The Women's Guide to Motorcycling. Lynda Lahman

      The Women’s Guide to Motorcycling

      Project Team

      Editor: Amy Deputato

      Copy Editor: Joann Woy

      Design: Mary Ann Kahn

      Index: Elizabeth Walker

      LUMINA MEDIA™

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      Senior Editor, Books: Amy Deputato

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      Copyright © 2016 Lumina Media, LLC™

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Lumina Media, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

      eBook ISBN 9781620082102

      This book has been published with the intent to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter within. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the author and publisher expressly disclaim any responsibility for any errors, omissions, or adverse effects arising from the use or application of the information contained herein.

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      Introduction

      A motorcycle doesn’t know if its rider is male or female, and the techniques of riding don’t change based on sex. Riding instructors describe their female students as highly attentive, willing to listen, and even able to take feedback better than their male counterparts. So why write a motorcycling book specifically for women? While there are bold, confident women who have taken up motorcycling without a second thought, more often than not, women describe a hesitation when it comes to motorcycling. The same instructors who rave about their students notice a similar trend. Women riders often struggle with speaking up for themselves once they leave the practice course, finding instead that they give in to the demands or expectations of others. Women report lower confidence in their abilities and feelings of fear or anxiety when practicing the skills necessary to build that sense of confidence. These same themes emerge when I speak with groups of women and listen to their stories of learning to ride.

      What also becomes clear is that as women gain competence through practice, they find their voices. As a result, their confidence grows exponentially, and this growth isn’t limited to the arena of motorcycling. Navigating U-turns, handling tight curves, and keeping the bike upright on uneven ground builds a sense of mastery for riding, and that sense of mastery carries over into many other areas of their lives. Whether they choose to ride solo, with partners, in groups of women, or with co-ed groups, once they experience the sense of personal empowerment that comes with safely navigating the intricacies of maneuvering a motorcycle, they describe being changed in ways they never imagined. The path of self-discovery can take many unexpected twists and turns, and often a rider’s journey winds up being quite different from what she first envisioned.

      I started riding with a boyfriend as a pillion, or passenger. We broke up, and I missed riding. I decided it was easier to learn to ride and get a bike than to find another boyfriend, and I’ve been riding ever since. I’ve heard many variations of this story repeatedly; for example, being introduced to riding on the back of a friend’s bike but realizing that it’s more fun to be the one doing the driving.

      I have my endorsement, but I found over time that I liked riding on the back with my husband. I don’t feel the need to be as attentive to every detail, and I can enjoy practicing my photography as we ride through incredible scenery. Whether on the front seat or the rear, you are a rider. Knowing as much as possible about how the motorcycle works and wearing all the gear, all the time, makes you a better passenger even if you never start the engine on a bike and take off on your own.

      I rode a motorcycle on my own for years until I had a freak accident that almost cost me my life. Once I recovered, I realized that I missed riding but wasn’t sure I wanted to get back on two wheels. Finding the three-wheeled Spyder gave me back the freedom and community I missed with the level of comfort I needed. Riding is riding; being out in the elements, tackling the challenges of the twisties or on a quiet back road, is what motorcycling is about. It’s not about whether you have two wheels in front, two wheels in back, or a third wheel on a sidecar, and don’t listen to anyone who tells you otherwise.

      This not a “how to ride” book; there are already dozens of books and hundreds of courses that will help you learn the technical aspects of riding. This book discusses what to consider when deciding whether motorcycling is for you, what steps to take if you are becoming involved, and what to do after you take your introductory courses. I hope that it provides some answers to questions you may not even know to ask before you get on your motorcycle. It addresses some of the issues I wish I had known about before I started; it might have saved me a few bruises and headaches, not to mention quite a few dollars. The information in this book is based on the collective wisdom of all of the female riders who have come before me and those who are out there riding today.

      Women discuss the importance of having supporters on their journeys into the world of motorcycling. Many of those supporters were husbands, fathers, brothers, and male friends because women riders were few and far between. Today, that isn’t the case: women riders are everywhere, and our numbers continue to grow. What is important is to create a network of knowledgeable and caring people who will encourage your journey to becoming a competent, confident, and safe rider. I hope that this book will be one of your first companions as you build your own support system on the road to becoming a successful motorcyclist.

      Chapter 1: The Rise of Women in Motorcycling

      Looking at the history of motorcycles through the years, there have always been a small number of women who have defied convention, hopped on bikes, and taken to the roads or tracks. The women’s movement in the 1970s brought a few more into the fold, but female ridership remained low until the beginning of the new millennium, when it really began taking off. What is it that’s bringing women in such large numbers into the world of motorcycling? The same lures that have been drawing men in for decades: it’s fun, exciting, challenging, and a great way to see the world.

      In fact, women have now become one of the fastest growing segments of the motorcycling market, with ridership increasing approximately 35 percent between 2003 and 2012. It is estimated that nearly a quarter of all riders in the United States are female,