Friday, February 1, 2008

Women Who Ride Motorcycles

woman who ride motorcyclesThere's a lot of guys who'll say that there's something sexy about a woman who rides her own motorcycle.

I've tried to figure out exactly what it is that these women have in common that women passengers don't have. And I can't put my finger on it.

I know a lot of women who ride their own, and they're all different. Even if you look at the chicks that ride only as passengers, many have the same personalities and characteristics as those who operate a bike.

I can certainly agree with those who say that there's something sexy about these girls. But I don't think it's that they're more sexy, it's just that they offer a chance of pace. Sometimes you want a gal who submits to you, other times you want a gal that takes you on "mano a mano", and other times you want to just relax and let her do the work. Both women riders and women passengers are equally as sexy, it's just what mood you're in.

Of those women who'd rather ride as passengers, many of them are fully capable of mastering a motorcycle, but just rather not learn how. They're still very much capable of doing things on their own. But then again, I know of some female passengers who I doubt could ever master one.

I know of one gal who can easily hold her own in anything she does, but takes the attitude that it's her place to ride on the back of her husband's bike. She says she puts all her faith into his ability to ride, and that there's no reason why she should have to ride her own.

Contrast that with another gal I know of, who loves to ride her own bike, and would prefer to take a 300 mile ride through the twisties and hang out with us guys over some beers, than go to a Pampered Chef party. If you had a girlfriend like this it would be like having a riding buddy that you could stick your dick into.

The thing is that many women who ride their own often ride smaller bikes, like Sportsters, or pretty bikes like Deluxes. It would be even more sexy I suppose if a gal was riding something more "manly", like a Road King or a heavy tourer like a Yamaha Venture.

I saw a statistic somewhere that the Softail Deluxe was the closest thing to a "chick bike" that Harley has, simply because on a male-to-female sales ratio, it's the closest to a 1-to-1 ratio of all bikes. You'd think that the Sportster was closer to a 1-to-1 ratio, but apparently there's still more guys buying Sporties.

So, if you're a gal who rides a motorcycle, and wondered what bike you could ride that would make you really sexy? I suppose that answer varies from one guy to another, but I think a Road King with apes, or a Dyna Wide Glide, looks pretty awesome when piloted by a chick.

22 comments:

  1. The 2008 Softail Deluxe is the cover article for the February issue of American rider and delves into the popularity of this bike. They feature a women as the test pilot. Seat height is low and everything appears to be very manageable or user friendly. Also, I thought I should mention my wife is my favorite riding buddy and she does have a little 883 Sporty.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Interesting perspective. I'm a female that rides a Street Glide- manly enough in your eyes? My husband tells me that I get a lot of "Holy crap, that's a chick" finger pointing and looks when I ride...but that's cool. I've spent a lifetime in a "man's world" and being on a motorcycle is where I fit into that personality.
    I'm part of a group of women motorcyclists that ride different bikes for different reasons, including passenger. I would say that classifying a woman on a motorcycle can't be fit into small catagories, just as a personality can't be fit into the same catagories. I would have to say the choices are of whether or not to ride or what to ride are as varied as our personalities and cannot be definitatively set in stone.
    Any yes, you're right, its beats the hell out of a pampered chef party!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am so taken by this picture of this woman riding so comfortably on the motorcycle. Who is this woman?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Loved your post! I ride a Goldwing and get double takes and comments from men about never having seen a woman operate a bike that big before. I personally have no desire to ride on the bike of anybody's bike but take no issue with those that do. I think it's that "control" thing in me!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am definitely one for the beer & the ride rather than a pampered chef party! As my hubby already mentioned months ago, I ride an 883 Sporty...but only until tomorrow, when I get my new Super Glide!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am Woman, hear me RIDE!
    I really like your articles, you're very easy....to READ, that is.
    I ride. I like to ride with the guys, have a couple of beers after the ride, and THEN go to the Pampered Chef party!
    Everything worth doing is worth overdoing-moderation is for monks.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am an eglish gal living and riding canada, nova scotia! The oldies love to have a chat with you in timmys and ask what your riding. Which in my husband's Marauda 800. It big and that just makes me want to wet my pants when i ride it!! I prefered climbing trees as a kid, but loved playing Barbie too. However....i have and always find the male sense of humour far more me! and love it now that i have found a few women that are just like me!!! at last!! I am over the friggin moon! Life doesn't get better than that!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I RIDE MY OWN.

    And it's not a 'chic' bike. It's a 2007 Springer with Screaming Eagle Stage II kit and Reinhart 2 to 1 pipes. 6500 miles from 4/11 to current and still going. My husband rides as well, but different. I like to hit the highway with no plans and ride out a few tanks of gas, he's a local ride guy on his R1. I was going to buy a scooter but he made sure I got a 'real bike' and I'm glad he did. It's odd, a lot of folks ask me for photos of my bike and I at gas stations, I think they are surprised a 5'4" woman actually rides a bigger and louder bike.

    ReplyDelete
  9. wow, guess you would be really hot for me, I ride a 77 FXE that I re-designed to look like an old glide, 85 heritage front end, 16in mags front and back (widened the rear struts. Since its a shovel, I ride with one saddlebag full of tools, and I can change a spark plug in 30 seconds flat, lol. The reason women dont ride sportsters,is the ground to seat height, sportsters are one of the tallest bikes Harley makes, about 4 inched taller than what I have. Maybe Canadian girls are different, but I have several friends with modified deckers or street glides, I find more and more women riding, which is awesome> Myself, I love to ride alone, put on 10000 miles in my off hours last summer and the best part? Didn't have to wait for some man to say,hey hon, would you like to go for a ride? Instead, just smile and wave as I leave them behind :). They gotta catch me first. I LOVE TO RIDE

    ReplyDelete
  10. I first learned back in 1986 on a 1967-650 BSA which i still have. I now ride an '03 Heritage with V+H straight shots and not unlike Sharon, I have no problem doing what needs to be done to keep her happy. I put on almost 15000kms this past summer including a 10 day trip from Ontario to Sturgis. I dont know about other women out there but I am a rider and thats exactly where i belong. See ya in Daytona boys. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love this. I have been riding the back seat for 20 years and was completely happy, now it's time to move it on up. My desired ride is a Street Glide. Of all of my chick friends who ride this is their choice as well. Even with my small frame I can reach everything with out having to make adjustments or lower the bike. Perfect prospective.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm looking to buy my first sport-touring bike...I want the sexiness of a crotch rocket, but something that is a bit easier to ride (and less hard on the back and knees lol)
    Suggestions? milfjade@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm a girly-girl who rides her own. I also like to cook, and bake, and sew, and have a small Barbie collection. It's interesting, the attitudes I encounter when people see me ride. A lot of it's really positive, but I will say that the traditionally misogynistic biker machismo turns me off. It generally comes from the 3 pc patch guys. It's as if they resent me riding, because it sure as hell will never be on the back of theirs.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm a girly-girl, too and ride a Sportster 1200XL. I love the sound of my engine and the freedom. I love the looks I get from the average Joe who can't believe a girl knows how to ride a Harley. I love showing other women that they don't have to settle for riding bitch...unless they want to..and that's perfectly fine! I feel a camaraderie with all bikers and that's a cool feeling. Guys have been so nice to me. They treat me like a sister. I like that.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I came across this conversation and am interested in the women's comments. I'm a tiny girl; 5'0", 108lbs., and I have wanted a motorcycle ever since I could walk. Unfortunately, I've felt I may never be able to ride because of my size. But if what you all are saying is true, there are some bikes that could make it possible. I'd like to ask, what kind of bike should I perhaps look into? I've been told a Sportster would be good for me, but I've now seen people saying otherwise in terms of petite women. I NEED to get out there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I recommend the Honda Shadow 600 cc. I'm less than 100 lbs. and at four eleven and a half ft. tall, my bike was lowered but I can handle it perfectly. Love to ride!

      Delete
    2. My thing was quads but now I've moved to a 600 Shadow and it handles get and Im in love with riding.

      Delete
  16. Hey Stachi, if you're at 108 pounds, you might want to look at something lighter. I'd recommend a Kawasaki Ninja 250. It's lighter than any of the Harleys or cruisers, and it has a shorter wheel base which will make it easier for you to turn.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am a 40 yr Registered Nurse and I ride a 2010 Ultra Classic Electra Glide...yep a full dresser! I been riding get my whole life. I got my husband into riding about 2 yrs back. He loves it. He thinks it's funny that my bike is bigger than his. ..but I got the bigger bike so our daughter can ride 2 up with mom! It was an adjustment but I wouldn't trade my bike for anything. I catch a lot of stares when I ride by...

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am 52 years old I am 5 foot tall and what 190 pounds I've owned a 750 tiger 650 yamaha all 883 sportster 2 1200 sportster I was happy with them as far as bar hoppers but as far as traveling long distance they vibrate too much for my old body. I've been looking at a honda sabre and a yamaha stryker I can't afford of softail but I want to try and find something in the 1100 1200 range I have it set on the stryker or cyber yet but being a 1300. I don't want to over do it if anyone has any suggestions all my bike in the 1100 1200 range that is light weight very low to the ground and has a very slick or other chopper look let me know I'm looking for 1 now

    ReplyDelete
  19. @Lone Wolf Rebels MC, if you want a bike with the least vibration, then avoid getting a V-Twin. Look at a sport-touring bike, which are usually inline 4 or V-4 engines. Those will give you the least vibration.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I am just barely getting started with the whole motorcycle thing. I went for a ride with my husband a few weeks ago and I seemed to instantly fall in love with it, since then trying to learn everything I can about riding and getting a hold of my own gear. I'm ready to go into d.m.v. to get my motorcycle permit after that one ride. Anyways, yes I loved it. But what does riding have to do with being sexy, is what I would like to know. To me, it is simply another activity to hopefully enjoy in the near future. ☺

    ReplyDelete

About Steve

A vagabond who hauls a motorcycle around the country in a toy hauler, earning a living as a website developer. Can often be found where there's free Wi-Fi, craft beer, and/or public nudity. (Read more...)