Ladies, You Can Ride Your Own Motorcycle

It doesn’t matter if you’re tall or short, younger or older, if you want to ride your own motorcycle, YOU CAN! I thought I would never have my own ride. I thought I was too short, I wasn’t strong enough, and I was too old. I WAS WRONG. Here’s how I got started.

I had been riding behind my husband for probably 20 years off and on, never going anywhere in particular, and just seeing the country roads on the weekends. One day it struck me like a bolt out of the blue. I could see a whole lot more if his head wasn’t in the way! I’d has my own bike once before, but I either had to stop at a curb or have someone taller on the back. What a joke that was, not to mention dangerous. That was 1984 and I never tried to learn again after that fiasco. I just thought I was stuck on the back forever.

After my epiphany that day on the country road, I bought a 2003 Harley Superglide and just thought I could jump on and go. WRONG!! Riding responsibly and having a good time takes some preparation. I strongly recommend a motorcycle safety course, available around the country, as opposed to learning from a friend, and here’s why:

1. Everyone in the class is a new rider, so nobody laughs.

2. The instructors are experts.

3. It’s a huge confidence builder before riding with friends or relatives.

After I took my safety course I could hold up that 600+lb motorcycle, start it and take off confidently. I was ready for real street practice, and practice I did. I rode every weekend from May to August. By the end of August I was ready for a road trip. We set off for Chattanooga, Tennessee. Imagine, a brand new rider heading for the back mountain roads. What a blast!

I learned a few things on that trip, like how great a group of bikers can be and how much fun it is to just take off. I also learned what I needed to take and how to pack my gear. Saddle bags work great on a non-touring model, just slip ‘em under the seat. For a longer trip, I add a leather backpack style bag that fits over the sissy bar. A tent and sleeping bag save on room costs, too. Always remember a good leather coat, chaps and gloves because sixty degrees in the yard is a lot warmer than sixty degrees at highway speeds. Rain gear is a good idea, too. It’s nice to have some tunes on the road as well, so I carry an MP3 player and ear buds. A digital camera is a must if you want to remember the ride and the great people you met, and if you just can’t get away from cyberspace, a laptop and Wi-Fi signal detector are really handy.

So, ladies, there you have it. If you think you’re too short, or too old, or too whatever, remember this; I’m 5’2”, I got my first real motorcycle at 43, and I’m nowhere near ready to quit riding.