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
Kawasakis Ninja 250R has long been a popular choice for beginning riders who prefer the look of a sportbike but like a comfortable sit-up seating position. The smallest Ninja has been replaced for 2013 with a new 300cc platform featuring a slew of updates that promise the novice plenty of rideability and two-wheeled excitement to foster the learning process while ensuring the bike won’t be quickly outgrown.
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW: 2013 Kawasaki Ninja 300
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 2013 Moto Guzzi V7 is a completely new bike that Women Riders Now Editor Genevieve Schmitt believes women of smaller stature (among other types of riders) may be interested in because of its size, manageability and Italian heritage.
Moto Guzzi Unveils All-New 2013 V7
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
There’s a reason why so many women choose the Suzuki GSX-R600 when shopping for a sportbike. The chassis and seat are narrow and relatively low, allowing for an easy reach to the ground for even the shortest of riders (that includes me, at 5-foot-2). Throttle response is smooth but powerful enough to feed the jollies fluttering around in your stomach in anticipation of a ride on this bike.
MOTORCYCLE REVIEW: 2012 Suzuki GSX-R600
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