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Girl on a Motorcycle

2K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  tigrzeye 
#1 ·
My brothers and I grew up with four-wheelers. Then when they got older they bought dirt bikes. I remember learning how to ride their two wheelers, as my little brother showed me how to work the clutch and the throttle. Motorcycles started to appeal to me as a teenager. And I loved motorcycle styles; whether they were retro leathers, or cool sportbikes with sleek tight fitting gear. And I realized women can ride motorcycles and look good too! (Like Meg Ryan in Addicted to Love with Matthew Brodrick. I love that movie.)

Half of my Beginner Riders Course was women when I took the class just last year. And this season I was lucky enough to find a group of lady riders who were taking the Experience Rider Course together, in an all women class.
I know that the statistic of women riders shows that we are a growing class, and I think it's great. There need to be more women rock bands, and there need to be more women bikers. But I don't consider myself a "biker chick", no. I'm just a girl who likes motorcycles.

I don't really adhere to any one dress style. I'm just myself. And maybe this is something that men don't think about that much, but women like to surround themselves by things that help define them. I mean, in my mind my V Star 950 is sexy, sleek, and rides smooth. It's a chill bike that looks good, and I like to keep it's company. Yeah, I will admit that my bike makes me feel cool. And I want it to look good. I want it to look clean, and well taken care of, and I want to look that way myself.

It's not about color coordinating the outfit to the bike or anything girly like that either. No, it's more practical than that. And I think maybe there would be a growing population of female riders out there who are similar to me.
I don't want to be, look, act, or dress any different. I mean, sure, yes, wear appropriate safety gear that looks good. ;-) But it's also about what the bike does for me. I love to ride. I love the freedom that comes with being on two wheels. And that little tank of gas can get me pretty far! Hanging into the corners, or just feeling the wind in the straight-aways.

Maybe there are more women out there like me, who can appreciate the sense of well being that a motorcycle can bring.

I was lucky enough to cross the entire country on my motorcycle. And happy that I had an expert mechanic and experience rider to guide me on the trip. But it wasn't MY trip. It's not the trip that I had imagined. I wanted more glory than that. My trip would actually be more similar to a woman named Zoe Cano, who's book I'm reading right now titled, "Bonneville Go or Bust; On the Roads Less Traveled". She travels alone, on a Bonneville of course, from Boston to the West Coast, and takes a little over a month to do so.

I'm inspired by women who venture out on their own to have epic adventures. And yet I still find adventure and pleasure in taking quick rides on my beautiful New England back roads. And I still revel in the glory of having crossed the continent on my motorcycle. Even if it meant a sore butt after spending 7,185 miles in the saddle laboring the Interstates with my two wheels from here to the West Coast.

I gained confidence at high speeds, and learned exactly what my 'mid-weight cruiser' is really capable of. And let me tell you, it's capable. Here's a link to my thread about the trip I took out to Oregon... http://www.starbikeforums.com/forums/11-general-bike-talk/93505-east-coast-west-coast-back-15-days.html

I am looking forward to a weekend in the Berkshires with the group of woman riders I've hooked up with. I've learned a lot from riding with them too. This is only my second serious year of riding, and I'm looking forward to many to come. I can't wait to see what new kinds of styles, interests, bike choices, gear choices I might find in the new emerging waves women riders there will be in the future.

For now, I just want to keep learning how to be a better rider, make wise decisions, and travel as many roads as I can on two wheels.
 
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#5 ·
Great thread there, I'm glad you got to experience such a great trip. I remember reading about Zoe Cano, quite impressive story.
It's interesting what you can learn about yourself and your bike on a cross country trip. Thanks for sharing!


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#7 ·
Hi YamaMassGirl; my wife and I wish you lived closer to us. Linda would just love to go riding with you! We live on a very remote (though very scenic!) island off the north coast of Newfoundland, and there are less than two dozen people here who own motorcycles; all of them are men but her! I think she would give anything to be able to ride with other women. She's a brand new rider, having never so much as ever sat on a bike before. But this past spring she bought herself a brand new V-Star Custom, after seeing me always returning home from a ride with a big perma-grin etched on my face. She decided that she wanted in on the action... took the two-day riders safety course in May, right about the same time her bike was delivered to our island, then passed her written test for her licence three days later, and is now officially a biker and loving every moment! I have posted this pic a few times already, but I love it so much that here it is once again...this was her very first time riding her shiny new V-Star down the road near our home on Fogo Island.

We are glad that you have become an active contributing member of this fine forum. Enjoy that beautiful bike of yours, and always ride safe!!

Glen and Linda

 
#8 ·
Wish I could go riding with you both in your scenic New Foundland. Glad that the both of you can share, and that your wife wants 'in' on the joy that those handlebars can bring. Best of wishes to you both. Look forward to seeing more of her journey into motorcycle adventure.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Your epic ride of 15 days cross country was a test of strength, commitment, and skill and I commend you for doing something I wouldn't even think of doing. But, I can't help thinking "what would I miss" traveling that many miles in that short of a time span. I would love to be able (cost and time availability being the deciding factors) to take a month and enjoy not only the time on the bike but taking time to check out what's along that path. Again kudos to you and hope you get to take your "My" ride.

Next time you are stuck along Route 80 in PA I volunteer to come lend any help I can. I travel that area in the Pocono's (E. Stroudsburg, Stroudsburg) routinely. I graduated from E. Burg High and my Mom still lives there. I am about 30 miles South now but was just up to the Tannersville Inn for lunch last week. If you hit that area, or the Lehigh Valley area near Allentown, in the future let me know.
 
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