Kelly’s Korner: Choosing Your Ride and Getting the Right Fit
Last Updated: November 29th, 2020
Ladies, now that we’ve talked about riding your own ride (see previous article HERE), let’s look at another, more literal aspect of that idea: choosing your own motorcycle.
Too often, women new to riding allow other people to pressure them into buying a bike that’s too big and too powerful for their current capabilities. And this applies across sport bikes, cruisers, dual-sports, adventure touring bikes, etc.
There appear to be myriad reasons for such pressure, ranging from ego (“Look at my wife on this giant bike!”) to misinformation (“A 500CC engine isn’t powerful enough to get out of the way of a semi.”) to efforts to save money (“You’ll grow into the bike.”). The problem is, if you do not feel comfortable on your bike now and/or cannot handle it well now, you will not enjoy motorcycling and your confidence will not improve. And at that point, there’s a good chance you won’t even ride anymore.
I’m not here to take you through the technical aspects of buying a bike – that’s what the experts at dealerships do. Rather, I’m here to encourage you to have the confidence to choose your own ride. That opportunity came easily to me, thanks to a supportive and knowledgeable husband, and I realize I am lucky in that regard. But even if you have someone pushing you toward a specific bike, and you’re feeling reluctant, you have the prerogative to take your time and do your own investigating.
With that in mind, be prepared to conduct your own research, at your own pace. Don’t rush a bike purchase.
Quick Tips
- You probably already know more than you think you do. It’s a good bet that you have an idea of which style of bike appeals most to you. Start there.
- Decide what’s important to you in a bike. How much mechanical maintenance are you willing to assume? Do you want to project a certain status or image via a brand of motorcycle? Do you prefer a particular country of origin or design?
- Determine the acceptable weight of the vehicle and the range of CCs/horsepower that will fit your current skills. To gauge that range, use the Internet, dealerships and TEAM Arizona coaches. (If you want insight from a really awesome woman rider and TEAM AZ instructor, talk to my friend Mary Zaleski. If she’s out for a ride, hit up one of the many other female coaches at the school.)
- Sit on a bunch of different bikes at a bunch of different dealerships. Each bike will feel different to you and you’ll soon distinguish between what feels natural and comfortable, and what does not. If you feel intimidated on one motorcycle versus another, this may be a major clue in the selection of the right fitting motorcycle.
- Have FUN navigating the bike-selection process. If you’re not rushed, you’ll allow yourself to absorb a ton of new information and putting that learning into your new bike will prove enjoyable.
Above all, make sure your bike fits you and feels right, and accommodates your skill level right now. Yes, you will outgrow the bike and have to upgrade. But you will never outgrow a bike you don’t ride.
For the Entire TEAM Arizona Newsletter Content, CLICK HERE
