11 Actionable Tips For Female Motorcycle Riders
Here are some driving tips and tricks for female riders who own a motorcycle or are considering owning one in the future. It does not matter whether you are riding as a professional, hobbyist, or for the first time.
As a female motorcycle rider who has been on the road for several years, I can confidently assert that I have picked several tricks along the way. I believe my advice will be helpful to many female motorcycle riders, whether beginner or advanced.
Tips on Female Motorcycle Riding
In this section, I will write about the 11 actionable tips for female motorcycle riders. These tips include motorcycle gear, clothing, comfort level, the right motorcycle, maintenance, makeup, and sharing your location and plans on social media, among other essential pointers.
The tips mentioned below are inclusive of safety and having fun while on the go!
1. Wear the Right Motorcycle Riding Gear
Motorcycle accidents can be fatal and may cost riders their lives. For this reason, it is vital to wear appropriate accessories and gear to keep yourself safe. The gear should also give protection against elements such as wind and weather.
The motorcycle gear does not need to be expensive. However, as a woman, they can be stylish to complement the ride. The first thing to have is a well full-face fitting helmet to protect the face and head. Riding with an open-faced one will not cover all the impact areas in case of fatalities.
For the outfit, get either leather or synthetic material. This should be for the jacket and pants. Confirm if the armor pads fit and cushion the shoulders, knees, elbows, back, chest and hips.
To shield the ankles, buy a good pair of riding boots. There are many fashionable boots for female motorcycle riders. Ensure the boot protects you from burns from exhaust pipes and the engine.
2. Avoid Wearing Loose Clothing
Female riders usually have many choices of clothing or styles they may want to incorporate while riding. Even though this is perfectly okay, one of the major concerns is that of having loose clothes. This is one thing to avoid when going for a ride.
Loose clothing might get entangled in various parts of the bike and cause an accident. Also, riding at high speeds on highways will make loose clothes cover your face. This will block the view and may lead to fatalities.
While wearing a scarf may look ideal, it may be loose, and having it flail all over the place can be very annoying. This applies to unbuttoned sweaters too, which may both cause obstructions. Also, skirts and dresses may make climbing or alighting from the bike a challenge.
Wearing adequately fitting clothes ensures you are comfortable and more focused on the road. You will also be able to check the mirrors easily without any hindrance. For this reason, put more attention into picking the right riding clothes. No one wants to be stuck in an uncomfortable riding experience!
3. Tie Your Hair While Riding
Another primary concern with women motorcycle riders is their long hair. Loose hair has a habit of blowing, especially when riding at highway speeds. They could snarl on the handlebars or fall over the face and cover it.
This often causes distractions and can be dangerous when riding a bike. Some women prefer to tuck their hair inside the helmet. But this might cause headaches as helmets are not designed to accommodate piles of hair. The hair could also be itchy inside the helmet.
This implies that you will have to style the hair a certain way to make it comfortable when riding. It is advisable to manage the hair by tying it. Turning it into a loose braid, a bun, or a ponytail could help.
However, do not tie it very tightly, as this may also be uncomfortable. Either, pulling it back can also work. This ensures it does not interfere with the inside of the helmet.
My go-to style would be braiding it down into French braids or tying it in a low ponytail. Wear my helmet, and I can go for the entire day.
4. Check Your Comfort Level
Whether you are an expert at riding or just beginning, comfort is critical. The seat height, riding gear, and posture are all factors to consider when riding a motorcycle. All these will affect the riding experience.
Check for features such as motorcycle weight and seat height when purchasing a bike. This is important because you need to comfortably put your feet on the ground while sitting on the bike. Putting both feet down will make it easier to alight from the bike. It will also make it easy to balance the weight of the bike.
Additionally, compare different models and brands of motorcycles. Check the features and the benefits of the bikes ideal for your comfort. This should include how far you can lean on the bike.
Also, only ride at places where you feel comfortable and safe. Do not feel pressured into riding on a highway, especially for beginners. This may make you less confident on the road.
5. Join a Group of Other Women Riders
As much as riding solo can be a thrilling experience, riding in a group can be even more exhilarating. If you love bike riding, chances are other people in the same community feel the same. Though there are still more men, the number of women on bikes has constantly been growing.
Join a group of female riders and learn new skills. This will provide a sense of belonging and adventure. The good thing is that your first time on the highway will be less scary in the company of other riders.
What attracted me to my current rider group is its commitment to empowering women riders, inclusiveness, and diversity. It always gives me the opportunity for self-reflecting and personal growth.
While in the company of others, ensure you have the best riding practices. Check the side mirrors and use the proper hand signals. Also, learn the group’s riding etiquette and keep up with their slang.
You will likely find women who share the love for two wheels on sites such as Facebook and Meetup. Imagine how good it will feel riding with a group of female motorcycle riders!
6. Buy the Right Motorcycle for Yourself
Bikes are about the fit, like that special dress in your closet or that perfect shoe on that rack. Any rider should ensure they fit comfortably on the motorcycle, or else they will be jittery on the bike.
The critical aspect to check out for is the height of the seat. It should be a height that holds you snugly. This ensures that your feet can reach the ground when sitting on the motorcycle. Moreover, balancing the bike’s weight when reversing will be easier if it suits the rider well.
Additionally, female riders should check if they can pick up the bike. Do not purchase a bike that you can not pick up. This might get troublesome if you drop it, especially when no one is nearby. Ensure you can grip the tank with the knees. The tank offers additional support when on the bike.
Also, ensure the bike makes you feel good about having it. You do not want to be stuck with a ride that is not appealing. In case of any questions, ask an expert or get advice from a friend before buying the best motorcycle for women. If everything feels right, get the bike!
7. Know Your Bike Parts and Motorcycle Maintenance
There is this bias that women do not know about their bikes’ mechanical functions. Many mechanics also think that women cannot perform their motorcycle maintenance. They, therefore, usually overcharge for repairs.
To avoid this, it is necessary to learn about the bike parts and how much it costs to repair them. Additionally, you should be able to do routine maintenance for the bike. Even though it may seem daunting for beginners, maintaining a motorcycle is not so hard.
You can gradually start with the basics and work on your skills. Begin from simple tasks like changing engine oil to more complex ones like fixing electrical components.
What’s important is to examine the tire pressure at least once every month. You should also check and change the oil every six months. Oiling the chain and checking the tire tread are also essential.
Online forums, Youtube, Google searches, and the motorcycle manual can help you to know the bike parts and essential maintenance. All these will help keep the bike in good working condition and save you money.
8. Start Your Ride With a Small or Old Bike
Getting the right bike when starting as a new rider can often be an exhilarating experience. It can also be confusing because you want to get the perfect fit.
Starting with a small or old bike as a new rider would be best. This is to help you get a basic understanding of how they work.
I recommend starting with a dirt bike. Dirt bikes are a bit different from motorcycles. However, they are light and will give the feel of being on a bike.
You will probably run over a few things or tip it over during the first trial rides. A small bike will be easier to handle and less frustrating.
Once comfortable handling a bike, ease your way into the bigger motorcycles. Consider hiring, borrowing from willing friends, or simply buying yours. The transition from a small or old bike to a bigger or new one is exciting.
9. Insure Your Bike
It is best to have third-party insurance coverage as it is a requirement by law. This covers the life of third parties and properties. You can also get motorcycle collision insurance to pay for damages if you collide with other vehicles.
For wider coverage, go for comprehensive insurance. This cover insures the bike against unfortunate happenings such as accidents or theft. It will also cover injury to you and carter for any other damages.
Compare the premium rates of different insurance companies and how fast they offer their services. Once you get the coverage, do not forget to renew the insurance policy before it is due.
Moreover, as a woman, you need to have additional insurance and an emergency plan. This will come in handy if the motorcycle breaks down and you get stranded. An emergency plan ensures you do not get caught in potentially tricky situations.
Towing insurance could be the missing piece. Also, carry emergency tools or items you may need.
10. Wearing Makeup
The subject of makeup and skincare can confuse women who ride bikes. But you don’t really have to wear makeup when riding a motorcycle. However, some ladies can’t stay away from their makeup, which is completely understandable.
When it comes to makeup, the trick is to use those that do not smudge or fade throughout the day while riding. Ensure they are waterproof and offer 24h wear, as they help your overall look last longer.
Your foundation will always find its way to the inside of the helmet, which is unavoidable. But be careful not to layer too much makeup on your face. It will save you the embarrassment every time you take off that helmet.
I rarely forget my sunscreen when going for a ride. It has been helpful as I sometimes get exposed to long hours of sunshine. A good SPF product will keep sunburns at bay and even prevent the sun from seriously aging the face.
Additionally, having a good moisturizing and cleansing regimen can go a long way in mitigating skin agitations. Develop habits for riding routines and be consistent to enjoy the ride more.
11. Don’t Share Your Location and Plan on Social Media
Social media is among the best ways of sharing your riding experience with friends and family. However, riders should not share the real-time location, especially if traveling alone. Specifically, they should be keen on what they post on social media.
Before posting the location or pictures, you can always wait until you leave a place. Also, do not share your next location because you may not know the intention of who is keeping watch.
If you want friends or family to know the location, share it with them personally. Apps like Find my Friends allow you to send real-time locations to a single person.
I know sharing a location can be essential, especially when you are in danger or have a problem. The rule of thumb when riding a bike solo is better safe than sorry.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, the tips for female motorcycle riders are not as complicated as most people might think. Putting your safety first is crucial whether you are a beginner or a professional. As much as motorbike rides are fun, they can also be full of risks. Maintaining safety as a female rider will be helpful to avoid uncertain incidents and make the journey enjoyable.
Pro Tip: For your feasibility, carry a soft copy document of the bike insurance policy, Pollution Under Control Certificate, and your bike Registration Certificate. Also, carry a valid driving license to avoid legal hassles.
