STN's Pool of Knowledge for Women Riders

[luvtoride]

I have a comment about the ladies section in this forum. Am I to understand that only 1 topic is allowed in this section? Why is that?

I love the idea of a woman's section but don't particularly like to fish through all pages.

I have read most of these pages & it seems that there could've been separate sections for:

Menstruation & you: how do you ride the cotton saddle? or Gear 101 for us chicks

[jadziadax8]

I have a comment about the ladies section in this forum. Am I to understand that only 1 topic is allowed in this section? Why is that?

I love the idea of a woman's section but don't particularly like to fish through all pages.

I have read most of these pages & it seems that there could've been separate sections for:

Menstruation & you: how do you ride the cotton saddle? or Gear 101 for us chicks

It started out a couple of months ago as a test to see if having a women's section was worthwhile.  I think the only topic that couldn't have made it into the Gear and Apparel section is the menstruation topic.

[bluepoof]

Menstruation & you: how do you ride the cotton saddle?

Actually, the only menstruation topic was on the Diva Cup -- no cotton necessary.

[jsanford]

Fine, I have another problem.

I do go on long rides alone, and one rule I have is to be reasonably confident that my motorcycle will be reliable. Unfortunately, I have reason to doubt my BMW--it's affected by the antenna ring recall. In short: without warning the bike could refuse to start, and there's nothing that can be done about it.

It's one of 70,000 bikes in the US in the campaign, so my local dealership says that a) they don't have the parts to repair the antenna ring yet and b) it's not clear when they get them how bikes will be retrofitted. My plan is to check twice a week and book an appointment as soon as the kits are in.

However, on the 23rd I'm scheduled to go to a multiday riding trip with camping. Even though my BMW has never exhibited any signs of a flaky antenna ring with my key, I'm really hesistant about taking it on this trip. I've considered trying to coordinate with someone else locally planning on attending the event and riding with them--but to what end? Say we stop somewhere remote en-route to snap a picture and then my bike doesn't start. About the only additional option I can see, having company, is riding two-up somewhere safer to wait for AAA or BMW towing than by the side of the road.  This would mean leaving the BMW and my gear abandoned where it stays.

Luckily for me, I have my Monster, but after two days straight riding it I don't think it's the bike to take on this trip. The footpeg position is just too cramped on my calves for multiple consecutive full days of riding, and I don't have luggage for this bike.

As I see it, I have four options:

a - Chance it with the BMW
b - Chance it with the BMW, and ride with another person advising them of the risk as described above (they have to be comfortable riding two-up)
c - Take the Ducati and a bottle of Aleve
d - Stay home

What would you do?

[stromgal]

e)  Buy a Strom.

I keed, I keed!  

I guess 'b' if you're really concerned. Do you have a towing contract? Will you be out in the boonies or on main roads?

I ride alone long distances as well, so I quite understand your concern. Fortunately for me, the Strom's been a rock for 69,000 miles. Hope you manage the trip and have a great time.

bj

[bluepoof]

I'd vote e) sign up for a towing service ahead of time and then chance it with your BMW.

That way you can go on a bike you know and love, but you know there's help if you need it.

I personally use MTS towing (mtstowing.com -- turn off your sound because the website has annoying music) but I know AAA also has a motorcycle towing add-on.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

I'd vote e) sign up for a towing service ahead of time and then chance it with your BMW.

That way you can go on a bike you know and love, but you know there's help if you need it.

I have BMW MOA towing, but that only does good if you're near a phone or have a signal. I'd vote for "e" with some modification: I'd probably take off on my own, on my BMW, but stick to not-quite-so-remote roads, "just in case" I needed to make a call.

Good luck!  

[luvtoride]

It seems that there is time to still get the bike in for the recall b4 your trip. Why don't you  get the recall done? It'd make for no more worries where the bike is concerned. Have a good time. Hoping to camp off the bike, myself this coming weekend.

Also, concerning a tow plan... I think that a tow plan is a great idea. Been meaning to get one, myself. I once had to use a friend's tow insurance when my bike cut off in the middle of the road.

No questions asked by the tow company, either.

Edited to add: Ooh, I saw your dilemma about the dealer. Sorry, much apologies... I didn't read well enough. I guess with your situation, I'd hope for repair beforehand... but I'd still take the BMW w/ a tow plan.

[jsanford]

It seems that there is time to still get the bike in for the recall b4 your trip. Why don't you  get the recall done?

Ride West and South Sound don't have the kits, and don't know when they'll get them--I'd consider a run to Oregon, but my inquiry on the BMW subforum hasn't garnered any responses.

[cultureslayer]

How'd I miss this?

The diva cup is great, just plan on using pantyliners the first month or two while you are figuring out how to put it in correctly.  I tend to have a little leakage the first few days, but my cramps are bad enough to need percocet so that's not normal at all.  They make a special wash for it but I  just use whatever soap there is around.  

I saw soy mentioned.  If you are on thyroid replacement (synthroid, armour) avoid soy.  It makes me feel like crap because it binds thyroid hormone.  For normal people the thyroid just releases more hormone to compensate, but I don't have that option.    Armour also works so much better than synthroid.  I started with armour and when my doc tried to get me to take a t4 only pill after a week I asked the pharmacy if the pills had been recalled because the t4 wasn't doing crap for me.

[katego]

Ride West and South Sound don't have the kits, and don't know when they'll get them--I'd consider a run to Oregon, but my inquiry on the BMW subforum hasn't garnered any responses.

Can you just carry a spare antenna ring?

-k

[jsanford]

Re: My trip -- I was able to order the kit from Max BMW in NH. They have tons in stock, so I'm not depriving anyone local there.

New question - anyone else find that women's professional wear these days is the cheapest, most impractical crap out there?

I commute to work, and wear overpants over professional slacks. This means that I wrap the pantleg around my calf before putting on my boots so it doesn't wrinkle.

Over the past two years I've had this job, I've learned that the pantleg hemline stitching inevitably becomes unravelled after a few wearings. I usually fix them myself. However, I just bought two pairs of $60 tencil slacks and both of the pantleg cuffs completely fell apart at the first washing.

Since I have to mailorder stuff in long length exchanges are a real PITA.  At my old job I could wear khakis so had Dockers and there was never a problem, but dressy slacks seem to cost more for less in quality.

I'd love suggestions of non-sukky brands of office wear if any of you commute at a business-casual or suit job.

[stefrrr]

Yep. I don't know what it is - but it seems like the hems always come undone.  

[LicketySplat]

I always used to just fold a skirt inside a towel and stow it in the saddlebags, and wear my riding pants over pantyhose.

[cultureslayer]

I always used to just fold a skirt inside a towel and stow it in the saddlebags, and wear my riding pants over pantyhose.

I ruin pantyhose at an alarming rate just doing nothing, couldn't imagine them near the velcro on my overpants.  

Pantyhose are the devil's work and no good can come of them.  

[Weaselette]

I shop from TravelSmith's web site. Most of the stuff goes into a saddlebag for the 10 mile commute and comes out smiling and wrinkle-free. I HATE pantyhose; almost never wear the fiendish stuff.

[bluepoof]

I shop from TravelSmith's web site.

Thanks for that tip! I'd never seen their site before and the stuff looks like my kind of thing (I generally shop at REI -- or, more accurately, rei-outlet.com) and the prices aren't bad.  

[stefrrr]

Sierra trading post has some of the same brands as Travelsmith - less selection, but better prices.   Ex Officio.

[jadziadax8]

New question - anyone else find that women's professional wear these days is the cheapest, most impractical crap out there?

By the sound of it, you probably wouldn't be able to shop there, but I absolutely love the fit and quality of Lane Bryant's clothes.  I have been going there for the last four years for my work clothes and have had the hem fall down on exactly one pair of slacks.  I do find that the inside buttons on their slacks tend to fall off, but I can understand why that happens (tough to sew on and make invisible).  Their dress shirts are completely indestructible.  The best part of LB is that their pants are not only sized by waist and length (only petite, avg, and tall) but also by hip size (so you can find pants that fit well if you're larger or smaller in the hips than the waist).  You can get any waist, hip, or length combination imaginable there.  I used to have to settle for bigger waist sizes to fit my thighs, and live with plumber's crack, but no more.  

[elle~g]

Hi all... I've been lurking a bit and thought I'd step out with a question for the gals on here. I'm a complete newb - took the BRC and got licensed last fall, but only finally managed to acquire a bike that I can (nearly) flatfoot - thanks to my fiance who is supporting my habit by selling one of his bikes to pay for mine (is there any wonder I'm marrying this man?). In any event - despite it's relatively petite size, and much effort on my part, I can't for the life of me put the damn thing on the center stand. I'm not a complete weakling, but I'm no body builder either. My fiance has coached me through it, and I've watched some demos on YouTube - as far as I can tell, I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing - but still no dice. Any pointers?