Beginner Dirt Bikes For Women Riders
A warm welcome to our readers in yet another edition of Dirt Bike Guide for beginners. And in continuation with our discussion, today we are going to cover some of the best dirt bikes for beginner women riders.
So, if you are reading this, then it means that you are either interested in getting a beginner dirt bike for yourself, or you want to gift your wife/girlfriend a beginner bike so you can both have fun together on the trail.
But choosing a beginner dirt bike isn’t as simple as it may sound. Especially since you have tons of different options to choose from nowadays. And although that’s a good thing, it can be perplexing at the same time.
Moreover, you may have come across some inane suggestions to get yourself a 450cc or a much more powerful dirt bike. As enticing it may sound, we personally believe that it would be a big mistake to do so, unless it’s not fun and adventure you are looking for.
So below we have listed some of the most ideal dirt bikes for all female riders who are embarking on a new phase of their lives for the first time. This is why we have made this list to the point by including some of the most ideal machines that cater short, tall and totally inexperienced riders.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Best Beginner Dirt Bikes For Women
Kawasaki KLX 110R
The first one in our list is Kawasaki’s KLX 110R – a great entry-level dirt bike for (very) short female riders who are either transitioning from a pit bike or are just learning to ride for the first time.
And while it may look very small at first glance, both the frame as well as chassis of this 110R are extremely beefed up, allowing it to take a lot more abuse than any other similar capacity bike in the market.
Another reason for shortlisting the KLX 110R is because of its decade-old legacy. First introduced to the market in 2002, it is still going strong due to its price/performance ratio. And as an added bonus, you will not have any trouble finding replacement parts for this bike.
But don’t think that this dirt bike has remained unchanged for all these years. Rather, the 110R has been reworked and upgraded over the years to make it even more sportier as well as faster.
Speaking of the engine, it has a 112cc 4-stroke SOHC single cylinder air-cooled engine with a four-speed automatic clutch. As a result, a beginner will find it quite easy to transition from a fully automatic pit bike to a regular dirt bike.
One of the things that makes this bike especially suitable for short female riders is its 26.8-inch seat height. With such a low saddle height, female riders easily acquire the much-needed confidence to tackle unpaved trails.
And besides the 110R, this model is also available as KLX110R-L, with a higher seat height of 28.7 inches, a higher ground clearance of 10.4 inches and a manual clutch in case you wish to step-up a little from this beginner dirt bike.
Coming back to 110R, there is an electric kick-start button in addition to the kick start, an on/off switch with indicator, a 90mm mechanical front drum brake and a 110mm mechanical rear drum brake. So, you get everything an entry level bike should have without burning a hole in your pocket!
However, do keep in mind that these dirt bikes have relatively small engines that are hard to start in cold temperatures. But other than this minor problem, this bike is worth every penny. And as far as size goes, this bike can literally be utilized by any rider who is about 4’7″ or taller.
Base Price: $2,649
Highlights:
- Engine: 4-stroke single cylinder 112cc
- Transmission: 4-speed automatic clutch
- Fuel system: 18mm Keihin carburetor
- Front suspension: 30mm hydraulic telescopic fork
- Rear suspension: Swingarm with independent rear hydraulic
- Curb weight: 167.5 lb.
- Overall height: 37.6 inches
- Fuel tank capacity: 1.0 gal.
- Seat height: 26.8 inches
Yamaha TTR-125LE
With some really amazing entry-level bikes in their lineup, Yamaha is a great choice for female riders seeking a simple, yet enjoyable dirt bike to get their hands on for the first time.
The TTR-125LE, where the “L” stands for big wheel, is a very popular trail bike from Yamaha that has been around for many years now.
Back in 2000, Yamaha had many variants in this 125cc segment, including those with 17-inch front and 14-inch rear tires. At present, the TTR-125LE with 19-inch front and 16-inch rear tires is the only production model available in the trail segment (YZ125, YZ125X and YZ125 Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition fall under the cross country and motocross segments).
As for technical specs; it features a 124cc air-cooled SOHC four-stroke engine designed to deliver exceptional torque across all kinds of trails.
Moreover, a 5-speed manual clutch ensures maximum versatility and usable power delivery.
Another element that makes this bike appropriate for female riders is its front and rear sprocket ratio: The 125LE has 13 teeth at the front and 54 at the rear, which makes learning very easy owing to this low gear ratio.
And most importantly, these bikes are known for not stalling; Yamaha knows that things can get gnarly pretty quickly with beginners, so, with the TTR-125 LE, you are covered.
Utilizing its electric or kick start feature, you can start this dirt bike without a hitch. Plus, the 1.6-liter fuel tank holds enough to enjoy the dirt trails all through the day.
And aside from the big tires, you also get a lightweight aluminum swingarm, an adjustable suspension calibrated for aggressive riding, and a 220mm front disc brake. In addition, a seat height of just 32 inches makes this bike approachable to any beginner rider taller than 5’6″.
And last but not least, a ground clearance of 11 inches makes it a serious trail bike.
All in all, a superb engine that outputs great performance and is really fun to ride. Well worth some serious consideration if you are looking for a moderately powered entry level dirt bike.
Base Price: $3,349
Highlights:
- Engine: Air-cooled SOHC 4-stroke 124cc
- Transmission: 5-speed manual with heavy-duty clutch
- Fuel system: Mikuni® VM20 carburetor
- Front suspension: 31mm telescopic fork
- Rear suspension: Single shock absorber
- Weight (wet): 198 lb.
- Overall height: 42.7 inches
- Fuel tank capacity: 1.6 gal.
- Seat Height: 31.7 inches
Honda CRF125F
Just like Yamaha, Honda includes some really good entry-level dirt bikes in their line-up that are both comfortable as well as simple to ride, even for newbies. And it was in 2004 when Honda first introduced a 125cc engine to the market, rebuilding their existing CRF100F to meet the growing demands of riders.
Featuring a seat height of just 29.1 inches, this bike can be used by any adult who either is in a learning phase or has a short inseam length.
But make no mistake, this dirt bike is not just designed for short riders, as Honda also offers a version with big wheels!
The standard version has a 17-inch front and a 14-inch rear tire, while the big-wheel version comes with a 19-inch front and a 16-inch rear tire. This makes it a viable option for anybody seeking a dirt bike with decent power in order to improve their technical skills.
As for the technical specifications; the CRF125F is powered by an air-cooled 124.9cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine. It has a four-speed gearbox, a double valve and a fuel injection system. All of these attributes make for a very reliable trail bike that delivers a very smooth performance all around.
An additional plus on the CRF125F is its extremely smooth gearshift mechanism. In addition, the gear ratio is deliberately kept low to stimulate technical riding skills. Not only that, there is no abrupt stalling either, which facilitates the transition from automatic to manual dirt bikes quite effortlessly.
Plus, a 1-gallon fuel tank guarantees unlimited adventure on the trails. And there is an electric starter as well along with a side kick starter for cold starts.
Coming to the suspension; the 31mm telescopic fork upfront features 5.2 inches of travel whereas the Pro-Link® suspension at the back boasts 5.5 inches of travel. Together, they provide really smooth damping and make riding on the trail even more pleasant and comfortable.
As for its overall size, the standard model of the 125F is 29.1 inches tall (measured from the floor to the top of the seat), while the Big Wheel version is 1.8 inches taller than the standard version and has a seat height of 30.9 inches.
In comparison to the Yamaha’s TTR-125LE, the standard version is about 2.9 inches shorter, whereas the Big Wheel version is about 1.1 inches shorter. So, keep this in mind while making your decision.
And compared to the other dirt bikes in Honda’s lineup, the 125F is about 3.2 inches taller than the 110F, and if you look at the 150R, which is a step up from this entry-level dirt bike, you are actually about 3.7 inches shorter than that.
In short, this is an ideal dirt bike for anyone taller than 5’2”.
Base Price: $3,249
Highlights:
- Engine: 4-stroke, 124.9cc, air-cooled
- Transmission: 4-speed manual
- Fuel system: fuel injection, 22-mm throttle bore
- Front suspension: 31-mm telescopic fork
- Rear suspension: Pro-Link® single shock
- Curb weight: 194 lb.
- Ground clearance: 8.3 inches
- Fuel tank capacity: 1.0 gal.
- Seat Height: 29.1 inches
Honda CRF150R
Moving on to another brilliant dirt bike from Honda, we have the CRF150R. But before we get into technicalities, it’s important to understand the significance of the letter “R” at the end of the model’s name.
The last letter after the engine size in the model’s name indicates what the machine is actually designed for: So, in case of 125F, the “F” stands for Honda’s regular models or “Fun” models that can be used by almost anyone.
The “R” in CRF150R, on the other hand, stands for “Race”. This means that compared to the “F” family, they offer much more power and are also a step up in terms of performance. Consequently, these dirt bikes are a bit more expensive to buy and maintain.
Speaking about the 150R, it features a high-strength steel frame with large diameter frame tubing. As for suspension, up front you get a fully adjustable 37mm leading axle inverted Showa® cartridge fork, which features a low-friction design to improve compression as well as rebound control. Out back, Honda’s Pro-Link® rear suspension utilizes a fully adjustable Showa® shock with 10.7 inches of travel.
Moving on to the brakes, you get a single-piston caliper up front that rubs against a 220mm disc, whilst at the rear you get single-piston caliper with a smaller 190mm disc, in other words, a masterpiece from Honda Racing Corporation!
As for the engine, Honda employs a liquid-cooled 149cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine, a Unicam head with four valves, and a Keihin 32mm flat slide carburetor with throttle position sensor (TPS) that yields a compression ratio of 11.7:1. As a result, you get a cracking throttle response as well as the control you desire as a beginner or an intermediate rider.
Additionally, it features a 5-speed transmission with manual clutch mechanism, Kickstarter with internal auto decompression, a longer swingarm, and a taller seat to accommodate big riders.
Another good reason to consider this bike is because of the carbon steel crankshaft, designed to provide maximum durability over extended periods of time.
As for power, it outputs nearly 23.5 HP at 12,500 RPM and nearly 14 NMs of torque at 10,000 RPM. If you compare this power with Honda’s 250F, you will definitely be awe-struck. Besides, it only weighs 185 pounds!
All in all, if you are looking for an entry-level or an intermediate dirt bike that offers excellent torque and power, you simply wouldn’t be able to find anything better than the CRF150R.
Base Price: $5,249
Highlights:
- Engine: 4-stroke, 149cc, liquid-cooled
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Fuel system: Keihin 32mm carburetor
- Front suspension: 37mm fully adjustable leading-axle inverted Showa® cartridge fork
- Rear suspension: Pro-Link® single shock
- Curb weight: 185 lb.
- Ground clearance: 11.9 inches
- Fuel tank capacity: 1.11 gal.
- Seat Height: 32.8 inches
Yamaha YZ250FX
Moving on to our next dirt bike, we have the brand-new Yamaha YZ250FX. Specifically, this dirt bike is geared towards cross-country riding and can be utilized by anyone who is looking to switch from a lightweight dirt bike or a pit bike to a more performance-oriented motocross bike.
In fact, it has everything a rider needs to improve his or her skills and work towards their technical abilities.
Starting from the frame, the intake tract, the profile of the exhaust camshaft to its overall weight distribution, the most recent upgrades have made 250FX both more robust as well as agile. More importantly, it now comes with Yamaha’s Power Tuner app in order to configure and adjust fuel injection as well as ignition timing to meet the demands of more advanced riders.
And for newbies, there is an option to reduce the engine power in order to make it as good as beginner’s dirt bike.
In fact, everything about the new 250FX is amazing: it is much lighter than its predecessors, allowing for comfortable lean angles around corners, while at the same time offering a more phenomenal experience!
Another thing you will love about this bike is its suspension – we all know Yamaha packs some incredible forks and shocks in their models, and you won’t be disappointed with the 250FX either. Up front, there’s a KYB® suspension fork with speed-sensitive damping that is fully adjustable and offers 12.2 inches of travel. At the rear, there’s a KYB® single shock, which is also fully adjustable with 12.5 inches of travel.
As for the engine, the YZ250FX is powered by a 250cc liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke engine which is further equipped with 4 titanium valves that dazzles the onlookers with its off-road performance. In addition, the aluminum bilateral beam frame yields precisely tuned flex characteristics, meanwhile the upgraded engine mounts provide a very light feel to the rider while maneuvering.
Even the braking system will delight you: with a rigid caliper featuring a wider piston and an even more aggressive response owing to the 270mm front disc, there’s nothing left to chance. Added to this are Dunlop® Geomax MX33 tires that maximize traction in cross-country riding conditions.
Apart from that, the fuel tank has been increased by 0.2 gallons compared to its previous generations. And the good thing about this tank is that it isn’t bulky at all and goes more towards the rear of the bike to ensure a balanced ride.
All in all, it’s perfect in every way.
Base Price: $8,799
Highlights:
- Engine: Liquid-cooled DOHC 4-stroke 250cc
- Transmission: 6-speed manual with multiplate wet clutch
- Fuel system: Mikuni® fuel injection
- Front suspension: KYB® spring-type fork with speed sensitive damping
- Rear suspension: KYB® single shock
- Weight (wet): 245 lb.
- Overall height: 50.4 inches
- Fuel tank capacity: 2.2 gal.
- Seat Height: 37.6 inches
Kawasaki KX250
And finally, let’s wrap up our list with the all-new Kawasaki KX250.
We all know that Yamaha has set the bar pretty darn high with the new YZ250FX. In fact, when it comes to engines in the 250cc class, Yamaha has certainly been the most dominant brand in recent years. So, Kawasaki certainly kept this in mind before they launched their revamped KX250.
But before we get into the details, we would like to highlight some of the KX250F’s engine characteristics from 2012 to 2016.
KX250F offered the best overall performance in each of those five years (2012 to 2016), post which, demand dropped significantly due to its old-fashioned handling.
So, in 2016, the brand launched a revamped version that offered better handling and improved ergonomics. Still, Yamaha’s 250cc four-stroke engine was hard to beat at that time.
Later in 2020, Kawasaki engineers decided to replace the KX250’s low-to-mid powerplant with an all-new, high-revving, liquid-cooled 249cc DOHC four-stroke single cylinder engine. And while it didn’t have all the bells and whistles like Wi-Fi mapping, electric start or hydraulic clutch, but it did have a racer’s engine. In fact, it made the most peak horsepower in its segment and pulled up to 14,000 RPM with authority.
Moreover, what this dirt bike lacked in 2020, it received in the current version: An all-new electric start, a new hydraulic clutch and a new Belleville washer spring!
Furthermore, both the chassis and suspension have more precise handling. Added to this is its state-of-the-art Ergo-Fit interface system that allows a wide range of riders to feel confident as well as comfortable on this machine.
Plus, you get an adjustable handlebar mount that allows you to set it in 4 different positions.
Continuing with the suspension, you get a 48mm telescopic coil spring fork that features 23-way compression damping and 20-way rebound damping. So, in comparison to Yamaha’s 250FX, this became more of a performance machine.
As for the brakes, they have also been tweaked and are now much more responsive with 270mm disc up front and 240mm disc at the rear. So, as a beginner or an intermediate rider, you will find it much easier to maneuver around the sharp corners.
When it comes to tires, you get 21-inch Dunlop® Geomax MX33Fs up front and 19-inch at the back. And while their durability might not be great, you will certainly not complain about their grip or comfort.
Base Price: $8,499
Highlights:
- Engine: 4-stroke single, DOHC, liquid-cooled, 249cc
- Transmission: 5-speed with wet multi-disc manual clutch
- Fuel system: DFI® with 44mm Keihin throttle body and dual injectors
- Front suspension: 48mm inverted telescopic coil-spring fork
- Rear suspension: Uni-Trak® with dual-range compression damping
- Curb weight: 227.6 lb.
- Ground clearance: 13.6 inches
- Fuel tank capacity: 1.64 gal.
- Seat Height: 37.8 inches
Bottom line
As with many things in life, there are no right or wrong answers in the world of motorsports as well! Nor is there one ultimate dirt bike you can buy to get into this sport.
However, there are a few that you should avoid at all costs. So above all, as a beginner, remember to avoid purchasing the biggest engine or the most powerful dirt bike you can get your hands on. And by the biggest engine, we mean something like the 450ccs.
As a novice rider, opting for these big motocross bikes would be a bad idea. In fact, anything over 300cc is unlikely to be a good idea as a beginner or a less experienced rider.
For most adult men and women who are into the sport of off-road dirt biking, the best thing to do is purchase an affordable as well as a moderately powered dirt bike (such as those presented above).
And it does not matter whether you choose a brand-new bike or opt for a used one. The only thing that matters is that you or the person you are buying it for should be comfortable on it.
Hope you can make up your mind now and shortlist an ideal machine basis your skills. Good luck!
