No matter how you slice it, women riders are still motorcycling underdogs. For years, I wore men’s boots because women’s styles just weren’t available. I’m talking about real riding boots with reinforced and sturdy waterproof material, ankle protection, and nonskid soles. All I found on the women’s shelves were boots with ridiculously high heels and frilly adornments.
PRODUCT REVIEW: Waterproof Riding Boots from Harley-Davidson
When Yamaha invited me to test its new FZ6R last winter, naturally I began shopping for the right apparel coordinates to match the sizzling graphics on the sporty bodywork. The slimming style and feminine tribal graphics adorning SHIFTs Tempest SS womens motorcycle jacket looked like the perfect fit.
PRODUCT REVIEW: SHIFT Tempest SS Waterproof Jacket
I recently tested a pair of TCX Sunray Gore-Tex womens boots and reach for them now every time I hop on a motorcycle. The Sunray boots arent just smaller-sized mens boots. TCX engineers designed them specifically for a womans foot using a specially designed last, or foot shaped mold, that reproduces the differences in the instep, heel, and metatarsal zones naturally found in womens feet.
REVIEW: TCX Womens Sunray Gore-Tex Boots
If you keep up with the leather and textile jacket offerings from Harley-Davidson, youve heard of the FXRG line, the Motor Companys functional riding gear (thats what FXRG stand for). Ive worn both the FXRG leather jacket and pants and the textile riding outfit when they first came out and found them to be top notch in protection and comfort.
When looking for one jacket to achieve it all, then the Tour Master Trinity Series 2 Ladies Jacket deserves serious consideration. After nearly 5,000 miles of riding in this jacket, I have deemed it as multi-functional as a Swiss Army knife while offering styling that suits my feminine side.
PRODUCT REVIEW: Tour Master Trinity Series 2 Ladies Jacket
We’ve come a long way baby! This phase is no more apropos when talking about women’s rain suits. I remember the days when rain suits were not gender specific. They were big and bulky and made from a non-breathable vinyl material.
PRODUCT REVIEW: Tour Master Womans Rain Suit
Gaerne is an Italian boot company thats been in business for more than 40 years. They specialize in off-road, sportbike, and touring boots. The Black Rose boots are Gaernes entry into the womens boot market.
REVIEW: New Waterproof Boot for Women
Gloves and glasses. You can wear mens sizes, but why when Harley-Davidson offers styles and sizes just for women. Here are two of their latest offerings we tested.
PRODUCT REVIEW: Harley-Davidson Sunglasses and Gloves
Will it be hot? Will it be cold? Chance of showers? Dont worry, the Harley-Davidson Switchback Jacket literally has you covered, while saving valuable saddlebag space. The Switchback Jacket brings out the quick-change artist in a rider, letting a rider respond to unpredictable weather within minutes.
REVIEW: The All-Weather Switchback Jacket
This 2008 Powersports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis was larger than life, bursting at the seams of the downtown convention center. Much to our excitement, this years Expo catered to female riders more than ever before, giving women the power of choice, self-expression, independence, and protection. We spoke with a few well-known brands to get the inside scoop on what theyre doing for todays women on two wheels.
Hot New Gear: Bringing Power to Women Riders