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Above, from left, Sally Haber, Lisa Leone-Baker, Fran

Bowden, Dawn Switser and Alex Foster.

Below, from left, Sally Haber, Dawn Switser, Fran Bowden, Lisa Leone-Baker and Alex Foster.

(Photos by Bud Wilkinson)

Yes, They Do Ride,

 So Don't Even Ask

By BUD WILKINSON

     Sally Haber of Berlin has ridden motorcycles since she was six years old and has taught motorcycle-riding courses for nearly a decade. She’s a skilled motorcyclist and the owner of a 2002 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Custom, yet even she sometimes hears the sexist question that has been asked of female riders probably for as long as motorcycles have been on the road.

     “I still get it,” said Haber one recent evening, the tone of her voice suggesting more resignation than irritation over such an ignorant query. She’ll pull up somewhere and some guy will ask, “‘Did you ride that thing here?’”

     Haber’s succinct, sarcastic reply, though, routinely puts the questioner in his place: “‘No, I pushed it.’”

     Women, some like Haber who have been riding all their lives and others who are newcomers to the dangerous recreation, have themselves been pushing motorcycle sales over the past two decades, and motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson has been tracking the rise in female ownership.

     In 1990, women represented only four percent of new Harley buyers. That figure rose to nine percent by 1998, 10.3 percent by 2003 and hit nearly 12 percent last year when women purchased 32,000 new Harleys. This year, the company projects that women will spend $300 million on its bikes.

     In the past, women have often cited simply being tired of looking at the backs of their husbands’ and boyfriends’ heads from the rear seat of a motorcycle as a primary riding for taking up riding. However, Paul James, director of product communications for Harley-Davidson, suggests that  “momentum” is now accelerating female ridership.

     “Women look around and they see more women riding motorcycles. It’s empowering,” he said. “Role models are important to women. When they can see other women out there enjoying motorcycling, it spurs something: ‘I can do that. I’m going to do that.’”  

     Fran Bowden of Waterbury has been riding and racing motorcycles for 30 years and currently has a 2002 Buell Blast. She started with off-road bikes and moved to the street. While she enjoys the freedom of traveling in the open breeze, she lists another more practical reason for riding. “If I don’t have grandkids that I’m dragging around, I take the bike. Much cheaper,” she said.

     Haber and Bowden got together late last month with three other female biker friends – Alex Foster of Thomaston, Lisa Leone-Baker of Waterbury and Dawn Switser of Terryville – to discuss why they ride. They represent a cross-section of skill levels, and their love of motorcycles and riding matches that of their male counterparts.

     “Women are just like men,” said James, listing that feeling of freedom that riding provides and the thrill of exploring as reasons they take it up. “These are things that transcend gender,” he said.

     “We’re a breed. Bikers are just a breed,” agreed Bowden. “I do it totally for enjoyment. It is my relaxation.”

     Other factors contributing the growth of female bike ownership include increased financial freedom and the fact that women are encouraged to express themselves much more than in the past.

     Switzer only took up riding two months ago after taking the state-sponsored Basic Rider Course and now rides a 2007 Sportster 1200 Low.

     “It’s going to take a while before I’m relaxed and comfortable,” she said, acknowledging that she’s experienced the wide range of emotions – including total fear – which all newbies feel. “There’s a lot more things that you need to be aware of. It’s not as easy as you would think it is,” she said.

     Haber has taught countless new riders as a certified Motorcycle Safety Foundation instructor. Becoming and staying a skilled and safe rider is “an ongoing thing. You can never learn enough,” she said, advising newcomers to avoid trying to keep up with other more experienced riders they may be riding with. “Stay in your own game. Don’t ride over your head.”

     Leone-Baker, who has two years experience and rides a 2006 Harley-Davidson Street Bob, offers additional advice. “When I’m working and when I’m tired, I don’t ride. Know your limits,” she said.

     Foster made a mistake common to many new enthusiasts. She bought a first bike that was too big and beyond her ability, a new Harley-Davidson Dyna Low Rider in 2003. She then took the Basic Rider Course and proceeded to do what many new riders do. “I dropped the bike a couple of times. When I went to park, I laid it down in the parking lot,” she recalled.

     That contributed to her decision to put the bike away. She hasn’t ridden since, but last year purchased a smaller second bike, a used 1996 Yamaha Virago. Her ultimate goal is to get some seat time and to build her confidence. “I want to ride. When I start to ride, I will ride,” Foster said.

     Adapting to the increase in female riders, Harley-Davidson is targeting more of its products for women. Some motorcycle models have been give lower seats, so shorter women don’t have to stand on tiptoes when stopped, and accessories such as reduced-reach foot pegs and pullback handlebars.

     The company is also bolstering its clothing line for women. James reported that the amount of motorcycle clothes for women has grown 11 percent in the past five years, with the amount of riding gear up 56 percent.

     “We’re developing products for women and products that women say they want,” said James, noting that means female-specific accessories such as helmets and eyewear that previously came in unisex styles.

     “They’re making it much more women-friendly,” said Bowden. While she recalled, “There were a lot of girls that rode when I started,” seeing women riding motorcycles is today an everyday occurrence. With momentum on their side, the percentage of women buying motorcycles can only increase in the future.   

     “If you think about it, women are 50 percent of the (population), yet only 12 percent of our customers are women,” said James. “Why couldn’t it be higher?”

(Originally published August 17, 2007 in "The Republican-American")