About Lady Riders

VFRChick · 08-20-2009, 12:43 PM

With these threads about lady riders today, I thought I'd share an excerpt from an article from Motorcycle Consumer News I cut out many, many years ago. I've had it hanging on my wall all these years 'cause I LIKE IT! I recently contact Fred Rau to see if I could get the entire article... while he remembers writing it, he can't find the original, so this is all we have... enjoy.

"Women as a group, tend to avoid motorcycling, because they were brought up to believe that it simply "isn't ladylike". Yet we don't attach the same taboo to snow skiing, a sport which is probably just as physically demanding and dangerous, if not more. Go figure.

But because the world is the way it is, for a woman to be tolerant of motorcycling, not to mention be an active participant in it, requires a strong character. Much more so than a man, she must be confident in her identity, purposeful in her will and unwilling to live by anyone's rules but her own.

Next time you're out and about, take a close look at the women who ride. Note that no matter their age or stature, they walk with backs straight and heads up. Face them, and they look you straight in the eye without flinching. Their demeanor isn't so much aggressive or threatening as it is simply solidly-grounded. No obsequious lowering of the eyes or head, no subconscious deferring to the male ego. They have entered your arena, proven their right to be there, and simply ask for the same respect you give any other rider.

God bless 'em, I think these are the most wonderful, fascinating creatures on the face of the earth. And those of us fortunate enough to be partnered with them should thank our lucky starts."

--Fred Rau, Senior Editor MCN

RisingPhoenix · 08-20-2009, 01:04 PM

Oh come on now. You know Fred Rau had to write that because he lost a bet right?

J/K.

VEGASRIDER · 08-20-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VFRChick

"Women as a group, tend to avoid motorcycling, because they were brought up to believe that it simply "isn't ladylike". Yet we don't attach the same taboo to snow skiing, a sport which is probably just as physically demanding and dangerous, if not more. Go figure.

I don't know where he get his information for him to write something like that, but based from the demographics from classes I have taught, he's wrong. Out of a class size of 12, usually 1/2 or almost half of the students are women.

Corbin aka "Moonlightrider" can confirm that, as there were almost just as many women in his class than men. Congrats by the way for earning your M endorsement!

Got2Go · 08-20-2009, 01:40 PM

Among many other factors...

This:

Quote:

Originally Posted by VEGASRIDER

based from the demographics from classes I have taught, he's wrong. Out of a class size of 12, usually 1/2 or almost half of the students are women.

Is probably related to this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by VFRChick

an article from Motorcycle Consumer News I cut out many, many years ago.

I can see how recently this might be the case, but in the past, has not.

And, I would think that out of all those women taking the MSF class, most will not make it a real hobbie and will stop riding fairly quickly (probably after they crash their bike within the first 6 months).

The ones that do remain...the article will probably represents them accurately.

VFRChick · 08-20-2009, 01:55 PM

Yeah.... I was going to post something about the age of the article... it is probably from 1997/1998...?? When I took my MSF Course, I was the only gal out of 10 people, and I was one of the 6 students that actually made it through the class and passed... after crashing on my bike while "practicing" on it the week before... I was injured and still sore, still took the class and still passed. I was determined!! My riding experiences have been me as the only lady rider... even today, in most groups, I'm the lone female representing. Yes, I see other women riders "around", but rarely do I end up riding with them, mostly because I think they don't last out there.

I DO still think that statement holds true though... while there may be alot more women riders out there, I think the vast majority stay away from it because they DO think it isn't ladylike.... or whatever their reasons are... mostly some sort of fear-based reason.

Vegasrider, thanks for the congrats... you're about 12 or so years too late!!

chaos_reigns_01 · 08-20-2009, 02:17 PM

i think they stay away more because they are afraid of becoming road splat than because it is unladylike. the whole unladylike thing kinda went out in the 70s. it barely survives anywhere now. and more women are worried about the scars and death associated with a crash than they would be with being unladylike.

VEGASRIDER · 08-20-2009, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got2Go

I would think that out of all those women taking the MSF class, most will not make it a real hobbie and will stop riding fairly quickly (probably after they crash their bike within the first 6 months).

Try the first hour.

Although it's not unusual for someone to have a perfect score when it comes to the skills evaluation test, I can recall one young girl who aced it. But she had some riding experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VFRChick

Vegasrider, thanks for the congrats... you're about 12 or so years too late!!

I wasn't referring to you on the congrats, I presumed you already had your M endorsement for a good while. I was referring to Moonlightrider, Lowspeeder's son. He just took the BRC that I taught last week where he earned his endorsement. No need for Lowspeeder to be escorting him around anymore.

VFRChick · 08-20-2009, 07:07 PM

I find the tone of this thread very interesting. Perhaps because of the mention of the MSF course... which to me is not a measure of lady riders... or any rider for that matter. Anyone can sign up for a course. A lady rider... or rider period... is someone who has paid his/her dues, has mileage under his/her belt and is an experienced rider.

I have posted this same quote on a couple forums over the years and have been blown away and taken by surprise by the comments each and every time... admiration and respect for lady riders... and stating how much they enjoy riding with women. No sarcasm, no jokes, no critiques... what is wrong with this picture here? Is this an indication of the quality of lady riders here in Vegas? As I stated, I haven't really ridden with many lady riders, let alone here in Vegas, so I don't know. If this is the opinion held about lady riders here, then perhaps we DO need a forum for women only in Vegas, so that we can support each other and help boost that opinion.

Of course maybe the guys on the other forums were just saying what they thought they needed to in order to get laid.... but I kinda doubt it.

Just putting my two cents out there.... that's all...

VEGASRIDER · 08-20-2009, 08:32 PM

Would it be a surprise if I said a good sum of instructors who teach on a regular basis at CSN are Females? Well it's true. Rose and Joanna teach a lot of classes, and there are a few others that teach too, but maybe not as frequently. Joanna is a retired LAPD Motorpatrol officer.

Anyway, females riders are just damn sexy, and I'm doing my best to put more of them out on the road.

redsurfergurl · 08-20-2009, 09:24 PM

I think a lot of things hold women back from not riding...

For me:
1. My dad never let me ride his motorcycles growing up, but my brothers always could....not for girls he'd say.
2. Boyfriends or husband wouldn't allow it, because they don't want to see me hurt (or maybe really they would just feel left out).
3. My own insecurities due to people always saying they are so heavy, you'll get yourself killed, you can't handle a bike, and this and that....

Then I turned 30 and decided that I've always wanted to ride and why shouldn't I? My man was against it, but I put my foot down and did it anyway. I am lovin it!

Life is too short....have fun!

RideorDieChick · 08-21-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redsurfergurl

I think a lot of things hold women back from not riding...

For me:
1. My dad never let me ride his motorcycles growing up, but my brothers always could....not for girls he'd say.
2. Boyfriends or husband wouldn't allow it, because they don't want to see me hurt (or maybe really they would just feel left out).
3. My own insecurities due to people always saying they are so heavy, you'll get yourself killed, you can't handle a bike, and this and that....

Then I turned 30 and decided that I've always wanted to ride and why shouldn't I? My man was against it, but I put my foot down and did it anyway. I am lovin it!

Life is too short....have fun!

I have to agree with you there... I grew up with 3 older brothers and they all rode. When it came time to ask my Dad to teach me, it was like pulling teeth. He would agree to take me out with him but never to actually ride my own ride. I had to go out and get my own before he actually believed I could handle it. Even then all I heard was "you're so small, it's too big, etc..." I still hear that today... The support levels just aren't there for tiny girls with big hearts. The only support I got for riding was from my inner circle and my man.. No offense to anyone here, but I even got the comments above when I was just riding Mike's bike to feel the difference between the bikes.

In response to the article...

Even though I don't ride every day (I have two kids and other things to do), I still stand with my head up, back straight and will look anyone in the eye and tell them what I think without blinking an eye or better yet, batting an eyelash. I don't think it takes a "rider" to have that deamenor. It just takes a confident, positive, self-assured woman.

That's my two cents

Jayfooey · 08-21-2009, 11:00 AM

I have always supported my Daughters riding, I've bought them dirt bikes, and they used to always go to the track with me, I have taught them to always wear gear and never get on a guys bike without gear on, if he wants you to get on the back of his bike without gear on, then he just doesn't care enough about you!

the Trackday Organization I work for does care about our female riders, we do have 2 female Staff instructors on hand, Next year we plan to do a female based trackday and we'll have at least 3 to 4 additional female Instructors from the WSMC race club, which one has to get a VISA from Canada to help us and to do WSMC races.

Good luck with your riding ladies!

Jayfooey · 08-21-2009, 11:05 AM

btw check out http://www.chicsride2.net/

VEGASRIDER · 08-23-2009, 12:12 PM

Here's a link from the FZ6-Forum that I belong to. Someone has created a similar thread, there are about 100 posts.

Thought that you would enjoy reading it, and maybe it will help support your reasoning why or why nots. There are a lot of female riders on FZ6-Forum, which is a global forum rather than a local one.

To Female Riders: - Yamaha FZ6 Forums - International FZ6 Motorcycle Community Forum

VFRChick · 08-23-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayfooey

btw check out Please read the announcements- New features require your input ASAP - CR2 STAFF

Hi Jay, thanks! I checked it out and signed up over there. Looks like a pretty cool place! I'll keep an eye on the female riders clinic.

redsurfergurl · 08-23-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VEGASRIDER

Here's a link from the FZ6-Forum that I belong to. Someone has created a similar thread, there are about 100 posts.

Thought that you would enjoy reading it, and maybe it will help support your reasoning why or why nots. There are a lot of female riders on FZ6-Forum, which is a global forum rather than a local one.

To Female Riders: - Yamaha FZ6 Forums - International FZ6 Motorcycle Community Forum

I really liked the quote that one guy said....."riding motorcycles is alot like sex.....everyone THINKS they're good at it...but few are"