Favour to ask all you female bikers..

[Stevie B]

Right, I’ve recently changed the direction of my Final Year dissertation to a more specific area of motorcycling. I wanted to look into one of the minority groups within motorcycling, and I’ve decided to choose female bikers.

The idea is to look at how motorcycles could evolve to suit, and cater for, females more effectively. Now at this stage this is only a rough path, but it’s just basically covering the idea of the evolution of the motorcycle to encourage more users. This could be through change to existing change, or radical new designs for new potentials users.

So ladies, could I ask you a big favour and ask you to spare me a couple of minutes answering the questions below in a post of your own. I would really appreciate it, as your answers will be so useful due to the fact that they are coming first hand from yourselves, which is about the best info I could wish for.


Disclaimer / cover my arse part

Just to cover myself here, please no guys saying how bikes shouldn’t evolve to suit females or other minority groups, because that is not what I am suggesting whatsoever I hope you understand.
And ladies, neither is this project suggesting that bikes should evolve to suit you through your own requests, as I am fully aware of how strong the pride is with the female biking community to enjoy what essentially is a male dominated pastime.



1. How many years have you had an interest in motorbikes for?
2. What is your favourite aspect of motorcycling?
3. If you could change one aspect of your own, or your partner's, motorbike to suit you more, what would it be?
4. How did you get into motorbikes originally?
5. Do you use your motorbike to commute to and from a place of work?
6. How would you feel if motorcycling suddenly became a lot more female orientated, and it was roughly a 50/50 split between female/male?
7. Would you welcome the idea of more motorbikes being designed with females in mind i.e. shape, height etc?

That’s it!

Cheers for your time, I really appreciate it.
____________________
Past: Katana 50, NSR125RR, FZR600r, CB-1 Present: TRX850

[bazza]

[Blau Zedong]

I think bikes are already well suited to female users as the majority don't have a reverse gear....
____________________
18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[Ted]

Shouldn't you have not only picked your dissertation by now, but also be a couple of months into doing it?

[Mudskipper]

[Duckyboos]

1. How many years have you had an interest in motorbikes for?
For at least the last decade or so (I'm 29) from when my neighbour bought herself a Honda Shadow and I began to realise just how many women rode motorcycles too.

2. What is your favourite aspect of motorcycling?
The feeling of 'making progress' and actually getting where I want to be even though the rest of the world is at a standstill.

3. If you could change one aspect of your own, or your partner's, motorbike to suit you more, what would it be?
It'd be just the same size, but more powerful

4. How did you get into motorbikes originally?
At first, when a mate of my brother took me out on his Duke 748... just for a bimble at first, then for a mind-blowing 140mph blast along the A428
And then (for real) when I moved 120 miles away from the folks so that I could get a bike of my own

5. Do you use your motorbike to commute to and from a place of work?
Yes, every day. Only about 6 miles a day mind...

6. How would you feel if motorcycling suddenly became a lot more female orientated, and it was roughly a 50/50 split between female/male?
It'd be nice and it'd perhaps help me to change my parents view on the matter (that laydeez don't ride motorbikes) but can't say it'd make much difference to me, although it might give rise to a little more choice in buying bike gear/clothes/etc...

7. Would you welcome the idea of more motorbikes being designed with females in mind i.e. shape, height etc?
Yes please! Even at 5'6 I struggle to place my feet flat on the ground on most sportsbikes, and I'd like them to be a little lighter too please for when I invariably have to pick it up off the floor

[Ben.]

im all for this but in reality it wont make one bit of difference. The majority of girls dont like bikes in the same way the vast majority of guys dont like shopping for shoes or watching changing rooms.

____________________
follow my racing season
Race bike - R6
Road bike - sv650

[Itchy]

[kitty kat]

1. How many years have you had an interest in motorbikes for?

24 years


2. What is your favourite aspect of motorcycling?

freedom from the kids, chance to get out to places I wouldn't go in a car and the friends I have made through the motorbike


3. If you could change one aspect of your own, or your partner's, motorbike to suit you more, what would it be?

Nothing at all


4. How did you get into motorbikes originally?

I saw a 350LC YPVS in Marlboro racing colours and asked the guy to take me on the back. He did and I had to get my own bike and pass my test then.


5. Do you use your motorbike to commute to and from a place of work?

Everyday, used to do 65 miles each way last winter, now only go 20.


6. How would you feel if motorcycling suddenly became a lot more female orientated, and it was roughly a 50/50 split between female/male?

Doesn't bother me either way.


7. Would you welcome the idea of more motorbikes being designed with females in mind i.e. shape, height etc?

I am 5'9", with a 32" inside leg, so height of a bike doesn't really affect me. I am happy with the bike I have got, perfect height, weight etc.
____________________
Enjoy everyday, tell those you love everyday you love them
Life is too short to fall out with people

[Stevie B]

Thanks so far ladies, really appreciate it!

[Kara]

[Ariel Badger]

Pink fairings.
____________________
Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[stinkwheel]

Vanity mirror? Clock instead of rev counter?
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Duckyboos]

https://www.balsamfir.com/MotoJournal/moto/images/KTM-Pink.jpg

Only kidding.

[trevoriv]

Why is no-one answering Q8?
____________________
Past: '96 Thundercat, '02 ZX636R (A1P), '58 KTM 690 SM LC4 Current: '06 ZX636R (C6F)
Mudskipper wrote: Someone just has to sig that...

[Mudskipper]

[trevoriv]

It's a start...
____________________
Past: '96 Thundercat, '02 ZX636R (A1P), '58 KTM 690 SM LC4 Current: '06 ZX636R (C6F)
Mudskipper wrote: Someone just has to sig that...

[Blau Zedong]

Mudskip, you shouldn't have.


You've fulfilled one of my fantasies, a girl riding an old skool gixxer
____________________
18:54:48 Rob Fzs: jews don't give away stuff for free

18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

[trevoriv]

I know, i've got a thing for pint sized girls that like bikes n leathers.

All i've got to do now is pretend that she's not a lesbian and i'm sorted
____________________
Past: '96 Thundercat, '02 ZX636R (A1P), '58 KTM 690 SM LC4 Current: '06 ZX636R (C6F)
Mudskipper wrote: Someone just has to sig that...

[Fran]

1. How many years have you had an interest in motorbikes for?

Around 16 years

2. What is your favourite aspect of motorcycling?

Improving my skills with each different bike I own, at the moment I would say this is focused on some of the brill roads up in north yorkshire. I also really get a kick out of the aesthetics of bike design, and would own a bike purely for that reason if funds allowed.

3. If you could change one aspect of your own, or your partner's, motorbike to suit you more, what would it be?

With my bike the rearsets cause me some grief as the foot peg often catches the top of my boot. I hate the position of my lower r&gs as that gets in the way of my ankle. Basically as Im 5'3 I have very little play when putting my foot down and if theres something there then its not good.

4. How did you get into motorbikes originally?

Originally I fancied a guy who had a Honda CBX1100 at the bottom of my road. I got my first bike as a project to do up for £100 and learnt how to ride it in the local park, then took my cbt at 17 and off you go, sold that bike for £500 and just kept buying cheap and selling dear since, (after a bit of oily fun fixing em)


5. Do you use your motorbike to commute to and from a place of work?

Not at the mo, but did for the first 5 years and it would definately be my preffered form of transport, all year.


6. How would you feel if motorcycling suddenly became a lot more female orientated, and it was roughly a 50/50 split between female/male?

I wouldnt mind it if it meant that they got a shift on like the fellas.


7. Would you welcome the idea of more motorbikes being designed with females in mind i.e. shape, height etc?

Oh yes. Its only been just recently, say the last 3 years that Ive managed to get on anything decent. Bikes seem to have got alot smaller since the main aim has been to reduce weight. Mine is something similar to my old 400, and yet its 600cc larger - cant say it feels much heavier either.


Hope that helps, and good luck with the diss

[Leggy_Girl]

[Mrs Kickstart]

1. How many years have you had an interest in motorbikes for?
30 years

2. What is your favourite aspect of motorcycling? riding

3. If you could change one aspect of your own, or your partner's, motorbike to suit you more, what would it be?
mine none
4. How did you get into motorbikes originally?
I wanted one
5. Do you use your motorbike to commute to and from a place of work?
yes
6. How would you feel if motorcycling suddenly became a lot more female orientated, and it was roughly a 50/50 split between female/male?
dont care
7. Would you welcome the idea of more motorbikes being designed with females in mind i.e. shape, height etc?
I would like bikes to be lower as some bikes are just too tall for me to ride however this does NOT mean I want a cruiser or a 50. I quite like many of the current designs I just want them lower. Note that the width of the seat (and frame fairing at that point) and alter the leg position to make a bike "too tall" when the mesures seat height is the same a slimmer bike.

Manufactures could help in this area by offering alternative seats, (I have a cut down gel seat for the bandit)

Honda and BMW have both got some bikes with adjustable seat height but it could with a greater range on it.

Regards
C
____________________
Help fight the safety camera partnerships -- www.pepipoo.com

[nc30 chick]

1. How many years have you had an interest in motorbikes for?
Around 4 years

2. What is your favourite aspect of motorcycling?
The freedom and adrenaline rush

3. If you could change one aspect of your own, or your partner's, motorbike to suit you more, what would it be?
A lower seat height

4. How did you get into motorbikes originally?
My husband and brother ride

5. Do you use your motorbike to commute to and from a place of work?
Only occasionally as I have to take the kids to school first

6. How would you feel if motorcycling suddenly became a lot more female orientated, and it was roughly a 50/50 split between female/male?
More the merrier!

7. Would you welcome the idea of more motorbikes being designed with females in mind i.e. shape, height etc?
Doesnt bother me really, I find a way to cope.
____________________
R.I.P our fallen friends
Lee taken on 31-7-06
Scott taken on 13-4-07

[Annabella]

1. How many years have you had an interest in motorbikes for?

I've been interested in bikes since I was about 7 and went to watch racing with my dad

2. What is your favourite aspect of motorcycling?

The freedom, the feeling of being connected with the bike and not 'caged'.

3. If you could change one aspect of your own, or your partner's, motorbike to suit you more, what would it be?

My bike is perfect physically, though a larger engine would be idea. I would love to see more bikes that are smaller with narrow seats/tanks and shorter reach to the bars but still with a 'sport' focus.

4. How did you get into motorbikes originally?

Took my CBT after much pressure and from that day onwards knew I wanted to ride

5. Do you use your motorbike to commute to and from a place of work?

Yes,

6. How would you feel if motorcycling suddenly became a lot more female orientated, and it was roughly a 50/50 split between female/male?

It's already becoming that way, and it's great

7. Would you welcome the idea of more motorbikes being designed with females in mind i.e. shape, height etc?

Yes I would! At 5' I am unlikely to find a modern bike that I am able to ride comfortably and it takes something of the fun out of window shopping!For god's sake, please don't paint htem pink, there's nothing I hate more than the attitude that if something is designed for women it should be pink (like the recent rush of pink leathers etc... Bleurgh!
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Avast! Pirates ahoy!
I did Cadwell!
www.bikepics.com/members/bella

[Kitten]

1. How many years have you had an interest in motorbikes for?
2.5 years

2. What is your favourite aspect of motorcycling?
The fun aspect

3. If you could change one aspect of your own, or your partner's, motorbike to suit you more, what would it be?
My bike has a low seat height and is quite light, this is the reason why I have it. I cannot reach the floor on other bikes, even thought I would like to ride them.

4. How did you get into motorbikes originally?
I crashed a moped on holiday and wanted to learn to ride properly, did my CBT and liked it. Then bought a biek and did my test.

5. Do you use your motorbike to commute to and from a place of work?
I use my motorbike to commute when I do not have lots of stuff to take to work and in nice weather. Although I do commute in bad weather when I feel like riding anyway.

6. How would you feel if motorcycling suddenly became a lot more female orientated, and it was roughly a 50/50 split between female/male?
I'd feel less special, but pleased at the possibility of a bigger and better choice of suitable bikes and gear.

7. Would you welcome the idea of more motorbikes being designed with females in mind i.e. shape, height etc?
Yes, definately. Shape isn't really an issue, just the height. But not all girls are short like me!
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RVF400 (NC35) My baby