HelmetHairMagazine.com - Beginners Circle

HH asked a few of our Advisory Panel members, plucked straight from our readership, to provide valuable input on the state of our cherished pastime.

Question: Similar to other female passages, Motorcycling for women has become a movement in itself within a male-dominated Industry. As our numbers increase, what are some of the measurable gains you have experienced as a rider? And, what area do you see the need for more support?

“In recent years more motorcycle manufacturers and associated industries are recognizing women as a market. Women are holding more high level positions within the industry and moving into all phases of motorcycling. More and more often when I walk into a shop I am seen as a rider first, if not, I take my business and my money elsewhere. It is refreshing to see so much gear designed for women riders, however, the manufacturers have yet to realize that we don't all love pink, wear a size 6 and are 5'2". I live for the day when women's gear is geared more towards function and less toward the industry's idea of fashion.”

"Women riders are becoming more common and acceptable within society. No longer are we "those" women, we are mothers, daughters, sisters and grandmothers. We are living our dream and experiencing our freedom, becoming more confident in ourselves and our abilities and loving every minute of it."

“I think we have more respect and acceptance by male bikers. I also think that motorcycle manufacturers are gearing more bikes toward females. They are making more motorcycles that fit a women’s body better; for example, the handle bars are lower and further back in some models. You can also find more female biker clothes and accessories. Because there are more female riders, more motorcycle riding clubs have been formed and women now have more choices in who they want to ride with.”

“We do need more safety riding courses that are offered/targeted towards the woman rider. I think in most cases, riding a motorcycle comes more natural to men and, therefore, some women could benefit from more personalized instruction. That said, it sure would be nice if insurance companies, industry dealers and manufacturers sponsored free maintenance and safety clinics.”

Susan "Tink" Birks

New Jersey

Riding two years

 (14,000 miles

to date)

Harley- Davidson,

1200L Sportster 07

“On a personal level, motorcycling has helped me experience growth in confidence and self reliance again like when I was a teen. Beyond my small world, the gains made by other women in this venue as entrepreneurs within the clothing industry, jewelry industry, bike building industry, journalism industry, racing industry...the list goes on. We are seeing a definite upward turn from all of these areas and more. We are no longer being ignored as a mere fluke, now the woman motorcyclist and her significant contribution are being valued -- respecting her presence as a long-lasting and persuasive force.”

I hope to see more female support within the Saftey Education

Course offerings. Women tend to learn differently than men; having more female instructors available for female attendees would be one more way to lure the females into the MSF classroom. Along those lines, I hope to see womens’ riding clubs and associations provide quarterly skill development

meetings. No matter how old, how experienced, or 'worn in' a rider is, they should never lose the desire to want to be a better rider and to want to help those around them improve, too. To add to that, I think there should be a nationwide move (and requirement) to educate the cage driver about sharing the road with a motorcyclist, including more crash support networks. (check out Biker's Haven).