from my wife who rides a klr
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2004 9:48 am
Hello,
My husband has been telling me about several messages from this group
about women and riding. I am now a "pending" member and wanted to get
this message out for all those concerned men and their female
companions. I started out, as most women, very skeptical about riding
(because of course, us women are brainwashed all our lives into
thinking we cant do that, or... that is for boys) Well, why cant the
girls have fun too? When my husband bought his KLR, i was a passenger
on the back, it was fun. He then bought me a Super Sherpa to learn in
our back yard. That was even more fun. I felt like I was free for the
first time in my life and will never ride passenger again. (the Super
Sherpa is definately a great beginners bike) I took the MSF class for
one weekend and what a confidence builder that was. I kept the Sherpa
for about a year and then tried out my husbands KLR. I did it!! We
sold the Sherpa and I now am a proud owner of a KLR for about 3 years
now. I've had my share of scrapes and bruises and embarrassing
moments. But, you know, i'll bet that if anyone saw me tipped over in
a parking lot, they have forgotten it by now, and if anything
thought, wow, thats a ballsy chick just for riding a bike. I am 5'6",
the KLR is a bit top heavy and tall, so I ordered a new Corbin dish
seat which lowers me about 1 1/2 inces which helped alot. (and I
could choose my own personal style, mine is ostrich) Well, I'm a
girl, what can I say, I wanted it to be different from you guys. I
had a little bit of trouble with sharp turns to the right going at
slow speeds, so, my husband and I went to an empty parking lot, and I
practiced going around in circles at low speeds for quite a while to
get the feel for the bike and realize I wouldnt crash if i leaned
going around a curve. Now I'm more confident. So ladies out there,
you can do it!! You can decide to either join your partner, and have
the time of your life or sit at home and watch Oprah. Its up to you.
And besides, the look on people's faces when you stop and a red light
or a gas station is priceless when they realize you're a girl. I love
it!!
Laura
A15