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 Female Riders (Stats)
I liked reading these numbers, and learning how much higher the fairer sex are climbing...
http://rideapart.com/articles/watson-female-riders
At the end of last year there was a survey published about women and motorcycles that didn’t say very much except women who rode felt much better about themselves, were twice as happier with their lives and overall felt sexier.
It was the sort of survey that made me roll my eyes as it told me absolutely nothing that I wanted, or even needed to know, and was directly linked to a motorcycle manufacturer that had paid good money to sponsor this research ultimately with the aim of enticing women to buy their motorcycles.
However, what the survey did do was make me curious enough to seek out about what was happening to U.S. women motorcyclists and if they were still largely being ignored by the motorcycle industry.
After a bit of digging, what I finally came up with were some astonishing numbers published by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). A national trade association that, amongst a multitude of other things, specifically tracks motorcycle riders demographics in the U.S.
According to the MIC’s findings, up until 2012 of the 27 million people that ride motorcycles in this country more than a quarter (or seven million of them) are women. That’s a huge number, which according to my limited calculations means that one in four riders on U.S. roads is very likely to be a woman.
Not only is that a big number, but also it would seem that women riders are also the one area of the market that’s actually growing year on year. All of the MIC numbers are based on motorcycles sold to end users, so this is not subjective findings or someone in a back room guessing, but simple hard facts. More women than ever before are buying motorcycles.
But, even more surprising to me was that the MIC numbers revealed the number of female riders increased by 35 per cent between 2003 and 2012, with more than 40 per cent of them purchasing a cruiser type bike. The MIC numbers don’t split down the remaining the 60% but if they did I have a feeling that the biggest proportion would be sport bikes purchases and between 2009 and 2012 bike ownership amongst women went up by 20%. What exactly happened in those years and why was there this sudden increase?
So what business do I have by being surprised by all of this? I’ve seen a fair number of female riders on the roads but I had no idea that women are buying more and more motorcycles than ever before. But hang on a minute, why? What has happened in recent years to make women rush out and buy bikes? For so long women have been often ignored by this industry, talked down to and not expected to go anywhere near a motorcycle unless it was on the pillion seat.
Yet now they are the fastest growing sector in the motorcycle market. I can’t think of any new type of bikes being made specifically aimed at women. Instead they’re shelling out money for every kind of motorcycle from cruiser to sport bike that we as guys like to ride. What precisely is going on here? I really don’t know.
Back to last year’s subjective survey on women motorcyclists if you’re still interested. The study, conducted by global insights firm Kelton and commissioned by an American motorcycle company (I’m not going to name them but I’m sure you can work it out) interviewed 1,013 adult female riders and 1,016 adult female non-riders.
Apparently the findings suggested that riding a motorcycle greatly improves a woman’s feelings of overall self-worth. Key ‘insights’ were apparently:
More than twice as many always feel happy (37 percent of riders vs. 16 percent of non-riders); Nearly four times as many always feel sexy (27 percent of riders vs. 7 percent of non-riders); Nearly twice as many always feel confident (35 percent of riders vs. 18 percent of non-riders); and more than half (53 percent) of women who ride cite their motorcycle as a key source of happiness and nearly three in four (74 percent) believe their lives have improved since they started riding.
What none of this marketing speak tells me, or you for that matter, is why women have started to take up motorcycle riding in such big numbers. On the face of it this is terrific news for all of us that are passionate about bikes, but can anyone tell me why and how this all started?
Chas
Last edited by ChasCS; 08-19-2014 at 04:36 AM.
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 Originally Posted by ChasCS
. . .
Yet now they are the fastest growing sector in the motorcycle market. I can’t think of any new type of bikes being made specifically aimed at women. Instead they’re shelling out money for every kind of motorcycle from cruiser to sport bike that we as guys like to ride. What precisely is going on here? I really don’t know.
. . . .
I really don't know, either. But I'm glad they're not doing like the firearm companies and selling them in pink!  On Harley you can have either forward or mid controls. When I was shopping, I found that my legs are too short for the forward controls. But I don't know if that was done for women in particular.
Originally Posted by ChasCS
. . . .
Apparently the findings suggested that riding a motorcycle greatly improves a woman’s feelings of overall self-worth. Key ‘insights’ were apparently:
More than twice as many always feel happy (37 percent of riders vs. 16 percent of non-riders); Nearly four times as many always feel sexy (27 percent of riders vs. 7 percent of non-riders); Nearly twice as many always feel confident (35 percent of riders vs. 18 percent of non-riders); and more than half (53 percent) of women who ride cite their motorcycle as a key source of happiness and nearly three in four (74 percent) believe their lives have improved since they started riding.
. . . .
I can attest to all of these. 
Originally Posted by ChasCS
. . . .
What none of this marketing speak tells me, or you for that matter, is why women have started to take up motorcycle riding in such big numbers. On the face of it this is terrific news for all of us that are passionate about bikes, but can anyone tell me why and how this all started?
I don't know, either. For me, it's something I've always wanted to do, but as a kid, was discouraged from because I was a girl. Now that I can, I do!!
We've come a long way, baby!! 
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Where were you when the riding idea seemed right?
image.jpg
I have been watching the "hills and valleys" closely to check out how many females I see riding bikes, and the numbers are swelling quite surprisingly. Everything from smaller crotch rockets right up to large Harley's and other makes and variety of models as well.
i saw three younger gals on their three crotch rockets riding them together a week or so ago. And it really took me by surprise. I honestly wasn't expecting to see that.
It would be nice to hear from some more of the ladies here, and hear how they got into riding, and where they see its directions heading towards in the future? Don't be shy girls! Tell all. ;-)
Chas
Last edited by ChasCS; 08-19-2014 at 02:09 PM.
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A friend of my brother is active in a MC. He said he's noticed a lot more women on motorcycles, and seemed a bit surprised they were even on the "big iron."
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Active Member
This is terrific information and I thank you for posting it. I think the increase in female ridership is a direct result of what is happening in our culture. Women no longer think "Is this a guy thing?". Unisex is really now part of our thought process for most of us. If women want to participate in a particular activity they do so. Same thing applies in the work force. Male "only" professions do not exist anymore and I am thankful for that. A woman can aspire to any profession and not be blocked because of gender. Of course there area still obstacles to overcome as a female. There is a pay gap and there still exists some prejudice with females depending on the individual company. I fought hard during my career in healthcare to break through the glass ceiling. I finally did but it took me 20 years to get through. To those skeptics, the glass ceiling did and does exist though not as bad today as it was when I started out 30 years ago. You never heard me whine about it though. I just worked harder and better than my male counterparts. It is what it is.
Now I have found that the motorcycle (not so much spyders) community is lagging behind in welcoming female riders into their fold. There still exists a great deal of prejudice from males concerning females riders. The "bitch" mentality still exists and frankly I find it offensive. It must go. I get looks and distain from some male riders and I have learned to ignore them. The make up of motorcycle ridership is changing with females joining the ranks. Eventually over time female riders will no longer be viewed as outsiders. Until then, I will continue to blaze the trail for women and someday my granddaughter will ride a bike and no one will think anything of it. That will be my everlasting gift to her. Ride on sweetheart! Grandmama is proud of you!
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RT-S PE#0031
During the first Owners Event in Maggie Valley, Fred Rau told me that 42% of Spyder sales go to women buyers.
Mark & Mary Lou Lawson
Snellville, GA USA
'10 RT-S PE #0031
'10 RT-622 Trailer
'08 Yellow SM5 #2332
'01 Black GL1800A Goldwing #0930
"Remember in the darkness what you have learned in the light." - Joe Bayly
 
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...in the pink (Girls On Spyders)
How I got into riding......I rode behind Mark from day one of our introduction.....after about 10 years as passenger I went and took the MSF course....passed and Mark bought me a 750 Shadow.....never could find a happy place....sold it 1 1/2 years later with 200 miles on it......Lamont posted a pic of the Spyder, or sent us an email...in 2007 maybe...I said "I could ride that" I just followed the Spyder board and in 2010, May, I purchased a used 2009 RS in 1 week I had over 2,000 miles on it...this Spyder is me....I now have 75k on my RS and ST.....
It just tickles me to ride down the road and see other women riding their own....yes...riding empowers us women...just ask Mark....
#IamARyder #RideASpyder #CanAmSpyder
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MOgang Member
Was a tom-boy growing up. Had great parents who supported anything we wanted to do. Girls and boys. First time I rode a mini-bike, crashed it in a rose bush.
Got married and Hubby was just like my parents. I was the first lady at a business land surveying. Helped do the elevations on Bayou Tortue out of Lafayette LA. Carried my own gear into the bayou.
Raised Son, then learned to fly ultralights. Straight and level flying wasn't for me, loved aerobatics! Could take 9 Gs without greying. Went to A&P school to learn how to build my own plane.
Got a job at a Raytheon hangar at Houston Hobby doing inspections. First lady mech at that hangar. When I was first there, the guys were quiet around me. A few weeks later, my lead man told me one of the office ladies had charged a sexual harassment suit on one of the mechs. Once they found out they could say a few cuss words when they busted a knuckle, all was good.
Looked into all the FAA regulations for a build-yer-own. Paperwork up the caboose.
Hubby has ridden bikes off and on his whole life. He wanted a Harley. I love a low compression engine. 'If you get one, I do too.'
Thus started the beginning to where I am now.
Last edited by Yazz; 08-20-2014 at 12:33 PM.
Joy
Very Happy  Ryder... '09 Phantom and a '15 F3-S
If you don't slow down, they can't catch you..
If you don't give up, they can't win.
What a long strange journey its been. 
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I always wanted to ride a motorcycle but didn't really have access to them growing up. I did have a girlfriend that tried to teach me but we couldn't stop laughing long enough for me to do it. Then after my children were grown I began to think about riding again so I took a motorcycle class and bought a 950 v- star Yamaha. I loved it. I did have to admit to myself though that I was pretty scared of cornering and felt stressed out each time I rode it. I did that for a year and would ride on the back of my husbands Harley. . The seat was uncomfortable and I didn't feel like I had control of the bike and corners still bothered me. In the meantime we bought a four wheeler and I rode the heck out of it. Then bloomed the idea to get a can am Spyder. I searched the internet for something that would give me more stability. Now I love love riding. I like the power, the speed and the control. I feel independent and free. And proud to own a bike at 56. My family were just a little concerned for me but they didn't stop me. It makes me happier yes and it's fun to ride with friends.
Brenda
2012 Pearl white Rt Limited
Bajaron sway bar with links
Squared away laser alignment
Wedboards mini foot boards
Tricled led front fender lights with tips and brake bar
Rocky mountain sheepskin
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Active Member
I have rode as a passenager since I was 18 and loved it. It seemed I was always looking for a ride, loved the wind in the face. After riding behind johnnyg for 30 yrs. on his wing, valkrie, HD and his 2010 RT, he suggested I learn how to ride it and get my license, you know in case something happened to him ( if he got sick or wanted to have a couple of beers). So I did. Then I didn't want to be a back seat rider anymore, I liked having control. So we got me a RS. John traded his RT for his ST since we didn't ride two up any more. He liked the sportier model. Now we ride everywhere together on two spyders and love every minute.
Hand grips
GPS holder
Buttler mug holder
Running lights front and rear
12V plug in
Graphics
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I always loved motorcycles (and trucks..LOL). I was never allowed to ride or have a motorcycle when I was growing up. ( all of my boyfriends had motorcycles and I rode them, but always hid them from my dad) Got married early in life to a guy who did not ride, and had a child. Focused on raising my daughter and building my career. Got divorced and continued on that path until my daughter was grown. Met back up with a divorced old boyfriend from my youth. He rekindled my interest in motorcycles. Decided at age 40 that I would rather ride my own. I first bought a little Suzuki Savage 650 cc. I took the MSF class and got my endorsement. I loved that little bike, but it was so light weight that I would really get blown around on interstates. Since I enjoyed touring on my bike, I decided to buy a heavier bike. So in 2003, I sold the Savage and bought a new Harley Davidson Electraglide (Standard). I rode that bike for 10 years and thought that I would always have an Electraglide. When out riding, I would see a guy once in a while riding a GS in our area. I remember being at a red light next to that Spyder and thinking that it was the coolest looking bike. I would see that guy from time to time and could not get his bike out of my mind. I saw an advertisement for the ST Limited in May 2013. I joined Spyderlovers and went for a test ride. The rest is history..... Love my Spyder!
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female riders
Originally Posted by ChasCS
I liked reading these numbers, and learning how much higher the fairer sex are climbing...
http://rideapart.com/articles/watson-female-riders
At the end of last year there was a survey published about women and motorcycles that didn’t say very much except women who rode felt much better about themselves, were twice as happier with their lives and overall felt sexier.
It was the sort of survey that made me roll my eyes as it told me absolutely nothing that I wanted, or even needed to know, and was directly linked to a motorcycle manufacturer that had paid good money to sponsor this research ultimately with the aim of enticing women to buy their motorcycles.
However, what the survey did do was make me curious enough to seek out about what was happening to U.S. women motorcyclists and if they were still largely being ignored by the motorcycle industry.
After a bit of digging, what I finally came up with were some astonishing numbers published by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). A national trade association that, amongst a multitude of other things, specifically tracks motorcycle riders demographics in the U.S.
According to the MIC’s findings, up until 2012 of the 27 million people that ride motorcycles in this country more than a quarter (or seven million of them) are women. That’s a huge number, which according to my limited calculations means that one in four riders on U.S. roads is very likely to be a woman.
Not only is that a big number, but also it would seem that women riders are also the one area of the market that’s actually growing year on year. All of the MIC numbers are based on motorcycles sold to end users, so this is not subjective findings or someone in a back room guessing, but simple hard facts. More women than ever before are buying motorcycles.
But, even more surprising to me was that the MIC numbers revealed the number of female riders increased by 35 per cent between 2003 and 2012, with more than 40 per cent of them purchasing a cruiser type bike. The MIC numbers don’t split down the remaining the 60% but if they did I have a feeling that the biggest proportion would be sport bikes purchases and between 2009 and 2012 bike ownership amongst women went up by 20%. What exactly happened in those years and why was there this sudden increase?
So what business do I have by being surprised by all of this? I’ve seen a fair number of female riders on the roads but I had no idea that women are buying more and more motorcycles than ever before. But hang on a minute, why? What has happened in recent years to make women rush out and buy bikes? For so long women have been often ignored by this industry, talked down to and not expected to go anywhere near a motorcycle unless it was on the pillion seat.
Yet now they are the fastest growing sector in the motorcycle market. I can’t think of any new type of bikes being made specifically aimed at women. Instead they’re shelling out money for every kind of motorcycle from cruiser to sport bike that we as guys like to ride. What precisely is going on here? I really don’t know.
Back to last year’s subjective survey on women motorcyclists if you’re still interested. The study, conducted by global insights firm Kelton and commissioned by an American motorcycle company (I’m not going to name them but I’m sure you can work it out) interviewed 1,013 adult female riders and 1,016 adult female non-riders.
Apparently the findings suggested that riding a motorcycle greatly improves a woman’s feelings of overall self-worth. Key ‘insights’ were apparently:
More than twice as many always feel happy (37 percent of riders vs. 16 percent of non-riders); Nearly four times as many always feel sexy (27 percent of riders vs. 7 percent of non-riders); Nearly twice as many always feel confident (35 percent of riders vs. 18 percent of non-riders); and more than half (53 percent) of women who ride cite their motorcycle as a key source of happiness and nearly three in four (74 percent) believe their lives have improved since they started riding.
What none of this marketing speak tells me, or you for that matter, is why women have started to take up motorcycle riding in such big numbers. On the face of it this is terrific news for all of us that are passionate about bikes, but can anyone tell me why and how this all started?
Chas
my wife rode with me many years, in 2007 she bought her own didn't really like it, so in 2011 I bought her a 2008 spyder still riding it.
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Active Member
Chas,
I have ridden with my husband on his Kawasakis for years and became very tired of being bored on the back.
I got my license about 5 years ago and bought a 500 Vulcan. Because I am vertically challenged, keeping the bike upright
at stop signs was an issue. I have always wanted a little red sports car. This year I retired from 30 years of teaching HS and
found my "little red sports car", a decked out 2011 Spyder RT, in Viper Red. I LOVE it!!! We rode over 2,000 miles on a trip to Maggie Valley, in July, and rode all of the twisty roads that we could find and just returned from a trip to W.Va.
I have also owned my own pick up trucks over the years. The attitude of salesmen in traditionally male dominated industries is changing, finally.
When we bought the Spyder, the salesman (at the second dealership) realized that it was for ME, not my husband and sold it to ME.
The guys at the first dealership didn't get that it was for ME and basically ignored me in the conversations, which lost a sale for them!
I wish the apparel mfg would realize that all riders are not 6' 150lb people and make riding clothing the rest of us can wear.
The hubs and I have a friendly competition as to whose ride will get oogled the most at a gas stop, his Voyager or my Spyder. The Spyder
usuallly wins!!!
Ryde safe!!!
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Welcome to the Forum ttc
Hi,
Very nice to meet you.
Hey, that's another great forum introduction, and life story.
Thanks for sharing your past riding and current (ryding) experiences, with the other forum members.
Happy Trails to you...
A Neutron Green RS-S Spyder sounds Devine... ;-)
Ah, please post some pics when you get a moment, all right...
Chas
Last edited by ChasCS; 08-29-2014 at 04:36 PM.
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Active Member
female riders
I can only relate how I entered the motorcycle world. Never was allowed to ride when growing up either. Daughter grew up and left so hubby and I began riding with a group. I rode on back from '96 until around 2001 when I was encouraged to take the MSF for safety reasons since we traveled a lot. I took the course and found I really enjoyed it and put 10,00 miles on a small 535 Virago that summer. 2002 for my birthday hubby got me a VTX1300 because it had a low seat height. Being 5'2" seat height was a big deal. I loved that bike and never looked back. When I traded my X in this spring for the Spyder it had 104,000 miles on it. I must say that had I not been riding in a group of very protective riders I might have backed out early on. But these guys did nothing but encourage me and advise me when we traveled. I did Saddlesore 1500 and Ironbutt rides with these guys and they never gave me a hard time. Acceptance from them meant the world.
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Very Active Member
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That 's a cool story
Hi, nice to read about your history and memories riding with your dear dad.
& I really like your Avatar pic... ;-)
Chas
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Late bloomer
Rode as passenger in early twenties, until I graduated from nursing school. No longer thought of bikes as safe. Married a guy who had been riding since he was 12 but refused to ride with him. Got interested in Can Am Spyder in 2009, never thought I could afford one. Last year, at the age of 68, got the bug to ride with my husband but both of us have bad knees and backs so riding behind him was out. Started looking for a Spyder but most of the used ones in my area were black or dark colored and RS model. Also wanted an RT so I would not have to bend my knees when I rode. In July of this year I found my Spyder, 2013 RT S, with only 4 miles. "Bobby McGee" and I have driven for 1200 miles since then. Love riding with my husband along the back roads of Sonoma County and will take any excuse to ride. My husband occasionally gives up his BMW "Big Blue" to be a passenger on "Bobby McGee". With the radio tuned to oldies I sing myself down the road.
. IMG_7268crp.jpg
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That's another fantastic story of riding beginnings
Hi,
That's great. My thanks, to you for sharing your personal story and history on two and now three wheels. It's always interesting to me, and I'm sure many others here too, to enjoy reading these pages from all you ladies diary.
I like how you cropped your yellow SpYder sig pic.
There must be many more personal stories and memory files, I hope we will eventually be allowed read here.
As you can see, by the number of times this thread has been read, that the topic is of much interest for many of the rest of us.
Ladies, Please share more of your interesting and enlightening experiences on two or three wheels...
Chas
Last edited by ChasCS; 09-29-2014 at 05:32 AM.
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Member
I started riding in 1984, and there were very few women on their own bikes. It's been great to see that number increase over the years. I get more attention now on the Spyder than I did when I rode the Wing....
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Registered Users
J9 Spyder2.jpg
My wife Jeannine and her "new" 2011 RS-S
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Thanks for this
She is beautiful, and the bike, it looks great too. ;-)
Is there a story behind her ryding, a SpYder??
Chas
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Very Active Member
always loved motorcycles (and trucks!)
I think part of why more women are riding is also that more women have their own incomes and don't have to "ask someone" for money for a motorcycle, though I still hear that going on when I'm in motorcycle shops.
I was a tomboy growing up and rode on the back of friends motorcycles as a child and teenager. Always liked them, and always wanted one of my own. As a young (poor) married couple, we needed a second vehicle and a motorcycle was a lot cheaper to purchase and maintain than a second car so on my 20th birthday my husband suggested that I get a motorcycle. Even then he would ride on the back from time to time instead of him always driving when we both rode together -- imagine the looks we got back in the 80s with that scenario! I/we rode the first one for a number of years before we decided we could afford a second one. I got the newest one and my husband got the hand-me-down. Rode for a bit longer before I sold it to buy a horse. Played with horses for longer than I should have considering the number of injuries I've had, and finally in 2008 I saw this new thing called a Spyder on TV. Fell in love with it immediately and went to a dealership for a test drive. 2008 was kind of a dodgy time job-wise in the software industry where I work, so I made the difficult decision to NOT buy anything new that I might not be able to afford should I get laid off. Several jobs and years later, I felt like I was in a better position to take on the expense of a toy, so in 2012 I got the RT limited. Now I've fallen in love with the F3 so here I go again with a new fun toy.
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Women on motorcycles
BTW I have had 2 One ton duellies and a Half ton and now a 1/4 ton pick up. So I like my TRUCKS and my SPYDER!!! Can't beat THAT with a stick!!
