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SPECIAL DEALS Current Deals and Coupon Discounts at Online Shops!
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2006 (January through May) Tuesday, January 3 More about the colorful Icon riding gear: I felt that I had to chime in on this one too. Although
I'm sure that there actually might be some women who would actually
wear this stuff, I still find it difficult to believe that they would be
older then 10 years old. I can't imagine wearing pink and white chaps with
western six-guns printed on the sides no matter how petite of a woman you
are!! Some of the jackets are actually not bad but the "Kitty
Jacket" and "Kitty Chaps" have GOT to go! I've been in the garment industry for over 30 years and I know something about the importance of a proper fit. I happen to be one of the fuller figured riders but I have noticed that the majority of providers of women's riding gear rarely have good protective armor at the back or sometimes the shoulders & elbows and rarely offer a larger size range. I have many times opted to purchase a mans jacket both because of my size and because I want the full protective armor that it offered. The down side of that choice is that I have to accept a poor fit on these items until I can afford some of the more expensive options that I know are out there. I just don't understand why these manufacturers make it so difficult for us women riders to have the variety of gear and protection that men have. It is happening and there have been changes inspired by the influx of women riders but I think that they are moving a little slow and need to catch up with the real world! Ride Safe, Gloria form So. Cal. (note from Mama: yes, the horrible realization that because women only make up 10% of the overall riding population, there is not a lot of effort made on our behalf, although I do feel this is slowly changing. Maybe not so much with the bigger companies, but smaller women-specific sources are available.) Dear VTwin Mama, I'm favoring a one piece riding suit, as I want something easy to get on and off, wearable over a range of street clothing, and somewhat waterproof. I like the Aerostitch Road Craft suit, as it seems to meet all of the above, and it has armor, and noticed it comes in several color choices, including Hi-viz yellow. I've heard lots from both sides of the fence when it comes to wearing hi viz colors. The Hurt report, and many authors suggest wearing bright colors, some even mentioning the Hi-viz suit by name, and then it seems though that most riders tend to favor black. One guy even tried both black and hi viz on different weeks, and found little difference in how other drivers acted around him. I'm thinking about going with the blue or red color choices, but do you think that the hi viz would be a better choice? Thanks. Ben Dear
Ben, Congrats on taking that riding course . . . that's a good step! Yes, their are many opinions about how cage drivers see, or don't see, motorcycle riders. Even a "loud color" bike with loud pipes can fail to catch their attention. This is what defensive riding is all about . . . the constant scanning of our environment to anticipate any potential problem and assuming someone is going to do something stupid and intercept our pathway in the worst possible way. I personally like that Hi Viz Yellow suit . . . and think it will make more of a difference at night than during regular daylight hours (although they note that yellow is a "shock color" and has an impact on people's perception of what they expect to see no matter what time of the day it is). Some people will argue that you could get a similar affect at night with reflective tape on more standard riding gear. Many advocate that you should also put reflective tape on your helmet and that's a good idea. Ok, my bottom line is this: no matter what you choose, you can't count on the riding gear or the bike to be visible to a driver who is intent on their own pathway, so I would go with something that protects me and falls within my "fashion" sensibilities. For goodness sakes, I wear insulated workmen's bib coveralls in winter in lieu of chaps as I like the warmth factor and fit better. I've gotten a lot of stares, but also some people asking me where I got them. That's MY choice and I'm comfortable with me, even it it falls "outside" the norm. Tough. I'm a happy camper. So, choose to meet your perceived needs and then practice, practice, practice so that you and the bike are one . . . your best defense is knowing the handling characteristics of your bike inside and out! Mama Friday, January 6 From Ben who was looking at riding gear, including a bright yellow one-piece suit: I read your post, and I agree with you on fashion. To be honest, I went into the dealership Thursday to see a bike I was interested in, and to get a set of gloves. I ended up leaving with a helmet, gloves, and I have a jacket and pants on order. I had my mind set on the Aerostich suit despite the price (how much is my skin worth?), but the salesman was patient and insisted on showing me what all he could order, which was of course more than I even knew existed. I found some gear that cost far less than the Aerostich suit did, but seems to have the features I wanted and looks good too. It goes to show that you should let the dealer show you as much as he or she wants to, as you might find a better or equally suitable product for less. Thanks for you site. I really enjoy reading it, and I really like your help and support. Ben (note from Mama: ok, shopping is good! It's amazing how much "stuff" is out there, whether it's a bike model or riding gear, so always keep your own wants/needs in mind as salespeople can be a persuasive lot! Readers, that "bicycle" picture in the left column is what Ben has been riding, click on the picture to get the full description of what it really is (now in the Photo Gallery)! We look forward to getting a picture of you in riding gear with your new bike when it all comes together for you!) From
VTwin
Mama, In my attempt to research what constitutes "good, thick leather," I started coming up with some interesting points: * That ICON Kitty Jacket that got the whole thing started is 1.2-1.4 mm thick. * The women's riding jackets at Fox Creek Leather are 1.2-1.4 mm thick. * The info I could find on some of the WomanBiker.com jackets is 3 oz. * I'm reading that "race quality" leather thickness is 1.4-1.6 mm thick. * The weight or thickness is usually given as a range because the inherent variability of the material makes ensuring a precise thickness very difficult. * Leather terminology: buyer beware: leather referred to as "top grain" is in fact leather in which the grain has been removed and a fake one stamped on it. When the genuine grain remains, the leather is called "full grain" or " full top grain, " not simply " top grain." *
1.2 mm = 3.0 oz. So, that's my opening "shot" on the subject. If you have a favorite riding jacket (please note the manufacturer and style name), I'd love for you to hop onto a site and explore what thickness/weight it is and report back! Petra, VTwin Mama Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Dutch, Monday, January 16 For Dutch who has new chaps that are a bit tight in the thighs: I had the same problem. When I started riding, I ordered chaps, but measured my legs without my jeans, so mine have always been too tight in the top. I had my tailor cut a 5" slit in each leg at the top in the center back of each leg, and sew in a "V" of elastic that stretches out at the thigh to give me more room at the top. I have also seen a similar approach with a "V" of leather inserted, with grommets and leather laces added so you can lace them to the tightness you need. Maybe those two ideas will help. Sandy Deems in Florida (note from Mama: it's good to have alternative solutions . . . thanks for sharing these!) Never worn chaps . . but . . . with my new boots I always make them soaking wet and wear them walking or riding around on a really hot day. The leather stretches then shapes to your foot. Old soldiers trick. I read once German soldiers recommend pissing on the leather, makes it very supple apparently, perhaps you may not want to go that far. Kevin (note from Mama: ewwww on the last part!) I have seen chaps at bike rallies that have elastic in the thigh area that might work better. Sorry I dont have specific information like a brand name or store. Maybe should continue shopping, visiting bike shows, etc. till something suitable is found and sell the current pair to a friend? Bonnie (note from Mama: in researching "stretching leather motorcycle chaps" I got lots of search hits that clearly showed leather riding chaps with elastic areas for fit, so it's a possibility for consideration!) Dear
VTwin Mama, Also, need some help on gel seats. Has anyone purchased one and loved it? Kelly Dear
Kelly, Ok readers, any pant leg clues? How about input on inserting a gel seat? Mama Monday, February 13 Dear
VTwin Mama, On occasion I've read emails from readers looking for cool biker jewelry. Just wanted to share a site with you. I went to the International Motorcycle Show in Rosemont, IL today and came across this guy's booth. www.celticcraft.net The link for tribal pendants shows a lady biker. There are a few different styles under this heading. He said he can make them in gold too - just email him: jkd782@aol.com. Thanks for such a great site! Jennifer in Wisconsin Dear
Jennifer, Monday, February 13 For Kelly whose boyfriend was looking to anchor the bottom of pant legs: Jimi Clips - those look pretty cool and reasonably priced - I've been using hair ties over my pant legs. Not cool but they do the job especially when I am wearing work pants (not jeans) which have a wider leg than jeans. Claire (note from Mama: quick and simple!) There's a product called 'Yo Mama cruiser clips. I bought a couple of pairs, and they work great for keeping the pant legs in place! I bought them from Cruiser Customizing. Hope that helps. Kat (note from Mama: this exactly what I think Kelly had in mind!) Tuesday, February 14 More for Kelly whose boyfriend was looking to anchor the bottom of pant legs: Though not exactly what she asked for, they may not know this option exists: The Desert Dawgs do a good job of keeping that updraft off legs and feet - not to mention staying dry. AND, they are easy to take on and off - and they look good! Tracey (note from Mama: ah yes, the wind barriers that get attached to highway/engine guard bars . . . another solution to consider!) Wednesday, February 15 More for Kelly whose boyfriend was looking to anchor the bottom of pant legs: This is what I use -- and have good luck with them: Faδrken Biker Stirrups. LJH in Texas (note from Mama: very stylish!) Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Penny, If you want a cheap and quick remove solution, then you can use an old ironing board cover, cut out a "patch", and attach Velcro strips to secure it. Works very nicely! One woman noted that she took her jeans to a tailor and had them sew a special heat/fire resistant material into the interior of her jeans (hot zone section) so that you only see very faint stitching on the outside and no one is the wiser! Others simply wear lighter weight chaps to keep hot bike parts at bay. You can also do a search for half chaps, sometimes called leggings. Those are the top suggestions that I can recall at this moment! Mama For Penny who is battling "hot thigh": It's not just the HD Springer that creates heat. My hubby and I both have Electra Glides (different years) that get unbelievably hot while sitting still. This is so much of a problem that when we were in Sturgis, we saw a vendor that was selling a custom made leather "saddle" that was suppose to help keep the heat off of the inner thigh. I can't recall the source, but it seems to me it was a company from southern Wisconsin or Northern Illinois. It was a piece of fashioned leather that fit between the seat and gas tank and hung down on both sides just enough to keep the heat from burning the inside of the leg. As I recall there was something between the two layers of leather (maybe a piece of aluminum) to help keep it positioned and looking good while in flight. We didn't purchase, as they were a little pricier than we wanted, but a product does exist. To combat the problem, we've just decided to not stop in hot weather! How many right turns on red do you suppose we can make? ; ) Michele (note from Mama: hmmmmm, okay readers, if you know the source, it's time to chime in!) Wednesday, March 15 For Michele who responded about seeing a product for battling "hot thigh": Kuryakyn makes a reflective heat shield that attaches under your seat. It has clear or reflective smoked Lexan shields that shield your legs from the heat from the rear cylinder. So far they make them for dressers or softails . . . retail is $59.95. Diane in Michigan (note from Mama: you're a peach for sharing!) Dear
VTwin
Mama, I am wondering if you have some advice on clothing for cold weather riding. The weather in Michigan limits the riding season considerably, but with proper clothing I suspect it could be increased. I'm interested in warm, waterproof, easy off and on clothing. Also, is there a warm water proof product to wear over shoes? I would like to be able to wear stuff over my scrubs, just peel the outer clothes off and be ready to work. I very much appreciate your thoughts. THANKS. Dort Dear
Dort, I like ski-based undergarments, as they are designed to wick away sweat and keep you comfy, but also like standard tights for under my jeans, and then two pairs of long socks. Then I add a turtleneck T, workmen's overalls with thermal lining (lots of people prefer chaps, but I'm not a huge fan), I zip in my extra jacket lining, wear mini gloves under my leather ones (thank goodness for heated grips on my bike!) or my ski gloves (bought to have minimal bunching at the palm area), and a light but big silk scarf (silk is soooo warm!) that goes over my head and wraps around my neck to tie in the back, then the helmet. I waterproof my boots and the overalls are long, but admit I still get some spray up if the water on the road is heavier. What a mish-mash! But it works for me. I typed in "winter weather motorcycle riding apparel" in the Google search engine and was delighted to see the top hits were to articles and directories on sites I know and love, including Ride My Own, WebBikeWorld, Motorcycle About, AMA, etc. These links would lead to you to the top manufacturers of weather-related gear. Also, you may wish to check my Women's Gear page for sites that offer women-specific gear. Depending on your body shape/size, if you need custom fit items, there are women's sites that offer this! As for easy on, easy off . . . I now note that if the pants have zips that extend from bottom to hip, it's a real bonus, and most of those are then two way zippers! I like two piece things, because when you do stop, it's nice to be able to take the jacket off, and if you have the full zip pants, you don't have to remove them fully. On the subject of boots, you would do best to actually purchase waterproof boots . . . these differ from waterproofing standard leather boots, and I found sources by typing in "rain and motorcycle boots" in the search engine. Fit is a biggee in my book and worth the price. You don't want anything to lose fitting as it tends to billow out while riding and I really don't like that too much. For this reason, I would visit any and all dealers in a 60 mile radius and try things on so that you have a personal fit guideline to go by. On a different note, a windshield to block wind to your upper body is great and if you have an engine guard (also called a crash bar, highway bar) you can add Desert Dawg-style wind blockers . . . they are chaps for your bike and block wind at the leg level. Delish! So, all of that was a really long-winded way of saying it's soooo personal to the individual person and I can't point to one vendor specifically. Still, I'm thinking we may get readers who will share their personal favorites, and of course, my Motorcycle Riding Gear: Clothing pages chronicle all the past postings. Happy hunting! Mama Friday, March 17 For Dort who is seeking cold weather riding gear info: I just wanted to make a suggestion for winter gloves. I used to ride in heavy, thick Harley gloves which were warm enough, particularly when worn with a liner, but which caused great hand fatigue! I purchased a pair of Black Diamond "Jetstream" gloves made out of Polartec Windbloc. These have a suede palm also. They are fantastic! I have used them in temps down to the low 40s and they've worked just great! They are thin but do a great job of blocking all the wind. Previously, I had to wear my heavy gloves anytime the temperature was in the 60s. No more! I really like these gloves in that they are thin enough I can still work the controls easily, I can feel most of the heat from my heated grips, and they are comfortable. They run small, but I purchased my normal XS size and they fit snugly. I've since purchased two more pairs, just in case they go out of production. I'm pretty sure these wouldn't be warm enough for riding in the 30s, but who wants to do that anyway! Hugs, Penny P. (note from Mama: thanks for sharing! Here is a link to one online source so women can read more, see and get initial pricing info.) Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Mommydba, The CE armor is interesting as the CE Mark is part of the European standards process. It is not a mark of quality or conformity, "rather, it indicates conformity to the legal requirements of the EU (European Union) Directives." In the case of clothing with CE armor, it is basically hard foam pieces encapsulated in softer foam. It is designed to crush upon impact, so absorbing part of the blow, but must be replaced if it takes a blow. Looking at them together, it looks like you've got some impact protection with a material covering that's got more oomph to it. Of course, the telling word is "resistant." Unless we clad ourselves in a 500 lb. suit of every known technology, everything we wear I suspect is resistant, in that it provides a layer between us and the asphalt/concrete. And the harder it is to tear and shred, the more seconds of protection we have. In the case of being separated from a motorcycle, every second of protection counts. Readers with actual asphalt skid experience and the gear they were wearing are asked to chime in now (or re-chime in!). Mama Thursday, March 30 For Michele who responded about seeing a product for battling "hot thigh": Kuryakyn apparently IS coming out with a leg heat shield for Harley Softail owners, available this summer. I can't wait! Penny (note from Mama: thanks for the specific page link on Kuryakyn's site. It's called a Saddle Shield, so that's the term you want to use to check what other make/models it's available for!) Friday, March 31 For Mommydba who was wondering about the protection offered with her Joe Rocket gear: I got caught in a monsoon (when it rains in TX, it pours) and was heading for an overpass for shelter. Unfortunately, the downpour just started, the road was under heavy construction with a large patch of blacktop, it hadn't rained in months, and down I went. There was about an inch of rain on the road in a matter of seconds so fortunately it provided enough cushion and enough slickness that I went sliding down the roadway without losing skin. The impact to the pavement broke both bones right below the kneecap on my left leg. No bruises/no scratches anywhere. The road was packed with vehicles, bumper to bumper, and fortunately, no one ran over me. The guy behind swerved to the shoulder but about 3 vehicles plowed into him. I was wearing a helmet, gloves, padded leather jacket, jeans and boots. The slide sheared off the face shield lever pin (the one that allows the face shield to be raised/lowered). So, no matter what you wear, any protection is better than none. I still ride and I still cover whatever skin I can no matter what the weather. I love your site and have gleaned so much knowledge and encouragement from other readers . . . ride on. Donna, aka ShadowRunner (note from Mama: there's nothing like a first-hand experience chronicle to show the importance of taking riding gear seriously. Thanks for sharing the horrible situation that shows how quickly something can go wrong and why we all need to evaluate the risks we take depending on our gear choices.) Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Deb, Friday, April 21 More about shielding legs from bike heat: Thanks for your idea (#4) . . . I had
also posted this question at other forums. Here are all the (realistic,
anyway) options that were offered: 1. Cool
Thighs One person's concern: it caused additional
overheating of the bike engine. No installation required,
because it is "thrown" over the top of the seat. It can be
removed easily when not needed, so you can keep the heat in the cool
weather, i.e. 2. RJS
Originals At this time, they don't have a design that fits a
custom coil cover. Attached to frame with Velcro and can be removed.
Visible material: leather. Defecting/Absorbing Material:
aluminum and insulating pad. Abt. $140 - $160, depending upon
decorations. 3. Kuryakyn
This product won't be released until later in the summer. No reviews
on it yet. Attaches under the seat and is not removable on a whim.
Visible Material: Smoked polycarbonate panel. About $60. 4. Ironing Board cover: cut to size and
either Velcroed to your pants leg or sewn on the inside. Least
expensive option. I really appreciate everyone's help. And hope that
HD is listening. In the meantime, I'm going to give Cool Thighs a try. Monday, April 24 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Susan, Wednesday, April 26 Even more for Kelly whose boyfriend was looking to anchor the bottom of pant legs: Here's a product called "biker stirrups": http://www.faarken.com I saw in Cycle World magazine. I'm sure this is one of many available out there. Or, for the do-it-yourselfer, a custom pair could probably be made with a little creativity! P.S. My girlfriend and I both enjoyed (and passed!) our local MSF course just over three weeks ago. To keep our skills up and gain real-world experience, we bought an '02 Rebel 250 to practice on the day after we received our motorcycle endorsements. We enjoy reading through your website and appreciate the wisdom shared by all. Hopefully we can contribute to this site as we gain more experience in the wonderful world of motorcycling! Aloha! Adam in Hawaii (note from Mama: greetings from the mainland! We did have previous input on this product, but it never hurts to hear again about something someone found! Congrats to you both on taking and passing the course and choosing a bike to get started on. I'm glad you're enjoying your time visiting the VTwin Mama site. Beginning riders DO have something to share . . . the messages are usually ones of YOU CAN DO IT and very inspirational and often a new rider-to-new rider message is more powerful than any I can conjure up. So keep reading and sharing and we'll all be better for it!) Friday, May 5 Dear VTwin Mama, I'm hoping you can provide me with an idea of what kind of protection I can wear in addition to my helmet to provide myself (and my significant other) with a little more confidence but not weigh me down with a lot of heavy equipment. I'd be practicing on a 250cc - but I'm a little nervous! Thanks! Anonymous Dear Anon, The key to lighter weight clothing, including a jacket, gloves and even pants, that still offers better protection than your average material, is to buy items that incorporate Kevlar or something similar. Although I will note that I've seen some standard style leather gear incorporating this, mostly you would find it in the "sporty" style offerings. You could begin your search by hopping onto my Riding Gear page and clicking the graphic links in the left column to get an idea. Look for the specific ladies styling. For boots, my own personal comfort level is better served if I'm wearing a leather pair that at least cover my ankles. Many people like to protect all the way up their calves for even better leg protection in case of a fall. Again, you can begin your exploration of styles and pricing on my Riding Gear: Boots and Gloves page. Visiting the dealers in your area with larger clothing
sections is also useful because fitting issues can be checked, but if you
fall in love with something, but not the price, you can jot down the exact
manufacturer/style and then check for better deals online. Happy shopping!
Mama Thursday, May 11 For Kathleen who was looking for white leather riding gear: I bought my vest in 2001 from Hyde-Out Leather, $53 total, it's an XL and I have plenty of room. Location: 8 Ridge Road, North Arlington, NJ, 201-977-2694. Regards, Judy Caldwell (note from Mama: thanks for sharing . . . it looks like phone calls only as I couldn't find an Internet site for this company.) Saturday, May 20 Hi Mama, Anyway, I remembered a letter asking about colored leathers, and the other day I received my new Jamin' Leather catalogue and couldn't believe all the different colors they have now. Prices are good too. Just thought I would pass it on to your readers. Thanks for all you do to help women riders. Ride safe! SD Snowbaby Dear SD Snowbaby, |
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