For
  sassy,
  classy
  women
  motorcyclists

Backgrounder

Mission Statement: The mission of VTwin Mama is to provide women motorcycle riders with an intelligent and accessible forum for discussion on all aspects of the sport.

The VTwin Mama Internet site for women motorcycle riders (http://www.VTwinMama.com), created by Petra Lattmann, was officially launched on January 29, 2001.  At the site’s core is the daily Ask VTwin Mama advice column.  Posted material is then archived by subject matter and month/year for accessibility.

Originally conceived of in June 2000 as an advice column for another motorcycle site, the collapse of that site in December 2000 led to further research by Ms. Lattmann to determine the level of representation women motorcycle riders had on the Internet.  The conclusion was that the VTwin Mama advice column was a unique concept and work began on pulling together an infrastructure.

For over six years the VTwin Mama site has provided a safe haven for women riders to ask questions, respond to other postings, or share an observation, whether they are a new or experienced rider.  The main topics, which are then sub-sectioned, range from the type of motorcycle to ride and riding techniques to working on a motorcycle, riding gear, getting together with other women riders, links to women-specific and general motorcycle sites of interest, and a photo gallery.  There are currently over 280 pages on the site and approximately 1.9 million hits per month.

In addition, general articles about motorcycle riding are offered, a weekly Newsletter for subscribers imparts important industry and VTwin Mama news, and logo wear and accessories are available.

Biography

Petra Lattmann, Founder and Owner of the VTwin Mama Internet site for women motorcycle riders, began riding her own motorcycle in October 1979 after seeing a woman rider for the first time and asking herself, “Why not me?”

Beginning on a 1976 Kawasaki KZ 750, without benefit of classroom or guided instruction, Ms. Lattmann quickly realized that the best self-learning was to be done in an empty parking lot.  After a number of sessions to gain control of the basic skills, she ventured out on the road on an early Sunday morning and never looked back.

At the time Ms. Lattmann was in the Navy, stationed in Norfolk, Va., and was required to take a two day military motorcycle course in order to ride on the base. The experience showed her that more advanced skills were needed to become a confident and skilled rider. At the same time, it became apparent to Ms. Lattmann that working on her own motorcycle would not only take care of basic maintenance, but that a deeper understanding of a motorcycle’s inner workings was useful knowledge on the road. That, and a roll of duct tape!

In 1987, Ms. Lattmann and a friend traveled from Chicago to Cape Cod, her first long-distance ride. In 1992, the switch was made to a 1986 Honda Shadow 750 and her first solo long-distance trip through Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan accomplished. In 1994, the Shadow was sold in order to purchase a 1976 Harley-Davidson Superglide, to complete her life-long dream of riding a Harley to Sturgis, S.D. for the Sturgis rally. This 3,500 round-trip ride over 12 days taught her many more useful things.

As a freelance writer, the creation of the VTwin Mama site in early 2001 began a different type of journey. Ms. Lattmann began attending women’s riding rallies held in the western half of the U.S. In 2005 Ms. Lattmann moved to Calabash, N.C. and purchased her current motorcycle, a 2001 BMW R1200C.

For over six years, Ms. Lattmann has taken her love and knowledge of the road and motorcycles and shared this wisdom with other women riders, noting that her advice is frequently augmented by the first-hand knowledge of other riders who frequent her site and share information. This is truly the calling card of the VTwin Mama site . . . to share and care in a meaningful dialog that assists any rider seeking information.