When I first started riding motorcycles, there was a HUGE learning curve. Honestly, there were times it felt completely overwhelming. But over the years I’ve learnt a lot of tips and tricks as a female motorcycle rider and I want to share them here with you. So, whether you’re a complete beginner to motorbikes or need a refresher, I hope you find it useful!
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The truth about being a female motorcycle rider
Ok, let’s get the obvious stuff out of the way first. The bike doesn’t give a f*&k what gender you are. It’s not going to react any differently whether you’re a guy or a girl.
But WE are built differently to guys. We have boobs, and hips, and often shorter legs. The way we sit on a bike or control a bike may well be different to how a man might do it.
And that’s ok! There are THOUSANDS of female bikers who ride every day without issue. It’s not a problem. But a man’s advice on how to ride may not work as well for you as a woman who’s been riding a while. Like me… 👇
If we’ve not met before, hi! I’m Kat and I’ve been riding motorcycles for 10+ years. During that time I’ve ridden thousands of miles around the UK, Europe and USA. I’ve also ridden loads of different styles of motorcycle and, whilst I’m tall with ridiculous long legs (which often don’t fit on a bike!), my best riding friend is 5’1 and can barely touch the ground with her little legs.
So don’t worry girl, I got you. I’ll be sharing tips for everyone, no matter your age, height or experience level. I’m going to split this into two parts- tips for keeping you safe and confident while riding, and then some extra tips for motorcycling which you may (or may not) find useful!
Right, let’s dive on in…
How to balance on a motorcycle when you have little legs
This is one of THE biggest questions I get asked by female bikers, and it’s REALLY important. You MUST be able to touch the ground with at least one foot when you’re at a stop light. Don’t even try to go riding if you can’t do this.
Some girls balance on their toes. I prefer to have a flat foot on the ground, especially if it’s been raining or the ground is icy, but I appreciate that might not always be possible.
One important thing to remember is put down the leg AWAY from the kerb. In the UK, this is the right leg. In the USA or Europe, it’s the left. This is because the road slopes down towards the kerb, so that side is FURTHER AWAY from you than the side closest to the middle of the road.
If you have long legs, it doesn’t matter so much, but if you need every cm you can get, go towards the middle. You can also lean your bike slightly into the centre of the road, but be very careful you’re inside your lane and won’t get clipped by other traffic.
Pulling away at slow speeds (without wobbling)
I struggled with this for AGES. I’d wobble around until I got going and felt both unsafe and stupid, especially with loads of traffic behind me at the lights.
Two tips to help combat this.
- Keep your foot down for a few seconds longer. I always keep the foot I’ve had down to rest on hanging off the bike for a couple of seconds. I lift it up so it’s not dragging on the floor, but it’s there as a last-second support if I wobble.
- It sounds (and feels!) counter-intuitive, but use a little bit more throttle when pulling away. Not crazy, boy racer speeds, but you need enough speed ti get stable quickly. Being slow isn’t going to help that. Speed also allows you to get out of danger, if a car behind starts to move and forget’s you’re there. Best to be well out of the junction before you get shunted.
- BONUS TIP: Go somewhere quiet and practice. A lot. I used an industrial estate after hours and spent ages going around and around practicing corners and pulling away. It really does help.
Pick the right bike for you
Many people believe female motorcycle riders should start with a ‘small bike’.
Personally, that drives me nuts. My first bike was a 650cc (Suzuki Bandit) and my current bike is a Kawasaki ZX6R. I did most of my motorcycle touring on a 900cc Triumph Scrambler.
You do NOT have to start with a 125cc or 250cc (unless you do for legal reasons, of course!) Worry less about the size of the bike engine and more about how you FEEL on it.
- Can you grip the tank properly with your thighs?
- Can you put your feet down and stop safely? (At least one of them!)
- Can you pick it up if you drop it?
- Do you LOVE it?
Don’t let anyone tell you what you SHOULD be doing; do what feels right for you. If you’re not sure, get advice from a motorcycle garage or close friend.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you’re in a garage who’s ignoring you or treating you like an idiot because you’re a girl, go elsewhere. You deserve better and I promise there are decent showrooms around who welcome female motorcycle riders.
Learn to pick up your bike
Urgh. I know. This bit sucks. But it’s vital for your confidence as a rider. Because, at some point, you WILL drop your bike. Probably in front of a lot of judgemental idiots who’ll laugh at you (sorry, but I’m keeping it real.)
The fact is that anyone who has been riding for any length of time has dropped their bike. I’ve dropped mine twice. At least if you can pick the thing back up again, it makes it a little easier to handle. Although, yes, you’ll feel like crap for a while. Sending you a huge hug xx
There are plenty of Youtube videos about how to pick up a bike and lots of different methods. It will mainly depend on the type of bike you have and also how strong your arms/ back/ legs are. Keep practising- you’ll get it eventually I promise.
If (when) you do drop your bike, be sure to check it mechanically. You’ll probably have some cosmetic damage, but it’s important to know the bike isn’t badly damaged internally before you go on any long rides. If you’re not sure, ask a garage to check it for you.
Keep important details & Numbers to hand
- If you breakdown, who do you call?
- If you have a crash, what do you do?
- If you are in an accident and are unconscious, who should the emergency services phone?
This is called a Disaster Recovery Plan and it’s incredibly useful to have as a biker.
Make sure you have the number of your breakdown/ insurance company or guardian angel with you. Many people keep them on a bit of paper- you could even tape this under your seat or put it in a panier. This is in case your phone dies- at least you’ve still got the details and, if you do damage your bike, you know who to call to get it collected.
Carry a note somewhere obvious with your name, blood type and an emergency contact (NOT your home address)- many people put this note in the waterproof bit on their tank bags. It can also be carried on you; next to your phone or wallet is a good spot.
Also, some motorcycle helmets have a system which allows you to include this information – the emergency services are trained to look for this should they need to.
Ride defensively- like you’re invisible
THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP YOU WILL EVER GET: Assume no-one else on the road has seen you. Because they probably haven’t.
If you ride defensively, it’s easier to spot cars waiting to pull out, people doing crazy u-turns, vans about to open their doors or cyclists who swerve into the road.
The scary fact is that nearly 40% of accidents involving a motorcycle are caused by another vehicle. Most car drivers are never really taught to look out for motorcycles or bicycles and it’s up to you to avoid them as much as you can.
Some of the best tips I’ve learnt for riding defensively include:
- Rev to get attention. If you see a car waiting to pull out and you don’t think they’ve seen you, pull in your clutch and rev the throttle loudly to make noise and bring their attention to you (try not to do this at night in a residential area though!)
- Don’t ride in a blind spot. The old adage ‘if you can’t see my mirrors I can’t see you‘ is really helpful with this
- However, you CAN ride with your headlight flashing in their wing-mirror. This is especially useful at night and will help them notice you
- Don’t follow another vehicle too closely, just in case they brake without warning
Ride for YOU
The first thing my motorcycle instructor told me was ‘you ride for yourself’. This meant that even if he went across at a junction, that didn’t mean it was safe for me to go.
You MUST ride with your own safety and comfortability in mind- always.
If you’re riding with other people and they’re going too fast, either ask if you can lead so they stay behind you, or tell them you’ll meet them at the next stop. Don’t ever feel pressured to go faster.
If you’re touring, don’t head straight for the crazy mountain roads as a beginner- give yourself time to build your abilities and confidence (this is one of the craziest mountain roads we’ve ever ridden on!)
Be alert and aware of what’s going on around you. If another biker comes past you and overtakes a car, that doesn’t mean you have to overtake the car. Ride at your own comfort level.
What to wear as a female motorcycle rider
I’m a girl. I ride motorcycles. I like to ride fast (where appropriate officer!). I do NOT subscribe to the girls riding whilst wearing tank tops or tiny shorts crap, but I do like to look cute when I stop- rather than my hair looking like a rats nest and makeup streaked down my face.
If that’s not you, no worries. Feel free to skip to the next section. ☺️
Choosing the right motorcycle gear as a female biker
Like I mentioned at the beginning of this post, some things in the motorcycle world are fairly unisex. Some aren’t- and motorcycle clothing is one of those.
Sure, boots and gloves are pretty unisex and you can choose to wear men’s trousers or jacket, but we have boobs. And hips. If you want your clothing to fit properly, you’re going to want a ladies cut.
Sadly, female motorcycle clothing is WAY behind mens in terms of options, but it is getting a lot better. Still, I had to buy 4 different sets of biker leathers before finding the right one for me- so it’s definitely a game of patience. Once you find a brand which suits you, you’ll probably be loyal to them for life.
Whether you want proper leathers, or a jacket and leggings for summer riding, make sure it is made from protective material and include armour/ kevlar in the appropriate places. Make sure you can move your arms properly- you don’t want a jacket so tight you feel restricted.
Also, make sure your trousers cover your back when you’re riding. The first few pairs I tried left my back exposed as the jacket rode up.
Motorcycle Boots
I see many bikers riding in trainers and, while that’s not illegal, you can do better. For a start, there are plenty of cute biker boots for women. Ideally, make sure the boots cover your ankles AND make sure you’re protected from hot exhausts (this will depend on your bike model.)
Dress for success, not sexiness
*Rant alert*
If you come off the bike, any skin which is exposed will hit the tarmac. It will be scarred. Badly. DO NOT ride a motorcycle in a tank top, or a short skirt or a bikini (I mean, seriously, WHY?!)
Please wear decent clothing with proper armour and material which will have a chance of protecting you should the worst happen.
Many people assume that motorcycle gear is expensive and ‘ugly’, but I promise there is cute female biker gear out there. It also doesn’t need to be expensive- online stores are competitively priced and gear for female bikers is getting much more accessible. Besides, motorcycle gear makes GREAT gifts for female motorcyclists– add it to your wishlist and get the one(s) you want.
Ok, rant over.
Choosing a motorcycle helmet
It goes without saying that a helmet is important, but the one you choose very much depends on personal preference.
I prefer a full face helmet. I’ve ridden with an open-faced one and hated how exposed I felt. I’ve also ridden without one for 3 hours in the Florida Quays and HATED that. I now always wear a helmet- even if it’s not required by law.
Buying a motorcycle helmet online can be difficult because it MUST fit properly. If it’s your first time, or if you’re debating buying a new brand, going into a shop is best to make sure you get the right size for you. Remember that helmet size has nothing to do with body height or shape. I’m 5’11 and yet wear a small size helmet.
RELATED: If you’re into colour, we’ve reviewed 10 of the best pink motorcycle helmets here so you can buy with confidence.
Don’t Wear Loose Clothing or accessories
Pretty scarfs may look cute, but they will probably come loose while you’re riding and will drive you crazy (dangerous – your attention needs to be on the road). Neck gaiters or buffs are much more practical- you can get really cute ones to match your biker leathers or your bike.
The same goes for anything else loose- satchels, skirts (see rant above), ribbons etc. Make sure everything is tied up and secured.
Dealing with long hair and motorcycling
If you have short hair, you will never understand the struggle of trying to get somewhere on a motorcycle and take your helmet off without your hair looking like you’ve been pulled backwards through a hedge.
Heck, half the time you might have bits of an actual hedge in your hair!
I don’t recommend riding a motorcycle with your hair completely loose- it will become both a mess AND a distraction.
Also, you don’t want to do anything which will be uncomfortable inside your helmet. A high ponytail looks cute, but the band can dig into your head with the helmet on. Same for bobby pins, grips or pretty clips. Also, don’t secure your hair too tight that it pulls- that’s uncomfortable.
Some people swear by hair wraps (I use one on longer rides), but mainly I just plait it and appreciate the ‘wavy’ look when I take it out. I sometimes go for low pigtail plaits, which are cute but can flap in the wind, and I once tried a side pony- which drove me nuts!
I also carry a teeny tiny hairbrush in my thigh bag if I’m going to an event or somewhere I need to look vaguely presentable!
NOTE: If you’re a female motorcycle rider doing a track day, you’ll need to tuck your hair inside your jacket to ensure it won’t get caught and snap your neck if you come off at high speed. The easiest way to do this is put your hair inside BEFORE you zip your jacket up- trying to tuck it down afterwards is a pain is the…neck.
Wearing Makeup as a female biker
So, further to my rant above, you do NOT have to wear makeup to be a female motorcycle rider.
However, having said that, I almost always wear makeup- that’s just part of who I am. The trick is to find makeup which doesn’t smudge when you’re riding- there’s nothing worse than taking off your helmet and discovering you look like a sad panda.
The worst culprit is mascara and eye liner. You want to find ones which are 24h wear- ideally waterproof.
Foundation is also an issue because it comes off inside your helmet. I prefer to use concealer as I don’t need so much coverage but again, find one which doesn’t budge in water and it should be fine on a motorcycle.
If you do wear makeup (or sweat a lot), you’ll want to clean the inside of your helmet regularly to stop it going mouldy. You can buy helmet lining spray from any good motorcycle accessory shop.
More tips for female motorcycle riders
We’ve covered the basics for safety and comfort, but here are some other important tips for female bikers:
Learn To Do your Motorcycle Maintenance Yourself
The sad fact is that some garages (both for cars and bikes) assume that, as a woman, you don’t have a clue about anything mechanical. And then they try to abuse that.
It drives me nuts.
For this reason, I think it’s important for every female motorcycle rider to be able to do the basics on her bike- or at least understand them enough to know if the work has been done properly.
Things like:
- Checking oil/ fluid levels
- Cleaning and maintaining the chain
- Checking tyre tread and pressures
- Cleaning the bike
Your motorcycle manual is a great resource- many companies include exactly what is needed and how frequently. You can also use resources like Google and Youtube to find out HOW to do the jobs.
If you come across any you can’t do or are unsure of, ask a biker you trust to show you.
It also helps to find a garage you trust. We got lucky with our Triumphs; the showroom has a garage attached and the mechanics there are fantastic. I can drop my bike in if I’m worried about something, get them to fix it and ask them questions until I understand (I’m sure I drive them nuts!)
Don’t be scared to ask questions or ask to be shown- no decent mechanic will have a problem with that.
Join a motorcycle club
One of the best ways to meet other female bikers is to join a motorcycle club. There are plenty around for women who ride alone, and it’s a great way to meet up and make some new friends. If you find a good club, you might also find people to go on touring holidays and motorbiking adventures with!
Practice, Practice, Practice
The more you practice, the better you’ll become AND the more confident you’ll feel. I was a nervous motorcycle rider and practicing manoeuvres over and over again was one of the best ways to build up my confidence.
Ideally, go by yourself or with a trusted friend. Find somewhere quiet where you can go over things as many times as you like. As mentioned previously, I highly recommend an industrial estate after closing time. It has mini roads and junctions to practice all the slow, awkward things which make us feel uncomfortable on a bike.
Don’t overshare on social media
If you’re motorcycle touring, one of the best ways to share the adventure with friends, family, or anyone interested is on social media (you can follow us on Instagram here)
However, it’s important that you don’t give away your real-time location. This is especially important if you are solo motorcycle touring. Don’t share where you are whilst you are there; wait until you have left or are about to leave before posting your location and photos.
Similarly, don’t share where you are planning to go next. Sadly, you just don’t know who’s reading or what their intentions might be.
If you want to make sure someone knows where you are, you can share your location with them via an app like ‘Find my Friends’- that way someone can find you should things go awry and an accident happens.
Do you have any more awesome tips for female motorcycle riders? Drop them in the comments below so we can all benefit.
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Kat has spent years touring the UK and Europe by motorcycle, car and motorhome. It was the idea of motorcycle touring which pushed her to go from nervous new biker to excited explorer and she still can’t believe some of the crazy mountain roads she’s ridden!
She has owned several bikes, with her favourites being a Triumph Scrambler for long rides and her current speed demon- a ZX6R (both purple!) Whilst she loves to travel, her favourite thing is to help other bikers (both male and female) gain the confidence to have their own epic adventures. Ride safe!
It’s so good to see all the women bikers sharing information. I would like to share something that a fellow biker taught me. When you go to purchase your leather jacket that you will be riding in, always take a hoodie to put on and wear while at the store when trying the jackets on.
this is a great tip. I did not do this and mine is a bit tight when zipped up because I tried it on in a long sleeve T shirt which I don’t wear when it’s cold.
Thanks for the maintenance tip on here. Had no idea chain had to be maintained. Dealership only told me about tyre pressure.
You’re my height with the same inseam. I have tried on, bought online and sent back too many pairs of pants to count. Spent more on return shipping than a pair of proper motorcycle jeans cost.
Could you please let me know where you got yours? I’d really rather not have to have them custom made.
Hi Claudia. Sure. I got my summer leggings from Moto Girl (they’re fab) and my leathers for track days are Held (2 piece which zip together.) Thanks for the idea- I’ll do a post on it sometime soon 🙂
Awesome and insightful post. You are a legend. Thank you 🌸
Awww- glad it was helpful. Thank you for your kind comment 🙂
What a fun and highly informative read. Now that you’ve mentioned it, it is really true that the market is now flooded with a plethora of gears varying in terms of style, color, etc. The market has also learned to be flexible with what they offer. This could be why beginners at riding would think gears are only a waste of money, and so on and so forth. Your line “Dress for success, not sexiness” leaves a mark.