Best Dirt Bikes for Women

From the trails to the dunes to the motocross track, there are plenty of ways for women to let the roost fly and have some fun off-road. And bike makers across the globe have offerings that are well suited to lady riders. Observe! Need more tips? Read the Best Motorcycles for Women write-up.

The Honda CRF250F is Big Red’s flagship trailbike. Powered by a fuel-injected 249cc four-stroke engine, it makes smooth, linear, predictable power, which helps make it an easy-to-ride machine. Its 20.1 hp and 15.5 pound-feet of torque offer enough power to be fun for an experienced rider, yet docile enough for a newer one. The 34.8-inch seat height is suitable for the average adult or taller teenager. And it’s year-round off-road legal in all 50 states, so the fun doesn’t have to stop. For 2022, it’s listed at an MSRP of $4,749.

If you’re set on riding a 450, the Honda CRF450X might be a suitable option. By 450cc-level standards, it’s a relatively tame off-road/trail bike in stock trim. Between the twin spars of its aluminum chassis resides a fuel-injected 449cc four-stroke engine and six-speed gearbox, which make this bike plenty fast; there’s more than enough power to climb over rocks or blast through soft sands. Like the CRF250F, it’s legal to ride off-road all year round. Conveniences include an electric start, headlight, sidestand, fuel economy meter, and hand guards. MSRP is $9,799.

Suzuki’s four-stroke trailbike, the DR-Z125L, is a great option for the young or shorter-statured rider. The power from the 124cc engine, in conjunction with its light 196-pound (claimed) weight, allows the bike to be easily handled on the trail. Its 19- and 16-inch wheels and soft, nicely tuned suspension settings aid its progress over technical single-tracks. The DR-Z’s simplicity can be both a pro and con; it’s carbureted, making assessing any fueling issues easier, but relies on a kickstarter to get it going, which might be difficult for some riders. For well under $4K ($3,399 MSRP), the DR-Z does Suzuki proud and is a great way to start getting dirty, especially for riders who don’t mind going without a lot of tech.

Another dirt bike for ladies we deem worthy of consideration is Kawasaki’s KLX140R, an approachable Team Green offering with a 30.7-inch seat height (base model). Although it’s carbureted, it’s a little more tech-laden with an electronic starter and keyless ignition. Its handling is well-mannered, and its high-revving 144cc four-stroke engine is forgiving for newer riders. There are three variations of this model: the base KLX140R, the L, and the F, with the differences being seat heights and wheel sizes. The 2023 models have already been priced, and these KLXs start at $3,449 for the base and go up to $4,049 for the F.

The KLX230R and KLX230R S are two trailbikes with Kawasaki’s versatile 230cc four-stroke engine within a steel perimeter frame, which makes for a rigid and easy-to-maneuver dirt bike. The KLX230R features full-size off-road wheels and ample ground clearance (a claimed 11.8 inches). The KLX230R S features modified suspension that lowers the seat height to 35.4 inches, compared to the KLX230R’s 36.4-inch perch. Both off-road bikes are green-sticker compliant for year-round riding and retail for $4,749.

The Yamaha WR250F enduro bike is based on the company’s YZ250F, with a 250cc fuel-injected four-stroke engine tuned for the kind of usable midrange power ideal for enduro riding and racing and a chassis that’s amazingingly comfortable. Its KYB suspension is highly praised for its bottoming resistance too. Equipped with full-size 21- and 18-inch wheels, the overall dimensions are suitable for taller women who can manage the 37.6-inch seat height. While it is not green-sticker compliant, it does have a Forestry Service-compliant spark arrestor-type muffler. Pricing starts at $8,799.

Husqvarna’s FC 250 is geared to those who are more inclined toward motocross. The 250cc four-stroke engine produces most of its power high up in the rev range, but overall power is not as aggressive as the rest of the 250cc four-stroke competition. In its 2022 comparison, sister publication Dirt Rider gave props to the FC because of its suitability for shorter and lighter riders. Seat height is at a claimed 37.0 inches. The FC’s 2023 price tags display a starting MSRP of $10,099.

For female riders interested in the two-stroke arena, KTM’s 125 SX comes immediately to mind. Two-strokes like the 125 SX are beneficial because they’re less expensive to maintain, easy to work on, and don’t skimp on the fun factor. Fine-tuning the WP Xact suspension is easy with its tool-free suspension setup, and the 125 SX’s 125cc two-stroke engine hits the sweet spot in the motocross-ready mid- to high-rpm range. Seat height is at a claimed 37.7 inches. MSRP is listed at $7,949.