Posted: 14-February-2005 at 18:43 | IP Logged

LADIES DAY 2ND JULY

Bikegirl is joining forces with MCN's Dealer of the Year, Midlands based CMC Motorcycles to bring you an open day specifically aimed at ladies. CMC are particularly keen to make sure that not only do they stock suitable clothing and cater for the vertically challenged amongst us, but they want to make their showrooms less intimidating for the new and slightly unsure female motorcyclist or wannabe motorcyclist.

Details here. The Open Day will be at CMC's Chesterfield branch, just off J29 of the M1.

This has just been agreed with CMC and we'll be sorting out more details next week, as well as gathering more helpers, suppliers and exhibitors.

Will you come along? What would you like to see?

Posted: 15-February-2005 at 22:02 | IP Logged

May just have to pop over and visit for that one.

Yippee it's my weekend off!

Posted: 16-February-2005 at 20:12 | IP Logged

Hi, my name's Matt (from CMC) and I'm working with Susie to organise this 'Ladies Open Day' event... I'm really pleased to see this positive feedback at such an early stage. I will keep popping back here to see what suggestions arise... At this moment in time, we have arranged to have 4 bikes lowered, and - thanks to your comments - will make sure there is expert advice on hand regarding restrictor kits.

Please keep any suggestions coming - whilst I can't promise the earth, the more we can do to make this event a real success, the better!

Hopefully see you all in May

Matt

Posted: 18-February-2005 at 14:02 | IP Logged

What a great idea, although it may be a little too far for me to travel.

Is there any chance of listing the lowered bike on the website when they are decided, so we can have an idea what is going to be there?

Also, is there going to be a selection of different boots in smaller sizes?

Well done CMC and Bikegirl

Posted: 24-February-2005 at 12:41 | IP Logged

Oooh Ive just looked at the link again and the list of lowered bikes is now on there.
R6, CBR600F, SV650

Wouldn't it be lovely to try one of those? (If the snow has disappeared by then)

Posted: 24-February-2005 at 13:40 | IP Logged

I WISH I could get there, but I have just looked on Autoroute and it is 192 miles - a bit far to go just to look at a bike shop. (If I were looking for a new bike it might be different)

I am sure there are lots of other girls out there who live nearer who will be able to make it. They can show the dealers and manufacturers that such an event is worthwhile, and we might get one down south soon!

Posted: 24-February-2005 at 15:05 | IP Logged

Get Neil Hodgson to turn up and I'll definitely be there

It's not far from us and a regular place to visit, so we'll come and say hi

Posted: 25-February-2005 at 09:58 | IP Logged

Thanks Jaylo, but I have a brand new Ducati Monster 620 which is wonderful. It is the right height ,size and weight for me, but it is the only standard bike I felt comfortable on, so a similar event would have been useful a few months ago to try out lowered bikes.

I have just spent a fortune on new gear as well, but it was a great struggle finding things to fit, (being female, fat, 40 and short!)

Besides which, my husband would probably divorce me if I spent any more money on bike-related things.

I am sure there are plenty of girls out there who are in the same situation I was a couple of months ago who will find this sort of event very useful.

Let's hope it is an annual event so it is still there when I am ready to trade up in a couple of years.

Well done CMC and Bikegirl!

Posted: 25-February-2005 at 13:30 | IP Logged

Thanks Jaylo

It' s a bit difficult on my Cannondale - the Lefty fork seems to make it want to go round in circles!

I can't event stand up with BOTH hands on the Monster.

Posted: 13-March-2005 at 22:49 | IP Logged

  Would be worth dropping in on, but for me it's the streetfighter show (if I have my weekends right). Am glad to hear someones taking womens bike clothing seriously... Have a job finding well fitting gear that has armour in the right places... Feel like an after thought, n look like a sack o spuds!!

Have sat on a lowered sv n it  felt so,oo right!!     

Posted: 13-April-2005 at 00:24 | IP Logged

Hmmm, now this is the type of thing I'd love to be able to get to.  Having tried to organise my leathers et al from out here really does make a couple of hundred road miles seem infinitely more acceptable a distance to go!!

I know I'll not get there but some of things I had problems with regarding kit -

Boob & bum allowance,  arm & back length (ladies sizes were too short and mens too long when boobs were allowed for), leg length & sizing.  Gloves.  I'm an abnormal shape/size even for a lassie and ended up having to get a made to measure suit - I tried just about every single make and style on the market with no joy.

Would be an idea for waterproof sets to be available to try on - you can see what fits over your own kit and try different styles for ease of use etc.

I could reel off more stuff but I'm sure you've got it all covered as everyone has been there at some point with it.

Hope it all goes well.  I've just emailed my other forum owner to ask if I can put a thread up about this to get a bit more female interest for you.  Can't see it being a problem.

Posted: 15-April-2005 at 18:27 | IP Logged

good idea - any chance of a lowered BMW650GS.

anne

p.s. still don't think you shd be doing 'hunks' - let's not lower ourselves to the blokes' level!

Posted: 16-April-2005 at 00:32 | IP Logged

Hi,

lovely idea and will be there..  Being a mature vertically challenged  pear shaped English rose it would be nice to have a range of  clothes for us 'Lady Bikers'  I am not a slender size 8/10 12/14  more a generous 18 (specially around the butt and thighs) but only a 12/14 on top..but fairly well endowed nonetheless.. most clothes just dont fit especially leathers where the knee protection is usually mid-calf.  Most manufaturers seem to cater for very slender ladies  and even the largest sizes are really very tiny. 

In response to a p[revious post  I booked a pracice day at a local BMW garage and fot to ride a lowered 650 ... bliss.