While most people envision the roar of a motorcycle and expect to see a male rider on the saddle, more female riders
are disproving the gender stereotype. According to the Long
Beach Press-Telegram, several riders gather in front of Dues Ex Machina
in Venice, California, with their modified and custom-built vintage Hondas, BMWs, Ducatis and choppers.
Some of the clubs that hang out in this big motorcycle gathering
include the Seven Skulls, Vagos Motorcycle Club and the Venice Vintage
Motorcycle Club. These clubs all make a presence with their tough bikes
and rough and tumble biker image. However, new clubs such as the East
Side Moto Babes, the Venice Vixens and the Velvets M.C. are all made up
of female riders.
They all bond together in their groups and have the same thing in common: They love to ride motorcycles.
“I love the thrill of riding – the places you can go, the things you
can see, the thrill of going fast,” said Jessie Gentry, co-president of
the Velvets, according to the Long Beach Press-Telegram. “And I’ve met
really awesome people, especially some really awesome women (through
riding).”
Growing Number Of Female Riders Noticed
All
of the female riders are starting to get recognized in the scene as
more female motorcyclists join. These women ride the same custom vintage
motorcycles that the mostly all-male biker groups have too, the source
stated. Several women are riding vintage Hondas, BMWs, Triumphs and custom café racer motorcycles.
“There’s a huge movement of women getting interested in riding, and
it’s awesome,” said Gentry, according to the source. “For us, it’s
really exciting, and that’s part of why we want to have our club. We
want to be an awesome face for that and be able to be an example what
you can do.”
Harley-Davidson Addressing More Female Riders
According
to The Los Angeles Times, Harley-Davidson has been trying its best to
get more female motorcyclists. Women own roughly 10 percent of the
Harley-Davidson dealerships across the nation. Claudia Garber, director
of women’s outreach marketing at Harley-Davidson, explained the new
Ultra Low street cruisers are attracting more female riders because the
motorcyclists can sit lower to the ground. They also have narrower
grips, which are ideal for those with smaller hands.
The company even has a section on its website dedicated to women riders, hoping to reduce the barriers for prospective new female motorcyclists.
“Our job is to get more women into the sport of motorcycling,” said
Garber. “And it’s working. We are selling more motorcycles to women than
all our competitors combined.”
A More Welcoming Environment
The
bands of female riders are gathering together because riding a
motorcycle is no easy task. Ana Llorente, a motorcyclist and No. 2 of
East Side Moto Babes, said riding was great, but when she did so around
men, she felt intimidated, the Times reported.
Now, Llorente said she is around a more comfortable environment and worries a lot less if she’s going to drop her bike.
“It’s a group without any benchmark for brand or displacement,” said
James Pluta, a veteran rider in the scene, according to the source.
“It’s about the joy of riding – not cornering skill or how far can you
wheelie on the 101.”
According to The Wall Street Journal, motorcycle manufacturers are trying to attract more Generation X riders
with 70s-style motorcycles. Many riders are getting their first taste
of riding while in their mid-30s and early 40s, but female riders are
continuing to grow with the culture surrounding motorcycles.
With motorcycle manufacturers trying to come back after the economic
downturn a few years back, more companies are opening their doors to
whomever wants to ride. Visit
Pete's Cycle today and get your ride today!
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