Is Motorcycling Still Male-Dominated? Malaysian Lady Bikers Share Their Experience

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When you think of motorcycling, most people would assume that it’s a bunch of masculine, hetero males gathering in one place and talking enthusiastically about their high-powered machines.

Truthfully, a petrol station with 20 or more bikes, or a coffee shop in the middle of nowhere lined with motorcycles and the men who rode them there, is a common sight here in Malaysia.

At first glance, it does seem like motorcycling is a hobby dominated by men. So where are the women? Don’t most, if not all, types of sports include women these days?

Well don’t be fooled, because there are actually plenty of ladies in Malaysia who are into motorcycles just as much (if not more) than the men here are. There’s just not enough representation of it going around.

We spoke to a bunch of women with a passion for motorcycles about why they started riding

Motorcycles do not recognise genders. As long as you have a competent class B driver’s licence and a strong interest in riding, you could identify as a helicopter and it will still allow you to ride it.

As for the community, passionate bikers have generally been known to be friendly and supportive, whether you’re a man or woman (or helicopter).

TRP interviewed five lady bikers to find out what inspired them to start this exciting (albeit expensive and dangerous) hobby, how they feel the community is, and what their experience has been like being in a sport that’s mostly filled with men.

Elin Koay

Elin’s earliest memory of motorcycles is when she was just a child (single-digit age), and the interest sparked from her father.

“My dad had a sports bike which he used to commute to work and back, and I thought ‘It’s so cool, I want one when I’m older!’ Since then, it had always been at the back of my mind,” she said.

When talking about motorcycles with her friends, they were supportive and kept telling her to take the leap of faith and buy one.

However, the person who finally got her to pull the trigger was her boyfriend (and now husband!), who racun (encouraged) her to get her motorcycle licence and start riding.

“My parents were supportive in my decision too, as long as I’m safe and happy,” Elin added.

Beyond her family and friends, Elin said almost everyone she has met in the Malaysian motorcycling community have never hurled negative remarks to her as a female motorcyclist. No judgements, no snarky remarks, and no mysoginistic vibes.

Her description of group rides that involve mostly men is: inclusive and fun. With only three years of riding under her belt, she considers herself as still a pretty new rider, but she has never been made to feel like she doesn’t belong in the community.

“Everyone is really welcoming and would even ask me to take sick leave and ditch work to go ride instead,” she said.

Elin highly recommends all women who have an interest in motorcycling to take it up as it’s “super fun and fulfilling”, adding that the motorbike community in Malaysia is “very nice, humble, and supportive”.

“Help is everywhere and you’ll learn a lot from experienced riders! It’ll be nice to see more lady riders on the road,” said Elin.

Elin has even recently completed the “1000 Corners” (Mae Hong Son Loop) challenge, a 600 to 700 kilometer continuous loop in northern Thailand featuring more than a thousand curves. The route is a rite of passage for many serious bikers in Malaysia who seek to challenge their riding skills and endurance.

Tracey Lo

Tracey went into motorcycling fast and hard. She only began riding in January 2025, and describes herself as a very adventurous person who has tried many kinds of sports and activities.

According to her, motorcycling had always been in her list, and now she likes to ride because she loves to share her adventures, food trips, and experiences with her friends.

In the beginning, everyone Tracey knew were against her decision to start riding motorcycles, especially her family. The concern was mainly because she has two children, who remind her to ride responsibly each time she’s on two wheels.

However, there were people who greatly supported her interest (they were riders themselves), and introduced her to more bikers.

Tracey said she rarely encountered negative remarks as a lady biker, as most riders — man or woman — were always only concerned for her safety.

“I always take advice as something positive, and there have been very few who look down on women who ride bikes. Maybe only one or two,” she said.

Tracey said she’s never been uncomfortable being in group rides made up of mostly men, as she grew up with two brothers and many male cousins.

“I tend to mix well with guys. I don’t see an issue of being in group rides of mostly men, to be honest,” she added.

When asked what she would tell women out there who are thinking of getting into the hobby, Tracey said they should just do it and not have second thoughts.

“Just do it! Don’t fret about what people think or what the men say. Your body is an extension of your mind. Just be mentally prepared that as a woman, we may be generally smaller in size and not as physically strong as men, so our learning curve is much steeper. But that doesn’t mean we are less capable.

“Start with a smaller bike and your riding confidence will raise over time as you practice more. Most importantly, ride safe!” she said.

Tracey is also a motorcycle content creator who has previously owned more than 20 bikes since she began riding.

Currently, she mainly rides a Triumph Tiger Sport 800.

Jane

Jane has been riding for only over a year, but her passion for bikes continues to grow.

Just like Elin, it was her father who sparked her interest in two-wheeled machines ever since she was a little girl. Today, she follows in his footsteps to continue his legacy as a bike rider.

However, there was a smidge of irony when she showed interest in riding motorcycles, as her father was the one who was against the idea at first.

“I guess it’s every dads’ duty to to worry about their daughters and I understand that. Eventually, I bought a bike. I informed him that I had an interest in getting the bike, proceeded to purchase it, and ta-da! That’s how you get your first bike,” she cheerfully said.

According to Jane, her friends had always been supportive of her interest from day one, and everyone else she knows only had positive responses to it.

When it came to riding in big groups consisting of mostly men, she was a little nervous at first.

“At first I was shy, but most of the riders I know are very encouraging and they like to share tips as well as riding stories. So, they really made me feel like one of them.

“Motorcycles knows no gender anyway. You just ride. It doesn’t matter what your gender is, how powerful your bike is, or what status you hold,” she said.

Her advice to women who have an interest in starting a motorbike hobby is to start small.

“Buy a helmet or gloves, find the right circle of riders that nurtures your interest, and sooner or later you’ll discover that there are a lot of women riders out there,” said Jane.

Jane rides a Triumph Scrambler 400 X.

Cynthia

Cynthia had wanted to ride a motorcycle since her early 20s but spent years putting the idea off, believing she was a clumsy driver and finding motorcycles intimidating. Looking back, she feels starting later in life worked in her favour, as being older has made her a more patient and disciplined rider.

Her experience driving cars helped her understand road rules, while learning to ride has made her more aware of motorcyclists and to be a safer driver overall.

When she decided to take up motorcycling, she received more encouragement than opposition from those around her. While her family understood the risks involved, no one actively discouraged her from riding, although her father remains concerned for her safety. Her mother, meanwhile, has come to accept her decision.

Despite motorcycling being seen as a male-dominated hobby, she says she has never experienced negative remarks because she is a woman. Instead, she has found the riding community to be welcoming and supportive, with fellow riders focusing on safety, camaraderie and a shared passion for the open road rather than gender.

She also recalls a memorable moment when she and three female friends received an enthusiastic thumbs-up from two women in an SUV while riding back from Port Dickson, describing it as a heartwarming show of support for women riders.

To women who have always wanted to ride but feel intimidated, she encourages them not to let age, height or stereotypes stop them.

Cynthia advises beginners to start with proper training, take things at their own pace and build confidence gradually. While learning to ride can be daunting, she says the freedom, adventure and friendships she has gained — from exploring Malaysia to venturing into Thailand — have made the experience more than worthwhile.

Cynthia rides a Triumph Tiger Sport 800 (just like Tracey!).

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