YAY! If you are reading this, I am SO excited that you are considering this new adventure of dirt/dual sport/adventure riding! I want to congratulate you on your bravery. It’s not easy stepping into a new community that is still predominantly male, let alone an entire industry that revolves around the engineering of combustion on two wheels. It can seem so overwhelming but you are not alone! Many women in WOMO have only been riding for about 2 years yet are strong, confident riders that love the hobby and community. As many questions you have, if you post them in WOMO (and a few other groups I will suggest), there will be someone there to help guide you understanding what it’s like to be the new kid in town. Don’t give up! You are wanted, have a purpose in this group and I can speak for many when I say this industry and adventure has changed our lives.
So, let's get started!
*We are overjoyed that Honda is sponsoring Women’s Off-Road Moto LLC, providing a fleet of bikes that perhaps many of you had the opportunity to have a first time riding experience! That being said, we have been a Honda family for many years and can speak to the company’s quality. We personally ride many Honda bikes as well drive their cars. We highly recommend their bikes for your dirt and dual sport biking experience! While shopping for gear and bikes, please consider Fairfield Honda in Cincinnati that will give you 10% off as well a good purchase price on a bike. In addition, if there is a Honda dealer near you, please let us know! We are happy to call and negotiate the best price of gear, accessories, and service possible for our WOMO girls!
To safely and confidently start this hobby of dirt riding, you need approximately $3-5,000 for the purchase of a bike, safety gear, accessories and perhaps camping gear (as much of our hobby and community spend days riding at a time hours of home.) This information is as follows:
- I suggest with your first bike purchase, you buy a used (or new! Go big or go home!) 4 stroke, street legal dual sport bike between 2-300cc’s with a good title. These bikes are manageable, have low(er) seat heights and many have the ability to add lowering links, which can lower the seat even more so for a new rider to feel confident and be removed as skill improves. Some of the bikes on the market that meet these specs include:
- Yamaha TW200 (31.1 inch seat height)
- Suzuki DR200 (31.9 inch seat height- no option of lower links)
- Yamaha XT225 (31.9 inch seat height)
- Honda CRF230L (31,9 inch seat height)
- Yamaha XT250 (31.9 inch seat height)
- *The next three bikes are recommended for taller riders
- Yamaha WR250R (36.6 inch seat height, lowering links available)
- Kawasaki KLX250S (35 inch seat height, lowering links available)
- Honda CRF250L (35.2 inch seat height, lowering links available)
There are many bikes on the market, however these will give you the ability to build confidence with a lower seat height option as well a manageable amount of low end torque (please see the 2 stroke/4 stroke doc to explain torque). Also, by riding these bikes on both street and dirt, you can determine if you prefer more dirt bike riding and or adventure street riding and make investments appropriately. These however, will allow you to get your feet wet experiencing a little of both while building confidence in the hobby!
In addition to a bike, safety gear will also allow you to have the best outcome to enjoy the hobby while gauging the risk appropriately and walking away as unscathed as possible. *Please note, as of now, Women’s Off-Road Moto LLC does not have a firm sponsor on gear therefore are not endorsing a specific sponsor from our LLC.
Gear we suggest you purchase is as follows:
- helmet
- gloves
- eye protection
- armored jacket/vest
- armored pants/dirt bike pants
- knee guards/brace
- over ankle riding boots
- neck brace
There are websites that are a one stop shop such as Revzilla, you can also shop for used gear on Craigslist and or ebay (although I HIGHLY recommend trying on a helmet to ensure a good fit before purchase), as well, Beechmont Motorsports in Cincinnati will give you 10% off your purchase if you mention WOMO. In addition, Piston Society has the best Adventure riding gear on the market and the owner will ship in items for you to try on and will also work with making sure you have the best price on your purchase (check out their websites!)
This can all seem so overwhelming! We want to help you so WOMO LLC is happy to offer assistance in the purchase of a bike and gear for a small fee.
In general, the more active you are on the page, asking questions, jumping in when you see posted rides or attending rallies, the more seat time you will get and the more community will surround and help you! A few additional social media pages and web sites that WOMO LLC endorses are:
- Piston Society
- Cincinnati Cafe Racer Club
- The Lita’s
- Cincinnati Adventure Moto
- BMW MOA
- GS Giants
We are thrilled we have gotten the opportunity to meet you (if not, we look forward to it!) and can’t wait for you to get out riding and meet the community. Please reach out with any questions you may have and we will be happy to help direct you!
Keep the rubber side down,
Erin Cox, Founder CEO, Women’s Off-Road Moto LLC
Brian Cox, CFO, Women’s Off-Road Moto LLC
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