Ride Magazine Reader panel

[Littlepeahead]

I was asked to join the Ride magazine reader panel this month talking about women's bike kit, and how badly most of us ladies are catered for. Size 3 feet, XS lid, 5'2" with a 32" inside leg but very short body - it's not easy finding gear.

Here is a link to a taster from the mag including the first page of the article I took part in. I've yet to see the rest as it isn't published until tomorrow so I'm not sure if they include my plug for for the Org as a great place to get advice about gear.

It's page 54 of the mag which is section 15 of this preview. (I'm the one on the black SV, not the yellow one)

http://issuu.com/ride/docs/ride_jun12_sample/15

[christopher]

I got my copy a couple of days ago, the only comment from you over the 6 pages (including the page with the photos and a page and a half from a Hein Gericke employee) is what you see on page 55 in that preview, about Simon Cowell and jackets being too tight at the bust.

[Littlepeahead]

I don't know who designs women's kit. We're not small men. Most women are longer in the leg and shorter in the body than men. Plus they don't take into account that women vary in bust and hip size. I also find gloves too short in the fingers, my nails aren't talons but glove makers forget most ladies have longer slender fingers.

[Mrs DJ Fridge]

You are very brave commenting on kit following last week's 'discussion' on ladies kit.

[Littlepeahead]

I actually did the interview weeks ago. I know compared to many of the ladies on here I've not ridden much lately, but we all seem to have the same issues. My leathers are Hideout. They are made on site by one lady. She made a suit for my friend who pillions only, all 6'1" of her! So I went there and was lucky enough to get off the peg. £700 for 2 piece leathers. But very comfy for the riding I do. Joking aside about my bust, it isn't huge but I wanted room for the womanly bits and a decent back protector which I've got. The trousers are long enough without being bucket crutch too. We don't put on our leathers to look sexy, but it's great if they compliment our shape whilst giving comfort and protection.

[sv4me]

We don't put on our leathers to look sexy

I do :smt112

Not sure its working though

[Bri w]

Got mine a couple of days ago too.

Body sizes vary irrespective of gender. I'm 5'9" but with an inside leg of 26-27", which means a long body. But my arms, like my legs, are short. I have wide hands, xl or xxl gloves needed to be able to get them on but stubby little fingers.

Getting a jacket that has the length means taking it somewhere to have 3-4" lopped off the sleeves. Same problem with the trousers, bought short and still have to have a few inches off.

At least I have no problem getting size 11 boots.

[DJ123]

We don't put on our leathers to look sexy.
http://www.seductiveye.com/images/2011/04/Suzi-Perry-20110428-Events-The-Gadget-Show-Live-Leather-Catsuit-Apr10_06193.jpg?007496

[metalmonkey]

What about guys?

I have xs lid, 29" leg, small hands so it ages to find any glove that was a good fit. My leathers were the smallest size in the shop and they are really a bit too big big I think.

They need to think about making kit isn't just for average person, along with given the fact that so many people are fat, quite a few aren'!

[Fallout]

I feel your pain LPH. The mrs can't get leathers to pillion. The only thing she could wear would be mens large textile jackets (not even leather), which look terrible. She's a size 12 but very well rounded up top, shall we say, such that the zip can't be done up past the first few inches. I aint complaining, but it does mean she has never pillioned and probably won't because I'd never pay hundreds of pounds for a jacket just so she can come out once every few months.

I guess it's just a symptom of the female/male rider ratio. It probably isn't profitable to produce all the different bust sizes. Mind you, if one company did low cost leathers with a huge range of figure sizes, they may catch a niche and make a packet.

[Littlepeahead]

Funny Fallout how all the lads on here have noticed that women have bosoms, but bike clothing designers haven't.

I agree with all the lads on here who also struggle. But at least you can shop around, often we go into a store and the women's range is 3 pairs of dusty textiles in a corner.

[Fallout]

I forgot to mention btw LPH, that I am a fully qualified tailor and would be happy to measure your bosom thoroughly if you require a professional fitting.

[shonadoll]

I've always found hein gericke to be great, and have a good range of sizes-right down to tiny and up to big. I've never found a bike shop with three pairs of dusty textiles in, apart from a dirt bike place that had next to nothing.

I suppose it's the problem of sales since only ten per cent of riders are female, but I've always done really well via eBay and hein gericke and I'm cursed with a much bigger than average bust. Daniese are also really good for smaller sizes given they're made for Italians.

[gruntygiggles]

I don't know who designs women's kit. We're not small men. Most women are longer in the leg and shorter in the body than men. Plus they don't take into account that women vary in bust and hip size. I also find gloves too short in the fingers, my nails aren't talons but glove makers forget most ladies have longer slender fingers.

Massive +1

I ended up having to buy the most expensive pair of leathers I found as they were the only ones that would fit my around my boobs, but not be like a bin liner around my waist. In fact, they were also the only set that weren't too long in the leg and arms as well. They fit like a glove, but I had to pay for it and they are Spyke.

It was a real pain in the arris trying on all the different sets I could find and I just kept thinking, "surely someone that designs this stuff realises we women have curves and do not have arms and legs like Mr. Gadget".

I hope the article raises enough interest to get the designers thinking LPH :-)

[davepreston]

who let you lot out of the kitchen anyway













exemption, this is not my thoughts but lozzo has been away a while and it would be unfitting for one of his comments to not apear :)

[gruntygiggles]

who let you lot out of the kitchen anyway













exemption, this is not my thoughts but lozzo has been away a while and it would be unfitting for one of his comments to not apear :)

No-one, we women can multitask...so can be in the kitchen and on the computer at the same time.

Do keep up dear ;-)

[davepreston]

good good mines a bacon and cheese banjo

[gruntygiggles]

good good mines a bacon and cheese banjo

I haven't forgotten I need to do you a Capitol sauce recipe Dave ;-)

Back on topic though...I am sure I read about a womens only motorcycle clothing company a while back. I will see if I can find it again. I think when I saw it I was put off by everything being in pink or baby blue, but would be interesting to see what sizings they offer.

[Littlepeahead]

Maybe us girls could get together and start up a new clothing range called 'The Big Bossomed Biker Babes Emporium'.

But would we get any interest?

[carelesschucca]

I dunno how many sales you get but your site would get a fair few hits...

[gruntygiggles]

Maybe us girls could get together and start up a new clothing range called 'The Big Bossomed Biker Babes Emporium'.

But would we get any interest?

How about, "BOOBS"

Bikers Outfits, Only Babes Supplied ;-)

[metalmonkey]

I've always found hein gericke to be great, and have a good range of sizes-right down to tiny and up to big. I've never found a bike shop with three pairs of dusty textiles in, apart from a dirt bike place that had next to nothing.

I suppose it's the problem of sales since only ten per cent of riders are female, but I've always done really well via eBay and hein gericke and I'm cursed with a much bigger than average bust. Daniese are also really good for smaller sizes given they're made for Italians.

Their kit is okay actually thought my leathers are the smallest they actually make, they are kind of big around **** and a bit long in the leg. It also explains why alot of my other kit is Alpinestar/Aria I don't known what is but but if your small dude its a really pain to find fitted clothers, shoes that fit right, bike boots ect.

So will someone make kit, clothes and shoes for people like me!

[suzukijax]

I buy mine from D&K or from J&S i have lost 3 stone so i have had to buy all new gear in a 10 which both these shops have plenty of but when i was a 14/16 i had to buy blokes trousers which didnt look good

[appollo1]

it is all well and good you women discussing the problems you are having trying to fit your bosoms into leathers but this thread is useless without pictures!!!

:smt119

[Bibio]

i'm positive that the people who design MC clothing don't ride bikes as everything i see in shops these days it tat, crap and not fit for purpose.

one of my biggest gripes is the words 'removable armour' FFS if it's removable it's no feckin good. clothing is either to tight or to loose.

bike gloves... well it seams that it's beyond man's ability to make a pair that is waterproof.

if manufacturers would stop the 'glut' and concentrate on producing good clothing then they would not have to sell so much at cheaper prices just to get rid of it for 'this years colours' which in turn pushes up prices as they made a loss on the old stuff.