For new riders, the selection of motorcycles on the market can seem overwhelming—especially when you're not sure where to start. Fortunately there are bikes out there that have proved time and time again to be good choices for new riders. We've compiled a list of those bikes with new women riders in mind. 

At WRN, we generally recommend starting out on a smaller motorcycle, one on which you can easily and confidently practice the skills learned in the motorcycle training class. There are certainly other motorcycles out there—for example, some small displacement dual-sport motorcycles are often recommended as good beginner bikes. However, this list reflects what we've found are the most popular choices among beginning women riders. We did not list prices, as they vary from year to year. Also, in recent years some of these models have been discontinued but remain popular choices for beginners thanks to the ever-changing used market. Where applicable, we've made a note of that. 
                                                                         
Cruisers
                       

Honda Rebel 250 Displacement: 234cc Seat Height: 26.6 inches Fuel Capacity: 2.6 gallons Weight: 331 pounds	Description: The Rebel is the consummate beginner bike. Many motorcyclists start on a Rebel because it's a solid starter bike that has been in Honda's lineup on and off since 1985. There are many used ones on the market, and it's a bike that generally retains its value. The Rebel hasn't changed much looks-wise over the last decade or so. It has big-bike looks, including lots of chrome, spoke wheels, and a twin-cylinder, four-stroke engine. This is a tried and true starter motorcycle with many successful "graduates." Read a review of the Honda Rebel from a WRN reader, and check out our story on the new color options for the 2012 Rebel.
Yamaha Star Motorcycles V Star 250 Displacement: 249cc Seat Height: 27 inches Fuel Capacity: 2.5 gallons Weight: 324 pounds	Description: This is the beginner motorcycle in Yamaha's Star Motorcycles brand of V Star cruisers. In 2008, the V Star 250 replaced the Virago 250 but retained a lot of its predecessor's styling and features. There are many used Viragos now on the market. Yamaha wants the V Star 250 to be as appealing as possible to beginners, so the bike has many features found on bigger motorcycles, like a V-twin engine, spoke wheels and a two-up seat. Read the WRN review.
Suzuki GZ250 Displacement: 249cc Seat Height: 27.8 inches Fuel Capacity: 3.4 gallons Weight: 331 pounds	Description: Model year 2010 was the last year Suzuki made the GZ250. It had been in the company's lineup for years because of its popularity with beginners. You'll find plenty of used ones on the market. The GZ250 features classic cruiser styling and is powered by a 4-stroke, single-cylinder engine driven by 5 gears. This motorcycle is often used in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider Course.
Suzuki Boulevard S40 Displacement: 652cc Seat Height: 27.6 inches Fuel Capacity: 2.8 gallons Weight: 381 pounds	Description: This S40 is the Boulevard line's entry level model. The number 40 refers to the engine size in cubic inches (ci), as opposed to cubic centimeters (cc). 40ci is equivalent to 652cc, an engine size some would consider too powerful for a beginner. However, the bike's light weight and low seat height make it ideal for beginners who feel that the 250cc bikes are just too small. The 4-stroke, single-cylinder engine has a 5-speed transmission.
Kawasaki Eliminator 125 Displacement: 124cc Seat Height: 26.8 inches Fuel Capacity: 3.4 gallons Weight: 291 pounds	Description: An entry-level bike that's inexpensive to own and operate, the Eliminator 125 is Kawasaki's smallest cruiser. It was discontinued in 2009, so only used models are available. The Eliminator 125 is a cruiser featuring an air-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder engine with a 5-speed, chain-driven transmission. It has a seat height of 26.8 inches—low enough that most riders can easily plant both feet on the ground at stops. Weighing a scant 291 pounds, it is lightweight and easy for a beginner or smaller rider to handle.
Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD Displacement: 498cc Seat Height: 28.1 inches Fuel Capacity: 4 gallons Weight: 439 pounds	Description: The midsize Vulcan is a popular entry-level motorcycle that was discontinued in 2009 after a nearly 20-year production run. There are plenty of used ones to be had. The Vulcan 500 remained in Kawasaki's lineup for years because it was a top seller among women and first-time riders. We've seen many women under 5 feet keep this motorcycle as their end-all bike. Despite its smaller engine size, the Vulcan 500 LTD packs a lot of power into its six speeds and features classic cruiser looks, like its chrome-plated wire-spoke wheels, that never go out of style. Read a WRN Reader Review of the Vulcan 500.
Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 SuperLow Displacement: 883cc Seat Height: 25.5 inches Fuel Capacity: 4.5 gallons Weight: 563 pounds	Description: If you want a Harley-Davidson as your first motorcycle, the Sportster SuperLow is the company’s entry-level model. If you’re a confident beginner and feel ready to start on a “real world” motorcycle (versus a small 250cc bike), then the SuperLow might be for you. Harley-Davidson has made many changes to its Sportster lineup over the last decade, tweaking, adding and discontinuing models, so you’ll find several iterations on the used market. The SuperLow is an all-new design that debuted in 2011. To learn more, read the WRN review of the SuperLow. If you’re interested in a different Harley-Davidson as a possible first bike, the company does make some of the lowest motorcycles out there that make it easier to get both feet on the ground. Check out our list of the Lowest of the Low motorcycles.
Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Low Displacement: 883cc Seat Height: 25.3 inches Fuel Capacity: 3.3 gallons Weight: 583 pounds	Description: True to its name, this bike's seat height is a low 25.3 inches. The Sportster 883 Low originally replaced the Sportster Hugger, popular in the 1990s because of its low seat. Now the 883 Low itself has been discontinued and replaced by the SuperLow (see directly above), so don't confuse the two. Like the regular 883, its sister model that was also discontinued in 2011, the Low is relatively light. It sports most of the same features as the regular 883, but it comes with a solo seat positioned to scoot the rider closer to the handlebars, which are angled closer to the rider. As with the SuperLow, some may say an 883cc motorycle should not be included in the same beginner bike class as the 250cc motorcycles. However, we'd be remiss not to include it here, as many riders want to ride a Harley-Davidson right out of the gate. We recommend the Sportster 883 Low only for the most confident of new riders.

        
      

I'm 83 now and rode some in my younger days but it's start over time. Would like an older classic bike, a Honda Dream 305 would be great but they are hard to find anymore. If I were to get a larger bike maybe some side wheels would work.

Donald Armitage
Old Town, FL
Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I'm starting out on a Honda Rebel but have had my eyes on the Honda Shadow Spirit because it's a good fit for my 5-foot 3-inch height. I was at the local dealership recently and noticed how beautiful the 2013 Shadow Aero is in the metallic silver/pearl white. When I mentioned to the salesperson that I liked that color but the seat was too wide for me, he told me of a nearby upholsterer that can narrow the seat's width and/or slope the sides for better leg comfort. I would have never thought of that! I know that replacement seats are available but I so much liked the idea of modifying what's already on it than completely changing it out. Since I was so thrilled to hear of this option I thought maybe someone else might benefit from it too.

Jean Ohrmund
Clermont, FL
Friday, April 26, 2013