For women who likes to ride longer distances, the XL1200L is a better choice with its 4.5-gallon tank.
- Honda Shadow line
All these models share the same 750cc engine, the main difference between them are ergonomics and styling. The Aero, the Spirit and the VLX versions all have a seat-foot pegs distance of 25-26 inches while the Sabre is more suitable for women with longer legs. Women apparently love the Shadow C2, it amounts to 26% of the total Shadow 750 sales. The 750cc engine offers low-end and mid-range power while the shaft final-drive system provides smooth and reliable low-maintenance operation. It has a stylish 3.7-gallon fuel tank which lets you ride in style.
- Suzuki SV 650
The SV 650 is a middleweight all-rounder, it’s versatile, affordable and easy to ride. It’s no surprise that this model is so popular among inexperienced riders. The seating position is upright with 31.5-inch but the seat is narrow so it seem lower than it is. The SV is extremely light with 370 pounds and it turns easily. A lot of women like the SV650 because it’s confidence inspiring, allowing beginners to practice their riding skills.
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- Yamaha V-Star
The V-Star is an excellent trainer bike, it can handle highway speeds, it has style and it’s economical. The air-cooled engine builds power evenly and smoothly and the seat height of 27.9 inch means that any women riding this motorcycle will have no problem resting flat-footed. Thanks to the 4.2-gallon tank and the economical engine you can ride about 200 miles on one tank of gas. The only thing you have to keep in mind is the wide handlebars – if you are short, check your arms as well as your legs before you buy a V-Star.
- Triumph Bonneville
This is one of the favorites among women riders looking for something special. While it has a 900cc-engine, it’s still relatively light and narrow. Most women buy the SE variant because of its 17” wheels front and rear and not the 19” front of the standard or T100 models. That smaller front wheel keep the bike lower and offers a seat height of 29.1-inch. You definitely need more experience for this model but it’s worth it – just look at that unique styling, it’s unlike anything else on the road. If you’re a bit more experienced and you are looking to stand out, the Bonneville SE could be your bike.
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