Best Motorcycles for Women

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Best Motorcycles for Women

If I were a rich girl I would have a larger garage.

There are so many new motorcycles out there that cater to comfort, speed, skill level, and so on, but all motorcycles are ultimately part of a fun-loving, adrenaline-addict lifestyle. Naturally, I want them all.

Women, like all riders, have different styles and preferences, so the best street bikes are ones that showcase an individual's style, while considering utility, power, and prowess. These are motorcycles that I would love to have in my garage. Some of them are also what my fellow female motorcyclists ride.

Harley-Davidson Iron 883

Grab your favorite leather jacket and riding boots. The Iron 883 has the classic cruiser charm with a dollop of V-twin power. (Harley-Davidson/)

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Women who want a raw cruiser dripping with V-twin Americana can look to the Harley-Davidson Iron 883. The Iron 883 is powered by an air-cooled 883cc V-twin engine producing a claimed 54 pound-feet of torque at a friendly 3,750 rpm, plus that unmistakable Harley sound. Its dimensions are friendly as well, with a 25.7-inch claimed seat height suitable for any inseam to flat-foot at stops. Mid-mount foot controls help make a comfortable ride.

Harley-Davidson Road Glide

The Road Glide offers touring-focused amenities like an infotainment system and hard bags for those who crave the scenic route. (Harley-Davidson/)

The Harley-Davidson Road Glide has a commanding road presence with its wide sharknose fairing and Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-twin engine. While it might seem a little intimidating due to its massive 885 pounds, that weight is carried low, and I have seen many women handle big machines like this. Additionally, the fairing on this model is mounted on the frame rather than the fork for easier handling, and the seat, at a claimed 25.9 inches high, is only a smidge taller than the Iron 883.

Honda Rebel 300/500

The Honda Rebel 300 and 500 are confidence boosters for women who are just starting out. (Jeff Allen/)

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The Honda Rebel 300 and its 500 counterpart are two classic smaller motorcycles from Big Red, great for boosting rider confidence while offering a distinct cruiser profile. Both the 286cc single and 471cc parallel twin serve up very approachable power. The easy reach to both the handlebars and pegs help make these bikes attractive for shorter and beginner riders.

KTM 390 Duke

Bring on the canyons. The 390 Duke is lightweight and fun for zipping around. (Jeff Allen/)

Full disclosure: This bike is already in my garage. The little Duke is particularly attractive to me because of its low price, low intimidation factor, and high overarching fun factor (read more about it in my long-term review). It simply slices around corners thanks to its short wheelbase and light weight, and it's comfortable to ride for long periods of time. I know looks are subjective, but this one caught my eye with its sharp angles and pop of color and has never let go.

Kawasaki Ninja 400

The 2021 Ninja 400, shown here, stands out with teal paint. (Kawasaki/)

Speaking of pops of color, the 2021 Ninja 400 had Pearl Nightshade Teal and Passion Red paint options that really stood out. For 2022, there's a nice twilight blue among the metallic gray/matte black, and bright KRT edition lime green. Appearances aside, the Ninja 400 is a fantastic bike for a trackday or the trip around town. Its 399cc twin can still pull the bike off the line with no trouble at all, but it's far from intimidating for beginner riders craving a more sporty style.

Aprilia Tuono 660

The premium quality of the Aprilia Tuono 660 is droolworthy. (Aprilia/)

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The Aprilia Tuono 660 is the Italian brand's accessible naked middleweight. It has a more upright riding position than its companion, the RS 660, and its narrow profile accommodates many different rider sizes as well. It's paired with the same tantalizing 659cc parallel-twin engine that welcomes all the green lights the world has to offer while being agile enough to snake through the canyons. If you are like me, giddiness will creep in when you twist the Tuono's throttle.

Triumph Street Triple

The Triumph Street Triple platform has style and class. (Triumph/)

From its protruding twin headlights to 765cc triple, I've always had a soft spot for the Triumph Street Triple series. It's sleek, classy, and always fun. There's plenty of sportiness from its Moto2-inspired engine and aggressive riding position, but it's also all-day accommodating. Want more power? There's the RS. Want a lower seat? There's the R with a low ride height option that drops the bike a claimed 45mm lower.

BMW S 1000 RR

When you just want to go fast... (BMW/)

Once, while taking a motorcycle repair course, I met a woman who owned a BMW S 1000 RR. She was petite, but holy smokes, was she a ripper. "I like going fast," she said with a toothy grin as we made our introductions. Boy, did she have the right bike. By the time I got onto the main road after leaving class, she was long gone, her 999cc inline-four roaring away with its 200-plus horsepower. Point is, if going fast is your main criterion, the S 1000 RR won't disappoint. My classmate could tell you that.

Source: Best Motorcycles for Women

Courtesy of Motorcyclist Magazine