In Episode 18 of the Moterrific Podcast, my friend Tamela Rich joins me and Cristi to explore some of the issues that surround the women's riding community and what we can do to change things in the future.
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Link to MP3 file: http://www.moterrific.com/mp3s/Moterrific-08122013-Episode18.mp3
Another reason to consider a Spectrum Vest...
http://www.balloon-juice.com/2013/07/10/motorcyclevagina-its-a-thing-happening-in-north-carolina/
Two words I never thought I would place in the same sentence, ever.
It's bad enough that legislators in certain states keep proposing insane laws limiting the control over our own bodies, but even worse when they add it to a motorcycle safety bill! It's about as absurd as me posting a diagram of a woman's reproductive system on a blog about motorcycle gear.
"SB 353 is a motorcycle safety act that would increase fines and penalties for drivers who endanger motorcyclists on the road"
The original legislation sounds great, at least for motorcyclists in NC. I just hope they actually pass that part, since most motorcycle accidents are attributed to other cars/vehicles overtaking us.
At least, that's what it was originally intended to be. Instead of focusing on women's reproductive rights, why don't they focus on subjects such as, oh I don't know; creating jobs for it's citizens, improving it's infrastructure or increasing health insurance options?
Additional resources:
I am sad. Very sad. It's difficult finding top of the line women's motorcycle gear. Especially finding GORE-TEX motorcycle gear for women.
REV'IT released the Legacy GTX suit in the Fall of 2011. Just 2 seasons ago. I guess they didn't sell enough suits to keep offering this line. Which is really unfortunate. Given the price point, I guess I can't say I'm totally surprised.
But its really difficult to say exactly why women weren't buying this suit. I've recommended it to quite a few people and I know of 3-5 offhand that purchased it because I recommended it.
Both piece retailed for a little under $1100 total. Do you know any women who would spend that much on the best motorcycle suit? With the best abrasion resistance, great fitment and the main feature of an integrated GORE-TEX membrane?
Sadly I think most women wouldn't. What women do you know that spend more than $100 on themselves for anything these days? I dont know the answer to that. And I might just be thinking outloud. But I'm getting tired of hearing the same argument, that the women's gear isn't as good as the men's. Well, it WAS. Up until this suit went away. That's what sucks the most. I know that the products are out there and available for women. No, it's not the same number of options yet, for every 1 women's jacket there at least 10 others for men from various manufacturers.
But this is what I've been saying all along to everyone who tries to argue the case that there aren't enough options for women. There ARE. If I opened a store with Every line of women's gear in the shop, I'd probably need a few thousand square feet of floor space, if not more.
The real problem is that most shops only carry a fraction of what's available. How are women supposed to shop and buy more gear if 'more' isn't there to choose from? And that's the vicious cycle. Yes, the options are all online. But it's nearly impossible, and downright difficult to shop for gear online. Some sites have made a conscious effort to sell women's gear as best as they can, and that's great but not enough. So that brings me to another issue. If there's all these options online and most women are shopping that way, then why didn't this particular suit sell?
At this point, it has to be price point. But the problem is that you have to really see a suit like this in person to make it worth it. Seeing is believing and especially with more expensive motorcycle suits. It all looks the same online. Until you walk into a store, try it all on and see/feel/touch it for yourself. It works for me more often than not, and that's why I'm able to help so many women who come to Scuderia. You'd never think of jumping online and spending $1,000 until you put that suit on and feel the difference. Doesn't work for me every time, but it definitely does more often than not.
That's the key to selling more women's gear, more shops must carry more options. But more importantly, shops have to CARE about carrying more options. And they have to be invested in apparel specialists, training, informing and educating their female customers.
But it's a two way street. If you have all these options in front of you, you must be willing to SPEND more than $100 on your body! Come on, be honest for a minute. When's the last time you spent $500 on One piece of gear? I don't think enough women are willing to spend the $$ on themselves, either. Spending $500 on a new pair of shoes and an iPhone? NO problem. $500 on a helmet or a jacket to fully protect your body? Oh Hell NO. Way too expensive. WTF kind of logic is that?
/endrant
