Large-displacement cruisers usually mean large everything else, too. But for women and smaller-framed men who want a big V-twin that handles well and is in proportion to their not-gargantuan bodies—without sacrificing power—there aren’t many options in today’s motorcycle market. Thats why when we find one, we make sure you know about it.
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW: The Versatile and Likable 2013 Victory Judge
Star Motorcycles’ Road Star Silverado S is a 1670cc, 773-pound heavyweight cruiser with a fairly long, 66.5-inch wheelbase, which might put off women riders concerned about riding a big bike. However, the Silverado’s controls are well within reach for the average-size woman.
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW: 2013/2012 Star Motorcycles Road Star Silverado S
The Suzuki Boulevard C50, an 800cc motorcycle that’s proven very popular among women because of its midsize powerplant and manageable size, has morphed into several different iterations over the last few years, including a touring edition, a classic edition, and a special edition new for 2013. So what’s the difference—and what’s the better buy?
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW: 2012 Suzuki Boulevard C50T Classic, 2013 C50, and C50T
The Softail Slim, released as a midyear 2012 model, is an all-new bobber-style motorcycle from Harley-Davidson. Its based on the Fat Boy platform, with a similar front end and an extremely low profile. The Slim now shares the title as Harleys lowest motorcycle with the newly released CVO Breakout, both with a seat height of 23.8 inches.
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW: 2012/2013 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim
Sensible riders cut their motorcycle teeth on an easy-to-ride, small-displacement bike, but as skill and confidence grow, so does the hunger for a bigger motorcycle. Many of these little trainer motorcycles that are so accommodating at parking lot speeds lose their composure on the highway, if they can reach highway speeds at all.
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW: Star Motorcycles V Star 250
Fully dressed tourers offer comfort features no other kind of motorcycle can match. But they’re also big and heavy and can be intimidating for many women riders. And while a tour trunk adds a convenient place to store lots of stuff that’s easy to get to, it also creates a load in the worst place possible—up high and to the rear. However, there are several large touring models available today that eliminate that awkward tour trunk, including Kawasaki’s Vulcan 1700 Vaquero.
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW: 2011/2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero
Pure fun—that’s how I describe my time test riding CSC Motorcycles’ 150cc bike. At first glance, you’d think the 240-pound two-wheeler is a scooter, but look again. It has a motorcycle-style frame (versus the step-through frame of a scooter) and a 5-speed manual transmission with a clutch that the rider must actuate to shift gears (versus the automatic transmission of a scooter).
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW WITH VIDEO: A 150cc Motorcycle That Can Go the Distance
Once in a while, a motorcycle is introduced that I believe has “woman rider” written all over it. The 2012 Harley-Davidson Dyna Switchback is one of those motorcycles. Why do I think this? Because it is a purpose-built touring motorcycle designed for riders who can’t or don’t want to handle the large touring motorcycles—and that description fits the majority of women riders.
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW: 2012 Harley-Davidson FLD Dyna Switchback, with Video
It makes a great trivia question: What Harley-Davidson has the lowest seat height? Well, up until 2010, it was the Fat Boy Lo, at 24.3 inches. But in 2011, Harley unveiled a mid-year release model—meaning it came out a few months after the other 2011 models were announced—and this motorcycle now lays claim to having the lowest seat height of any Harley-Davidson.
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW: 2011/2012 Harley-Davidson Blackline
When you think of Triumph, your mind may automatically go to the cute and nimble Bonneville or the sporty Daytona or Speed Triple. But during the last few years, this British company has been building up its stable of cruisers, knowing many Americans love laid-back cruising motorcycles.
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW: 2011/2012 Triumph America Thunderbird Storm, UPDATED WITH VIDEO