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Thursday, January 31 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Rita, Thursday, January 31 Dear VTwin Mama, Now this was for a Fri/Sat/Sun. trip. Does this seem like a lot to pack? We roll everything very tightly and had plenty of space. We were staying in motels, so didn't have to pack sleeping bags and towels. I'm looking forward to the return trip, only this time riding my own bike. And I have leather saddlebags. So do you think I should take more stuff? Just kidding. Sharon in Georgia Dear Sharon, Im a study in messy packing, taking the wrong things (although its usually more about taking too much rather than anything else) and in general, by the end of the trip, my wrenches are sharing intimate moments with my underwear and theres always something sticky at the bottom of one of the bags! So I really appreciate that you quickly sent in your Top Five Packing Tips. And so does Jo Ann, who started this whole Top Five category! 1. Instead of folding the clothes, roll them up tightly.
Saves space and helps prevent wrinkles. So there it is VTwin Mama sisters -- if you've got your own Top Five Packing Tips to share, then by all means, do so! Mama Dear VTwin Mama, A friend I know who has a Road King Standard, has a real problem when packing for long trips, she watched as I stuffed (OVER-STUFFED) my leather bags, even though they have the leather stretched over the top of hard fiberglass, the top of the bag being that it closes with a buckle -- with an adjustable buckle a woman can get A LOT in it. Well she struggled and swore and finally she left a few items out of her trip, such as an extra jacket, a hooded sweatshirt and a few other things. Well I of course can get a whole lot more in my bags then she can, and with not much conversation about this she has now ordered the leather bags, and will be forever grateful. Well have you ever heard a WOMAN complain about this problem. When I had my hugger 883, I had soft leather bags too, but they were not as roomy as these on my Road King Classic. So my question, is: What do other VTwin Mamas do for packing for long trips without looking like the traveling side show. I have seen them, the T-Bags, stuffed strapped to the forks, backpacks etc. I have a removable backrest on my bike, for me , and the passenger edition too. I have already put a bag or two on the passenger seat and strapped it down. I am curious what do other women do, I know some never need more then a toothbrush, well lets be honest what do you carry for weekend trips, and how do you pack, what about week long trips cross country?? Doesn't this make you think about the upcoming season? Thanks Petra for a great website. Jo Ann Dear Jo Ann, Also, who wants to do laundry on a vacation?!?!?! Not me, so the tendency to want to pack enough for the complete run is natural, but simply doesn't work with our limited capacity. So I dump everything I want to take, look at the available storage things I have, and stuff, stuff, stuff! Maybe it's like a traveling sideshow, but I've yet to come up with a neater solution. I really like the little travel trailers that some bikers pull behind them. Is that an option for you? So VTwin Mama sisters, what is your advice? Let's turn this into a Top Five list -- send me your top five packing tips for longer hauls and we'll blob them together for a VTwin Mama recommendation. By the by, I'm still looking for a home for our Top Five Riding Tips that we gathered towards the tail end of last year. Yes, you are right, I could post them on this site, but I'm hoping to spread the word about VTwin Mama and the sisters a bit more and thought this might be a fun way to do it. If you have any ideas, let me know. Mama Tuesday, January 29 Dear VTwin Mama, My observation: Riding a motorcycle gives us so much to enjoy in life while we are riding down the road. Our eyes observe the beauty of the land....both flora and fauna. Our ears observe the sounds of the environment we are in. Our noses observe the various scents of the flowers and trees....and even the not so pleasant fragrances of the farms. Our sense of touch give us the observance of the temperature as we ride through the various areas....like riding along on a hot day when all of a sudden you find a cool pocket which then brings you back to the heat of the day. You don't feel this when in a cage. You become more alert to everything around you. Your mind may be in a relaxed mode, but yet constantly aware of everything that is taking place around you. Betty Dear Betty, I think there are lots of reasons that women find the desire to ride, but my contention is that ultimately, riding is cool. The kind of cool that transcends every other kind of cool (except having children perhaps). And you don't have to be a beauty queen, or model slim, or rich, or even gifted with a great brain. Guts to try, determination to succeed and chutzpah to tell anyone who pooh-poohs you where they can get off! I've never heard another motorist say, "Look, there's a fat woman on a motorcycle with no brains on PMS who couldn't get a man if she tried." No, they say, "Look, it's a woman on a motorcycle. Wow." And so we are free to be who we really are without censorship. That's cool. And from that comes the empowerment, the freedom, the respect. Mama Tuesday, January 29 Dear VTwin Mama, Partial Answer: Shop E-Bay (enter "motorcycle gear" below for the search)! Great leather jackets for reasonable prices - just be sure you know your measurements. I am able to own several instead of one and have a couple of fringed jackets that I really like. One is black suede for $10, and one is the nice leather with the rose inlay (mine has the black rose inlay) for $49. Great boots are to be had as well (even Harley Davidson styles.) Still looking for ladies chaps at a reasonable price. April Dear April,
Monday, January 28 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Laura, Monday, January 28 New Book Notice Dear Readers, Road Angels is written by Shirley Dicks and is self published on the www.iuniverse.com site (click here to get to the preview). You can read all the way through Chapter 11, which is page 122. There is a total of 44 chapters (divided into two parts, general info and road stories and it looks like at least one of our VTwin Mama sisters is included!) and about 375 pages. The cost to purchase is $22.95. Here are two reviews from our own sisters: There is a bookstore on the web called www.iuniverse.com. If you do a search for Road Angels, the book will come up, and you can read chapters of this book without buying it. Anyway, it has stories from women about getting their first motorcycle, taking the MSF class, what to carry in your first aid kit, etc. I read it for about an hour, and it was really interesting. I just thought I would let everyone know. Talk to you soon! Terri in Baltimore, MD OK......I decided to check out the book "Road Angels" to get my chance at reading the first chapter as you suggested. My opinion so far? I think it is a very interesting and informative book BUT I think they forgot to use their spell check! You are not going to believe this.....but you can read a LOT MORE than the first chapter of this book on www.iuniverse.com. This is really neat. I am enjoying this book. It is quite informative. Even though all riders would find something of interest in Road Angels, it would be especially beneficial to a new rider. I would definitely recommend it! Ok.....I got to page 122 of Road Angels and now I have to wait until I buy the book to finish. Darn! It was in the best part of the book telling about GRANNIES THAT RIDE and the experiences they encountered over the years. I am soooo glad you told us about this book. I am definitely going to go and buy it! Hugs Betty (aka Bootygrandma) Monday, January 28 Dear VTwin Mama, Yeah I have seen this situation too. You know if you ride with a group, that would be enough bikes like 10 or more, I have heard and been in a group where someone will either direct traffic at the intersections or I have also been on rides when we ALL STOPPED at the stop signs. I would not want to ruin my very clean driving record for any reason. Or get into an accident. Remember what they taught us in motorcycle class. DRIVE DEFENSIVELY. Always keep in my mind you are a smaller object then a car. A lot smaller then a 18 wheeler. And I WOULD NEVER STAY IN BACK OF THE LINE JUST BECAUSE I STOP AT STOP SIGNS, THIS MAY HELP THE OTHER RIDERS OBEY THE LAW TOO.... How long does it actually take to stop, look and proceed? You only get ONE LIFE, you might want to take care of your life and stop at those signs...Group or no group of riders, you are asking for trouble....Yeah, this got my dander up -- I am a stickler when it comes to stuff like this. Those stop signs are there for a reason, it is to control an intersection, new rider or not, OBEY THE LAW..... Just My Opinion Jo Ann I am writing in response to Barbara K.'s question/comment about stopping or rather not stopping at a stop sign. I am a new rider and have also been faced with this dilemma when riding in a small group (6 - 7). In my situation, we were a small enough group to stay very close together and all roll thru the stop at once. We were on a not so busy back road at the time and there were few cars around. Please don't think I was 100% OK or comfortable with this but I had no choice at the time but to roll with the group. (No pun intended there.) There was also another new rider with us and she has a difficult time stopping so for her it was a benefit. I am just now joining WOW - Women on Wheels and I will interested to see how the Chapter I will be a member of handles this situation. I plan to ask at another meeting we are attending this weekend for a different ride group. I will update everyone with their answer. I checked the "Rules of the Road" for that particular group and stop signs are not in there. I know that the police do stop traffic for special rides and then I have no problem cruising on thru - but otherwise I get nervous. Heck, I get nervous going through an intersection when I have the green light. As always, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one out there who feels this way. Thanks Barbara. Laura L. Dear Jo Ann and Laura, Let's see if we get some more input from both experienced and inexperienced riders on this subject. Mama Monday, January 28 Dear VTwin Mama, Hi, I think you will find that the VLX 600 is a great bike....but it is somewhat tall as well as top heavy! The 800 Intruder (which I have not ridden) has a lower center of gravity, which would make for better balance and easier handling. I have spoken with others that have the 800 Intruder, and they loved it! I, myself, now own a 650 Yamaha V-Star Classic. It is gorgeous, has a low center of gravity, and at 5' tall....(after having it lowered) fits me to a T! Whatever bike you choose.....the important thing is that it makes you feel special....and fits you and your needs. Betty Thanks for such a wonderful site for the feminine riders! It's a great site and was shared with us on the ladies IA (Intruder Alert) forum by your friend Tom Sauls (at Southern Cruisers, Lake Tahoe Nevada chapter). I've been riding about 2 years now and have an Intruder 800 that was given to me for my birthday last June. It is a wonderful ride and I was thrilled to receive it and ride it whenever the weather permits. Which is quite often here in the south! We get the opportunity to ride almost year round as I'm sure you do. I am originally from Idaho but wouldn't move back as I've grown accustomed to this southern climate and it has been home to me now for about 28 years. Ride safe and smile like you mean it! Cruisin BettyJo For folks like Shorty600 who are seriously looking, you can order Motorcycle Reports by make/model which are compiled by Ian Smith Information from several sources and nicely printed. I got a couple and am pleased. www.mcreports.com. Also, a great page on Motorcycle.Com's site that lets you search by factors including seat height! http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcdbase/mcdbase.html. April Friday, January 25 Dear VTwin Mama, What my husband and I have started to do is ride at the back of the pack, that way there's no pressure on us to make a stupid decision. You have to do what you feel is right. Ride your own ride, don't let anyone else dictate what you should or shouldn't do! Ride safe and ride longer! New Rider in New England (although she's rapidly becoming New England Rider!) Dear NR in NE (NER), Dear VTwin Mama, Dear No Name, Some reviews written by women can be found at Woman Motorist although it is not complete. Readers, if you have other sites with bike reviews written by women (which I think is an important point) please let me know. Mama Friday, January 25 Dear VTwin Mama, I then took the Motorcycle safety course at a community college and passed it with flying colors. The Sportster was too much for me. After dumping it 3 times the first day I rode it, I was ready to give it up. Two days later my husband was determined to buy me a bike that I could ride. So at his insistence we bought a Honda Rebel 250 which was what I rode in the safety course. After just 500 miles on it, I was ready to move up. We sold the Harley and bought a 650 VStar custom. I am absolutely in love with it! It is so much more stable on the road, but yet so easy to handle. I am so thrilled that my husband did not let me give up on riding. Since I have developed a little confidence in myself and have been riding the VStar, I have had a blast and can't wait for springtime. Just think of the fun I would have missed. VTwin sisters, keep sending in those words of encouragement to those of us that still have a lot to learn. It is wonderful to know that you experienced gals have had some of the questions and fears that us newbies have. Be Safe! Chris M. Dear Chris, Friday, January 25 TV Program Notice Greetings VTwin Mama, Dear Bert, Thursday, January 24 Dear Readers, http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/NewRider/index.asp Mama Thursday, January 24 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Linda, So now I want to be nominated for sainthood, or something equally cool! Mama (added note from 01/01/03: this site seems to have gone belly up) Wednesday, January 23 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Vikki, If you're interested in seeing some of the women-specific events coming up throughout the country, click on the Events section of Motorcycle Madness. Mama Wednesday, January 23 Dear VTwin Mama, "I am writing in response to your riding buddies article. First, let me say I think your magazine is great. I wish all of you all of the best with it. After reading your article, I had to write you about my new riding buddy. First, let me take a minute to introduce myself. I am a 42 year old male. I have been riding for about 34 years now, and my love for the sport of motorcycling has only gotten deeper as the years progress. I have been an MSF instructor for twelve years, and have been involved with a state run program for the past five years. Needless to say, I have had my share of riding buddies over the years. I met Nancy at a recent Experienced Rider Course. After class, we made arrangements to meet for a ride. Over the past few months, we have shared some great rides and some awesome quality time together. After the recent events in our country, this past September (both of us live near ground zero) this time spent together has been all that more special to both of us. Over the course of the past few months, something magical and wonderful has happened. Not only have I met the best riding buddy anyone could ever ask for, Ive also gotten the best friend, lover, partner in life and a new bride-to-be. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect this. Since my divorce, some 15 years ago, friends told me that when I met the right person, I would know it. It took a while, but wishes do come true. Motorcycling is one of the few things that has been good to me my whole life. The last few months have been the best in quite some time. Just when the world seemed cruel and out of control, along comes a new riding partner and suddenly all seems right in my world. I know the problems we all face as human beings still exist, but my motorcycles and my new love make the world just a little easier to take. Too bad more people dont ride the world would be a better place. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read my letter and good luck with your new endeavor. Yours truly, R.W. Brown P.S.. You know the saying Stuff Happens? Well, you know what, some times really good stuff happens also, and thats pretty cool. Not only have I met the sweetest woman in the world, she loves me, my dog, motorcycles and tools. Am I a lucky man or what? She also has two beautiful and terrific little girls. I love them all so much. Im not only lucky, I am definitely blessed. Motorcycles are really good for the soul." Nancy Dear Nancy, Wednesday, January 23 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Sharon, Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Barbara, The underlying thinking in pack riding is that once the pack splits, largely due to stops, is that it is easier for cars to get sandwiched between riders making for a truly unsafe riding environment. The drivers get nervous, the bikers get impatient -- voila -- the perfect setup for an ouch. So, hang out at the back and you'll have your decision making control back again! Mama (basically another goodie goodie, but if you tell anyone I'll categorically deny it!) Tuesday, January 22 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Terri, Monday, January 21 Dear VTwin Mama, Shorty600 can go to the IA (Intruder Alert site). It is a site dedicated to the Intruder, lots of ladies there that have the 800 (guys too - me included) Good advice and review on all topics. Personally I love my 01 800. Am 5-8 over 175lbs. I find the bike to have good low end torque, it will cruise at 80+ if you need it to... has power to spare for passing etc....I think she will be surprised at the difference between the VLX and the VS800. Just my .02 Tom This is regarding Shorty600's question. I'm 5'3. The 800 Intruder is a GREAT bike. My first one and probably the only one. I've looked at a lot of others but am so comfortable now on mine. All the others are too wide at the bottom where the pipes are. Shorty, I had my Intruder lowered in the front and back -- then to make it even lower I had the seat shaved down it is perfect for me now. I do recommend though ( if you have been riding for a while) you get a 1400. Wish I had got a 1400 but now ( have too much $$$ in my 800) and the reason being was I had never ridden before and I was scared of anything bigger...hope this helps Shorty Georgia I am 5'5" and a 1999 800 Intruder was my first bike. I rode it for two years and put almost 10,000 miles on it. I loved the bike. If you change the stock seat for a custom seat, you may find that it lowers the seat height as well. The bike was indestructible with a shaft drive and hydraulic everything so very little maintenance was required. Good luck and safe riding. Rebecca Monday, January 21 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Mystery VTwin Mama
sister, Friday, January 18 Dear Readers, Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Chewy, Way to wake us up Chewy! Thanks. Mama Thursday, January 17 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Deb, Wednesday, January 16 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Davey, Meanwhile, you can get to the archived links (that are featured weekly in the VTwin Mama newsletter under the 'Cool Links' section by clicking here. Or, I'll just name the top three magazines for women that I read: Woman Rider, Motorcycle Madness and Biker Ally. You can click on each name and get to their sites right from here. Whew, I better get to work! Mama Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Shorty600, I could have sworn at one point that I ran across a site with bike reviews written by women but now for the life of me I can't find it. Anyone got a clue? It seems that I have lost mine! Mama Monday, January 14 TV Program Notice This is a new TV show starting this month down around the Tampa, Florida area. Cindy Sandor has created it and is producing it as well. It is mainly created for women who ride motorcycles, but should be of interest to all riders. If you can access it, I think you will be very pleased. Time Warner: Channel 96 Friday, January 11 More Stuff for Foxee (researching the important points when buying a VTwin): Tell Foxee to contact Motorcycle Consumer News and they could probably help her. I am sure they have a web site (yes, at www.mcnews.com). They put out a fantastic magazine. Bobbye V-Twins huh??? Well I would buy either a Road King Classic with a FUEL INJECTED 1450 V-TWIN HARLEY POWERHOUSE....You could pull stumps with this baby...I owned a 883 and the 1450 is so much more, yes it is....The 1450 is smooth, the fuel injection is a wonderful added feature for convenience, much better fuel management, smooth take-offs, smooth idle speed, it is an excellent device when going through the high altitude also. I have never ridden any other brand f motorcycle except Harley, and I am one of those died in the wool riders, so I can not suggest any other v-twin. But I would say the new V-Rod is a v-twin of the future. With its liquid cooled engine, this baby can crank out some massive HP. If you want wind in your hair and from 0-60 in split seconds then you oughtta check out the V-Rod. For me I prefer the classic look of the big bulky front forks, the big fenders, the tush friendly seat, and the ability to stretch my legs on long trips, so that is why Bad Betty, my Road King Classic is in my garage...I would not mind having a V-Rod just for bragging rights, but my husband and I each have our own bikes, and we spent our allowances for the next 10 years last spring as we both got new bikes....Harley is the King of V-Twins in my opinion...MILWAUKEE IRON... Technical Info: My 1450 is a rubber mounted v-twin...Its technical name is a Twin Cam 88. 88.00Cubic Inches and the cc displacement is 1450 of course. Like I said it has electronic sequential port fuel injection. I think I spelled that right. It of course has 2 cylinders, it is a45 degrees v-twin air cooled engine. Torque is 86 pounds @ 3500 rpms. Compression ratio is 9.0 to1...Bore In. is 3.75, Stroke In. is 4.00....And I am a very satisfied Harley owner. If you have never ridden a Harley, check one out at your local dealer they would be thrilled to help you out on your quest for more info, who knows maybe you'll fall in love with a big twin.... Jo Ann Falash Thursday, January 10 Dear VTwin Mama, When I bought mine, we wanted Harley Davidson. So that eliminated a lot of bikes. Next, we knew we wanted something I could ride for trips. We were going to start with a Sportster because it was the least expensive HD and smallest engine. When comparing the models, we ended up deciding on a FatBoy. The engine was large enough for good highway travel, yet the bike size was okay to ride around town on short jaunts. The best part was the seat height: it was only 25 inches to the ground. This was 2 inches closer to the ground that the Sportster. It made handling much easier since I'm not "Ms Muscle". And since I've been riding it for about 3 years, I haven't "grown" out of it as I know I would have with the Sportster. In fact, I'm considering a Road King or a Classic in the next few years. Better suspension for long rides (air shocks) and more trunk space! You know us girls...we have to pack a lot of stuff! I'm just planning for the future. I won't have any problem selling my FatBoy...I have 3 friends that won't let me sell it unless it's to them! My hubby and I plan on retiring in the next 5 years so look out! We'll be on the road 24/7 if possible. There is just too much beautiful country out there not to see it from the seat of a motorcycle! Good luck with your assignment! Chris Dear Chris, Wednesday, January 9 TV Program Notice The Discovery Channel is airing a show on Sunday, January 13 at 9 PM ET/PT showing how Jess James, a custom bike builder of West Coat Choppers, puts together a bike from scratch and gets it to Sturgis in one piece! The program is called Motorcycle Mania 2 and for all of you who have been asking about books to learn more about the mechanics of a bike, this might be a good opportunity to see how a bike is actually put together. I know I'll be taping the show! Also, there's a sweepstakes for one free bike -- and that can't be all bad! If you want to see the bike, go to http://dsc.discovery.com or click on this link to go directly to that page-- the official entry rules are posted there as well. It's a $2 charge to phone in an entry, but you can also enter for free by postcard. What I think is super, super hot is that VTwin Mama received a notice from what I assume is the Discovery Channel's public relations person, Emily Hatch, about this show. That means we're on the map! Yippee! Mama Tuesday, January 8
To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing. Monday, January 7 Dear VTwin Mama, Regarding Rain's response (Jan. 4) for lowering the seat (see Cherie's original question): Sargents is here in Jacksonville. I have several friends who have used them for custom seat work. They are excellent. Just my two cents worth. Linda in Jax Dear Linda, You would think with the vibration in my old '76 Shovelhead that I'd have a smaller derriθre by this point. Sigh. Mama Friday, January 4 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Hondamama, Friday, January 4 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Rain, Dear VTwin Mama, My question is this. I am doing a research paper as part of my homework in a home study course on Written Communication. The assignment - pick a consumer product that I might want to buy. I decided on V-Twins. If I was to go shopping for a V-Twin what would I look for? Basically, the assignment is to study a consumer product I might be buying, so I am going to pick this group's brains. :) Thank you for your time. Foxee Dear Foxee, And I haven't learned much more since then either! Oh sure, about the trials, tribulation and joys of riding I know something about, but the rest, not really. I think picking a bike is mostly about what you want to do in terms or riding with the amount of money you have available. For instance, I don't place a high value on speed. Going over 70mph on highways is not a priority, so I don't need a bike that can run at 100mph for hours on end without breaking down into itsy bitsy pieces. Really, I want to toodle along at 35mph on back roads oohing and ahhing at the scenery (gorgeous here in the mountains in Nevada/California) with a nice comfy squishy seat to keep my tush happy! Well, I've done a brilliant job of not really answering your question so let's see what the VTwin Mama sisters have to say about the whole thing, shall we? If you're asking yourself, "Yes, well, but aren't you called Ask VTwin Mama?" -- technically you have a point. I chose this name simply because it's the oldest reference to a woman street rider that I could remember! Mama Wednesday, January 2 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Sara, Other suggested links in my search didn't bear good results (dead end pages, etc.), so if any readers have more sources, let's get Sara to the right places! Mama |
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