Page 30 - Indulge August/September 2015
P. 30
by Patrick O'Donnell If those fast facts aren’t enough to
convince you, consider this: Erin Hunter
If you think motorcycling is a of California, the American Motorcycle
man’s sport, you’d better shift your Association’s 2014 Female Racer of the
perceptions. According to a recent Year, is a 12-time holder of motorcycle
study by the Motorcycle Industry land speed world and national records,
Council, a quarter of all riders in including a top speed of 207.758. Leslie
the U.S. are women, and they own Porterfield of Texas holds a Guinness world
12.5 percent of all the motorcycles record as the Fastest Woman in the World
in the U.S. And of the 27 million on a motorcycle: 232.522 mph. And
people in the U.S. who operate a Ashley Fiolek of California, who’s been deaf
since birth, is a stunt rider and motorcycle
cycle, 6.7 million are women. instructor with numerous motocross
championships and records under her belt.
Motorcycle manufacturers have taken
notice. Take Harley-Davidson, that world-
renowned maker of American iron: they
now have female-only “Garage Parties” at
dealerships to encourage women to hop
into the driver’s seat. You can keep your
Tupperware and Avon, thank you very
much; these ladies want to see SuperLows,
Softail Slims and Switchbacks.
“One of the biggest things for women
is that they should not let anyone talk
them into getting a bike that’s not in
their comfort level. They shouldn’t be
talked into something that’s above
their knowledge and ability,” says Ty
Shoemaker, sales manager of Pocono
Harley Davidson.
That’s one reason Harley started
after-hours Garage Parties, which focus
on topics including finding the right bike,
motorcycling basics, and choosing riding
gear. Women will even learn how to pick
up a bike if it takes a tumble. “The
technique we teach at our dealership
was actually invented by a female police
officer who needed to pick up her bike
in order to pass a police riding course,”
Shoemaker says.
A key component at the Garage Parties
is what Harley calls a “Jumpstart.” It’s
a device that lets riders test out a real
motorcycle without having to take it on the
street. A bike is mounted to a stationary
machine, so there’s no danger of falling
off. Riders can start the bike, twist the
throttle, shift it through its gears and
get a feel for riding — no special gear or
experience needed.
convince you, consider this: Erin Hunter
If you think motorcycling is a of California, the American Motorcycle
man’s sport, you’d better shift your Association’s 2014 Female Racer of the
perceptions. According to a recent Year, is a 12-time holder of motorcycle
study by the Motorcycle Industry land speed world and national records,
Council, a quarter of all riders in including a top speed of 207.758. Leslie
the U.S. are women, and they own Porterfield of Texas holds a Guinness world
12.5 percent of all the motorcycles record as the Fastest Woman in the World
in the U.S. And of the 27 million on a motorcycle: 232.522 mph. And
people in the U.S. who operate a Ashley Fiolek of California, who’s been deaf
since birth, is a stunt rider and motorcycle
cycle, 6.7 million are women. instructor with numerous motocross
championships and records under her belt.
Motorcycle manufacturers have taken
notice. Take Harley-Davidson, that world-
renowned maker of American iron: they
now have female-only “Garage Parties” at
dealerships to encourage women to hop
into the driver’s seat. You can keep your
Tupperware and Avon, thank you very
much; these ladies want to see SuperLows,
Softail Slims and Switchbacks.
“One of the biggest things for women
is that they should not let anyone talk
them into getting a bike that’s not in
their comfort level. They shouldn’t be
talked into something that’s above
their knowledge and ability,” says Ty
Shoemaker, sales manager of Pocono
Harley Davidson.
That’s one reason Harley started
after-hours Garage Parties, which focus
on topics including finding the right bike,
motorcycling basics, and choosing riding
gear. Women will even learn how to pick
up a bike if it takes a tumble. “The
technique we teach at our dealership
was actually invented by a female police
officer who needed to pick up her bike
in order to pass a police riding course,”
Shoemaker says.
A key component at the Garage Parties
is what Harley calls a “Jumpstart.” It’s
a device that lets riders test out a real
motorcycle without having to take it on the
street. A bike is mounted to a stationary
machine, so there’s no danger of falling
off. Riders can start the bike, twist the
throttle, shift it through its gears and
get a feel for riding — no special gear or
experience needed.
