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Choosing and Buying a Motorcycle: A Woman's Perspective
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Monica A
Junior Member
Interesting article. However, there are alot of different bikes to consider besides Harley's and adventure tourers. The author was a bit biased to the cruiser mindset. I prefer performance over "style" (code for stereotypical H-D rider). I prefer a sport touring bike like the FZ6 or my current ride a Triumph Sprint. The FZ6 was a great bike for me to begin on. The inline 4 didn't have enough low end torque for me, which was great when I started out as I am a speed freak (car or bike). With my current experience/skill level, I could probably make an FZ6 work well. My triple has lots of torque throughout the powerband. The FZ6 was very comfortable for long rides and in the twisties. For my beginner bike, I kept up with the men that I rode with pretty good. On my Sprint, I can do 450+ mile days and not be exhausted at the end of the day.Last summer, on our trip to Canada and back we put some long days in at 80+ mph, a H-D couldn't do that. It'd brake down. lol Also, my Spring has enough power to pull out of a sticky situation and braking power to avoid a critter that runs into my path. Can't do that on a Harley, I bet. Never came close to dropping my FZ6 or Sprint. Happens frequently with H-D's I think because they aren't balanced well. I sat on one once. Felt so strange. Like I was clinging to the bike instead of riding on it. Just my two cents worth.
My local Triumph dealer was great to deal with. When I test rode the used Sprint for the first time, the sales guys were great (a guy traded it in for a Rocket II, had a H-D too). My hubby was with me, but he told them up front it was my decision. They were so respectful of me. No pressure. I took about a week to decide and pulled the trigger. The guy who traded it in was at the dealer when I rode it him. We see each other there frequently. He gets a kick out of me riding his old bike. We ended up on a memorial ride together once through mutual acquaintances. lol When I took did a Street Triple R test ride, it wasn't broken in it yet so they don't usually let it go out for a test ride until it is. But when they saw it was me, they let me take it out. A lady rider friend of mine came with me (BTW- she bought a Street Triple R yesterday from the same dealer - two years later to the day). Hubby was on a ride with some buddies. Expensive ride for him, because I ordered a Street Triple R after that test ride. lol When I brought back the bike, I tossed the keys to the salesguy. He was talking with a group of male riders. He asked how I liked the bike. When I went into details of how the bike handeled, throttle, smooth engine, but the clutch needed adjusting, etc. all the guys jaws dropped to the ground. They couldn't believe an "old lady" like me would know so much about bikes. (I have the same problem when I race guys in Subaru WRX's in my Volvo wagon and beat them - that's another story.....) I've never been given anything but the utmost respect from everyone at the dealership - from salesmen to parts to mechanics. Not so everywhere I go. My hubby, son and I went to Chapparal Motorcycles in San Bernadino "sightseeing". The motorcycle salesman asked my hubby and son what they rode but not me. When in fact we were looking at the FZ6r's to replace my '07 FZ6. He lost a potential sale because of his disrespect (ticked my hubby off)
In conclusion, women want the same thing as men in a bike. We want a reliable bike that will do what we want with little fuss and make us look cool while we ride it. We also aren't happy with one bike. lol What's the saying... the number of bikes one should have is n+1. The number of bikes you have, plus one more.
My local Triumph dealer was great to deal with. When I test rode the used Sprint for the first time, the sales guys were great (a guy traded it in for a Rocket II, had a H-D too). My hubby was with me, but he told them up front it was my decision. They were so respectful of me. No pressure. I took about a week to decide and pulled the trigger. The guy who traded it in was at the dealer when I rode it him. We see each other there frequently. He gets a kick out of me riding his old bike. We ended up on a memorial ride together once through mutual acquaintances. lol When I took did a Street Triple R test ride, it wasn't broken in it yet so they don't usually let it go out for a test ride until it is. But when they saw it was me, they let me take it out. A lady rider friend of mine came with me (BTW- she bought a Street Triple R yesterday from the same dealer - two years later to the day). Hubby was on a ride with some buddies. Expensive ride for him, because I ordered a Street Triple R after that test ride. lol When I brought back the bike, I tossed the keys to the salesguy. He was talking with a group of male riders. He asked how I liked the bike. When I went into details of how the bike handeled, throttle, smooth engine, but the clutch needed adjusting, etc. all the guys jaws dropped to the ground. They couldn't believe an "old lady" like me would know so much about bikes. (I have the same problem when I race guys in Subaru WRX's in my Volvo wagon and beat them - that's another story.....) I've never been given anything but the utmost respect from everyone at the dealership - from salesmen to parts to mechanics. Not so everywhere I go. My hubby, son and I went to Chapparal Motorcycles in San Bernadino "sightseeing". The motorcycle salesman asked my hubby and son what they rode but not me. When in fact we were looking at the FZ6r's to replace my '07 FZ6. He lost a potential sale because of his disrespect (ticked my hubby off)
In conclusion, women want the same thing as men in a bike. We want a reliable bike that will do what we want with little fuss and make us look cool while we ride it. We also aren't happy with one bike. lol What's the saying... the number of bikes one should have is n+1. The number of bikes you have, plus one more.