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2004 Dear
VTwin Mama, I also wore my corset on all the long trips on the highway. I found it to be incredibly comfortable and it completely stopped all the lower back pain you can get from riding long distances. I have one that is from hip to under bust and I ride with it just nipped up firmly so breathing is still easy, it makes a fabulous back brace. And if you want image, a corset looks great with the ensemble of jeans and leathers, I got lots of jealous looks from women in cars when I was stopped at service stations. It's a lovely womanly style & image that goes so well with a bike and is also very practical. Regards, – ShadowPuss (Marion) in Australia Dear
ShadowPuss, Monday, February 9 This is a reply for Karen who was asking about the filler for the neck coolers: The crystals are called "hydrogel" or polymer granules. They are also called "cool crystals". You can find them at places like Home Depot as they are used in gardening soil for water retention. I hope this helps and good luck finding them in your "neck" of the woods. – GuzziLady (note from Mama: wow, a solution from a "different" part of the "world!" Thanks for the input!) Monday, March 22 Dear
VTwin Mama, Add to that that most of the riding gear market is still focused on men (but getting better) - and there are few options. I lucked out with a jacket - found a style that fit (I tried on all kinds of stuff at a recent trade show and bought the one I found fit - which happened to be by a company I hadn't heard of before that (the Jet Black style by Power-Trip - www.power-trip.com) - but am not having the same luck with riding pants. Can anyone provide suggestions for protective pants for us short folks? Thanks! – Jeanette Dear
Jeanette, A specific site dedicated to women's riding gear is Woman Biker. Besides the standards, they are really geared up to do custom work. Sure, it costs a bit more, but then may be well worth it so you look great and it's functional as well! You most certainly don't want to distract from riding 'cause you're tugging at gear! Hope these two suggestions provide some results! – Mama Thursday, March 25 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Elaina, Dear
VTwin Mama, I have been searching for a solution for something to rest my back against when riding. I came across a few things but they are so expensive and of course in U.S. currency so that is out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated especially if home made. Thanks. – SE Wright Dear
SE Wright, Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Dana, Tuesday, April 6 For Dana who is looking for a hip pouch that goes on belt loops: I have one that I got from Jamin' Leather. It attaches to your belt loops with two rings that you squeeze to open, hook to your belt loops, and then close. It's big enough to hold a small brush, my smokes, money, etc., but is not bulky and looks good. Mine has fringe down the sides and a concho on the front. I believe they have 3 or 4 different styles on their website. I get compliments on mine all the time. It was around $24. Their website is www.jaminleather.net. – Robyn C. (note from Mama: thank goodness -- a solid suggestion! Thanks for saving my hide on this one!) Thursday, April 8 More for Dana who is looking for a hip pouch that goes on belt loops: Well, speaking as a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), I can tell you that leather belt pouches of all sizes, leathers, colors, and descriptions are a very commonly-sold item amongst SCA merchants. I myself have at least three belt pouches to go with the various period costumes that I wear at SCA events; I can't believe it never even *occurred* to me to use them on my bike. . . what a silly human I am! Dana might want to check online for merchants that sell SCA, Ren Faire, or period re-enactment costumes and accessories. Here are a few SCA-related folks with online storefronts; these links go directly to their pouches: Arrow
Leather Company If none of these work for you, another good place to start looking is the links page for Renaissance Magazine: Hope these will prove useful. – Stephany Moore, SCA Name: Adeleva de la Casa de Las Tortugas, currently riding a 2001 Yamaha VStar 650 Custom (note from Mama: let's face it, sometimes putting two and two together takes a few more brain cells then may always be available -- at least that's my excuse when I don't come up with truly useful solutions to the questions posted on my own darn site! Thanks for sharing this innovative suggestion and related links.) Tuesday, April 20 Even more for Dana who is looking for a hip pouch that goes on belt loops: My favorite accessory when riding is my pouch that I bought from www.wolftrax.com. This pouch has two clips that clip onto my belt buckles (I don't wear belts - no extra bulk needed) and it stays there. There is a Velcro type closure that has never opened. I've been using mine for about 3 years (over 17,000 miles) with no complaints - I love it. – Michele Stoneking (note from Mama: thanks for sharing another solution!) Tuesday, April 27 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Lois, Thursday, May 13 Dear
VTwin Mama: Dear
Penny, Friday, May 14 Dear
VTwin Mama: Dear
Andrea, One women's clothing store on the Internet that many women like is Woman Biker, but check my Cool Links and Product Sources pages for other sites. Happy hunting! – Mama Monday, May 17 For Bryna who is trying to stay cool under all the protective gear: I
have found a short-sleeved cotton turtleneck under a well-vented jacket to
be the most comfortable combination. Quick-dry fabrics like coolmax
didn't seem quite as cooling. – Sarah (note
from Mama: simple and easy!) Dear
VTwin Mama, The bikes look cool, but in our area the sport riders are either dressed like they are going on the space shuttle or nearly naked. Just curious. – Megthered Dear
Megthered, I keep in mind that all the beginning years that I rode I lived in states without helmet laws and choose to ride without. This was a choice – and at the time, it was personal, lawful, and none of anybody’s business. Of course I did not understand that it was less likely that I would cause my own problem – rather, some idiot would do me in. And that’s why protective gear is always a good idea And then there are days where a T-shirt will do (yes, pants and boots also!) and I make the conscious decision to take the risk. Sigh. There’s a fine line and we must each decide what’s right for us at the time. – MamaMonday, August 9 For Megthered who ponders on some riders choice of minimal clothing: Well Mama, as my husband tells me ... he dresses for the crash not the ride. Most of these guys will get together late at night and ride well beyond the legal speed limit when traffic is at its lightest. The group I know are very skilled riders and they like to do stunts. This group tries to take the public's best interest into mind when they do ride, for instance, discussing club rules for we will ride in an organized fashion and not cut in front of cars. (they realize that they need to keep the public from panicking when they see 30 to 40 bikes speeding towards them). Lets face it these bikes are built for speed. They are actually enjoyed when doing 80 mph or better. For that reason my group will get together and go to Hallet, OK to ride on the track to really let loose where it is legal to go that fast. As far as riding shorts and flip flops with a helmet suggest to me that rider was out during the day when he knew traffic was at its highest, and was taking an easy stroll to him. Surely later at night the Space gear comes out and he is in full leathers or least jeans and boots. We have had some riders go down because they are riding so fast, at night time and the roads they ride on are back roads with loose gravel. I have seen one guy go down at 135mph and walk away with just a scratch because he was wearing his full gear. We preach the full gear even in the summer time when it is 100 degrees. At least we will not get sun burnt.. lol. I can not personally approve of such speeds on main roads. I like my cruiser personally and like to take it easy and see the sights. Take care Mama! – Ladykruzer (note from Mama: you bring up an interesting point: that perceived lighter traffic or slower solo riding means lighter gear wear to some riders. Yes, sometimes I'm riding in only a T-shirt with a leather vest (well, ok, there's pants and boots too!). It's a risk for sure. The problem overall all of course is that crap can happen at any time and any place to a rider and if they don't think so, they'll eventually learn the hard way. Sigh. I know in the end each rider must decide for themselves the balance of gear to risk.) Wednesday, August 11 Dear
VTwin Mama, I wear a women's size 18/20. Bike jackets seem to run smaller compared to regular jackets. It is hard to find jackets, etc. for plus size at an affordable price yet have some decent quality to them. Men's jackets will fit around the rump then they are huge across the shoulders and the sleeves are endless. I like the www.womanbiker.com jackets but can't afford them. What can you tell me about the jeans with Kevlar in them as opposed to leather chaps/pants? When I first started riding at age 10 my Dad made us wear jean jackets, boots, gloves and jeans. I have always just worn a jean jacket but with what I've been reading and the traffic has picked up in my area I'm looking for more protection. Also, what do you recommend to put on your helmet shield outside to help with rain and inside to help with anti-fog? With the humidity lately, I've been having some real problems riding at night. Lastly, is there some type of log book for your motorcycle on repairs, oil changes, etc. that you can buy or a program for on your computer? Thanks for your help. Appreciate your input. – Pam from Central PA Dear
Pam, Leather is often bought for looks, but the fact is that a GOOD leather jacket is worth it's weight in gold. It boils down to the thickness of the cowhide used. If you ever see a "die-hard" Harley rider, you'll note that their leather jacket looks like it weighs a ton. That's because it's made to truly protect and can take a road skid with the best of them. The sportier textile jackets are nice, but without the Kevlar, they offer no more protection than a thin "look at me" leather jacket. It's the Kevlar that saves your own skin. True, the sportier versions with Kevlar are more lightweight than good thick cowhide, so a liner can be added and this is nice. Thick cowhide will keep off winter blasts, but summer riding is different. That's when most switch to a good thick cowhide vest. Less protection, but the chest and back are still covered (one more layer the road has to chew before getting to your skin!). Price. You always get what you pay for, so if you need to wait a little bit to save up to get the jacket that is pricier but you perceive to meet your requirements, it's well worth it! I just saw someone today scramble from underneath a fallen bike (he looked ok as I was zooming by), but it really hit home that you just can't replace quality . . . ever . . . So, the pants follow the same thinking pattern. Thick cowhide or Kevlar offer protection. As to helmet shield fogging, there are a ton of products on the market (think snorkel/diving masks) and you need only go to a search engine to find these products! Riding at night is best done with clear goggles in my opinion, rather than a face shield, even a clear one, although I'm not opposed to it. Less "look around" restrictions, but good protection. As to motorcycle maintenance software, I really couldn't find anything useful and would advocate getting the maintenance/service manual for your year/make/model bike and starting an Excel spreadsheet. You sound adamant about precise upkeep, so make sure to get the factory manual versus the aftermarket version (it's about $60 at www.repairmanuals.com rather than the $20 aftermarket version, which is good . . . ) But that's just me! Readers, any thoughts here?! – Mama Thursday, August 19 Dear
VTwin Mama, The second question involves a problem I am having on my VStar 650 custom. My toes go numb. I thought this was maybe the stock foot pegs, but saw on this site that someone with a similar problem was told it was related to the seat. We would like to do something about this before our road trip and don't mind investing in a better seat if that is the problem, but would like some input from anyone else who solved this problem or has links to info about spine and feet issues related to motorcycles, since all I have been able to find are about bicycling causing foot numbness. I should mention that so far I am weird and like footpegs vs. floorboards, although I could adjust my tastes I suppose if that is the problem. I also feel that at 5'6" and 32" inseam I am a little tall and crunched up on the seat with the leg room etc. Thanks and happy riding! – Haven Dear
Haven, Toes, feet, legs, hands and arms can go numb just by the very fact that your body is not used to being in the same position for long times. Part of the solution is to simply stop every 100 miles and stretch. Shorten the time/mileage frame as necessary (fatigue later in the day, etc.). If back fatigue is a concern (as it really plays a major role in your overall comfort), you might try a corset of sorts, like those worn by people in professions where heavy lifting is a requirement. It provides back support that’s just wonderful for longer rides. Here’s a good article on the subject of the relationship of the seat and hand/foot controls to overall body position from Motorcycle Cruiser magazine. It really helps you look at your current seat and make some observations before going out to look for something new that will be help you. Good luck and have fun! – MamaThursday, August 19 For Fawn on the subject of helmets: I too wear a full face helmet. A Vega with a flip front and I love it. I just recently bout a mirrored shield for it and I love it except when you have to ride at night. The visor being darkened is too dark to wear down while riding at night. I had to ride home about 60 miles with no face shield down and my wind screen doesn't do much for bugs. ICK. What a ride -- I had to stop 1 or 2 times to wipe the bug guts off my glasses -- hehe. So lesson learned -- I need saddle bags and put my clear face shield in the bag!!! For Megthered on sporty riders who wear a helmet but not much else: I choose to wear a helmet (it's also a law here in Georgia). My father had a wreck on his bike. Had he not been wearing his full helmet, he would of done some very very bad damage to his face and head. The impact marks of his helmet showed me that the helmet did it's job. Had he been wearing a half helmet, his ear would of been gone. But like you said, it's your choice. Now I DO ride in jeans and I have both summer and winter riding jackets (summer jacket has body armor in it). Now, there have been some really, really, REALLY hot days here in GA where I have gone out in just jeans, boots and a T-shirt. But I have seen what Road Rash and what they call De-gloving looks like. There is NO WAY I'd ever ride a motorcycle in a skimpy tank and shorts. But people choose to ride in what they want, but like Mama said, once they hit ground, it's gonna be an experience they will never forget. I guess they forgot how bad a scraped knee feels from falling off bikes as a kid. Stay safe and have fun riding. – Tara (note from Mama: you've shared some very real consequences of riding without the correct riding gear . . . a useful reminder to all riders.) Monday, November 1 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Mike,
Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Kathleen, |
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