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Wednesday, March 3 Dear Readers, Many folks know that a few years back, Harley-Davidson added a specific section on its website for women and more recently published We Ride: Harley-Davidson's Guide for Women (it's a free download or can be found in print at dealerships). And I noted that in a recent email from Helmet Hair magazine that back in July 2009, BMW came out with a brochure for women titled "Riding is too much fun to be left to the guys.".Alas, I can't find that as a download, so I'm guessing one could find it at dealerships. Onward! Mama Wednesday, March 3 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Justin, I wish you continued happiness on your own journey! Mama Dear
VTwin Mama, Wednesday, March 10 Very cool motorcycle sculptures! Dear Petra,
Sunday, March 14 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear Richard, While CFMOTO is the OEM, QLink received a license to market the V5 under the name Legacy 250 and it is the exact same bike. QLink began designing much needed accessories, like a windshield and luggage rack ... and in looking at their site, I see not only an Owner's Manual, but a Service Manual as well. So, did QLink go one step further and write a Service Manual or is it just the Owner's Manual with added parts diagrams and parts lists? $75 for a factory service manual is not unusual, but you may wish to call QLink in Grapevine, TX at 1-866-626-8073 to inquire. If it's nothing more than diagrams and parts lists then those are free at the CFMOTO links I show above. Mama Sunday, March 14 From Nanci Rogers, owner of Ace High Leathers: New to 2010 will be an exciting new product line of motorcycle luggage for the western biker. The western biker look will feature a combination of the traditional motorcycle black leather and the natural western brown leather. All items will be made to order with the customers choice of hand stamped and tooled designs, sterling silver conchos and more. This new look will be available in just about every product Ace High has to offer. Note from Mama: Nanci has been our go-to-gal when gear isn't fitting right and alterations are needed, as well as noodling out custom work on riding cloths, tank bibs, tool bags, purses, seats and bags. Below is a picture of a fender bib she just finished for a customer ... yummy! As soon as I get back to riding, I'll show you the new "bumblebee gloves" Nanci designed and crafted for me! To see more of Nanci's leather work, go to the Ace High Leathers review on this site!
Dear Readers, I also had a chance to try out my new Dannaband bandana ... truly innovate bandana idea for women that I think is worth a look ... read my review of the Dannaband! It was a sad day when I lost my custom gauntlet gloves (or at least I think they are lost in the garage somewhere!) ... so I had Nanci Rogers of Ace High Leathers customize a new pair ... with great results. Click here to see my new pair of Fox Creek Leather deerskin gauntlets with bumblebees! Mama Friday, March 19 Dear
VTwin Mama, I live in Texas and I have to take a MSF Course again to get my license. Problem : you only take it on a 2 wheeler bike. I do not feel comfortable on that because of the balancing act I have to perform. I am 66 yrs old, female, in good health except for fibromyalgia, which is why I bought a trike (easier to maneuver). I am trying to find a trike school nearby Killeen, TX (Austin area) or a way to get my license without a two wheeler. Someone told me that with a letter from a doctor (mentioning why you cannot ride a two wheeler) would allow you to bypass it. Please help me. I am at a loss. I have my beautiful white trike in the garage and I am not going anywhere. PS: I am doing well on the trike because I have the floor boards and do not have to hold the bike at a stop (too much pressure on my legs). Thanks. Nicole Dear Nicole, I tried to muck through the Texas DMV site (ouch!) and MSF site ... I did do a search on all available MSF course providers in your area, but none showed a trike-specific course (although MSF doesn't list trike courses on their site, some individual course providers do). I ended up searching for "getting a trike license in Texas." This led me to the Trike Riders International page for the South Central Region that basically states what you already noted, that you have to take a 2 wheel test first. Thee are a number of contacts on the TRI-SCR home page, so my thought is to get in contact and see if they can assist with noodling out how to bypass the two-wheel requirement. Mama Friday, March 19 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear Barbara, On a fluke I searched on "what happened to Cool Thighs for motorcycles?" and found them! They must have changed their Internet address, but you can find them at http://cool-thighs.com/index.htm . Mama I have an '08 Softail Deluxe with the Reach Seat. This caused me much discomfort due to the heat. I found the BEST product that lays under your seat and keeps you cool. It's from KoolKing.net, American-made and wonderful. Not only have I purchased one for my bike, but so has my husband and our best friends. The material keeps you cool, but doesn't overheat the engine. Kinda looks like a skirt under the seat, and has different styles for different models. I am not a paid spokesperson, but I do really believe in this product. Please check them out. Sincerely, L. Smith (note from Mama: thanks for the heads up!) Wednesday, March 24 The TX DMV, just like here in MA, defines a motorcycle as: Motorcycle a motor vehicle that is equipped with a riders saddle and designed to have when propelled not more than three wheels on the ground. I would recommend that she ask the DMV if they can grant a waiver to take the road test on the trike, based on this definition. It won't work here in MA (it's been tried), but it might work down there - I believe trikes are a bit more common "down south," so the DMV might be more familiar with them. She can also check with the local GWRRA groups, and/or local riding clubs. There might be someone willing to take extra time to help mentor her so that she can pass the MSF course, if that's the only option for getting licensed. I'll check with my trike contacts and see if anyone else has any more information that might help, so if you'd like, you're welcome to pass my email on to her. Ride safe! Cheri, aka Spiritdream (note from Mama: I passed this along the moment it came in and Nicole says thanks for the info on the Gold Wing Road Riders Association ... that's something she'll definitely be pursuing and will follow up with more info once she gets nearer to a resolution so we'll all learn something!) Wednesday, March 24 Hello
VTwin Mama, Now this past weekend I got my own 2008 Sportster. And I love her. I am having crash bars installed right now, so as soon as it is done, it's time to start practicing. Now I find my self nervous and excited at the same time. I am nervous to see if I will be good, like all the riders I see. I do not want to look like a dork, but I imagine I might. What suggestions can you give me? My BF says I will be good within time. Titina from AZ Dear Titina, Looking and actually being smooth and coordinated on the road is a function of practice and kudos to your BF for understanding that time is a necessary element. The most important thing is to map out a plan for learning, which by the way, is the subject of my next "Tip Jar" article for Helmet Hair magazine (it'll be their 5th Anniversary issue!). If you visit right now, you'll find "The Tip Jar" section, which leads you to my article titled "You Are Not Alone." It's a good read for new riders because often times it feels like you are the only one struggling with feelings and a learning curve. That just isn't so! So, what should your plan look like? First, locate the nearest empty parking lot for practice. Here you can get to know your new motorcycle under the watchful eyes of your BF and minimize any dork feelings. It's rare that a new rider can just get on the bike and go! If the right parking lot is too far for you to try to ride to, then have the BF ride it over there for you. Remember how they trained you with progressive course lessons? Do that all over again, but with your bike, starting with the all important duck walk to get the friction zone of your clutch lever under control. Then you move to controlled starts and stops and continue to plan out the subsequent steps. Plan what you want to accomplish is each practice session ... shorter, more frequent, sessions are better than longer ones spread out further. Learn at your pace and do not place an artificial timeline on when you think you should be ready for the road. When you are ready for the road, get in the car, map out a route, note challenges, and decide on a light traffic day/time. Have the BF lead if you wish, or have him follow in a cage to protect you from being crowded by any potential traffic. And then plan out more trips in progressive steps. That's how one does it! If you get on the road and find you're not handling something right, head back to the parking lot for more practice. Now, harness your nervousness and excitement and get that positive outlook ready for an adventure of a lifetime. Tip: write down an inspirational message on a piece of paper, tuck it into the pocket of your riding jacket, and whenever you're feeling overwhelmed or discouraged, pull it out and read it. It really does make a difference! Mama Wednesday, March 24 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear Jenn, Well, let's put it this way ... hubby and I load are two bikes on an enclosed 6 x12 trailer to travel between home locations and are just fine. With one bike in a 5 by 10, you would have room to pull in to one side, get off easily, and room to move that bike on the center stand if it has one. If rentals came in a 4 by 8 I think you would still be ok if the price reduction helped. More squishy, but still doable. Remember that even in a storage space it is advisable to cover the motorcycle with a breathable cover ... even old cotton sheets would do the trick ... you want to minimize dirt and dust from collecting on the upper surfaces. And depending on the length of storage, change the oil and filter, stabilize any gas left in the tank (you can find that product in any auto parts store) and run it for a few minutes, or it will turn to turpentine and clog up things, and yank that battery or it will go dead and can lead to corrosion at the connections. Mama Thursday, March 25 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Anon, Thursday, March 25 Hi VTwin Mama, I wanted maximum protection, but when I went to try on helmets, I learned that with my claustrophobic tendencies, I couldn't make myself shove my head into a full face helmet. My solution: a modular full face. I love it! The chin bar flips up so I can get it on without that sense of panic. I had a "get off" last fall when I took a curve too wide and panicked. I can remember seeing the pavement through my visor as my head skidded across it. I suffered a broken collar bone but, thankfully, no head or face injuries. So, to anyone who would like the added security of a full face, but is reluctant due to claustrophobia, I suggest you consider the modular style. Lefty Dear Lefty, If you missed yesterday's CBS Sunday Morning program, here is the 8 minute segment titled Spokes Women: Rita Braver reports on female motorcycle drivers. Totally cool. Mama Tuesday, March 30 Dear Readers, I've got one other surprise for you today ... I did a lot of work on the Motorcycles for Short Riders List, which now features not only red links for full reviews, but green links for Fit Chart pictures. So, just a tad bit more intuitive. So, with many folks entering (ore really chomping at the bit) the new riding season, don't forget to take a picture (women and men!) of you sitting on your motorcycle, and include the bike's make/model/year, your height and inseam, and any modifications you made so the bike would fit you! Submit to vtwinmama@vtwinmama.com any time ... the more pictures we have, the better resource tool it is! Mama Tuesday, March 30 Triumph and Ducati fine art prints from the UK Dear Petra,
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