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Re: I can relate to that...
This post deserves a much higher score than this.
This post deserves a much higher score than this.
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After reading her article , I giggled then said to myself that the occasional tip over happens. We are only human afterall. Hell, guys tip over too its just a hazard when on two wheels. The article was great and it gave a good insight as to what we go through being a "minority" ( if you will--*sighs loudly) on the road.
I ride a 900RR and yeah I get ALOT of questionable looks but for the most part they are all positive. I can count the number of times I have gotten a thumbs up from a car next to me at a stop light or a friendly hello from a car load of kids....kids really dig it! I think I get more positive feedback than negative. Especially of my track experience, when I ride I ride at my pace but serious at the same time. And men take notice and seem rather cool that a girl can drag knee's.
Sportbikes are no longer just for the guys and I think it's cool. So do the guys. Any man who is threatened by a woman on a sportbike is either jealous of her bike, or her riding ability.
Another note: Women that learn how to work on their bikes, changing wheels, oil etc etc have an advantage. When you do your homework you are less likely to get taken advantage of where ever you go.
When the helmet goes on the gender goes bye bye...we are all the same when we are riding. Im just one of the guys!
900RR Girl
I ride a 900RR and yeah I get ALOT of questionable looks but for the most part they are all positive. I can count the number of times I have gotten a thumbs up from a car next to me at a stop light or a friendly hello from a car load of kids....kids really dig it! I think I get more positive feedback than negative. Especially of my track experience, when I ride I ride at my pace but serious at the same time. And men take notice and seem rather cool that a girl can drag knee's.
Sportbikes are no longer just for the guys and I think it's cool. So do the guys. Any man who is threatened by a woman on a sportbike is either jealous of her bike, or her riding ability.
Another note: Women that learn how to work on their bikes, changing wheels, oil etc etc have an advantage. When you do your homework you are less likely to get taken advantage of where ever you go.
When the helmet goes on the gender goes bye bye...we are all the same when we are riding. Im just one of the guys!
900RR Girl
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3 Posts
After reading her article , I giggled then said to myself that the occasional tip over happens. We are only human afterall. Hell, guys tip over too its just a hazard when on two wheels. The article was great and it gave a good insight as to what we go through being a "minority" ( if you will--*sighs loudly) on the road.
I ride a 900RR and yeah I get ALOT of questionable looks but for the most part they are all positive. I can count the number of times I have gotten a thumbs up from a car next to me at a stop light or a friendly hello from a car load of kids....kids really dig it! I think I get more positive feedback than negative. Especially of my track experience, when I ride I ride at my pace but serious at the same time. And men take notice and seem rather cool that a girl can drag knee's.
Sportbikes are no longer just for the guys and I think it's cool. So do the guys. Any man who is threatened by a woman on a sportbike is either jealous of her bike, or her riding ability.
Another note: Women that know how to work on their bikes, changing wheels, oil etc etc have an advantage. When you do your homework you are less likely to get taken advantage of where ever you go. Learn all you can, the minute you stop wanting to learn all you can you leave the door wide open.
When the helmet goes on the gender goes bye bye...we are all the same when we are riding. Im just one of the guys!
900RR Girl
I ride a 900RR and yeah I get ALOT of questionable looks but for the most part they are all positive. I can count the number of times I have gotten a thumbs up from a car next to me at a stop light or a friendly hello from a car load of kids....kids really dig it! I think I get more positive feedback than negative. Especially of my track experience, when I ride I ride at my pace but serious at the same time. And men take notice and seem rather cool that a girl can drag knee's.
Sportbikes are no longer just for the guys and I think it's cool. So do the guys. Any man who is threatened by a woman on a sportbike is either jealous of her bike, or her riding ability.
Another note: Women that know how to work on their bikes, changing wheels, oil etc etc have an advantage. When you do your homework you are less likely to get taken advantage of where ever you go. Learn all you can, the minute you stop wanting to learn all you can you leave the door wide open.
When the helmet goes on the gender goes bye bye...we are all the same when we are riding. Im just one of the guys!
900RR Girl
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I agree 100%--- What is with the people who have fully tweaked bikes and end up with square tires? Some people are simply shop happy and went nuts at the retailer?
What's even funnier is the guy/girl on a bone stock bike hauling ass past the person who has a fully tweaked bike!
Sometimes people put WAYYYY too much emphasis on the goodies and forget how to ride, relying on the goodies to make them a better rider. Instead of getting good then buying the goodies to make them a better rider. There's a difference.
Squids can be seen a mile away, my personal saying-" Anyone can ride fast in a straight line, it only counts in the twisities"....
900RR Girl
What's even funnier is the guy/girl on a bone stock bike hauling ass past the person who has a fully tweaked bike!
Sometimes people put WAYYYY too much emphasis on the goodies and forget how to ride, relying on the goodies to make them a better rider. Instead of getting good then buying the goodies to make them a better rider. There's a difference.
Squids can be seen a mile away, my personal saying-" Anyone can ride fast in a straight line, it only counts in the twisities"....
900RR Girl
Admittedly, I had to laugh a little reading about the bike droppings and especially the Ford Ranger vs. Bike mishap. I laughed because it reminded me of some of the "rookie" mistakes that I have seen/heard about/done. Dropped bikes? You bet. I have dropped two of them all by myself. One was at a stop sign trying to get a better look at a leak in a carb (which I did get once the bike was laying on its side.) The other was in my garage because my foot landed in an oil puddle from my carever see a guy do the splits over the top of a CB650? I bet you think that probably hurt?.
Uhhhhhh, yeah. (TIP: Remember kids, cowboy boots, oil on the floor, heavy bikes, and skinny punks dont mix well; so use caution!) Moral to the story: mistakes are all part of learning and everybody has made them. Dont be afraid to review your mistakes and discuss them with an experienced rider/instructor. Once you understand why your mistake happened, you will not do it again. It is truly amazing how much you can learn from another rider. As far as women riding bikes, Im all for it. The more people that are welcomed into a sport, the further it will advanceyes, guys, that means its a good thing for you too. I want to praise you women who break the stereotypical bull S*** that women should cook, clean and play with little lacey dolls. That is total crap. You should do what makes YOU happy. If lacey dolls make you happy, fine, if riding motorcycles makes you happy, that is fine too. Dont be intimidated by men, or other women into not trying something as fun as motorcycling. Remember, jerks (both men and women) are everywhere, bike shops (the very people who should want to expand their market by selling you a bike!), service departments, fellow riders, people on the road, and so on and so forth, you get the idea. Dont let an idiot, or two, stand in your way. Do, however, take a safety training course, ask for help, talk to other riders, learn about the functional aspects of your machine, and wear a helmet at all times! Good luck to all, and wishes of many safe and rewarding miles.
Try something heaver and taller like...how about an old air cooled 1100? Put it on a little angle and watch it high side you like a spatula under a flapjack. -- then have one of your friends help you lift it back up! Lighter, shorter bikes are easier to handle, that is a fact. Old and heavy bikes (like a lot of people try to begin on) are easy to drop -- trust me.
I helped a friend cart home a very nice used CB750. I recomended that he should start out on my old CM200T and learn to ride before he jumped on a powerful, heavy bike. He didn't...My friend crashed the bike in the barnyard the first night he owned it! Good lesson learned. Too big of a bike for a beginning rider = trouble. The beginning guys and girls on 250's and 500's are the ones with a good mellon on their shoulders. Drivers ED cars aren't Porsche's for a reason.
For what it's worth, more power to women who want to ride. I wish my wife would learn and get her own bike. I have a few buddies whose wives have learned to pilot their own bike and I think it's great. Back when I took the MSF course, there were several women instructors and about. Nearly half of the people in my class were women, but most were taking the course "just to learn more about it as passengers" and had no real intention of getting their own bike. Too bad.
If people have stereotypes about women bikers, screw'em. They also have stereotypes about male bikers and sometimes I get a little upset when I stop at the local 7-11 in leathers and some people seem to assume I'm there to rob the place.
As for "dropping bikes" I have to laugh at some of the things about "going over while standing still". I can remember when I was out as a newbie a couple of weeks after I got my license. I had a beat up old Honda 450 Nighthawk I got for a few hundred bucks and a lot of elbow grease to rebuild carbs, replace bent handlebars, etc. It had obviously been used to learn on by someone else too. Anyway, I was coming to a 4-way stop sign where there were already severl cars. I wanted to look like I knew what I was doing so I came to a perfect stop, head up, smooth, put my foot down on some loose gravel and slide right down. People got out of their cars to "help" me and that just humiliated me more.
The real problem was that the fall bent the shifter and I had to walk the bike across the street to mess with it. Fortunately I had a few tools like some pliers with me and I bent the thing back (praying that I didn't break it) so I could actually shift. Then the problem was I couldn't get into any gear above 2nd. I rode around the parking lot for about 15 minutes trying to break it free and finally did. I suppose we all look stupid now and then. It's been many years and three bikes later, but I still remember that and always give a quick glance to make sure I'm not planting my feet on marbles again
If people have stereotypes about women bikers, screw'em. They also have stereotypes about male bikers and sometimes I get a little upset when I stop at the local 7-11 in leathers and some people seem to assume I'm there to rob the place.
As for "dropping bikes" I have to laugh at some of the things about "going over while standing still". I can remember when I was out as a newbie a couple of weeks after I got my license. I had a beat up old Honda 450 Nighthawk I got for a few hundred bucks and a lot of elbow grease to rebuild carbs, replace bent handlebars, etc. It had obviously been used to learn on by someone else too. Anyway, I was coming to a 4-way stop sign where there were already severl cars. I wanted to look like I knew what I was doing so I came to a perfect stop, head up, smooth, put my foot down on some loose gravel and slide right down. People got out of their cars to "help" me and that just humiliated me more.
The real problem was that the fall bent the shifter and I had to walk the bike across the street to mess with it. Fortunately I had a few tools like some pliers with me and I bent the thing back (praying that I didn't break it) so I could actually shift. Then the problem was I couldn't get into any gear above 2nd. I rode around the parking lot for about 15 minutes trying to break it free and finally did. I suppose we all look stupid now and then. It's been many years and three bikes later, but I still remember that and always give a quick glance to make sure I'm not planting my feet on marbles again
Forget the sportbikes, cruisers, or any street motorcycle. If you want to live long and learn how to cope with all sorts of challenges, go dirt! Get a small (XR200 for example) dirt bike in fairly good mechanical shape, somewhat beat-up with a low price to match. Find an area to ride like your local motocross facility and do your crashing and bike wrestling in soft, rock-free dirt! At most local (small town) mx tracks they offer lessons and two hour practice sessions for like $25. If you are nervous about looking like a fool find other beginners or whatever your skill level and get a group rate. Those small arenas need to make money to stay in buisiness and it is a big plus for them to have some income when the track wouldn't be used. You will develop skills faster than any other venue I can think of. You might even end up doing some novice racing. Go see some of the regular races there are all levels represented and some ride slow enough that you could just about walk faster than they are racing! There are quite a number of little girls and young women getting into MX these days. Good luck!
Oh, yeah, can I relate! I still remember when a guy on a Harley came up next to me when I was on my first bike, a Honda CB360, when I was in college and said in obvious startlement "You're a girl! You shouldn't be riding, you should be on the back!". It's possibly needless to say that I showed him my tailpipe as soon as the light changed.
Unfortunately, the attitude hasn't changed much since 1985 (yep, I'm that old), but these days at least there are a few "that's cool!" comments as well. The only way I found to tell those out there that have an attitude that I'm proud of what I ride (a 1990 FZR400) is... a vanity plate that reads FAST GRL with a license plate frame that declares "No... this is not my boyfriend's bike!" I actually had some idiot ask me that once... sigh! Perhaps some think that's a bit of an extreme response, but it has gotten rid of the worst of the comments.
Regardless, let's hear it for all those out there that refuse to be pigeonholed - whether it's women riders or male ballet dancers!!
Unfortunately, the attitude hasn't changed much since 1985 (yep, I'm that old), but these days at least there are a few "that's cool!" comments as well. The only way I found to tell those out there that have an attitude that I'm proud of what I ride (a 1990 FZR400) is... a vanity plate that reads FAST GRL with a license plate frame that declares "No... this is not my boyfriend's bike!" I actually had some idiot ask me that once... sigh! Perhaps some think that's a bit of an extreme response, but it has gotten rid of the worst of the comments.
Regardless, let's hear it for all those out there that refuse to be pigeonholed - whether it's women riders or male ballet dancers!!
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Re: To each there own
No lie, I like to wave at all fellow bikers even if they aren't on a sportbike....and to you people who don't wave, start waving, it might bring a smile to the face behind the sheild.
No lie, I like to wave at all fellow bikers even if they aren't on a sportbike....and to you people who don't wave, start waving, it might bring a smile to the face behind the sheild.
Airyn's Article was fun to read. She was candid about the fact that sometimes we are more concerned with other's opinions when we should be minding our safety on the road. Chicks on Bikes-Absolutely a step in the right direction. When I stop at a biker plaza it's good to see women there. Who wants to see a bunch of guys with no girls around? It's like one of the last frontiers for women. Equal pay, equal benefits, equal ride to work.
By RVFIZZ. I donated but MO still calls me a squid!
By RVFIZZ. I donated but MO still calls me a squid!
Re: To each there own
Hi and hats of to all laidies who ride . yes I am a male and involed with 2 British Motorcycle Clubs . And we have a trainer bike a honda CB 350 that we loan out to any woman that wants to get on her own two wheels .We have I think 5 women who ride their own bikes now and the # is growing Hey we need women to keep us guys out of trouble when we ride ...and they look better than guys on bikes ^ 5 laides ....oh I own a 1998 Triumph speed triple and a y2k Triumph Sprint S/T
Ken .....RatRider
Hi and hats of to all laidies who ride . yes I am a male
and involed with 2 British Motorcycle Clubs . And we have a trainer bike a honda CB 350 that we loan out to any woman that wants to get on her own two wheels .We have I think 5 women who ride their own bikes now and the # is growing Hey we need women to keep us guys out of trouble when we ride ...and they look better than guys on bikes ^ 5 laides ....oh I own a 1998 Triumph speed triple and a y2k Triumph Sprint S/TKen .....RatRider
It's sad that so called men take advantage of women in both automotive fields and in the motorcyle fields. I am a fully A.S.E certified mechanic. And a man as well and that crap makes me sick :-( The only defence you can get laidies is a education .Plenty of books on Engine repair and motorcyle repair . I mean you don't have to become a mechanic ,Just learn enough to defend yourself and when some looser is heading to rip you off .you head out the door....Plus if you ever breakdown on your own, your studies might get you home .And it is unlawfull to do repairs without the customers ok ...So if he took it apart with out your ok... say put it back together and here's my lawers Phone #
RatRider
and when some looser is heading to rip you off .you head out the door....Plus if you ever breakdown on your own, your studies might get you home .And it is unlawfull to do repairs without the customers ok ...So if he took it apart with out your ok... say put it back together and here's my lawers Phone # RatRider
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Re: To each there own
Good attitude Ken, I hope you loan the 350 to new male riders too. Don't count on me to keep you out of trouble I might be leading the pack towards trouble.
Good attitude Ken, I hope you loan the 350 to new male riders too. Don't count on me to keep you out of trouble I might be leading the pack towards trouble.
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I think the point is that everybody makes stupid mistakes. I've dropped or crashed every one of the bikes I've owned. Some so bad that they couldn't be repaired... and always because of me... the bike is just like any other machine, it does what the driver tells it to do, (not forgetting about BDC's turning left or no signals or sudden stops)...
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And a big second on that... Styling for stylings sake, what a waste of good hardware... and if you can't fix it, learn how...
I think this story hit on two VERY important issues that I have noticed with many of the female riders I know.
1) If you can't pick the bike up yourself.. you should not be riding it. (This goes for men and women)
2) Just as I was beginning to think that more women are riding for the sake of riding... the author once again demonstrates that WAY too many women are riding for the sake of showing off to their male counterparts and F'up because of this. Riding too big a bike.... not learning enough before trying to ride fast.... (Once again this goes for half the guys out there as well).
3) Hmmm... wants to be treated equally yet screams out to be noticed as different... go figure.
And for the imbecile that wrote in showing disrespect for the lady riding the 250.... are you REALLY that big of a moron?
1) If you can't pick the bike up yourself.. you should not be riding it. (This goes for men and women)
2) Just as I was beginning to think that more women are riding for the sake of riding... the author once again demonstrates that WAY too many women are riding for the sake of showing off to their male counterparts and F'up because of this. Riding too big a bike.... not learning enough before trying to ride fast.... (Once again this goes for half the guys out there as well).
3) Hmmm... wants to be treated equally yet screams out to be noticed as different... go figure.
And for the imbecile that wrote in showing disrespect for the lady riding the 250.... are you REALLY that big of a moron?
Number 1 Know your limitations(goes for men and women) I started on a EX 500 then upgraded to a CBR 600 F4, I just got a new GSXR 750.
Number 2 If you can't pick the bike up you shouldn't be riding it, hell my 750 weighs less than 400 lbs.(once again goes for men and women)
Number 3 If a woman is riding a motorcycle to prove a point rather than riding for pure enjoyment then she doesn't understand what it's all about.
Number 4 I recommend riding dirtbikes first like I did, wrecking those isn't nearly as costly and it's actually expected to wreck once in a while. It's a great way to learn riding a motorcycle, although women on dirtbikes is possibly more scarce.
Number 5 If you can't do basic maintenance on your bike it's your own fault for being robbed by mechanics.
Number 2 If you can't pick the bike up you shouldn't be riding it, hell my 750 weighs less than 400 lbs.(once again goes for men and women)
Number 3 If a woman is riding a motorcycle to prove a point rather than riding for pure enjoyment then she doesn't understand what it's all about.
Number 4 I recommend riding dirtbikes first like I did, wrecking those isn't nearly as costly and it's actually expected to wreck once in a while. It's a great way to learn riding a motorcycle, although women on dirtbikes is possibly more scarce.
Number 5 If you can't do basic maintenance on your bike it's your own fault for being robbed by mechanics.
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