In the Saddle is an eNewsletter for motorcycle enthusiasts that is produced several times a year.
Women take to the road
In recent years, an increasing number of women have turned to motorcycling, and the freedom of the road.
“It’s greatly the result of changing social values, and the general narrowing of gender gaps ” says Vicki Gray, a motorcycle racer, riding instructor, and advocate for women in motorcycling. “Women are obtaining university degrees, exploring career opportunities, having families later, and are interested in more adventurous, activities such as motorcycling. Plus there’s a chance she knows of at least one woman who rides! The motorcycle industry supports this, and is finally catering to women,” she adds.
Ms. Gray has been seeing the world from a saddle for more than 26 years. Her business, MOTORESS, is a leading brand and source of information for women motorcyclists.
It’s about building confidence
And just who is the typical female rider? One indication is offered by a 2007 survey by the Women Riders Council of the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada, which found that the average respondent was between 40 and 49 years of age, and rides a cruiser.
But no matter what age you are, learning to ride is all about building confidence. For Ms. Gray, that process starts with an accredited rider training course. “Even though a person has ridden for many years, like your husband or boyfriend, for example, it doesn’t necessarily make them an expert on technique, or relaying the information in a manner you’ll comprehend.”
Once you’ve graduated from a rider training program, your motorcycling education has just begun. Here are some tips to build on what you’ve learned:
- Practice regularly and where there’s little traffic
- Ride with a buddy until you feel more comfortable
- Ride at your own pace
- Subscribe to a motorcycle magazine to learn more about the sport
- Read motorcycle books about how to ride safely and improve your skills
And to learn even more, attend the first International Women Riders Congress and Festival (IWCF) this August hosted by the Motorcyclists Confederation of Canada (MCC). The event will celebrate the achievements of women riders and offer skills training and other educational seminars.
Choosing a bike
The second most important consideration for newbies to help boost confidence is to choose a bike that’s lightweight. “You often hear sales people pitching new riders a bike that’s got more power and weight than they might be comfortable with,” says Ms. Gray. She cautions against such pitches, advising women, or any new rider for that fact, to learn to ride a bike they can easily master, then in a year or so, trade up to something bigger.
There are a lot of bikes on the market now that are great first bikes for women, she points out. Some popular models are the Honda CBR 125, Honda CMX 250C Rebel, Kawasaki 250 or 500 Ninja, Suzuki Gladius, Yamaha V-Star 250, BMW F650 GS, Harley-Davidson Iron Sportster 883, and Ducati Monster 696.
Take your time to find the bike that fits you best. One way to do that is by going to manufacturer- or dealer-sponsored demo rides where you can get hands-on experience.
Ride in style
Do you know what type of riding is best-suited to your needs? Here’s a list of the different styles:
- Standard/naked street bike: great for commuting, and well-suited for beginners
- Cruisers: offer low seat height and relaxed riding
- Touring/sport touring: equipped for long-distance riding, they range from big and heavy to sporty “canyon carvers”
- Sport bike: built for speed and performance, most are not good for beginners
- Dual purpose bike: popular for their on- and off-road capability
- Off-road bike: not street legal, but useful for any rider to improve their skills
Gear guidance
Every newbie needs the proper gear to get started. At minimum, that means helmet, jacket, gloves, pants and boots.
“Motorcycle clothing manufacturers have made a lot of progress over the last decade or so,” Ms. Gray states. “There’s a lot more choice (including companies that offer women-specific sizes), but don’t generally expect the fit to be any different from buying regular clothing,” she warns. In other words, expect your gear to need at least some alteration.
Other tips when buying motorcycle clothing:
- If you’re buying a new bike, see if you can get a discount on your gear at the same time.
- Put a premium on protection over style and buy bright-coloured clothing as it’s been proven to be more visible on the road.
- Consider options to leather. Textile clothing is popular both for its versatility and quality.
Broaden your horizons
For those who think it’s still a man’s world out there on the road, think again.
“Things are not always as they appear,” says Gray, “and that’s the same with motorcycling. Quite often women think they can’t do it because of misconceptions, but the best thing is to just try it. Once you do, you won’t have any regrets — because you’ll realize just how much fun it is!”
Resources
- MOTORESS
www.motoress.com - Women Riders Council, Motorcyclist Confederation of Canada (MCC)
www.motorcycling.ca
Events
- International Female Ride Day
http://internationalfemalerideday.com - International Women Riders Congress and Festival
www.motorcycling.ca/IWCF - AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference
www.womenandmotorcycling.com
Clubs
- Chrome Divas
www.chromedivas.com - Durham Divas
www.durhamdivas.ca
Tours
- Trillium Tours
www.trilliumtours.com
Gear
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