Yeah, got your attention, didn't I? Well, it's TRUE!
We "must ride nekkid" because manufacturer's do not acknowledge our existence in the Moto Universe.
How do I know this? Because I have been trying to find some pants or chaps to wear on my 29 inseam, "bigger thighed" LEGS for the past few months and am coming up with nothing, nada, zilch.
Oh there's "bigger thighed" chaps for men who are 6'4" tall OR "giantesses", but none for us shorties.
Pants? Forget it! If your pants are "BIG ENOUGH" (womens' or mens') they are going to drag the ground when you walk or flap around in the breeze as you ride your scooter to the market. Yep, breezy!
Let's talk jackets: "BIG ENOUGH" in the bust and hips means "gorilla arm length" and shoulders like a Green Bay Packer. Try finding a "womens' size" jacket at an on-line retailer now and you find they are "all sold out" in the first week of June.
So, I am back at square one with my shopping spree. So far I have: 1) Cortech riding gloves (which I've had for 5 years); 2) Faded Glory leather waterproof ankle high hiking boots from Wal-Mart; 3) a "womens' size" jacket enroute from LeatherUp (last one on the website that had any chance of fitting me); 4) a hi viz yellow mens' 3x riding vest (from Ebay) which is armored and will go over any of my other normal jackets (last resort, at least it's some protection) 5) my 3/4 helmet with visor which I've had for 5 years.
Dress me now and I'm sans pants and jacket...aka "nekkid" of protective riding gear other than boots, gloves, helmet, and a SMILE!
This is what I get for being a 57 year old broad with real hips, a generous bust, sturdy thighs, a solid waistline. If I were a guy I'd be a "Big Man". Since I'm not a guy I'm just a "Plus Size Woman". Hmmmm....
Size seems to matter in the Moto World and us "Big Girls" aren't worth much to the manly merchants of motorcycle riding gear.
And who in the world determined that we all must like PINK or PURPLE? Geeze...what's with that?
Meanwhile, I wait for UPS, FedEx, or the USPS "mail lady" to bring me something to wear!
LOL. I think tall chicks ride nekkid, too. I was lucky to find a pair of Joe Rocket pants long enough to reach my shoe tops. I'm only 5'9", which is tall, but not like the tallest woman ever. Oh, and I like pink, but not when someone tells me it's what I have to like because I am a girl. Seriously. The problem is widespread. I always hated shopping for soccer cleats because all of the reasonably priced ladies models were pink. I was playing soccer. That's not a girly-girl thing. Either is riding a bike. Thank goodness lots of manufacturers sell other colors. But the ones that still insist on pastel pink only offerings should be shot.
ReplyDeleteSO TRUE! I remember a few years ago when Cannondale decided that their womens' model bikes should all be in "girly" colors. Awful!
DeleteDeb
ReplyDeleteThere is a motorcycle shop that is going to open on our island called West Coast Roar. Www.westcoastroar.com they are a shop that is fr women motorcyclists, their parent company is from Florida. If you email them they could put you in touch with gear manufacturers or send you in a direction of getting custom chaps.
That sounds really neat! How cool is it to live on an island? I may pursue the chaps eventually when the budget allows. I am still pursuing riding chaps, which I used as a youth on horseback. Granted there's no armor, but the leather is supple and pretty protective and breathable.
DeleteFinding gear that fits has to be the biggest frustration. It never seems to fit properly. Whether you are big or small, short or tall the proportions are never right.
ReplyDeleteI finally had to buy men's pants to get them long enough (and then the legs are baggy) and it is rare I can find a jacket with the arms long enough and bust large enough. By the time I get the bust and shoulders big enough the armpit openings are down to my waist and I can't cinch the waist enough.
I don't know who manufacturers are catering the gear to, but it isn't average sized women. And I agree why so much pink? What is wrong with dark blue, khaki, brown, or even more hi-vis colors for the ladies.
I feel your pain m'lady, I feel your pain.
I know that Revzilla.com is good for ordering as they have at least one free exchange to get the right fit. The other option is to find a good seamstress to alter leg length.
Good luck in your search and keep us posted.
I've been known to wear knee guards and skateboarding hip protectors under heavy duty Carhartt jeans. I don't expect this information to be terribly helpful other than to maybe open up another angle of thinking. Gear is sort of a pain even if you pretty much fit the "norm". Good luck. Hope the jacket works.
ReplyDelete~Keith
I do have roller blade knee pads...hmmm!
DeleteI really enjoyed writing this! It was a liberating, cathartic experience! Hope youse got a chuckle or two out of it as I know we all struggle to find ridin' gear.
ReplyDeleteOnce I get "decked out" I'll post a pic or two.
(Good for Halloween wall paper for your desktop!)
Deb:
ReplyDeletewow, what an awesome post. First the photo I keep staring at it, then you mention "generous busts", I tried to post something witty but I am at a loss for words
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
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