Celebrating Women's Motorcycle Month
Although it’s traditionally been a male-dominated past-time, more and more women are taking to the open road on a motorcycle, whether it’s a sport, cruiser or touring bike. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, there are nearly four and a half million women motorcycle riders on the road today. In fact, one of every 10 motorcycle owners is a woman. In addition, the number of women motorcycle riders is increasing at a higher rate than the number of male riders - 28 percent versus 7 percent - as reported by the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Famous Women Motorcycle Riders
(1910s) Adeline and Augusta Van Buren: As two of the earliest motorcycle women riders in the U.S., these sisters broke many gender misconceptions and stereotypes by riding from New York to California on Indian motorcycles in 1916. The Van Buren sisters were the first women motorcycle riders to make the coast-to-coast journey solo on two bikes.
(1930s) Bessie Stringfield: As a female, African-American motorcyclist, Stringfield further broke both racial and gender barriers by completing eight solo cross-country tours and serving as a U.S. Army motorcycle dispatch rider, traveling through the Southern states when racial prejudice was a tangible threat.
(1930s) Dorothy "Dot" Robinson: Nicknamed the “First Lady of Motorcycling,” Robinson was another pioneer for women motorcyclists. Along with fellow motorcyclist Linda Dugeau, Robinson established Motor Maids, an organization created in 1940 to unite women that owned motorcycles. This organization was instrumental in convincing many more women to try motorcycling. The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) issued the club an official charter in 1941, thus becoming the first organized U.S. women’s motorcycle club. Robinson also opened the doors for women motorcycle riders in the competitive arena by participating and winning several endurance runs. Robinson became the first woman to win an AMA national competition when she placed first in the sidecar class of the two-day Jack Pine National Endurance Championship.
Women Motorcycle Riders of Today
Today’s “motorcycle women” continue to break down barriers and stereotypes. In fact, women motorcycle riders are more affluent, mature and better educated than in the past. One-third of the current generation’s women motorcycle riders are college graduates, and are more likely to work in a professional or managerial occupation than their male counterparts. This growing group of women motorcycle riders is quickly leaving the “biker chick” image behind.In addition, women motorcycle riders are safety-conscious and educated about their motorcycles. About one-third of women motorcycle riders completed a certified Motorcycle Safety Course, which again is considerably higher than the group of male motorcycle riders.
Some well-known celebrity women motorcycle riders and enthusiasts include: Molly Culver, Lauren Hutton (the original vice-president of the Guggenheim Museum Motorcycle Club), Cher, Catherine Bell, Queen Latifa, Wynona Judd, Niki Taylor, Joan Jett, Elizabeth Taylor, Tanya Tucker, Charlize Theron, KD Lang, Angelina Jolie, Pink, Alanis Morrisette and Courtney Cox.As the number of women motorcycle riders continues to grow, so will the demand for motorcycles and accessories better suited to female lifestyles and needs. In response to the buying power of these female consumers, the motorcycle industry will respond and begin designing more products and accessories for women motorcycle riders.
Motorcycle Insurance Rates for Women
Motorcycle insurance is determined by a variety of factors, including age, geographic location, bike style, riding experience, driving record and gender. And yes, it’s true that motorcycle insurance rates for women often costs less than it does for men – similar to how it costs more to insure a younger rider than an older rider, even if they have the same riding experience. This is based upon the probability of an accident because as a group, female motorcycle riders tend to be more cautious than male riders. The same is true when comparing older riders to younger riders.
The type of bike you own impacts your premium, so be sure to ask about motorcycle insurance rates before you choose your bike. High-performance sport bikes typically cost more to insure than easier-to-ride touring motorcycles due to the increased power and speed, which can lead to an accident. If you live in an area with poor weather conditions or high accident rates, your motorcycle insurance rates will be higher, too.
Most motorcycle insurance rates are also calculated based on the type of coverage you choose. Full motorcycle insurance coverage, including theft, medical and damage, will cost you more, but it offers better protection. Motorcycle insurance is often based on the number of riding months, as well. In sunny states like California or Florida, you’re able to ride your bike year-round. In other states, like Ohio, New York, Michigan and other parts of the Midwest, you have fewer riding months. Depending on your plan, you may only pay your motorcycle insurance premium during the primary riding months, although you’ll still be covered year-round. Overall, however, the longer you ride and maintain a good record, the lower your motorcycle insurance rates will be.
Dynamometers are useful in both the refinement and development of modern day engine technology. The concept is to use a dyno to measure and compare power transfer at different points on a vehicle, thus allowing the engine or drivetrain to be modified to get more efficient power transfer. Modern chassis dynamometers can do much more than display RPM, horsepower, and torque. With modern electronics and quick reacting, low inertia dyne systems, it is now possible to tune to best power and the smoothest runs, in realtime. This is done using a “Map.”