Women's Motorcycle Adventures
Join Karen Larsen on a ride from New Jersey to Alaska and back to review her life and project her future; live your own adventure as you pour through the pages. A must read for every motorcycle rider, woman and man.
Archive for August, 2008
an all women motorcycle assocation in southern illinois is looking for women to join who ride their own bikes. For more information contact shawneeriderschapter@yahoo.com
Thunder Press, Or there is a biker chick magazine I believe is called 'Janes Alley'. These are national and maybe to broad a coverage. Try flyers at some of the local biker bars and hang outs. If there are any Poker Runs or bike shows. Local bike shops.
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I live in Vancouver. How much a motorcycle usually cost? is the insurance money a lot?
Does anybody also know where I can learn how to drive one? Is it hard?
Thank you so much!!
There really is not 'safer' motorcycle or scooter.
They all have to be driven on the road, with other cars.
Some scooters are just as road-worthy as some motorcycles. The Honda Silverwing and the Piaggio MP3, for a couple of examples, can move just as fast as the other cars on a major highway or interstate with out a problem.
On the smaller, slower scooters, you will not go on the highway because they won't be able to travel too fast, but the highway is a lot safer than any city road because everyone is traveling in the same direction at about the same speed.
Perhaps a more practical and easier to ride machine would b e a scooter. It could be a Silverwing, Piaggio, Vespa, etc. Also, there is typically a lot more storage space designed into scooters.
If you don't want a scooter, well, just about any bike will do. You don't want one that is too big to start, but you don't want one that is too small in such a way that you will get tired of it shortly after getting it. Sportbikes and cruisers are really no safer than the other. If people hurt THEMSELVES, it is because they didn't take care of the bike (mechanical problems) or they were acting dumb or not paying attention.
Bikes and scooters can be almost as cheap as you want them and as expensive as you want them. Typically, though, they are a lot cheaper than a car to buy, maintain, and insure.
Where are you from? Apparently, in the UK, there is CBT (compulsory basic training?) and in the United States, the motorcycle safety foundation provides classes in just about every state in multiple locations.
To learn is not difficult. It is just learning to trust the design of bikes and how they work so you are not affraid of the shifter, clutch, brakes, and throttle. Obviously, a scooter just has the throttle and brakes.
Insurance is usually SUPER cheap, even for year round coverage. I payed about $240 for an entire year of full coverage.
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What’s with pink women’s motorcycle jackets?
Author: Susan
Why is it that companies seem to think that all you have to do is slap some pink on something and women will buy it? And it seems that women’s motorcycle jackets are no exception here.
Nothing against pink, mind you. I like color, I like girlie colors. I just don’t like little girl colors. The baby pink shade you tend to see on most jackets was fine when I was six, but I’m past (way past) that now. So why is that the shade so many companies pick when deciding to add pink to the color options? (I’m looking at you, Alpinestars.) Even Barbie pink would be better. We’re talking motorcycle jackets here. There needs to be an element of tough to this jacket even if it is girlie.
So I started looking closely at the options for pink motorcycle jackets. And kudos to Icon and Joe Rocket for providing options in hot pink! Much stronger and bolder color and a pink I can go for.
Even better, I actually found several options in other “girlie” colors such as purple and turquoise. Yeah! These are definitely the kinds of colors we need to see more of in women’s motorcycle jackets. I even like the black jackets that just throw in a touch of a color. Even the baby pink is easier to swallow that way.
What I find odd though, is a lack of green or orange. I mean, sage green kind of says “born to be mild”, but lime? Celery? These would be fine shades to consider. I would totally dig a lime and turquoise jacket.
What do you think? Are you happy with the color choices in women’s motorcycle jackets? Or are you a purist who thinks motorcycle jackets should just be black? Leave your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear from you!
More on the Hit-Air motorcycle jacket
Author: Susan
I talked about this air bag concept yesterday and whether it was a good idea for women’s motorcycle jackets. Probably a no on style, uncertain about on safety. I thought you might like to see a little more about the jacket and how it works, so here are a couple of videos for your viewing pleasure.
Is Hit-Air a hit as women’s motorcycle jacket?
Author: Susan
So the Hit-Air motorcycle jacket came on the market last year and I’ve read good and critical things about them, although very little recent. (What happened? Does no one care anymore?)
It’s a great name and actually an interesting concept – a motorcycle jacket with an air bag built in. (Granted, the women’s motorcycle jackets with this gizmo in them really make you look like a football player, so they don’t win great points for style.) The jacket hooks onto your bike, then if you’re thrown, the ripcord is pulled and bags inflate around the neck, torso and hip as well as shoulders, elbows and spine. Hopefully before you hit the pavement. Not much good afterward. They stay inflated for a few seconds, which may or may not help during the inevitable bouncing and rolling you’d do.
Now, given the fact that there are a lot more motorcyclists taking to the street to save on gas, there have also been a lot more accidents. I haven’t been able to find any numbers to point to whether it’s a direct rise or if just more stupid people have joined the motorcycle crowd. I suppose there could be a correlation with people who don’t have as much experience on a bike suddenly driving more often and that results in a spike in accidents. Not sure really. Speculation is rife here, people.
So do you have one of these guys? Would you? Do you think it’s really necessary? There are a lot of arguments that a good set of leathers can protect you perfectly fine, thank you. And some say this jacket wouldn’t be of much help in the most common types of accidents where you’d go flying forward over the handlebars and smack into something.
I’m not sure what I think. Obviously, I’m an advocate for attractive women’s motorcycle jackets. But I also am a big fan of staying safe. May have to mull it a bit more, myself. But let’s hear from you? Do you have one? What do you think about it? Think the whole thing’s a bunch of hooey? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
Most of the manufacturers provide a size chart with measurements designed to help you get the best fit when buying women’s motorcycle jackets. Which is great as long as you take good body measurements. However, my experience is that most people have no clue how to do this, which could make for an issue in getting the right size for your jacket.
Fortunately for you, I’m an expert on this. OK, about as expert as anyone can be. I’ve been sewing most of my life and often alter patterns to fit me better. In order to do this, I’ve had to take my measurements many times over the years, so I have a leg up in the experience department on this one.
And rule one for getting good measurements is never take them yourself!! If you want them to be accurate, you absolutely have to have someone else do them for you. You will never be able to get the numbers right by yourself. Your shoulder blades will stick out or you’ll unconsciously suck in or something. Sorry. This is the time for the buddy system.
Rule two is to not stress about the number. This is not the time for trying to be vain and squeeze into something smaller, OK? Just accept the verdict, use it to get the properly sized jacket and go enjoy a ride. Don’t try to round down, don’t try to suck your stomach in, etc. And make sure you have an honest buddy!
So grab your buddy and let’s measure!
Most sizing charts for women’s motorcycle jackets will give measurements for bust and waist. Occasionally you might also see hip measurements. Some brands, like icon, just give bust and sleeve measurements. So to make sure you’ve got everything covered for whatever brand you might consider, we’ll take four measurements – bust, waist, hip and sleeve.
You’ll want to just be wearing a t-shirt for this and whatever jeans you might wear to ride. Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. In all cases, the tape should be just snug enough to stay in place without slipping down.
Sleeve
With your arm slightly bent, start from your collar bone, measure over your shoulder and elbow points, and end at the wrist bone.
Bust/Chest
You will want the total circumference of your chest at its largest point. Stand straight with your arms out and wrap the tape around the widest part of your chest, then drop your arms to take the measurement. Keep the tape parallel to floor.
Waist
Measure around your natural waistline while keeping the tape measure parallel with the floor. (Relax when taking the measurement!)
Hip
The hip measurement is the total circumference at your hip’s widest point, usually about seven inches down from your natural waistline. This one likely will only be important if you buy a ¾ length coat.
Now you’re set to shop! Note that some manufacturers of women’s motorcycle jackets say to add to your measurement numbers to get the right size and the number can vary from one to four inches. And if you have the same issue I do where they seem to think I’m shaped like Barbie, call up the place you’re planning to buy from to ask for advice on sizing. Generally, you’ll go with your chest measurement first, but you want to make sure you can get that zipper started around your waist! Keep in mind that many of the jackets these days have adjustable waists as well.
Measure twice so you only have to order once!
So as I’ve been looking around and learning more about women’s motorcycle jackets, one of the key things to keep in mind while you’re buying a jacket is fit. But what exactly does that mean? I understand fit when we’re talking about dress slacks or a blazer. What constitutes proper fit for a motorcycle jacket? And why do they make such a big deal about it?
Here’s the thing: fit in fashion has to do with how things look on your body, but also with how comfortable they are. The same holds true for a women’s motorcycle jacket – better fit will mean a better look (although you’ll never make the cover of Vogue in one) and it will be more comfortable. But fit in your motorcycle gear means one more thing – safety. And I am safety girl, for sure.
If your motorcycle jacket fits properly, it won’t be a distraction as you’re riding. (And you don’t want distractions when you’re on two wheels!) It also will cover all the important impact points and delicate skin should you take a spill.
So what are the key points we’re supposed to look at to check for fit in motorcycle riding gear, specifically a jacket?
- Sleeves – these apparently should be a bit longer than you’re used to in your regular clothing. Because you hold your arms out away from your body when you’re on your bike, you’re going to automatically have the sleeves pulling up, so they need to be longer to start with to ensure they’ll cover your wrists while you ride. Always hold your arms out to ensure there’s no gap between your glove and the end of the sleeve.
- Waist – Motorcycle jackets in general are meant to be shorter. However, it should be long enough that there’s not a gap between the top of your pants and the bottom of the jacket. This is particularly a concern in the back.
- Openings – Closures in the openings of the jacket (wrists, neck and waist) allow for you to adjust for a snug fit. You don’t want material flapping around; that can be a distraction when you ride.
- Overall room – Your motorcycle jacket is supposed to be fairly fitted. (And in a world where people tend to wear oversized clothing, this might take a little getting used to.
So that’s if you’re actually able to try on the jacket. But if you order women’s motorcycle jackets online, you want to make a good choice before you order rather than shipping back and forth. We’ll look later at how to take body measurements to eliminate some of the issues.
Hey, black might be the classic shade for women’s motorcycle jackets – brings up images of James Dean, the Fonz and Grease. And there’s still the tired idea that black is slimming. (Face it, folks. Good fit is slimming. Black is just tired.)
But, black can also make you nearly invisible. And looking at the list of 10 things car and truck drivers need to know about motorcycles that was published recently in the Jacksonville News, being visible is a key component to preventing accidents.
So it’s great that – at least for women’s motorcycle jackets – more and more motorcycle gear is coming in visible colors. In fact, Sgt. Mark Brown of the North Carolina Highway Patrol specifically mentioned bright colors as one of the ways to be more visible and prevent accident
The best part is that you don’t have to give up your leather to get a color. There are actually leather women’s motorcycle jackets that come in a rainbow of colors. Yea! And in the mesh and nylon version, just to reassure you, pink isn’t the only color you can get in women’s motorcycle jackets. I’ve seen baby blue, silver, white, yellow, to name a few – all better than black for visibility.
So be colorful and be safe!!