For the past seven years, women have had the opportunity to demo ride manufacturers motorcycles on a track without the presence of men or their testosterone at an event called Femmoto. For some women, this event is just what they need to feel comfortable on a new bike in an unfamiliar environment, particularly when that environment is noted for its speed. Its a concept started by Bonnie Strawser of Sportbike Track Time seven years ago. The event has grown from 50 women in 2001 to more than 500 women at this years 2007 Femmoto. Below is the 2007 event in pictures. Click on them for a larger view.
To see a video of last years Femmoto, click on Motorcycle Videos on the links on the left. To read our news story about the event, click here.
The riders meeting in the morning gives you a good idea of the kind of attendance at Femmoto this year.Leading the riders meeting, from left: Bonnie Strawser, founder of Femmoto; her partner and husband, Monte Lutz, explaining the track rules; and Robert Pandya, the “go-to” guy for Femmoto.Part of the scene at Femmoto: the manufacturers all lined up with their tents.More of what Femmoto looks like. The white tent is Harleys hospitality area, where its seminars were held.Harley-Davidson held several seminars, one of which was how to be properly fitted for a helmet.Another seminar demonstrated how to lift a downed bike. This woman shows how it#39;s done, clad in her one-piece track suit.
Buell brought out its fleet of bikes for the women to ride on the track. This is the second year of Buell sponsorship of Femmoto.A woman rides a Ducati Monster on the track. The pink vest means shes a track coach in charge of “policing” the track during the riding sessions. When necessary, she also provides on-track coaching for those riders who need it.Gloria Fontenot and Sarah Schilke, two track day coaches, on their own motorcycles.Hondas staging area – the place where riders choose their motorcycle before riding off for their 15-minute session on the trackHyosung was a first time sponsor of Femmoto. The company brought out its fleet of sportbike and cruisers for women to test ride on the track.Trying out a Harley-Davidson. This is the first year Harley was a sponsor of Femmoto. Demo rides of Harley models were done on the street, not the track.WRNs Genevieve Schmitt greets people at the Women Riders Now booth. Shes promoting the Thank You contest WRN is currently running.The Women Riders Now booth being manned by a man. Yes, that handsome guy works with us.One of the more popular track suits seen this year was this white and black one called the Lizard, a one-piece track suit made by Spidi. The company is one of only two manufacturers making an off-the-rack womens one-piece track suit. The other is Dainese.Femmoto founder, Bonnie Strawser, presents a check for more than $10,000 to Women Motorcyclist Foundation founders, Gin Shear and Sue Slate, to their Journeys of Hope breast cancer fund. Each year, all proceeds from Femmoto are donated to a breast cancer cause.Miki Keller, founder of the Womens Motocross Association, holding this years WIMA Image Award, presented to her by Alice Sexton, Womens International Motorcycle Association (WIMA) president. The presentation was made during the banquet.Susan Carpenter, motorcycle reporter for the Los Angeles Times, and Jessica Prokup of Discover Todays Motorcycling, model jackets from Super G by Hein Gericke. The dog is wearing a doggie T-shirt by Super G.Jessica models another outfit, a Ducati suit.Who knew Kawasaki made clothing that comes in colors other than green? Thats freelance motojournalist Pamela Collins modeling the trendy colored jacket.WRN founder, Genevieve Schmitt, delivers an inspirational speech about women and motorcycling during Saturday evenings banquet and fashion show.
