What's a good cruiser style motorcycle for women?

Question

I just got my motorcycle license and have NO CLUE what kind of bike to get. I am 5'9 and thin (not the most hefty or strong gal). I'm really intimidated by the heavier bikes. We rode some sort of Nighthawk in our class (i think honda?) and it was only a 250 I think. I looked at Harley but the only one I think I coud handle was the sportster and I don't like the way it looks plus I've heard its top heavy. I like the cruiser looking bikes, with the foot forward pegs. I looked at a honda shadow spirit online and like the way it looks but am thinking it's too heavy as wel. I don't know about any other bikes...so any suggestions most appreciated!

Answer 1

Look at the Vulcan LTD 500

http://www.motorcycleconnect.com/Kawasak...

or the Honda Shadow VLX

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery...

Answer 2

http://www.ridleymotorcycle.com/0eight/m...

A great womans bike.

Answer 3

i have a 06 honda shadow and i love it ps there not heavy t all

Answer 4

honda shadow vlx600 would fit you perfect. or a 883 hugger sportster

Answer 5

They're all good these days. Go to all the dealers, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and get the one that fits you best. Sit on it. make sure you can reach everything easily, take it for a ride, see how it feels. There are many great choices. I'm a Honda man myself, but I wouldn't mind riding any of the bikes from almost any bike manufacturer these days.  

Answer 6

Well, big thumbs up to a new rider (welcome to the club!), and it is always cool to see women join the club.  From reading your post, I get the feeling you don't have alot of previous experience with a bike, and got your license after taking the MSF course. So is your experience actually riding just from the course?    The reason I say that is that you are worried about the weight of a bike and someone with a little more experience would not be.   They use those little 250 dealies in the classes just because they are lighter, and easier for newbies to handle.  However, in the real world you WANT a heavy bike. The reason being is that on the freeway, a heavier bike is more comfortable to ride.  It won't get blown by the wind or passing semi's as easily, and the weight of the bike absorbs the bumps and other imperfections in the road.  

I know you are worried about the weight, everyone who first starts riding is worried about "how am I gonna handle the weight of this thing".  But trust me, with a little (not that much) experience you will know how to handle the weight, like knowing how to shift your weight and knowing how to use the throttle--the weight will not be an issue.   Of the bikes you mentioned, the sportster and the Shadow, neither one are really heavy bikes.  Probably in the 500 lb range.  A full dress Harley can top 800 lbs.  And to be truthful, any "real bike" (above 250 cc) is gonna have about the same weight, so you WILL have to get used to it.  If you want a lightweight bike you will have to deal with the 250cc suckers, and once you hit the highway you will realize how much they suck.

Another thing you should keep in mind, is where the weight is on the bike--in other words, whether it is topheavy or not.  To let you know, I have a Harley Sportster, and I also have a Yamaha V-star (yes I am a cruiser guy).  Everyone talks about how the Sportster is a great beginners bike, and I do not think it is.  I think it is a great bike, but a rider should have more experience before touching it. Why?  Because the way the bike is laid out, it has a high center of gravity, especially with the fuel tank filled.  It wants to tilt over on its side if you don't handle it correctly.    The Yamaha V-star has a lower seat height, and a lower center of gravity.  That definately affects the way the bike handles.  So if you are worried about weight, look for something with a low seat height and lower center of gravity.  You are a tall girl (5'9--I'm only 5'7) and could probably handle alot of bikes but having the weight lower down on the bike will make it easier for you to handle. When you go in a showroom, ask the salesperson to let you sit on the bike, and with your feet down and the bike off the stand try shifting the bike side to side just to see how the weight feels to you.  

The bikes I would recommend? Well you said you don't like the looks of the sportster, and I think it has a high center of gravity, so in Harley I would recommend a Softail (any softail, they are basically the same bikes).  They have really low seat heights (like 26 inches I believe) and a low center of gravity.  But they are pricey.

The Honda Shadow is a great choice.  Powerful, but not crazy sportbike powerful, comfortable, affordable, and reliable.  You can get used to the weight on it.

The other bike I would throw out is the Yamaha V-star. It is about 475 lbs or so (for the 650cc). Not too heavy really, but it has a softail rear end (the Shadow has traditional shocks) and is very low to the ground.  That makes the weight much easier to handle.  Just go to a Yamaha dealer and ask to sit on the bike and try shifting the weight beneath you.  It may seem like alot of weight for you, but you WILL get used to it.

I would also say you should check out the Kawasaki Vulcan but I don't have any experience with it, so I can't say much.  Good luck.

P.S. if you are in Socal, I can let you test ride my bike! ;)

Answer 7

The conclusions you have derived are quite alright.  One does get intimidated with all that weight, especially for a first time motorcycle.

The problem arises when we want one vehicle to do everything.  We want it to look good, be powerful enough to do the freeway and then we want it light enough to be manageable.  Unfortunately everything is not possible in one package.

If you desire lighter weight, I suggest you dump the idea of going for a V-twin cruiser that you are contemplating right now.  Yes I know, putting both feet on the ground is important but you will get that too on our regular motorcycle.

I suggest you have a look at the Honda single cylinder air cooled machines, particularly the CBF 250.  It is a good place to start.  They are fuel efficient and ultra reliable too !