News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media

Harley Davidson wants you to ride

I’m not sure how this one should be filed. I suppose it could be filed under “D’oh, what took so long?!” or under “Lesbians knew of this joy ages ago, thank you very much” or under “Hey, that’s a great business marketing plan, guys!” or even under “Why are you telling me this? That’s too dangerous!” Anyway, here's the thing to file: Harley Davidson is actively trying to woo female bikers to ride a slice of 750 pounds of pure H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) heaven.

Women are definitely buying more motorcycles, and more websites are popping up with women riders in mind. I’m not much of a motorcycle enthusiast myself, but there is something very hot, I mean impressive, about seeing a woman handling all that power and speed in such a devil-may-care way. Hearing a motorcycle throttle up could make a jet engine proud and a girl’s heart go a-flutter.

Several Harley models appeal to women, but the company insists that its bikes are not gender specific. The muscle and horsepower and performance of the bikes are still 100 percent Harley, and the company does not have men’s bikes or women’s bikes — just bikes. But Harley has made some changes, according to the article:

“…they are producing more motorcycles that are low to the ground so women can plant their feet firmly at rest with narrower seats and softer clutches, and adjusting handlebars and windshields to make bikes more comfortable for smaller riders."

So if Harleys have in the past felt too big and menacing for your inner “wild child," or if you have ever daydreamed of leading a parade in June, maybe now is the time to dream that Harley Davidson dream.

Of course, if you are thinking of buying a motorcycle, I would suggest that after going to the safety classes and the classes that teach you how to truly handle the bike in real driving conditions, you should visit The Bikers Dictionary. You want to be up to speed, so to speak, on biker lingo, because looking cool is only half the battle. Sounding cool will give you street cred!

So come on, ladies. All of you habitual cagers out there, free your minds. Hop on that bike, throw on a skid lid and a pair of crushers. Then get yourself a back warmer and start flogging it on the super slab! Don’t worry about the cherry tops tossing a coupon or two your way. Heck, if you’re really doing it right, maybe you’ll get a fast rider award! That’s the price you pay for open road freedom.

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  • EllaMack's picture

    Scooter

    I ride a scooter so that makes me a nerd; a two-wheel nerd but a nerd nonetheless. I embrace my nerdiness and have a blast on my scoot.
    Aidan P's picture

    I Heart Harleys

    Great article! I have actually been lucky enough to tour one of the plants that they make the V-Block engine in, which is located in Brookfield, WI. So far I have the jacket, the boots, and the bandanna, but I am still working on getting the bike. 
    pussywillow's picture

    Mmm-mmm.

    Girls on bikes. Hot!

    Ella Mack - be proud of your nerdiness. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is always led by Dykes on Bikes. But when I was there a few years ago, they were followed by Hooters on Scooters. Those chicks rocked!

    Love Pussy xx

    RebelWoman007's picture

    Harley Rules

    My dad has always owned a Harley, and I couldn't imagine my life without 'em. Just waiting for the day I can actually afford my own! Lol.
    imstrand3d's picture

    Street Motorcycles

    Harley Davidson is a fine company because their motorcycles are cruiser style, thereby it's logically easier for women to get comfortable riding since they're usually flat-footed.  However, realistically, HD is not well-built because of the fact that it's so heavy.

    HD should go the way of former HD engineer Erik Buell and create street-style bikes.  I swear that if more motorcycle companies created more street bikes for women, ones that are lighter and smaller, more women would consider motorcycling.  But alas, even Japanese made motorcycles only make motorcycles' seat heights for people 5'4" and up.

    I'm pretty short, barely reaching 5', and 110 pounds, but I've always wanted a motorcycle.  I learned how to ride a motorcycle on the cruiser style Kawasaki Eliminator.  When it came to buying a bike, I wanted a street-style, so it was a choice between the Buell Blast (I can flatfoot it - but it's too noisy and vibrates and shakes too much), the Buell Lightning (I can lower the suspension in order for me to flatfoot, but it's still too noisy), or a Ducati Monster 620 (I can lower the suspension and the shocks and carve the seat - I can stand on the balls of my feet).

    I chose the Ducati and I've now been riding for three years.  So now that my rant is over - go learn to ride a bike and make motorcycle manufacturer's pay attention to the needs of women riders.
    undrcovridgr's picture

    With due respect,

    you've somewhat contradicted yourself by saying, "Harley Davidson is a fine company because their motorcycles are cruiser style, thereby it's logically easier for women to get comfortable riding..."  and then suggesting HD should create street-style bikes because woman would ride more.  Huh?  But I'll admit, I don't understand the street-bike phenomenon, as I find them totally uncomfortable to ride.  I've also seen ten times as many street-bikers painted on the asphalt as I have cruisers.  I also personally think there are plenty of women-friendly bikes out there, as long as the rider recognizes their physical limitations. 

    I just sold my bike in the spring.  I had a Yamaha V-Star, and I loved it.  Unfortunately, I just didn't have enough time to ride it, but for back and forth to work, and, the traffic along that route was not exactly biker friendly.  When the dump truck came within a foot of flattening me, I took the bike home, and never rode her again.  I have kids to take care of, and I could not put the bike ahead of them. 

    Lisa

    Anyone who trades liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security -- B. Franklin
    mossy's picture

    I agree...

    that there is "something very hot, I mean impressive, about seeing a woman handling all that power and speed in such a devil-may-care way." Right on! I love motorcycles and the women that ride them. Almost every girl friend I have ever had rode a motorcycle at some point. But the "Harley" women hold a special place in my heart. The name just represents bad ass and a bad ass woman is hawt. Talk about brand loyalty. If Harley markets to women then they will get a truly loyal following and if they market to gay women...they will have a following 4 life!
    Sulley's picture

    I ride a Harley....

    Harley Davidson have a big push in selling to women bikers at the moment as do all the manufacturers as it's a big growing market. Seat height has always been an issue for all bikes for some men as well as ladies. Harleys are easy to handle as the weight distribution is low and they are well balanced. I'm 6ft tall so luckily I don't have to worry, but I know a lot of other women riders who have had seat heights lowered etc.

    Motorbikes are fun and I love my Harley, I ride a Fat Boy and I am a tough biker chick! ;-). I've just ridden 1800 miles on mine from London to Marbella (Southern Spain)

    Here's a picture of my bike......

    my bike: my bikemy bike: my bike

    molas's picture

    street bikes vs. cruisers

    I think I get what imstrand3d is saying...that cruisers are easier to flat-foot but they are still top heavy (or just plain heavy).  If street bikes were made with lower seat heights, more women could flat-foot them and therefore feel more comfortable riding them.  All bike companies, including Harley, could make street bikes with lower seat heights to attract more of the range of women who couldn't otherwise flat-foot or comfortably touch down on most of the existing models.  The average inseam of women is 4-5 inches lower than the average of men's.  Most street bikes are currently averaging about 31-33 inches or so in seat height, I believe.  Nearly all short, average and tall people can flat-foot a cruiser; most shorter or average height folks cannot flat-foot current non-cruisers (which include sport, standard, touring, sport-touring, enduro and dual-sport bikes).  So I would say there is an opportunity to attract a greater number of riders/potential riders by making non-cruiser bikes with lower seat heights.I would consider the possibility that the type of bike one rides may factor quite a bit into the frequency of motorcycle accidents.  For example, I can imagine that commuting on a cruiser is not as easy/fun/comfortable to do as on a street bike.  Too heavy, too wide, or perhaps the cruiser is viewed more as a weekend, day-trip or touring bike.  In contrast, street bikes have more of an everyday-use appeal to them: zipper, narrower, lighter.  Thus, it's reasonable to theorize that they may be ridden during heavy commuting times more often than cruisers.  Therefore, it's quite possible that more of the motorcycle accidents you see involve street/sport bikes rather than cruisers because they are ridden more often or during more treacherous times (such as rush hour commutes).  When I commute to work on the streets, I see mostly street or sport bikes.  I don't see as many cruisers.  That, of course, is only my experience and I would not make a generalization based on my experience alone.  But I would certainly consider the many possible factors play into what you may be seeing out there.
    undrcovridgr's picture

    Therefore, it's quite

    Therefore, it's quite possible that more of the motorcycle accidents you see involve street/sport bikes rather than cruisers because they are ridden more often or during more treacherous times (such as rush hour commutes).

    But more likely I see more accidents involving street/sport bikes because they are made to go way faster than is safe to drive them on the streets, and being ridden by younger, less experienced, more impulsive riders, who still have that feeling of invincibility.

    I drive about 300 miles every weekend, and truth is, I see about the same number of street bikes to cruisers on the highway. I never see the cruisers splittling lanes at 100+ mph, or cutting in and out of lanes.

    This is not to say that all street bikes are being operated in this manner, so please don't everyone jump in to say how they own street bikes and don't drive that way.
    But the very nature of the bike is to be driven fast. And the faster they're driven, the less visible they are, and the less likely they are to be seen by Mom or Pop driving their family to the beach for the day.

    Lisa

    Anyone who trades liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security -- B. Franklin
    newbie's picture

    love/hate relationship

    When I was in my early twenties, the pop-pop- grrrrlll of a Harley was like a screaming mating call.  My ears would perk, my head swing around to find the source of that joyful sound.  Ahhh the good old days.

    Now I own 100 year old house on the edge of a small country town.  Harley’s ride through just about every hour of every day.  Sometimes in deafening packs.  As they approach the end of the 25 mph speed limit and pass by my house, they open up their throttles to full speed and rattle my poor little wobbly house right off its mud and lime foundation.  I am a fan no more.

     

    Buy they shur is perty.


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