Best Motorcycle for Women - is there such a thing as a perfect women's bike?
Best Motorcycle for Women - I'm often asked what, in my opinion, is the best bike for a woman rider. And, I answer that question with another question: Is there a perfect motorcycle for a man?
The obvious answer is "NO." Just like men, women come in all shapes and sizes. Just like men, some women prefer riding a cruiser bike, and some like sport bikes. Some women even prefer off-road motorcycles. How can there possibly be one perfect bike for women riders?
I love my sport bike, and because I am relatively tall at 5 feet, 7 inches, I can ride most motorcycles safely. I have ample leg length for most sport bikes. But, I know other women who have shorter legs, and need a bike with a lower seat. The choices for a shorter woman are similar to the choices faced by a shorter man - find a bike with a lower seat, or have a motorcycle custom made.
Motorcycles - seat measurements
If you are shorter, you probably need a motorcycle with a lower seat in order to safely put your feet flat on the ground when the bike is stopped. (AND, this is one of the most obvious safety tips I can offer. You really need to put your feet flat in order to keep the bike upright when stopped)
Other than the seat measurement, there are other factors to consider - such as the distance from the seat to the foot pegs, and the width of the seat. While the cruiser models almost universally have lower seats, there is more width to the seat and more distance between the legs. And, comfort is a huge issue. Do you want your knees bent 90 degrees? Would you feel more comfortable with your feet in front of your knees, or in direct proportion to your knees? These factors are purely subjective.
If, however, you are 5' 4" or shorter, you probably need a seat lower than 30 inches.
Almost every motorcycle manufacturer makes a bike with a lower seat, especially the cruiser models. Separated by manufacturer, this is what my research revealed:
BMW
- F 800 ST - 32.2 inches, adjusted to 31.1 inches
- K 1200 GT - 32.3 inches, adjusted to 31.1 inches
- R 1200 RT - 32.2 inches, adjusted to 30.7 inches
- R 1200 ST - 31.9 inches, adjusted to 30.7 inches
- F 800 S - 32 .2 inches, adjusted to 31.1 inches
- K 1200 R Sport - 32.3 inches, to 31.1 inches
- K 1200 S - 32.3 inches, to 31.1 inches
- R 1200 S - 32.7 inches (not adjustable)
- F 650 GS - 30.7 inches, can adjust up to 34.5 inches
- R 1200 GS - 33.1 inches, to 31.9 inches
Honda
- ST 1300 - 31.1 inches (+/- 0.6 inches)
- Gold Wing - 29.1 inches
- VTX 1800T - 27.4 inches
- VTX 1300C - 27.46 inches
- Shadow Spirit - 28.7 inches
- Shadow Aero - 25.9 inches
- Shadow Sabre - 27.2 inches
- Shadow Spirit 750 - 25.7 inches
- Shadow VLX - 25.6 inches
- Nighthawk (234 cc) - 29.3 inches
- Rebel (234 cc) - 26.6 inches
- CBR 1000RR - 32.3 inches
- Super Hawk - 31.9 inches
- 919 - 31.1 inches
- Interceptor - 31.7 inches
- 599 - 31.1 inches
- CBR600F - 31.9 inches
- CBR600RR - 32.3 inches
Yahama
- Royal Star deluxe - 29.1 inches
- Stratoliner S - 28.9 inches
- Road Star - 28 inches
- V Star Classic - 28 inches
- Warrior - 28.7 inches
- V-Max - 30.1 inches
- Virago 250 - 27 inches
- YZF-R1 - 32.9 inches
- FZ1 - 32.1 inches
- YZF-R6 - 33.5 inches
- YZF600R - 31.7 inches
- FZ6 - 31.3 inches
- FJR1300A - 31.5 - 32.3 inches
- FJR1300AE - 31.5 - 32.3 inches
Suzuki
- Boulevard C50 / C50C / C50 - 27.6 inches
- Boulevard C90 - 27.6 inches
- Suzuki Boulevard S40 - 27.6 inches
- Boulevard S50 - 27.6 inches
- Boulevard S83 - 29.1 inches
- Boulevard M50 - 27.6 inches
- Boulevard M109R - 27.8
- GZ250 - 27.8 inches
- V-Strom 650 - 32.3 inches
- V-Strom 1000 - 33.1 inches
- SV650 / SV650S - 31.5 inches
- SV1000S - 31.5 inches
- Bandit 1250 - (31.1/31.9 in) 2 way adjustable
- Katana 750 - 31.1 inches
- Katana 600 - 30.9 inches
- GS500F- 31.1 inches
- SV650 / SV650S - 31.5 inches
- SV1000S - 31.5 inches
- GSX-R1000 - 31.9 inches
- GSX-R750 - 31.9 inches
- GSX-R600 - 31.9 inches
- Hayabusa 1300 - 31.7 inches
- V-Strom 1000 - 33.1 inches
- V-Strom 650 - 32.3 inches
- DR650SE - 33.0 inches
Ducati
- Monster 695 - 30.3 inches
- STR200 - 31.5 inches
- STR1000 - 31.5 inches
- S4R Testastretta - 31.5 inches
- S4R S Testastretta - 31.5 inches
- Multistrada 1100 - 33.5 inches
- Multistrada 1100 S - 33.5 inches
- Sport 1000S - 32.5 inches
- 1000 Biposta - 32.5 inches
- 1000 Monoposta - 32.5 inches
- GT 1000 - 32.6 inches
- Sport Touring ST3 - 32.3 inches
Harley-Davidson
- Sportster XL883L - 25.3 inches
- Sportster XL 883 - 27.3 inches
- Sportster XL 883R - 28.1 inches
- XL 1200 N Nightster - 25.3 inches
- XL 1200 R Roadster - 28.1 inches
- XL 1200 L - 26.3 inches
Actually, I looked at each Harley model, and every single one has a seat lower than 30 inches. Probably this is one of the reasons that the Harley Sportster is reported to be the most popular motorcycle for women.
There are more types of motorcycles than I have listed here, and these figures apply to 2007 models. I know that there are some older models of Nighthawks with bigger engines that would be perfectly comfortable for shorter riders. None of the british motorcyles are listed here, nor are the Buells.
If you find a particular motorcycle that you feel has an inappropriately-sized seat, you can always consult a motorcycle mechanic to see if there is a way to lower the seat, or modify the suspension somehow. Or, if you're willing to spend the money, you can always have a custom motorcycle built - just the way you want it!
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