Are women the fastest growing sector of new riders coming into the dirt biking world? We don’t have hard facts on any of that but just head to any local trail ride and you will see the pits littered with chicks on bikes. But if you are new to the sport, or maybe still a beginner and looking for a bike better suited for you, we have compiled the definitive answer to your questions. Sadly though, there is not one bike to rule them all.

If you take nothing else away from this story, please remember these factors when you choose you first or next bike.

Can you touch the ground when sitting on the seat? Preferably with both feet.
Can you pick the bike up when it’s on the ground?
Does it have too much power for you?

Sticking with these three main aspects should get you pretty close to a bike that is suitable for you. In the perfect situation, you would give the bike a test ride too. But let’s get into the real nitty-gritty of what you should be looking for if you’re of the feminine variety. Or any variety really.

Hands up if you love to ride? These girls do and we do too!

With so many different makes an models of dirt bike, it can sometimes be a pretty hard task picking your first motorcycle. Or heck - even picking your next motorcycle. There are so many factors that you need to take into consideration that you might only realise after you start riding. And as dirt bikes aren’t exactly cheap, it’s a good idea to make an informed decision from the get go. The difference between a good bike for you and a bad bike for you can affect your decision to ever ride again.

And please don’t give your partner's dirt bike ‘a go’ to see if you like it. You will not.

A dramatisation of you trying out your partners dirt bike for the first time.

Dimensions - You and the Bike

Your height and weight are some of the first factors that you need to take into account when picking your dirt bike. Are you tall or are you short? Are you a bigger lady or quite the petite one? Picking a bike for your size is important because having the ability to touch the ground is paramount when starting out riding. You will feel like you have more control of the bike when you can touch the ground while sitting on the bike, which will also make starting and stopping a heck of a lot easier too. Being able to touch the ground will also lower the amount of times you hit the ground.

Ideally, two-feet touching the ground is best practice, but if you can only get the one flat foot on the ground with the other on the pegs, you will still be capable of holding the bike up in just about any situation. Just about…

Bikes that are a good height for the taller lady would include CRF230, TT-R230, DR200. While the more petite rider would find the likes of the KLX140, CRF125, DRZ125 a better sizing option where feet can touch the ground.

When you have the ‘perfect’ bike, coaching is another great way to improve your riding skills and fight against bad habits.

Bike weight is also a factor to consider as there’s a 100% chance you will fall off during your riding career. If you don't have the physical strength to pick up a bike lying on the ground, then move on to another option. You will be expending enough energy already just riding, so adding the need to lift something you already can’t won’t be very helpful out on the trail.

You also need to make sure the bike has enough grunt for your body weight to get up and go when needed. But err on the side of caution here. Initially, you should pick a bike with not enough grunt, over one with too much grunt if it came down to it. Thankfully there is such a huge range of options out there that you will have no issues finding one that's the right grunt for you.

4-Stroke vs 2-Stroke

The debate runs freely across the nation. But the simple fact is that 4-strokes are easier bikes to learn on. The power delivery is linear and there is no aggressive snap of power on the type of 4-stroke you would be looking at getting into riding on. The also have engine braking which will help you slow the bike down. You will see a lot of girls riding 2-stroke machines when their ability increases, as the bikes are generally lighter than the 4-strokes. But stick with a 4-stroke for your learning years. This option also negates the need to mix 2-stroke oil, which can be a little annoying if you aren’t mechanically sound.

What Kind of Riding Are you Doing

Motocross bikes are designed to ride aggressively and as such have harder suspension, more explosive power and a more racy feel about them. The trail bike is more relaxed, has less of an abrupt hit of power and requires less maintenance over the course of a year. Unless you are only getting into the sport to race Motocross, then we would recommend staying with the trail bikes during your initiation years, and contemplate stepping up to a proper MX bike if that side of the sport is calling your name.

One extra factor here is to consider your natural ability. Are you a bit of an action sports junkie? Do you pick up these types of activities quickly. If so, you will want to consider something that might last you a few years, over a true beginners bike that you might be out-riding in 6-months time.

Electric Start

Quite simply - get a bike with an electric start. Don’t compromise this decision for one second, because I guarantee you it will be one of the best choices you will ever make in your dirt biking life...period.

New or Used

Without basic mechanical knowledge, buying second hand is a tricky situation. But buying brand new is also a pricey way to get into something that you might not be totally convinced on either. Air-cooled 4-stroke trail bikes that were made after the year 2000 are, for the most part, pretty reliable. The advancements of engine wear and engine life in these low-compression, low-power trail bikes is sometimes quite remarkable. Get a friend in the know to check one out with you or visit a dealer who will usually have some second hand bikes on the showroom floor. You don’t need a new bike to start a new adventure.

The Great 230 Debate

This ‘would’ be our number 1 pick for learner bike. It is so easy to ride and would accommodate you through years of happy trail riding with basically no maintenance costs. But it's not that easy.

The Yamaha TT-R 230 is a great bike if you can pick it up with a low seat height and smooth power..

No jokes that this is a hot topic in the world of female riding. The CRF230 and TT-R230 are perhaps the most underrated trail bikes in the market today. They have plenty of smooth and usable power, enough suspension for any trail ride out there, have low seat heights making them great for shorter riders, plus are extremely low maintenance machines. They are basically the exact same bike, just a different colour. So why are they frowned upon? Two reasons; firstly, they are not cool and secondly, they are a little heavy for the average lady rider.

The Honda CRF 230 is another option in the 230 range and very low maintenance. .

The weight of the 230 comes in at 114kg which is the same weight as a 2019 250 4-stroke Enduro bike. This is where the bad-blood comes from. You have to realise as the 230 is not a race machine, it doesn’t have all the high-tech, performance-end components. It has all the basics to being a great learner bike and at half the price of the Enduro bike. But it's pointless for the smaller rider if they can’t lift it off the ground easily. Imagine a 230 that weighed somewhere in the 90kg range. BOOM we’d have a winner. If you can pick a 230 up off the ground and sit on it with your feet touching the ground you should seriously think about a 230 for your first bike.

Kawasaki KLX140 is a great bike to learn on with easy to use power, low seat height and electric start. It also only costs just over $5000 brand new.

Here are some examples of just a handful of the trail riding/beginner friendly bikes available to you right now - both new and used.

Honda CRF230
Honda CRF150
Kawasaki KLX110
SUZUKI DR-Z125
Yamaha TTR-230
Yamaha TT-R125

This is a Husqvarna FE250 Enduro bike. A full size motorcycle could be an option for when you want to move up from a learner bike onto something that is higher spec and more aggressive, but still with a smooth power delivery. This will require more … — This is a Husqvarna FE250 Enduro bike. A full size motorcycle could be an option for when you want to move up from a learner bike onto something that is higher spec and more aggressive, but still with a smooth power delivery. This will require more maintenance though and is priced on the higher-end at around $14,000 new.

If you’re past the beginner level and looking to step up into an intermediate type of bike, then these might be a good option for you.

KTM 150-XC (2-Stroke)
KTM 200 EXC (2-Stroke)
Nearly any 250cc 4-Stroke Enduro Bike
KTM Freeride

But just remember that these are full sized bikes (the Freeride is kinds in between) with taller seat heights. And in the case of a 250 4-stroke Enduro bike, usually heavier. The 2-strokes though will be lighter than say a 230. So keep sticking to the ‘pick up’ test before finally deciding anything or ideally test ride one if that is an option.

Quick Notes to Remember:

Someone might steer you towards an 80cc 2-stroke bike because the sizing might be spot on for you. But remember that it’s an MX bike with aggressive power that is not suitable for beginners to learn on.
Not all entry level bikes are lighter. EG: a 230 trail bike weights about the same as a 250F MX bike. Trail bikes are not made with the latest high-end components that’s usually lighter. Check weights online and always do the ‘pick up’ test.
Stay away from a 450cc bike - no matter how big or strong or bad-ass you think you are. Just No.com.

The Queens Of Dirt

It’s is all very well laying out information for you to take in, but coming from a chick is probably going to hit home better than the ramblings of a guy who has never struggled to touch the ground on his own bike. So we caught up with the committee behind the new Queens of Dirt movement to get their take on the bikes they ride, and why they ride them.

Name: Jane Whitaker

Age: 33

Current Bike: KTM 250 XC-F

A few words from Jane:

“My first encounter with a dirt bike wasn’t the fairy tale we all dream about. One day I was hanging out on the farm with a friend and he said ‘here, have a ride on my bike’, as he handed over his KX 250 2-stroke! You can probably guess what happened next… Un-armed with no gear, I got whisky-throttle and went down hard. It’s fair to say I was put off bikes for a while.

Some years later a friend of mine got me a little XR 100. I rode around and around the paddock like a little kid until I got called in for dinner. From there my love and passion for dirt bikes just grew and grew. I moved from my very first own bike, which was a DR-Z 125, to a TT-R 230 and then on to my love for KTM’s - 250 EXC and my favourite and current ride - KTM 250 XC-F.

The 2-stroke vs 4-stroke battle remains strong among women! I prefer the 250 4-stroke for the type of riding I do. It delivers nice, smooth and manageable power. This is a real added bonus for flow-y bush trails and farm land. It also has the added benefit of engine braking which gives me confidence, particularly in steep and technical terrain.

The electric start is an absolute dream! Being able to push a button instead of kick starting my bike when I’m stuck in an awkward position on a hill is in my opinion a necessity.

I run my bike straight out of the box. I add some protection - bark busters and a skid plate, a JW gripper seat cover (which helps me stay in the correct position on the bike - especially in the mud) and make it look sexy with set of graphics.

A lot of my friends ride 2-strokes. While they are definitely lighter, the weight is also distributed lower on them making them more manageable to throw around when riding. This can be a make or break for some ladies!

In my opinion, the only way to find the perfect bike for you, is to try before you buy! The bike, the terrain you prefer to ride and YOU, the rider all need to be considered. When you find that perfect bike, you will know. It’s like a match made in heaven!”

Name: Janelle Walker

Age: 35

Current Bike: KTM 150 XC

A few words from Janelle:

“I first started on a DR-Z 125 big wheel. Best bike I have found to learn on - not too scary, can easily touch the ground, and not too heavy. The best way to find the best bike for ladies is to try as many as you can to see what works for you. I've been through a couple of 250 4-strokes, 125 KTM, and eventually fell in love with the KTM 150 XC-W. It is the perfect fit for me, but because these were brand new back when I was learning, it was hard to justify purchasing a new bike that was unknown (I also didn’t know if I was going to stick with riding for long). I recommend trying to progress through different bikes. I also believe to ride confidently you must first feel confident on the bike. Depending on the person of course, hoping straight on a 250 or a 125 from brand new could be a confidence killer.

I had been riding for 2-3 years before I purchased my first brand new 150 so I didn’t rush into it. I love the 150 because it’s light and nimble, and I can ride anywhere on it. It’s not too tall so I can touch the ground (I’m 5'4) with one foot. It’s got enough power for me, anymore would be too much.

Some women like 4-strokes some prefer 2-strokes - there is no perfect bike for us ladies, but I feel my bike works for me, and my riding style so that’s my perfect bike.”

Name: Natasha Cairns

Age: 34

Current Bike: KTM 150 XC-W

A few words from Tarsh:

“I have owned a few different bikes since I first started out around 10 years ago. A DR 250, DR-Z 400 (purely for the electric start though I did race this at local MX events), RM-Z 250, YZ 125, KTM 125 EXC and a KTM 200 EXC. My current bike is a 2019 KTM 150XC-W.

It’s the Perfect match for my style of riding plus it’s light and super fun to ride! The PDS rear shock is my preference as it doesn’t catch on obstacles and in my opinion keeps the rear tyre on the ground for better traction. The electric start is a massive benefit when put in tough situations where I cannot kick-start without compromising my body position – like on the side of a hill. I run the bike straight out of the box just like the brands catch phrase ‘Ready To Race’. I don’t do anything fancy with the suspension and I add some protection features (Bark Busters, Pro Carbon skid plate and pipe guard, set of Workshop Graphics, Renthal Twin Wall 999 bars). I have also swapped out the standard seat for a lower seat which is available as a KTM Power Part which I feel gives easier control in difficult terrain.”

Name: Sarah Sutherland

Age: 35

Current Bike: KTM 200 XC-W

A few words from Sarah:

“I first started riding in 2008 when my partner (now husband) brought a KX125. It was too big for me so I got a Kawasaki KX85 big wheel. I had that for about 6 or 7 months then brought Chris Power’s Honda CR125 . I still own that bike and nothing will ever really top the power and fun of that 125. In 2015 after having swung my leg over many bikes trying to find ‘the one’ I brought a KTM 200 XC-W. This bike is amazing. It gets me out of many tricky situations but can find myself being quite lazy on it. While it is a 2-stroke, it has amazing bottom end and a bunch of low-down, very-usable power. I haven’t done anything to the suspension or sprockets but I have had it played with by some people who are ‘in the know.’ I do have a lower seat that I use when doing forest stuff or when I maybe on funny angles and need to touch the ground easily. I have added hand guards to protect my digits and levers for when gravity takes over.

I have had a bunch of coaching over the years including Chris Power, Greg Power, Chris Birch and Peter Broxholme. I’m super lucky to have so many good people in my corner. I can’t recommend highly enough to get coaching.”

Name: April Mainland

Age: 36

Current Bike: Yamaha YZ250X

A few words from April:

“I started out on an XR 200. It was a good bike - small, but had enough grunt to get around. Then I went to a KTM 250 XC-F. I loved it as a new 4-stroke, but most recently I’ve been on a Yamaha. I had a YZ250FX first and I was in love!! The forks and suspension were incredibly comfortable and the bike handled so nice compared to anything I had tried in the past. Then I went to the YZ250X - this is my favorite so far. It’s basically an FX but it’s lighter and uses a 2-stroke engine.

Being the X model it seems to be geared down. I’ve managed to take this bike places I wouldn’t have taken the 4-stroke, so I think it’s way more fitting for me. I wound down the spring in the back to bring the height down. I changed the front sprocket to a 12 tooth for when I am doing trickier rides, but mainly ride with a 13 for XC and general trail rides. even though it has no electric starter button, it’s easy to start and it has a side stand too. I think it is an awesome girls bike from Yamaha.”

The Perfect Bike???

You can see from above that all the girls have progressed from smaller bikes when starting out, to the more full-sized machines after they had hones their skills. And even though most of them are riding KTMs, there is no one bike that is perfect for every chick out there. God - how handy would that be! But at the end of the day - you should be driving home from the track with your bike on the back and a huge smile on your face. You will probably be tired as hell but that’s how you’re supposed to feel after a day on the bike. You also want to feel good about your bike, because if you don’t, you are less likely to ride it.

Hopefully you end up with a bike that makes you feel like this.Copyright Image: www.ultimatemotorcycling.com — Hopefully you end up with a bike that makes you feel like this.
Copyright Image: www.ultimatemotorcycling.com

This part isn’t very scientific or well researched, but get a bike that you like and that you WANT to ride. And if you can meet most of the above criteria too..then awesome sauce. You will have a bike that is right for you and that will assist you in getting better every time you twist the throttle. We hope this has been of value and you have learnt something about bikes and what might work for you.

Enjoy your riding, but most of all, have FUN!

If you have any questions or thoughts about anything you have read here, please feel free to email us at info@thedirt.co.nz.

You should also head over to the Queens Of Dirt Facebook page by CLICKING HERE and like the page to keep up-to-date with what The Queens have in store this year, including their up-coming event ‘Rise of the Queens’, and their Tussock Buster Meet Up.