A woman’s experience on two (or three) wheels doesn’t have to come down to riding as a passenger on the husband’s Road Glide Limited or Ultra Limited. More women are riding now than ever, as noted in our One in Five Motorcyclists Are Now Women article. There are annual women’s ride days and events like Babes in the Dirt 2018 that celebrate female ridership. Cruising around town or taking a spirited ride in the canyons isn’t only for the fellas.
In that same vein, picking the best Harley-Davidson doesn’t come down to bikes with a low weight. Many women who ride move their 800-pound-plus cruisers around just as well as a man could. Your choice of ride should mainly come down to what you feel comfortable handling, your personal style, and what bike gives you the most confidence, just like with anybody else. If Harley is your bag, bag yourself a Harley. This list, alphabetical by model, serves as a guide to H-D motorcycles suitable for a variety of female riders.
2022 Harley-Davidson Freewheeler
The Freewheeler is ideal for ladies worried about tip-overs, or those with physical limitations, who still want to ride free. (Harley-Davidson/)
The Harley-Davidson Freewheeler is unique because it rolls down the road on three wheels instead of two. Naturally that third wheel provides stability, which makes the hefty 1,118 pounds (claimed) less intimidating and appropriate for riders who either don’t want to worry about a tip-over or who physically need constant balance. Additionally, there is a reverse function for ease of backing out of parking lot stalls or just generally avoiding endless Y-turns.
A torquey Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin engine gets the Freewheeler going down the road, and dual discs up front provide the means of bringing the trike to a halt. There’s a whole slew of rider safety features as well, from cornering ABS and traction control to cornering electronic linked braking, which applies even brake pressure to both the front and rear brakes without the need to use both levers. The front half of the motorcycle has traditional cruiser profile and style with floorboards, mini-ape handlebars, and chrome throughout. Thanks to the forward foot controls and the mini-apes, the riding position is super relaxed. An added benefit of the nontraditional rear end is a convenient trunk for storing extra gear or personal items. The Freewheeler’s MSRP ranges from $28,499 to $29,599 depending on color.
2022 Harley-Davidson Iron 883
The price tag and approachability of the Iron 883 make it a valid option for riders making their first move to Harley-Davidson. (Harley-Davidson/)
On the opposite side of the spectrum is the stripped-down Iron 883, which is very slim by comparison. Naturally, it doesn’t have an extra wheel, but it’s 33.5 inches wide versus the Freewheeler’s 55.3. This slimness helps the rider maneuver better in between traffic. The Iron 883′s 25.7-inch seat height makes it approachable to riders of all statures, and its mid-mount controls contribute to a more businesslike riding position. The 883cc Evo V-twin, exhausts, and many other bits and bobs are blacked out to give this bike an aggressive, minimalist style. The 883cc mill is not necessarily for the beginner, but riders determined to get a Harley will find this a great introduction to the brand. And with a price tag starting at $11,249, the Iron 883 is the most budget friendly of H-D’s lineup.
2022 Harley-Davidson Low Rider S
The Low Rider S pairs style with performance. (Harley-Davidson/)
The Low Rider S offers a balance of style and performance, pairing black-out lone-wolf style with power from a Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin engine. On our dyno, this V-twin produced 94.8 hp at 4,750 rpm and 115.1 pound-feet of torque at 3,200 rpm, plenty of power for aggressive riders. Dual 300mm discs up front and a single 292mm disc out back generate notable stopping power, with a 60–0 stopping distance of 135.21 feet, similar to the sporty Yamaha MT-09 SP. The upright riding position is compact due to the combination of mid-mounted pegs and a handlebar set on 4-inch risers. Seat height is a claimed 27 inches, so a two-footed stance at a stop is possible for many riders. Pricing for 2022 starts at $17,530.
2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster
The Nightster is unique, with its 975 RevMax engine pulled from the Bronx concept and a fuel tank located under the seat. (Harley-Davidson/)
The Harley-Davidson Nightster sets itself apart from the other bikes on this list because it is powered by the liquid-cooled Revolution Max 975T V-twin, meaning it has a more high-revving engine character with smooth, immediate acceleration for a sporty ride. Three ride modes (Rain, Road, and Sport) alter power delivery to suit road and weather conditions. The stiff, responsive chassis and great suspension mean it’s at home on curvier roads. The Nightster is a modern and perhaps untraditional take on a Sportster, but it delivers a great canyon-carving experience for those who want to head to the hills. Pricing starts at $13,499.
2022 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
A shark-nose fairing gives the Road Glide an unmistakable profile. (Harley-Davidson/)
While its claimed 855-pound curb weight is the heaviest of the two-wheeled models on this list, we’ve seen women easily maneuver bikes of this weight. A low 25.9-inch seat height helps ensure the Road Glide remains upright, as riders’ feet can easily touch the ground. The frame-mounted shark-nose fairing is easily recognizable, serving double duty by protecting the rider from wind blast. With other touring-ready amenities like hard cases, cruise control, and an infotainment system, this motorcycle is ready for longer rides. MSRP for the base Road Glide is $22,249, but if you are looking for more enhancements, consider the Special or the performance-focused ST models (base MSRPs of $27,449 and $29,999, respectively). There’s also the Limited (base MSRP of $28,729) which increases the amount of storage and improves two-up comfort with the addition of a passenger backrest.
2022 Harley-Davidson Road King
The Road King is known for its comfort on short and long hauls thanks to its wind protection. (Harley-Davidson/)
The Road King offers a more traditional, classically styled take on touring with an expansive windscreen, chrome-accented fender, single headlamp, and studded seat. Like the standard Road Glide, it uses the M-8 107 V-twin engine. The King’s seat height is only 26.3 inches, which makes putting feet down easy when eventually coming to a stop after long rides. The claimed wet weight is 27 pounds less than the Road Glide. Tech is kept minimal for the purist tourer, but add-ons are available as needed; cruise control, ABS, and electronic linked braking are standard, but hill-hold control, tire-pressure monitoring, and cornering rider aids are optional. This timeless touring rig ranges from $19,929 to $20,754 depending on color choice.
2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster S
Unlike the Nightster, the Sportster S touts a different version of the Pan America’s Revolution Max 1250T V-twin. The high pipes give it a very different style too. (Harley-Davidson/)
The Sportster S is another liquid-cooled motorcycle from the Bar & Shield, with the Revolution Max 1250T engine at its heart producing a claimed 121 hp versus the Nightster’s 90. Clutch pull is light; power delivery is smooth and linear. Its low center of gravity, wide front tire, and 30-degree rake result in easy slow-speed maneuvers, nice considering its 502-pound claimed wet weight. Reach to the bars is a bit of a stretch, but a 28.9-inch seat height is still manageable, if higher than some of motorcycles previously mentioned. The Sportster S also features modern tech like ride modes, cornering ABS, and cornering traction control. A price of $15,499 is the starting MSRP.
2022 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114
The Street Bob 114 is a blank canvas for customizing. (Harley-Davidson/)
The Street Bob 114 is hustled down the road by the air/oil-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine. Harley made the switch to the larger-displacement V-twin in 2021, meaning the latest generation has a boost in power compared to 2020-and-earlier Street Bobs. Past testing has found that the Street Bob is an engaging bike with light steering, and the latest model is bound to be similar. Seat height is at a low 25.8 inches, while tall handlebars and forward foot controls contribute to a stretched riding position, but the tall bars give great leverage. The blacked-out components and stripped-down vibe are ripe for customization. Have a last-minute plus-one to the party? A passenger seat allows a friend to tag along. ABS does not come standard, so for that add another $819 to the $15,349 base MSRP.
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com
