All About Protective Motorcycle Gear for Women

Horseback Riding is riskier than Motorcycling!

2009-08-08T10:39:00.000-07:00

And horseback riders only wear what I would call a 'Salad Bowl' aka half helmet.

Who Knew?

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00001626.htm
http://www.hughston.com/hha/a.horse.htm
http://www.nature.com/sc/journal/v40/n6/full/3101280a.html

And, if you have a few minutes to spare:
NHTSA on Motorcycles

SideStandUp Aug.4, Gloves

2009-08-04T17:07:00.001-07:00

This month's SSU topic was all about Gloves!

One can never have enough pairs of gloves, in my opinion. How important are your hands? your wrists? Maybe you're an architect, a software engineer, a construction worker, a lawyer, a teacher, or a fabricator. No matter what you do for a living, I imagine using both of your hands is crucial to the success of your occupation.

So why shouldn't full fingered, leather gloves be important while riding your motorcycle? If you think about how long a good pair of gloves can last (sometimes 5-10 years, if you buy the right pair), they are well worth every penny. It can be hard to justify $100-$200 or even $300 for a pair of gloves. My wonderful friend Brian (you rule!) who works with me at Scuderia, gently reminds customers that if you take the average number of days a year that you ride (say 5 days a week x 52 weeks= 260) and divide it by how much you spend on one pair of gloves (say $100 for a decent pair of gloves with protection), that equals $2.60/day!

And more than likely, a good pair of gloves will last you at least 2-3 years. If you want your gloves to last 5-10 years, then you definitely need to spend at least a couple hundred dollars.
So how do you find that perfect pair? Well first, narrow down your options by figuring out what kind of glove you're looking for:

Summer: Perforated, ventilated
Winter: Waterproof, insulated
Year Round: Street, track, touring

In San Francisco and the rest of the Bay Area, these are the kinds of gloves that work here, given the year round fantastic weather that we have (except in San Francisco in July and August, when it's 60 degrees, windy and foggy):

Yes, these are ALL women's gloves! I would highly recommend the basic gloves for those of you riding scooters as well. The Olympias are probably the most popular scooter gloves that are sold at Scuderia.

Basic:
(less than $70, all leather, full fingered, 3 season gloves,
not waterproof, minimal armor)

Better: (more armor, stronger gauntlet, higher quality leather, $100 and up)

The Phantom goes down to a Size 6, which is pretty small for a race glove. So if you have really small hands and need a fantastic glove, you'll love the Phantoms.

Finally, when you're shopping for gloves, you'll want to assess fit in the following ways:

Are they snug enough so that when they stretch they will still fit?
Leather gloves will stretch so try to buy the snuggest size you can.
How do they feel when working the throttle, clutch and front brake? Do you feel any extra 'bunching' of material along the palms, fingers?
Remember that you'll never make a closed fist while riding, so assessing fit while opening your hands all the way and making a closed fist doesn't matter. You'll never fully extend your fingers straight out either, so remember that fit around the throttle is most important.
When your hand is wrapped around the throttle, are your fingertips pushing up against the inside seam? Or do they just touch the inside? If they're just touching, that's normal. You just don't want added pressure onto the seam.
Can you fit the gauntlet over your jacket? Or will your sleeves go over the gauntlet? Keep in mind that putting your gauntlet over your sleeve will keep you warmer and prevent air from going up the sleeves.

Remember that your hands are probably the second most important part of your body, besides your head when gearing up.

Technology, 21st Century Style

2009-07-29T20:17:00.000-07:00

Working at Scuderia certainly has it perks. Aside from the fun working environment, cool customers and fantastic coworkers, I learn something new every day that I work there. I really do!

There's so much out there that you just don't know what you'll find until you start digging around putting customers in various pants, jackets or gloves. It can be a lot of work, trying on every pair of pants in the store, every pair of gloves, every jacket or every helmet that could possibly fit you. But it's worth it in the long run, as you'll have something that properly fits, protects and works for you. Buying gear is similar to buying regular clothes, however, there's one big difference in shopping, yes, your motorcycle!

I made a huge Scuderia faux pas when I safely assumed that my friend had tried on her overpants while seated on a bike. (Sorry Aleks!) I was running around helping someone else at the same time and when I finished to check on her, she said she was good to go with the REV'IT Zip Pants. I normally tell everyone to try the gear on their bike or on one of our bikes. Fit is really THAT important, and can change drastically from standing in front of a mirror to sitting on a Triumph Speed Triple, Aprilia Shiver, RSV4 or a Victory. Unfortunately, she found out the hard way when going for a ride last weekend that those pants are too short in riding position.

That's why shopping at Scuderia is such a different experience. We actually care about what you're wearing while riding, how it fits and whether or not it's the right garment for you. We will give you (as much advice as you'll let us, sometimes even more!) in order to help you make the right decisions, but nine times out of ten, customers will return and buy what we end up recommending, simply because they can't find that kind of service, knowledge and experience at other apparel shops. That's why you'll find manufacturers such as REV'IT, Dainese, and RS Taichi hanging in the store. Most people have never heard of these brands, and that's because they're what we call "Real Gear". They protect and serve multiple functions while riding.

Many times I get the question: "Why does this jacket cost $500 while this one costs $150?". Well that answer depends a lot on whether it's textile or leather, where it's made, what the intended purpose is, what it's made of and a plethora of other details. High end brands as the ones mentioned above have spent thousands of dollars into actual research in designing gear. There is no 'cut and paste' for these brands. They actually are designing gear to protect riders, while being light, comfortable, warm and/or cool. They're venturing out into other apparel industries such as camping, hiking and snowboarding to see what can be adapted for motorcyclists. You'll find innovative, highly technical materials and features on the garments that you aren't used to seeing on motorcycle gear such as Gore-Tex, Super-Fabric, Schoeller®, NanoSphere and SAS-TEC. Why shouldn't we have every piece of technology available to them to protect us while riding? It only makes sense.

I think the idea of using 21st century technology to protect riders is a foreign one to many shoppers. So many companies including REV'IT and Dainese are using what's out there to make their garments better, more protective and as functional as possible.

I sat down recently with Brian Finnerty, the Pacific Northwest representative for REV'IT and he gave me some really great insight into how REV'IT is different from other manufacturers out there. The company started in 1995 in European markets, establishing themselves before entering into the US market in 2004. Since then, their market share as grown ~30% every year since being in the US.

I think people find it hard to make the connection between "motorcycling" "safety" and "technology". Look around you, what have you spent more money on because it's better, the quality is outstanding, the craftsmanship is amazing, the technology is beyond 21st century, and probably took several years to create?

In a sport as risky and intense as motorcycling, why do some people think it's less important to spend money to protect themselves? I think that's what makes the partnership between Scuderia and REV'IT so unique. They both prioritize and value the same things when it comes to helping find people the right gear:

Safety, Protection: Is there sufficient armor everywhere?
Fitment: Does everything fit properly? How to assess proper fit?
Customer Service/ Needs: What are they? (believe it or not, no one really asks this question)

REV'IT doesn't chose to go the traditional distributor route. You'll find that many manufacturers who go this route are very focused on the quality of the products, as they aren't going to sell themselves in a catalog or on a shelf. They actually have to train and show their dealers how to properly sell the gear to their customer base, as well as educate them on the value of high end gear vs. low end gear. When dealers themselves aren't equipped or qualified to sell gear, it says a lot about the kind of shopping experience customers are going to have.

The volume of technology and research that goes into these garments is absolutely amazing. As is the buying experience. When you walk into most shops, you'll see something on a hangar and ask someone what colors they come in and if they have your size. End of story. But that's not the end of the story with apparel staff that aren't motivated by commissions, but by customer satisfaction. Nothing makes me happier than when a customer tries on the perfect fitting jacket for the first time and notices the real differences between that and others he/she has tried before. The sealed zippers, tapered sleeves, extra buttons in the right place, armor that sits comfortably over the shoulder, the difference in comfort in riding position, they all work together to make that fit perfect for someone. Believe it or not, this is hugely important for REV'IT. Only when proper fitment is achieved can the garments be truly appreciated.

The next time you decide to shop for gear, see if the apparel people know how to fit you, make sure they're asking you the right questions. Frankly, no matter how much research you do on your own, you won't find ANY website (except mine, of course) that's going to tell you HOW to shop for your gear and make sure it fits.

Tell them what you're looking for in your jacket, gloves, pants, etc. Tell them what you need out of your gear, tell them what you ride, tell them everything. If you don't they may not be making the right recommendation for you. And if they're not telling you to sit on the bike or assume riding position while trying it on, then they Definitely aren't fitting you right.

Forums

2009-07-24T21:01:00.000-07:00

Daytona Ladystar Sizing
Buying Gear Online? + Opinions
Woman sizing
Heated Gear for Women

If you haven't visited my forums yet, these are the kinds of topics that we're chatting about. What better way than to learn from your fellow women riders about what's out there for you? If you're a woman rider (new or veteran), where else can you go and just talk about gear? Nowhere else, as far as I know. So please, register, contribute! Let's help fellow women riders get to know what's out there, how to shop and why they need better/newer/more gear!

Clearance at Revzilla

2009-07-10T18:24:00.000-07:00

Go see my friends at Revzilla, they're having a closeout sale on winter and summer gear as well.

Fieldsheer Women's Track Paddock Leather Jacket
$229.99 (normally 329.95)

REV'IT Ultimate Pants
$249.99 (normally 349.99)
(Large, XLarge, and XXLarge in Short. Which is a great option for my plus size gals with a short inseam!!)

AlpineStars Bat Leather Pants
$206.96 (normally $229.95)

Joe Rocket Trixie Leather Jacket
$169.99 (normally $484.99)

AlpineStars Stella TX 1 leather Jacket
$314.95 (normally $349.95)

Another segment on SideStandup, Tues. 7/7/2009

2009-07-06T19:49:00.000-07:00

5:10pm Pacific / 8:10pm Eastern.

I'm going to give my review of the REV'IT Ignition Jacket. As some of you may know, this jacket is made for men *and* women.

So if you're a small, petite girl who needs a fitted, protective motorcycle jacket, you'll want to tune in. Or if you're a tall guy with a long torso, long arms and a narrow waist, you'll want to tune in too!
Either way, just listen!!

http://www.sidestandup.com

Read my latest interview here.

2009-07-01T18:46:00.001-07:00

http://sfurbanmoto.com/currentarticle.cfm?ax=59

As well as a pic of me and my crazy hair. It was awful windy that day on the top of Green Street.

June Urban Moto Is Here~

2009-06-30T15:14:00.000-07:00

Run, don't walk to your nearest distributor:

http://www.sfurbanmoto.com/distro.cfm

Find me on Page 24-ish.

Riding, blogging and gear makeovers

2009-06-22T19:28:00.001-07:00

These past few days my husband and I have been doing more riding than we've done in the past 6 months. 549 miles in 4 days. 375 of them done in one day! I found that while I'm riding I have a lot of time to think about gear. Am I comfortable? Is the A/C on too high? Do my leathers sweaty? Among other things, I also think about why other people don't wear more than jeans and sneakers while going 75-80mph on the 101, riding into ~40-50 mph winds.

Sometimes I get strange thoughts in my head like "I can't believe I'm going 70mph on a motorcycle right now." I also get ideas for my blog but then I have absolutely no way of writing them down or remembering them later. I also have found that the more I ride, the more I want to write, and the more ideas I'm able to come upwith.

The only one I remembered when arriving to our lovely motel in Cambria was the one I'm going to write for you now. (OT, Big shout out to the Cambria Palms Motel, the Best Deal In Town!. Cheap, clean, easy to find off Hwy 1. Stay here if you need somewhere to crash on the way down from SF or up to SF, especially if you're stopping at Hearst Castle).

So working at Scuderia West, I have the pleasure of meeting many different riders, all shapes, ages, sizes, riding experiences, backgrounds, etc.

Example:

Female customer, about 5'2", approx. a women's size 8.
She had trouble finding pants that fit her waist/hips and inseam. She rode a scooter and needed pants to commute in. She already had a jacket (don't know what kind) but wanted overpants as well. She had tried on various other pants but hadn't found anything that fit quite right.
I was going to put her in Olympia Airglides or Pro Pants, but unfortunately the inseams were going to be too long for her.
Gear Solution: REV'IT Zip Pants, Size Small-Short

The beauty of the Zip Pant is that it has an adjustable waistband. This is particularly useful for women who have hips or a disproportionate waist (ie not an hourglass shape). And you can get a size small in short! Unfortunately you can't get any size smaller than that in short, since they do run down to an XXS.
One thing that she wasn't sure about was the fact that when she sat on a scooter, there was a little room in the back of the pants, right at the lower back. That's perfectly normal for overpants, as they are meant to be zipped to a jacket, or worn with a longer cut jacket. Zip pants do have a fairly neutral 6 inch zipper which you should be able to find on brands such as Olympia.

Working in a place like Scud also has helped me figure out a couple things about customers who come in looking for gear, and complain that they can't find anything in other shops. A couple of observations:

They have no idea what proper fit is, especially for motorcycle gear, and especially for the type of gear we carry (protective, functional gear).
Most people, especially women, complain that nothing fits them. I'm sure that at least 50% of the time this is probably true.
They probably don't carry the variety of gear that Scud does, with different fits.
No one ever tries gear on a bike! Fit is never 100% right while standing straight up with your arms at your sides. Not real gear, anyway. Sit on that bike!
Ladies, listen to me when I tell you that gear is supposed to be fitted, close to your body. Not 2 sizes too big because you want to cover up your 'problem areas'. I've seen too many women come in wearing their husband's/boyfriend's gear thinking that it was fine. Newsflash! You have an hourglass figure, hips, boobs, long legs (sometimes), smaller shoulders, a small back, etc., you get the picture. Sometimes women have this notion that in order to 'cover up' these areas that wearing large, oversized clothing is the solution. Not so! Even moreso when it comes to motorcycle gear. Because the added function of gear is to Protect and Function on a motorcycle. If it doesn't fit you right it's not going to work when you crash.
There aren't many 'apparel-only' shops vs. motorcycle dealerships. Most places are dealers like Scud that also carry apparel. But many of these places lack the selection. They could order mounds and mounds of women's gear. But they don't, probably because the majority of their customer base are men, and those that are women usually ride on the back.
The lack of trained apparel employees can also have a huge effect on the way you are shopping for gear. You may not realize that it's supposed to be that snug, that standing up straight with your arms at your side is going to be uncomfortable, that the garments are cut for riding position, I could go on and on. When there is no one there to guide you along the way, how are you supposed to know? Of course you're going to assume nothing fits because you may not know how it is supposed to fit.

So for those of you that still have trouble shopping for gear, or are in need of a gear makeover, I'd like to propose the following:

Send me your gear wants/needs. (jacket, pants, gloves, boots?)
Send me a photo of yourself from head to toe, preferably wearing something semi fitted (jeans, tshirt) so I can see your body type.
Tell me what size you wear in regular jackets and pants (in numerical US size)
If you already have gear, send me a picture of you wearing it.

If you send me an email with the above criteria, I'll send you my gear recommendation based on what you send!

Or if you live in the Bay Area and would like a gear makeover in person, let me know. I would be your personal shopper for Free, if you let me write it up on my blog. We'll hit up all the shops that carry women's gear and help you find gear that fits. Only flattering photos will be taken by me, I promise! We'll take some before and after pics and show the world how to find that perfect outfit for riding. The first 3 people who email me will get a free GearChic Tshirt!

For the Boys.

2009-06-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

Men always ask me why I don't do review for men. Well, ALL the sites are for men! That's why I started mine. But, most of the fitment articles I write do apply to men and women, so for that kind of gender neutral advice I hope you'll find it useful. But, seeing as how many of my readers are men (thank you!), I felt that a quick review was in order.

I will make a gear recommendation for the boys based on the outfit that my husband just got for the long ride we did yesterday to SoCal. The jacket is also a top seller at Scuderia West as well. For reference, here he is, Mr.GearChic.

My husband is 5'11", ~190lbs, has broad shoulders, a long torso and a 33" inseam. These fit him him perfectly. The pants do come in short and long, depending on the size. But he was fine with a standard 52 for the pants and a 52 for the jacket. These are pants, not overpants. They also come with a windproof/waterproof liner which he didn't need to wear for this ride, since the weather was mostly 70s along Hwy 1. Before acquiring these 2 items, he was wearing a Dainese leather jacket and Olympia Pro Textile Pants. He definitely prefers this outfit and finds the cut on the REV'IT gear to be perfectly suited to his body type.

Because he has broad shoulders, he thought the 52 would be a little too small, but after sitting on the bike (of course!), it felt fine in riding position (on a Standard). It was just a little uncomfortable standing up straight with the jacket zipped up (as it should, since it's cut for riding not standing!) And he had no problems breaking it in on the ride down, since we got it for him the day before we left. The arms are nice and long, which is definitely a problem for him when shopping for regular clothes and jackets.

Since it's a combination of textile and leather, it wasn't so bad wearing for the first time on a long ride. If he wear in a one piece or two piece leathers, he probably would've been a little uncomfortable after the first hundred miles. Overall, he is very happy with this combination and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good all around 2 piece for city, urban and long distance riding. So get thee to Scuderia West, or if you can't drive to San Francisco, order a set from Revzilla and try it out for yourself!

1) REV'IT Ignition Jacket.
$429.99

2) REV'IT Gear Pants
$379.99

3) Dainese Torque In Boots
$299.00

Racer High End Gloves

2009-06-16T20:30:00.001-07:00

Racer High End Ladies Gloves
MSRP $199.99

If it's possible to be in love with your gear, well then I'm proud to say that I am in love with these gloves! I was worried they wouldn't be warm enough for my always cold hands, but I have to say that so far, they're performing better than I expected! They fit my short fingers perfectly. Look for a full review soon, hopefully after this week from hell is over. My real job is kicking my ass this week, so I hope to dig up more content for the next newsletter (sign up if you haven't already!) this weekend. Overall, I would highly recommend these gloves for everyday riding. I don't know how they'll do in colder weather (below 60 degrees), but in 60s-70s they're perfect. They have just enough ventilation but not too much. And they have much better dexterity than my Multitops do.

My husband and I are going to be riding down to Ventura, CA this weekend for an extended stay visiting his family. Although we've been to Ventura many times before, this will be the first ride on Minnie. My wonderful friend Leyla was so generous as to lend me her gel seat for the weekend, so I hope that makes for a more pleasant ride. After riding ~170 miles this weekend, my butt was screaming at me to never do that again without a better seat. But it was definitely happier with new tires! Nothing like the feeling of smoooooth acceleration out of a satisfying sharp left turn. (I still hate left turns, still working on that).

View Larger Map

Although I didn't celebrate Ride to Work Day yesterday, I rode today instead and it was fantastic. Riding the dirty streets of San Francisco makes you remember not to be so complacent with your reaction time, ability to predict people's movements and remaining vigilent. I learned how to ride here, so it's all I know. When people ask me if it's scary, or how I do it, I simply tell them that it's just like riding anywhere else, only much worse, busier and a little rougher on the tires (so many potholes). I think I'd have more fun on a DRZ! I also love the small streets, sharp corners and beautiful scenery that we're so lucky to have. Today was particularly fun as I rode down Powell Street along the cable car lines to courier a package to Union Square.

If you ever come to San Francisco, I highly recommend renting bikes (maybe a KLR from my friend Glenn?) and riding around the city. If you're not used to riding in the city, it'll definitely give you some riding experience to take back with you to the 'burbs!

Gear Fit Assessment

2009-06-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share a quick question from someone who is wearing leather for the first time:

Question:
Just ordered and rcvd a leather Joe Rocket coat-- jet set. Love it!! Size small- I am tall but quite thin. Sleeves are just long enough; body fits snug and well... my question is, the armpit seams pull just a bit-- literally-- the seams that run from collarbone to armpit are tight on me. Will this stretch out over time? Have ordered the size Medium just to compare, an extra inch across the back might make a ton of difference, but I think the coat is liable to be too big all over... By the way-- I tried the small on with a heavy sweater, and the seams were still tight in the armpit but ok everywhere else. Have never had leathers before, and am unsure how much it will stretch, or where. Any input welcome.

My answer:

Hmm.. without seeing you wearing it, I can only put my best guess forward. Leathers will definitely stretch and break in over time. The question is, when you're sitting On your bike, how tight are the seams? I mean, so tight that your arms can't comfortable stay in riding position for more than a minute? Generally it should be snug to begin with so it'll stretch when it breaks in.

As far as the seams from collarbone to armpit, they're going to be snug, but again, as long as they're not pinching in riding position, it should be good.

It's hard for me to make an informed decision without seeing you, but I hope this helps. Feel free to send me pics of you in the jacket, fully zipped, in riding position on the bike and then with the jacket unzipped standing up straight, arms at your sides.

And, if it's your first time wearing leathers, it might just take you awhile to get used to the snug fit compared to textiles.

-GC

new partnership!

2009-06-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Anthony, one of the founders of Revzilla.

I'll be referring all my readers to buy online from Revzilla (if they don't live in San Francisco of course!) whenever possible. Revzilla has a fantastic return policy and excellent customer service. I highly recommend checking them out for Dainese, Sidi and REV'IT products.

Side Stand Up Tonight!

2009-06-02T15:35:00.000-07:00

It's that time again, I'll be calling in for another SSU podcast, all about helmets.

Please join in if you can:

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=64458&cmd=tc

GoMoto Riders today

2009-05-30T11:50:00.001-07:00

I'll be at the GoMoto Riders store in Sacramento today from 12:30-3:00.

If you're in the area come by for a BBQ to celebrate the 3year
anniversary party!

5739 Auburn Boulevard
Sacramento, CA

Http://www.gomotoriders.com

Catch up on interviews/podcasts!

2009-05-27T16:25:00.000-07:00

If you haven't had a chance to listen to any of the Side Stand Up shows, or my latest interview, I've collected the links here for you to check out! I'll also post these on my website on my links page.

1. Just Gotta Scoot. David and I had a great conversation about why wearing gear on a scooter is important, as well as what other considerations you need to take when gearing up. Thanks Dave!

May 21, 2009
Episode 97
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=16296&cmd=tc

2. Side Stand Up
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=64458&cmd=tc

May 5, 2009
Episode 83
My segment starts at about 00:15:00. (15 minutes in)
On this episode, I give my tips for buying gear if you don't have the luxury of having
a local apparel shop that's knowledgeable about gear, or you just don't know where to start
in terms of finding gear.

May 12, 2009
Episode 84
My segment starts at about 1:00:27 (1 hr, 27 minutes. towards the end of the show)
This is the Mother's Day special where all the guests featured were
interesting and cool women sharing lots of different perspectives on riding.

April 7, 2009
Episode 79
Segment starting at about 00:34:00. (34 minutes in)
My first segment on SSU all about the Daytona Ladystar boots

March 10, 2009
Episode 101
Segment starts in at 00:20:00 (20 minutes)
This is the first episode that I make my appearance on SideStandUp, being interviewed by Denise Maple of VaVaVroom.

latest interview with JustGottaScoot.com

2009-05-22T09:19:00.001-07:00

Big thanks to David Harrington for having me on his show yesterday. Here's a link to the episode if you want to hear our sizzling conversation about gear!

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/audioPop.jsp?episodeId=223810&cmd=apop

His podcast can also be found in the itunes store if you search Podcasts. Just look for the May 21st episode.

New from GearChic, other updates

2009-05-20T23:00:00.000-07:00

I've decided to start a monthly newsletter containing any new reviews, product updates, fit questions and answers, and anything else I can think of that might be useful for my readers (you!).

I know not everyone may be using RSS Feeds, Twitter, and other social networking stuff to stay up to date on things, so I thought a monthly newsletter would be useful for those of you who want to know what I'm up to and what new content is added to my website. You can sign up for my newsletter here.
And, you can even pick a mobile phone friendly option to read it on the go!

The only reason I'll be using your information is to send you updates, never for anyone else, so you can be sure that your contact info stays only with me.

I'm aiming for June 1st (at the latest) for my first newsletter. I hope you'll sign up and let me know what else you'd like to see that I may have forgotten.

Also, it appears that the Urban Moto article won't be coming out until the next issue. Once it comes out I'll be sure to post!

Revit Mistral Ladies Pants

2009-05-18T16:55:00.000-07:00

Revit Mistral Ladies Pants
MSRP $239.99

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of these pants. I just ordered them from Scuderia last week. I've been searching for the perfect pant that I can wear as pants, instead of jeans. My Olympias are a little too bulky and warm for San Fran.

They also fit like a glove. One thing I don't like about my Olympias are the way they hang on me. I'm fairly petite and the leg is cut rather wide as well as the hips. (which is great if you have hip, waist or thigh issues as the cut is fairly generous)

I can't wait to post a review of these next month.

Scuderia Open House! Saturday, May 23, 2009

2009-05-18T16:51:00.000-07:00

Interview may 21st

2009-05-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

It looks like i'll be interviewed again for a Scooter podcast hosted by David Harrington called Just Gotta Scoot. Looks like it'll be broadcast live like the SideStandUp podcasts. You can find the Talkshoe page here:

http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/16296

Hopefully I'll reach some Scooter people out there that haven't thought about giving gear a priority and making some suggestions on Scooter friendly gear.

Foreplay.

2009-05-11T22:54:00.000-07:00

Gorgeous day in San Francisco, birds chirping, sun shining, perfect riding weather ✔
Male, average build, tall-ish, on a motorcycle ✔
Arai XD helmet ✔
Aerostitch one piece, fairly new, red ✔
Full fingered leather gloves of some kind, Helds, Racers or AlpineStars ✔
Ducati Multistrada, brand spankin' new, 992cc desmodue engine, air-cooled with two valves per cylinder, naked from the waist down, showing off everything it has to offer. ✔
Now I'm all hot and bothered, wishing I were on my bike, not stuck in my car.

And what do I see? LOAFERS. UGLY, DARK RED LOAFERS WITH TASSLES!
Tassles?? Really?

You went to all that trouble, shelled out fifteen grand on a bike, helmet, a one piece and then you finish off with LOAFERS?

Ugh, men.

updated page

2009-05-07T20:49:00.001-07:00

I just updated the Links page on my website with a separate list of places to rent motorcycles other than a Harley. For those of you looking for a KLR, BMW, Kawasaki perhaps?

Come and chat tomorrow night on SSU!

2009-05-04T12:32:00.000-07:00

I'll be on once again, talking alllll about Gear at around 5:30pm PT-ish. Sometimes I get pushed out to after 6:00, but who knows! I'm going to be giving my tips for finding gear that fits. The one thing I hear the most from every woman I meet is how difficult it is to find gear that works for their body type, and actually fits them. Well I'm going to help you do that remotely the best way I can. So tune in and listen to my tips!

Click Here to listen to the show. Or if you can't make it tomorrow night, download the show from iTunes Here.

First in a Series: Gear Around the Bay, Scuderia West

2009-04-28T16:10:00.000-07:00

This is the first in a series about the best shops for women's gear in the Bay Area. But more importantly, they will carry the best that there is to offer in real gear.

Living in the Bay Area, we are so lucky to have so much available to us as motorcyclists. There are so many riders living here that of course we have more than your average number of motorcycle dealerships and apparel shops just for us!

I hope to visit 3-4 other shops in the Bay Area over the next few months to give you an up close and personal look at why these shops are so great!

Scuderia West, 69 Duboce Avenue, San Francisco, CA

For those of you who've never been to Scuderia, here is a 180 degree high res photo that will almost make you feel like you're really there. :D

Scuderia West is near and dear to me for more than the most obvious reason that I work there part time. 6 years ago my husband and I bought our first scooter there after renting one in Vegas on our honeymoon. I also bought my first helmet, jacket and gloves. I knew that Scuderia was a really special shop the minute I walked in. I also bought my first piece of gear that day, my now discontinued Vanson Textile. Long story short, it was this experience that kept me coming back to Scuderia. I almost hated going sometimes, because there was sooooo much stuff I wanted to buy there. Jackets, boots, gloves, pants, the list is endless! When I originally came up with the idea for my website, I thought it would be so cool to hang at Scuderia and learn as much as I can about gear. Where else could I go to get informative, useful information from people who knew their stuff?

And, I loved the fact that so many women were working there at the time. I'd gone back since then to buy more gear. So I took the plunge and asked Crystal one day if she needed any extra hands for the upcoming Open House. She said she'd think about it and the rest is history! I had no idea how much I would enjoy working there. It was so much fun, so easy and I sucked in every piece of information I could get my hands on.

If you take a look at the 180 pic above, you'll notice that some things you might see in most apparel shops are missing at Scuderia. No chaps, tassles, not a lot of chrome, no harley-wear. Crystal has done a fantastic job of identifying a badly needed gap in the motorcycle apparel business. The emphasis is mainly on quality products that protect, function well on a motorcycle, and *gasp* fit! Have you ever walked into an apparel shop that: 1) has dedicated apparel employees; and 2) knows how to give you proper fitment with your gear? Most shops have no dedicated apparel personnel. That expense is just seen as an unnecessary one, and/or it's really hard to find qualified, experienced people who know what they're talking about in terms of fit and selling the apparel for what it is, not how much it costs.

When you come in to buy gear, you'll find a variety of garments with different shapes and fits to accommodate different body types. Because if you've ever read my blog before this post, then you know how much focus I put on fit. I'll even let you in on a little secret. Come Closer. *We do not get commission on apparel sales at Scuderia.*

So when we tell you how well that jacket fits you (regardless of the price tag), we really mean it! There is nothing more satisfying for me than seeing the smile on a customer's face when she is standing in front of the mirror, admiring herself and so happy that she found a jacket that fits her like a glove. And, even if she's not sure she wants to spend ~$400+ on 'the one', we'll even encourage to check out other options at competitor shops. Once a customer knows exactly what's supposed to fit, how it's supposed to work and why it's worth the money, inevitably, they always come back. That's what makes Scuderia so special. We're really here to help inform and advise you the best we can. Sometimes what we have won't work, but we're going to tell you that instead of pressuring you to buy something that doesn't.

One common problem that both the men and women I've spoken to about gear have shared with me is how hard it is to shop for gear. Unless someone tells you, it can be really difficult to figure out what you need, why you need it and how to go about finding it. That's the problem with shopping virtually. With the wealth of information online available to you, there's no one to help you wade through it and make sense of it all. Especially as it relates to you! What bike you ride, what kind of riding you're doing, what features you need, what features you don't need, etc. Shopping is a lot of work, whether it's for gear or for just a jeans and tshirt.

By going to a place like Scuderia, you're going to get a lot of information that you just won't find anywhere else.