Cliff Brown is a Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor who has seen far too many well-meaning men put safety last when choosing a motorcycle for his spouse. In this story, Cliff walks us through the critical steps and tips every husband or male partner should know before introducing his wife to the world of motorcycling.
Reader Story: So You Wanna Buy Your Wife a Bike?
A note from editor Genevieve Schmitt: One of the most common questions I’m asked is if changing out the stock suspension on one’s motorcycle to lower seat height will compromise ride quality. I’m answering the question here based on my experience riding 20 years and owning five motorcycles, followed by a more in-depth explanation by an expert of why and how this done by.
Changing Your Motorcycles Shocks to Get Lower
Nearly all internal combustion machines like our motorcycle engines have filters to help keep the machine running well. Many electrical machines also have air or other filters. The filters are there to help keep pollutants, dirt and other unwanted stuff out of the engine. If the filters should become clogged or blocked they cannot do their job of filtering out the bad stuff.
Filthy Filters Will Mess Up Your Ride
Depending on where you live, you might have to store your motorcycle during the winter months. If so, there are several things you should do to care for your bike properly.
Storing Your Motorcycle for Winter
Standing a diminutive 4 feet 11 inches, Jennifer Hooper is an unlikely candidate to be a motorcycle training instructor she doesnt fit the stereotype. “It never occurred to me that being short would make riding difficult or that I should customize a bike to my height,” she explains.
When I took my motorcycle rider safety course years ago, the instructor told us within the first 15 minutes that hed been riding for 20 years without any accidents. He attributed that to practicing the many safety rules we were about to learn, and to one other personal creed he lived by: “Im NEVER in a hurry when Im on my bike.” He added, “If you remember nothing else in this class, remember that.”
Most of us have witnessed this scenario at least once in our motorcycling life: someone drops his or her motorcycle, and three or four people scramble over to help muscle it upright. But have you ever seen someone actually upright a motorcycle alone? It can be done.
Technique for Lifting a Dropped Motorcycle
One of the most embarrassing times for a motorcyclist is the moment when he or she drops their bike. In my 18 years in the saddle, I can lay claim to this embarrassment twice. I wont bore you with the same old story of how befuddled I was when it happened…what I will share with you is something I learned to avoid dropping the bike in the future.
One Way to Avoid Dropping Your Bike
Sonya Gordon wanted everyone to know the brand new Kawasaki 650R she was riding belonged to her and not her husband or son. What was her solution? Paint it bubblegum pink with flowers and designs to match her beloved Barbie backpack! Whether shes commuting to work or just riding around her Texas neighborhood, Sonya stands out with her pink Barbie-themed motorcycle and matching accessories.
She Loves Pink and She Loves Barbie
Believe it or not, this woman is going to work. Commuting on two wheels turns the usual miserable slog into quality time and adds a little happiness to the week. Although many people who own motorcycles consider them a recreational vehicle to be used only on weekends, a significant minority rides their bike to get to work and run errands.
Women Who Ride To Work Every Day