Tips & News
Number 1 Tip: Love a Mechanic! Your Life - Your Bike! Depends upon him or her!
2008 Is Here! Happy New Year!
A new year is on the horizon and yet there are still things to do - visit bike stores and check out the new bikes for 2008 in most stores - start planning for a new year of biking and possibly - a new bike!
If you are a fairly new biker you may be thinking about buying a bigger bike and that is an exciting, and yes, a scary thought. You're wondering if you can handle a bigger bike. Be realistic about your bike skills - are you really ready for that bigger bike. Do you really want one? Don't be talked into a bigger bike by a bike salesman who just wants to sell bikes. Talk to other women bikers about their experiences with going to a bigger bike.
Don't be in a hurry to sell that smaller bike!
A new, bigger bike is most likely going to be a new learning experience! You just might be scared, intimidated, and decide, well, I don't think I want to ride today!!! So, you're scared, rightly so, and, your not out there riding, having fun, being with your friends.
If your smaller bike is still in your garage - get it out and go! How liberating!
You can have 2 bikes or 3 or 4 bikes!! It's your money, your time, your life! You're a biker now, lady!
I bought a new bike summer of 2004 - and will be talking about it and why I bought it on my interests page - Hint ..... it's a small bike!
Encourage your local bike store to have a Ladies Night! Our area has one once a month, and gives away a $100 gift certificate! This brings women into the store and women then are apt to buy more biking clothing and accessories, ask questions about motorcycles and actually consider buying a bike!
INSPECT YOUR BIKE!!!
January - has arrived! - in Southern states you're still out there riding your bikes. So, this advice is still good. You've been out there riding - taking trips short and long. For beginner's you might be feeling a little overwhelmed and wonder if you will ever be a "biker". You will! But you still need to take it easy and keep working on your riding skills. When you return home from that practice or ride - talk it over with your biking partner.
If your riding partner rides in back of you they can judge your progress much better and will be a great help to you. Listen to what they say - they are giving you their time and experience!
This has been a great help to me, so keep this in mind when you go out riding. Determine to feel positive about your progress. If you want to be a biker - you will!
2007 - was a great year of riding and I'm excited about 2008. I want to build on the past year's riding experiences. Encourage other women riders, ask them how they are doing, and learn from their experience.
Keep riding! - Ride Safe ! Joan
Drivers of Cars - are not looking for motorcyclist! You must look for them!
A Smart Biker is A Safe Biker; Tune up those Riding Skills!
»MAINTENANCE«
Bike stores offer discount for maintenance during the winter months in some areas. Check it out.
Time to get those appointments at your local bike store for additions to your bike, maintenance, and just clean up your bike.
There is something very assuring about having a mechanic tune up your prized possession.
I'm getting a louder horn for my bike! The one that comes with the Sportster can't be heard over my pipes! This is an add-on horn and I'm looking forward to it because I'm a ride leader and always watching for people to pull out of driveways, exits in shopping malls and so forth. I got the horn! It's great!!!!
Note: don't depend on people hearing your bike horn, you must watch out for them!
©
NEWS!!!!
Ride Safe ~ You'll Live Longer!
Please send me your news - I'm happy to post it here.
Tips and News - I bet you have some - pass them along!
Susann in Sweden sent a link for motorcycle clothes -
Kevlar-linen denim clothes from Australia. We can always
have some new biking clothes, right ladies! Thanks Susann!
Ride Safe ~ You'll Live Longer!
J "Catchy Girl Sayings" for your License Plate! J
Thanks to VK for suggesting this idea! Have you been trying to think of
some "Catchy Girl Sayings" for your license plate - for your bike? If you have suggestions pass them along. Just the words, no pictures of your license plate or a plate on your bike. So ladies/girls - start thinking of some ideas - they could be about your bike, it's color, the graphics, your job, your hobby.
I look forward to hearing from you and so does VK! J
"Catchy Girl Saying" :
"Catchy Girl Saying" :
"Catchy Girl Saying" :
someone must have some sayings!!!
FINALLY!
"BIKERLADY: LIVING & RIDING FREE!" Is AVAILABLE IN BOOKSTORES EVERYWHERE.
S'miles, SashaRide the Wind!
I've received several emails from new bikers wanting advice about
going to a bigger bike, first rides and so forth. I think these questions
and my answers can help other women riders so I'll post them here.
Biker: I came across your website while looking for info for new women bikers. I just took the Harley Davidson Riders Edge course and got my license yesterday! I'd love advice about what bike to buy. I'd love a HD 883 but am worried that it might be too much bike for a 5' 3" newbie. Your advice would be very welcome.
Joan: Your worry is telling you something. Better to start small with maybe, a 250 Honda Rebel. Women over 5' 6" might want to look for a bike in the 600cc. or over range because there will be more room for your legs. It's the length of your legs that matter for a bike that fits you.
I wanted a HD 883 right away also but my commonsense said, wait awhile. You want to have fun, become a biker, not get hurt. The problem with the HD Sportster is it's top heavy. The gas tank and engine are high and up front and until you learn to lean correctly you are apt to turn the bike over.
There is no hurry! You have your whole life ahead of you to learn to ride. It's okay to have a smaller bike and really learn to ride before going to a Sportster. You have a lot of skills to learn. I still have trouble with leaning. The key is to look where you want to go and not down. So listen to your own sense, take your time, be safe and then it will be fun, and you will be a biker.
A problem for women, is the men (well meaning??) will try to push you too soon. With comments, like, you've got to keep up. You'll grow out of that bike too soon, and so forth. I don't care if you're 5' 6" tall you still have to learn to ride. Focus on your balance, braking carefully, keeping the handlebars and wheel straight when you come to a stop, and look where you want to go when leaning. Accelerate into the turn - makes the bike stable!
Biker: Thank you Joan, what you've said is pretty much what I thought. My husband is the one pushing. Our class used Buell Blasts for our lessons. I'm thinking of starting out on something like that. I forwarded your link to another woman in my riding class.
Joan: thanks for reminding me about the Buell Blast. Another very good starter bike. They also have two different seat styles for this bike so get
the one that suits you, and - most Harley Dealers will take the Buell Blast in trade if you decide you want a Harley motorcycle later on.
Biker:
Ride Safe ~ You'll Live Longer!
Are you Happy with your Handlebars?
I Replaced the "Buckhorn" handlebars on my Sportster with "Dragbars" last fall and I have more control (now I know that
I didn't have control before) with my bike. A 6-inch pull-back
riser brought the handlebars closer to me and a better distance
above the tank. (the 3-inch riser left the handlebars too close
to the tank).
I'm amazed at the change. I can lean, corner, set the bike
up better, better, better. Another plus, the wind doesn't buffet
me around like before.
Along with the change in handlebars I had to replace the
housing for the speedometer and Tach. With the change in
handlebar they were left standing up straight and hard to see.
I'm excited about riding this year with this change in my
bike. If you think changing your handlebars would help you,
check it out.
Tip: » Hi! from Tammy in New York «I would like to pass this tip along. (my husband coached me with this one) When coming up to an intersection take note of the tires on any vehicles sitting there. They are the "first thing" to move on a vehicle. You can anticipate their anxiety to pull out if you're prepared for it.
Another rider's tip that was posted about knowing who you're riding with
goes further than just knowing them... know their riding style. I took my
2001 Buell Blast "Carving the Northeast" last June and came home one
day into the ride with a badly broken leg. (I'm relatively healed and the
bike is all back together but it put me out of commission for nearly the
whole season.) The "guys" (yup, nearly the only girl going solo on the trip
and I was with a group of guys that I didn't know well enough) were pushing me beyond my limits and even though I backed off, I got caught up in someone else's wreck because I ran out of room to maneuver.
Thanks for your site. I plan on passing the URL along to some friends and
family that ride.
Ride Safe!!! - Tammy from New York
PS - Not only is the Blast Fixed, I bought myself a 2003 Lightening XB9S J
Tip: The MSF booklet covers all the basic riding skills you
will need to ride a motorcycle. Practice in a safe place, like
a parking lot. It covers directions, coaching tips, common
problems, and basic corrections. Everything covered in this
booklet will be on the MSF Rider Course developed by the
Motorcycle Safety Foundation and is considered a Basic
Rider Course.
Very Important Tip: Keep the wheel straight when you come to a stop; handlebars square with the motorcycle. If the wheel is turned the motorcycle might fall over.
Tip: Shift down when coming to a stop, let the engine slow you down instead of just using the brakes. Squeeze the front brake carefully to alert drivers behind you that you are coming to a stop.
Tip: Accelerate out of a turn, your motorcycle will be more stable.
Tip: To relieve tension and pain while operating the throttle of your bike consider a "Cramp Buster"™ or "Throttle Rocker"™. A simple, plastic gadget that fits over the end of the handlebar. You press it with your palm. This really works; it relieved the pain in my hand and shoulder right away! You can order them by mail or online and cost around $10.
Note: Be careful using this at slow speeds, in traffic and so forth until you get used to it. In those situations I usually use the throttle instead of the cramp buster for more control. You will love this gadget though and get used to it quickly, but be careful at first.
Tip: Don't want to carry around your helmet? A simple helmet lock takes care of that problem. I had a difficult problem finding a comfy helmet and I don't want to lose it or carry it around!
»The following tips were sent by a guest biker«
Tips: Always know who you are riding with. You never can tell if the guy in front of you has been drinking or if her bike is in disrepair. If they go down in front of you, you may go down as well.
Be prepared for night riding, even if you aren't planning on staying out late. You never know what comes up. I always carry clear glasses and gear for night time.
Always do your safety check. Even if you have a brand new bike. I took mine in for service and wasn't aware that I was riding with a big nail in my new tires!
Ride defensively. I always pretend that I am invisible to other vehicles. Keep an eye in the mirrors, of the cars around you, and be extra careful for the folks chitchatting on their cell phones.
Maybe they are not as cool as we would like, but your best bet for safety and protecting your beautiful face (and hair) is a full face helmet. If you go down it will be the thing most likely to save your life! Besides, those bugs hit you like paintballs sometimes.
Don't ride on an empty stomach. I worked out and forgot to eat and went for a ride and when I stopped, my leg buckled out from under me and I dropped the bike because I was weak.
Pass large trucks swiftly. Do not hang out in their blind spot, this is the time to rev up the gas. They throw a lot of debris right at you and it is best to get them behind you.
Gear up properly, riding is a dangerous sport. You should not be more concerned with fashion than you are with safety... if you are, you'd be better off in a convertible.
Take the safety training class!!! It is the best thing you can do, It should be mandatory.
You may not like this, but as a single Mom, I would suggest postponing hard core riding until your kiddies are a little bit older... there is no mistake that it is dangerous and we don't want to leave behind tiny little ones with no Mamas.
A big thanks to Heather for the above tips!!
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