what models of harley-davidson are considered "girl bikes" and are best for women?

Answer 1

Well, first to the queston of "girl bikes." This is a disparaging term by (usually) unknowledgeable Harley riders aimed at the Sportster due to its smaller engine displacement. It is also a relatively recent (within the last 10-15 years) development. I find it surprising and almost amusing, as the Sportster was the first "super bike," and was actually developed for open track competition during the mid-50s. It dominated the performance motorcycle sector until the mid-70s, especially on the street. The "big" Harleys back then (commonly known as 74s, for the 74 cu in/1200cc displacement), while excellent bikes, were much heavier, and not nearly as fast. Actually, the current sportsters do not seem as fast as those I rode in the '60s and 70s (they've been tuned down to meet EPA standards, etc., along with changes to the engine design), but they are still pretty quick. They are not really suitable for most women, though, as they are still based on a 1950's racing chassis, which is relatively tall, with a somewhat high center of gravity and seat height, as well as being somewhat stiffly sprung. Those factors do not lend the bike well to being a ride for small, light people. I've found the Softail series, with its low seat height, lower center of gravity, and softer springing, to be much better suited to women riders and smaller statured men. One caveat: I don't recommend any Harley as a "starter bike" for either men or women. The Sportster is, generally, too much for a beginner to handle (man or woman) in terms of performance, balance, etc., and the larger bikes are too powerful and heavy for beginners. Raw beginners should stick to a lighter (preferably used) japanese cruiser in the 300-500 lb, 250-600cc, or, if the rider has taken the MSF course and done well, possibly a 750 cc, with a low seat height, be it a Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, etc. and get a year or two of experience before they move into a larger, more powerful and heavier bike, no matter what the brand. These bikes are easier to handle, and much easier to pick up when dropped (and that is most likely going to happen a few times for a beginning rider), and damage from dropping such a bike is both less expensive and less "traumatic" than on a more expensive Harley.

Answer 2

I am a small female and I own a Heritage Softail Classic. This is the bike I used when I started and I was also taught how to ride on this bike. It is lower to the ground than a sportster. It is heaver but the weight is lower and seems more balanced a sportster is taller and slimmer. I was told by a guy that on a sportster because it is lighter it will get more "flighty" when you go fast. The Heritage Classic does not. The Classic has nice size saddlebags. I put engine guard bars on it so if I let it fall over it will not hurt the bike. As far as weight a sportster weighs a little over 400 pounds and a classic weighs around 700 pounds. Both are heavy. The engine guard bars will stop it from falling all the way over so it is not hard to get it back up.

Answer 3

No such thing. There are a lot of women who ride Harleys and good on them all. I have seen women on Sportsters all the way up to Ultra Classics. If you looking and money is an issue go with the Sportster however, be prepared to trade it in after a year only because you will want something a bit bigger. If I may suggest a bike, go with the soft tail class. It sit lower and have a lower center of gravity for better balancing.

Answer 4

The sporster is the lightest in the Harley family and comes in 2 different engine sizes. The smaller 883 and the larger 1200. If u prefer a more traditional looking Harley and don't want to be in the typical "I'm a girl and need a small bike" crowd look at the Dyna models. They don't have the bulk or weight of a bagger like the Ultra Classics and the Road King and are way easier to handle than the Fat Boy. Finally, if u want a more up to date, in the now look, check out the V-Rod models. They are an all around easy bike to ride. With they're low to the ground profile u won't have to reach for the ground.

Answer 5

Best Harley For A Woman

Answer 6

Harleys For Women

Answer 7

I've always heard that the Sportster line was more a girl's bike but basically you should choose the bike that is best for YOU. If you are more petite you should choose a lighter bike like a sportster or if you are a bit bigger and can handle the extra weight, a fat boy or even a dresser might be good. A reputable dealer will be able to help you fit a bike to your needs.

Answer 8

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what models of harley-davidson are considered "girl bikes" and are best for women?

Answer 9

The Pink Ones! LOL. No really, almost any Harley can be configured to be great for women riders. The secret for most is to get a lowering kit for the bike so that ladies with shorter legs can reach the ground more easily. Women may also want to have shorter front forks installed and may want to have handle bars which pull back further towards the seat to make reaching them not as uncomfortable. One of the more popular models seems to be the Dyna Low Rider. This particular Harley starts off lower to the ground, is a comfortable ride and doesn't take as much modification initially to be comfortable for ladies who want to buy a bike and hit the open road. Some peopls say sportsters are better for women, but most of the women I know who are serious riders do not like the sporties because they can ride a lot rougher than they really want. The engine mounts make the bike ride rougher. I know a wife of a friend of mine who had a brand new sporster 1200 and rode it from NM to CA and traded it back in as soon as she got back from the ride. It left her very stiff and sore for more than 2 weeks and she is a seasoned rider. She went to a Dyna and now loves the bike and has no more problems with vibration, discomfort, etc.

Answer 10

i know women personally that ride road kings, fat boy's, low riders, electra glides, and heritage's. if u feel comfy on that bike, it's ur's. it depends on what u really want to do. if u want to slam the twisties hard, a manuverable bike should be bought; low rider's, sportster's, wide glide's, deuce's. if u want to run xtra long distances, and most of these miles are on the interstate, u'd be better off with a bagger or a road king. the newest bike harley added is the nightster. it's a 1200 sportster with a seat height of only 25". quite a few softail and dyna models except dyna wide glide has the same seat height.
the nightster would be cheaper than a low rider, and would be just as manuverable in terms of lean angle. the difference would be, the low rider would have a bigger engine than the sporty, but that also means that it will drink more gas. besides the buell's, the wide glide's has the most lean angle of harley's....if u have the guts to push it over that far.