By Mike O'Gorman

The best motorcycle for a woman is dependent on your body and skill level. Women are as varied in terms of experience and stature as men.

What should you look for in a bike? Size and stature are one of the first things to consider. You want to be comfortable straddling and controlling your bike.

The weight and seat height of your bike are the two most important things to consider. It is not enjoyable or confidence inspiring to be riding a bike that is bigger and heavier than you are comfortable with.

Elena and I recently took a motorcycle safety foundation (MSF) basic rider course to see if we could further our riding level. The bikes used in the course were 250cc street cruisers. The Honda Rebel and Suzuki GZ250 were the bikes of choice. (The Rebel is also a 250cc bike.)

These bikes would provide a nice platform for your first bike. The benefits of these bikes include light weight, low seat height, and easy maneuverability. Elena felt very comfortable on the Suzuki. We even practiced picking the bike up off the ground, and she did it with ease (there is a trick to lifting a bike easily).

The thing that Elena really liked about these bikes is that they have the classic cruiser look (chrome and metal), yet they are light and easy to use for a beginner biker.

Additionally, these bikes are nearly bulletproof. The "mules" that we used in class were dropped and abused regularly. But they were surprisingly resilient.

The Honda and Suzuki bikes are also known for their reliability and low cost of ownership--real plusses if you don't want the hassle or cost of repairs.

The first bike that you buy is going to be a learning tool that will go through some ups and downs, so don't buy that super-special bike of your dreams for your first bike. Instead, buy one that will allow you to build confidence and improve your riding ability. The Honda Rebel and Suzuki GZ250 will provide the best balance of looks, reliability, and ease of use.