motorcycle riding 4 women..... is this right?

Question

i'm planning 2 buy a harley davidson 1 day (a heritage softail classic), but i've heard that not all motorcycles can be ridden by women, that the seat or size or whatever isn’t made 4 a woman's body.

is that true?

keep in mind, i'm 5'3". thnx.

Answer 1

Well as everyone has said, size and gender have nothing to do with riding. You just have to look out the windshield of your car to see women on bikes and I will say most seem to be on Harley's. Everything on every bike is adjustable either by stock adjustment, aftermarket parts or fabrication. When you get around to buying that Heritage you can make it fit you with a lowering kit or adjustable shocks to bring the rear down, narrower seat, a rake on the front end to bring it down and other options. But be warned you lose ground clearance when you lower the bike. I have an FXST and can catch the frame and pipes at stock height. I've ridden a FatBoy and found it tough to keep the running boards off the asphalt in turns and it was stock.
I don't know you situation, if you've been riding and the Heritage is your ultimate bike. Or if you're thinking of a first bike. In the case of a first bike the Heritage might be a little cumbersome. The Sportsters are lighter and easier to handle as are the smaller Japanese bikes. They both share the same downside, resale. In my opinion the best way to go is with a used Japanese bike for a first bike. Least amount to get started and lower loss at resale just as in you didn't start out with as much. There's enough in getting the riding experience, traffic, animals, road conditions, weather and so on. You're best not wrestling with control of the bike you're on when developing the skills and experience.
When you've gotten comfortable with ridding and, if you don't already, have you license you can rent different bikes from many Harley dealers and that way you'll get an idea on what you need to do to make the Heritage fit you.
Good luck. In the end I'm sure you'll make many new friends and have a lot of good times.

Answer 2

I'm 5' 3" and ride a Harley Fat Boy, my third one, 6th Harley, 9th bike. I've been riding for 27 years. A woman can ride any bike she wants, as long as it "fits" her. Being able to touch flat footed, able to hold it up, etc. I've ridden the Heritage, and it's simple to ride. Much easier than the Sportster, which, by the way, is a tall bike. (I had a 1988, 1200 Sporty) I've also owned 2 Lowriders, which are fun to ride, but due to the rake, can be a bit tough riding at slow speed while turning, i.e., parking lots, etc. As others have said, I'm not sure I'd recommend a Harley as a first bike, (if this is your first one) I'd start out with a smaller bike, like a Honda Rebel. MOST of all, TAKE the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course. They'll teach you the correct way to ride. Enjoy!!

Answer 3

BULL!!!!!
I have ridden motorcycles that have punished parts of my body, and I'm a guy.

I took the MSF ERC in April of this year, and there was a woman about 5' tall taking the class as well. She was riding this big Indian motorcycle that made all the Harleys look like scooters, and my scooter looked like a mini-bike.

Don't let anyone tell you that any bike isn't built for a woman. Motorcycles are not gender specific. The bike you have in mind may or may not be to big for you, but only you can determine this and no one else. Go try one out.
Ride Safe

Answer 4

The heritage classic has a very low seat (around 23in.) and you could replace it with a seat that would be lower and narrower. The real problem is the weight of the bike. If you are experienced at riding cruiser weight bikes it should be no problem. I know several women who ride softail harleys, and they don't seem to have any problem. If you aren't an experienced rider, I would caution you to start on a lighter bike until you are comfortable with handling a motorcycle.

Answer 5

You could ride a Heritage, they are pretty low.
It's not the bike to learn on though.
Learn on a smaller ,lighter , less expensive bike.
Aside from the fact that you'll want to develop technique on an easier to handle "stepping stone" bike, if and likely when the bike is dropped while learning, it's not the big deal that dropping a 650-700 lb., Harley might be.

I always suggest learning on a bike you don't care about.
Then once you have some miles behind you, buy a your " Keeper".

Answer 6

Your gender has nothing to do with it. Some bikes have higher seats than others. Someone with short legs on a tall seat could have a problem supporting the bike at stops. You'll need to go to your Harley dealer and sit on one to find out if it's the right height for you. The Harley you're looking at should work for you, but go sit on one to be sure. Also when checking out bikes, be sure your reach to the handlebars is comfortable, or you may have to get different bars.

Answer 7

Its very much not true.

While its not easy riding a bike that's too tall, it certainly can be done.

However, no Harley as at all suitable as a first bike - way too heavy, even for a big man. In most countries learners are limited to small bikes - usually 250cc, but smaller in some countries.

This is because until you're used to it the weight and power of even a medium-sized bike is way too dangerous - as proven by accident statistics before and since learner limits were introduced.

With Harleys the power isn't as dangerous as with other bikes - they don't make a lot, and what they do have is torque rather than revs, so its a lot safer than with other bikes. However they certainly have weight - and heaps of it.

Answer 8

My mother before she had me used to work for Suzuki etc and had her own motorbike not a Harley though mind you.

Anyway back to your query:

I think it'd be best if you try out what bikes you like to see if you can handle the weight, because it'd be horrid if you got stuck in a situation where the bike fell on top of you for example.

Answer 9

Any bike can be altered by chainging the seat, risers, bars, lowering the suspension & forks, moving the pegs, etc., etc., etc. So no, the statement is not true. What you have to decide is how much you want to spend making a bike just right that might not be that way off the showroom floor.

Answer 10

If your heart is set on a Harley, Go to some Harley dealerships and sit on some bikes. Ask a salesman for assistance and recommendations for your small stature.