motorcycle girls

What Are the Cons of Being a Girl on a Motorcycle?

What Are the Cons of Being a Girl on a Motorcycle?

As a man, you will never be able to experience what a woman motorcycle rider has to go through regularly. It is not easy to be a woman rider. Motorcycle riding is substantially more difficult than driving a car. Learning motorcycling and becoming a better and safer rider can take a lot of time.


A woman has to endure all the struggles if she wants to ride a motorcycle. However, as soon as she hits the road on a motorcycle, she also has to face a lot of judgment and criticism, which makes riding more challenging for a girl or woman.


Riding a motorcycle is not only a manly thing. Women are also entitled to use roads and ride motorcycles. They can get a license and start riding a motorcycle.


As of today, the number of girls riding motorcycles is increasing. Motorcycling is becoming a very popular mode of transport among women. Many female celebrities and professional stunt performers ride motorcycles like experts.


Though the motorcycling landscape is continuously evolving, and the motorcycling culture now accepts female riders, there is still discrimination. Continue reading this article to learn about the cons of being a girl on a motorcycle.

1. What Are the Cons of Being a Girl on a Motorcycle?

The cons of being a girl on a motorcycle are many. The issue is quite serious in some parts where there is little to no acceptance of girls riding a motorcycle. It is important to pinpoint the cons of being a girl on a motorcycle if they are to be resolved. The potential cons of being a girl on a motorcycle include:

1.1 Negative Remarks and Passing Judgements

Most female riders face negative remarks about being motorcyclists. The comments may not be audible, but it is common for most people to also pass judgment when they see a girl riding a motorcycle.


Unfortunately, motorcycling is still considered only what a man can do. It is difficult for people sticking to the tradition to accept girls riding a motorcycle. Such negative remarks and judgments can shatter the confidence of female riders.


Such an attitude is also bad for the spirit of motorcycling. The motorcycling community will never be able to flourish until there are people who discourage women riders.

1.2 Risk of Harassment

This is unfortunate, but even in the 21 st century, female riders still have to face harassment. It is even worse than dealing with the discrimination by women riders. Being a motorcycle rider, a girl is supposed to learn how to ride safely. If she has to be worried about the harassment while being on the road, her safety is compromised.


Though the change is quite evident, and more and more people are accepting female riders, the risk still cannot be denied. The risk of harassment has to be the top issue that needs to be resolved. Otherwise, we will never be able to make motorcycling safe for women riders.

1.3 Lack of Suitable Motorcycle Options

Lack of Suitable Motorcycle Options

The motorcycle market in the U.S. lacks suitable motorcycle options for girls. If you are a girl who wants to start riding a motorcycle, you will find it extremely difficult to find a suitable motorcycle. Female riders are left with very few motorcycle options to choose from. Most of the motorcycles that you will find suitable require experience and expertise.


Finding a perfect fit that suits your riding skills and stature can take longer for women riders. Not being able to find the best fit can compromise their safety and comfort.

1.4 Difficulty Finding Riding Gear

Another difficult task for a woman rider is to find the perfect-sized motorcycle riding gear. As motorcyclists, we all know how important riding gear is. You are not safe without proper motorcycle riding gear. It plays a crucial role in keeping you safe and protected from getting injured or dying in a motorcycle crash.


You may wear motorcycle riding gear not particularly made for you, but you will compromise your safety. The lack of riding equipment and gear designed particularly for female riders, based on their build and stature, makes riding unsafe.


For example, wearing a leather jacket and pants that don't fit you will continue to make you feel uncomfortable. Wearing a wrong-sized helmet will keep on distracting you during the ride. You may also experience helmet buffeting that pushes your head backward.

1.5 Vulnerability

Vulnerability

Women are considered physically vulnerable, particularly while riding a motorcycle. Most American motorcycles are large and bulky, making them difficult to ride, handle, and manage, particularly for vertically challenged women riders.


Female riders are therefore considered to be at a greater risk of having a motorcycle accident. Due to being vulnerable, they are also more prone to get severely injured or even die in a motorcycle crash.


For this reason, women riders are expected to get more professional training and experience riding on roads. With more professional training, they can learn advanced riding skills and develop better road sense and riding skills.


Due to being more vulnerable, female motorcycle riders must adopt a better defensive riding approach.

1.6 Lack of Road Sense

As more men than women ride motorcycles , they have better road sense. Road sense is a crucial factor when it comes to riding safety. If you have better road sense, you can read the road and predict the moves of other road users.


Men motorcycle riders are more reactive and know what to do in a particular situation while riding. They know how to escape an emergency that arises during a motorcycle ride.


Meanwhile, women riders are a bit slow when reacting to a particular situation. The less trained female riders with less riding experience are unlikely to deal successfully with challenging situations while riding.

1.7 Societal Expectations

Another barrier that demotivates female riders is society's traditional views of women. According to such traditional beliefs, motorcycling is not for girls. They should sit in the passenger seat and let their men ride the motorcycle.


Such societal expectations from a woman can make women riders lose confidence. They can also make female riders quit motorcycling or put them in a self-doubt.


However, there are still many women riders who ride confidently while carrying the load of traditional societal expectations. To all those confident girls on a motorcycle, you must not take the burden. Ride freely and confidently. This is how you stay safe and enjoy riding a motorcycle.

1.8 The Constant Need for Approval

As a girl on a motorcycle, you must constantly prove to others that you can ride a motorcycle. Just like a male prospect is expected to prove himself to become a part of a motorcycle club, a female rider has to prove herself to be a part of the motorcycle community.


Due to this constant urge to prove yourself a motorcyclist, a girl on a motorcycle may start doing things above her skill level. For example, she may start riding at high speed or make dangerous turns while riding. It may be okay if you are experienced, but if you are trying to be what you are not, it can have a disastrous outcome.

1.9 Require More Stuff to Carry

Require More Stuff to Carry
Photo Credit: Yahoo Autos

It is common with girls to carry more stuff with them wherever they go. This is why they usually carry a handbag. The stuff can include cosmetics, chargers, skincare, and a range of other products as well. Similarly, if you are planning to travel on a motorcycle, you will require more stuff to carry.


This is not usually a hurdle for female riders, as modern-day bikes come with luggage mounts. You can install luggage bags on your motorcycle, including saddlebags, tank bags, siss bar bags, and much more. However, it can sometimes be frustrating for women riders as they have to pack a bag every time before they go for a ride.

1.10 Becoming a Tomboy

Women's dress and fashion also don’t go with motorcycling. Being a girl on a motorcycle who uses a bike as a means of transport to go to work, she will need to make a lot of effort after reaching the office. The hairstyle is completely messed up after the ride.


It is common for most female riders to start dressing up like a man. It is better to wear jeans and a T-shirt so all you need is to only wear a leather jacket on top, gloves, and a helmet to always be ready for a ride. You can save yourself time if you become a tomboy. To avoid having a messed up hairstyle every time you remove your helmet, some female riders also opt to have short hair.


Being a girl on a motorcycle, you also become tough and strong. You may even grow some muscles to handle and manage heavyweight motorcycles.

1.11 Difficult to Find a Group

Difficult to Find a Group
Photo Credit: The Girl On A Bike

It is not always possible to find other women riders so you can ride together in a group. This is because there is a lack of representation of female riders in the motorcycling community. If you like riding in a group, you may end up in a group of male riders and eventually become a tomboy.


Even if you end up in a group of male riders, make sure that you know who you are riding with. Choose a company that you can trust.

2. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

2.1 Is It Difficult for a Girl to Ride a Bike?

Riding a motorcycle is more complex than driving a car. It doesn’t matter whether the rider is a girl or a boy—it is equally challenging for both. However, as you gain experience and get training, you become a better and safer rider.


If you are a girl who wants to start riding a motorcycle, it is better to start with a small-displacement bike. It is also better to take a safety riding course and learn the basics of riding first. Before you hit the road, ensure you are adequately trained and skilled.


If you are vertically challenged or unable to balance or manage a heavy bike, go for lightweight motorcycles.

2.2 Which Motorcycle Is Best for a Girl?

If you search for it, you can find many motorcycles that are suitable for girls. It is better and safer for a girl to start with a small, lightweight, and easy-to-ride motorcycle. There are minimotos from notable motorcycle brands that can suit girls. Motorcycles like the Honda Grom, Honda Rebel 300, Kawasaki Z125 Pro, and Honda Navi are great examples of small motorcycles perfect for girls.

2.3 What Are Some Pros of Being a Girl on a Motorcycle?

Though there may be many disadvantages, being a girl on a motorcycle also has some pros. These include:

  • First, you become a leader and an inspiration for many girls who wish to ride motorcycles.
  • There are also many events hosted specially for women riders where they can showcase their motorcycle riding talents and abilities.
  • As a woman, if you choose to ride, you are different and unique from many women.
  • If the one you love is also a motorcyclist, you can make a perfect couple who enjoys riding together. You will have several opportunities to see different parts of the world and hidden spots together on a motorcycle.

3. Takeaway

Being a girl on a motorcycle is not easy. You have to face several challenges, including criticism, judgments, and negative remarks. Being a woman rider, you have to constantly prove yourself to others that you can ride this machine. You have to prove everybody wrong who thinks that motorcycles are only made for men. You may also face harassment if you are a girl on a motorcycle.


Nonetheless, the motorcycling culture and landscape are changing. People now accept women riders sharing the road with them. It is amazing to see women dominating motorcycle racing in all formats. There are now separate categories for women racing in all major tournaments.


The cons of being a girl on a motorcycle still exist to a certain extent. It is everybody’s job to make the motorcycling scene comfortable and safe for other riders whether it is a girl or a boy.

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