A couple of Saturdays ago, when we went for a long ride with Jimmy, we stopped at Heritage HD to check out their tent sale. While I was looking at the women’s stuff (which was either pink, had flowers on it or had rhinestones/glitter - not my style), WS and Jimmy were over looking at some parts. One of the sales guys was saying (according to WS) something to the affect of, “I never realized how many women were getting into riding – but most of them seem to go for metric bikes instead of Harleys, I don’t understand it.”
Well, it is a totally understandable phenomenon from my point of view. Here are some pointers from someone who tried to talk herself into getting a Harley, but got a metric cruiser instead.
Women, being smaller, lighter and weaker than most men, probably fear dropping their bike more than men would. Picking up a 700 pound bike is not something that we want to contemplate (yes, I know, there are tricks for doing it, but still . . ). In that vein, I started looking for something lighter than 700-900 pounds. The only Harleys that fit that bill are the Sportster and the Buell.
Also, the average woman is shorter than the average man – thus seat height is important. Let’s see, the only things that fit this bill from Harley are the Sportster Low or one of the 700-900 pound cruisers.
Women, on average, make less than men, so they are going to look for something that costs less than I don’t know, say $13,000 (my actual limit was under 10k). The only things that fit that from Harley are the Sportsters and Buell Blasts.
Women like to be comfortable, meaning a comfortable seat and positioning, and have lots of room to carry things (gear, purse and other essentials – or maybe even a few groceries). The only things from Harley that fit that bill are the 700-900 pound cruisers - the stock seat on the Sporster is uncomfortable from the get-go (IMO). Along the comfy aspect, they like to accessorize (as do the guys), the only Harley that can be accessorized with large bags, floor boards and other things are the cruisers (Sportsters can be accessorized to an extent, but not with floor boards and some other desirable things).
Another aspect is power – many women do not feel the need to start with as big a motor as possible. In fact, the larger the number, the scarier they can sound (and yes, I understand that the number does not tell the whole story in ability to reach speeds or reach them quickly). So, many women that are starting out want to keep it below a 900 (my criteria was 600-900). Let’s see, that means the Sportster 883 only – not the Sportster Low which is a 1200.
Are you seeing a pattern yet?
A Sportster or Buell is the only bike Harley makes that is cheap enough that dropping it, or putting a ding/scratch in it isn’t a big deal. However, neither the Buell, nor the Sportster (unless paying extra for the low style) is low enough. Also the Sportster does not have enough accessories, is not able to have large bags attached and is a cross between a cruiser and a sport bike (which we haven’t even begun to explore).
So, as a starter bike, the Sportster is not something that women will look at a lot, nor is the Buell. And the Harley Cruisers (and Street Bikes) are too heavy and too expensive for another large segment of women riders to start out on.
When we go looking at the “metric” cruisers, we find there are plenty lighter cruisers that can be accessorized to your heart’s content and are plenty low for flat-footing (28” seat height and under). Just a small sampling of what is available that meets these criteria:
These encompass various engine sizes (between 250 and 800) as cruisers. Additionally, they also offer various “street” bikes that also address the criteria stated.
So, if size considerations, weight considerations, price considerations and accessorizing are taken into account, then the metric cruisers make lots of sense to women. As a check: My bike, weighs 550 lbs, has a 27" seat (before weight bearing), is an 800, and cost just under 7k after I purchased the saddlebags and sissy bar and had them installed. The Sportster I was looking at started at over 7k - before putting anything on it (and it was higher, so I would have had to have it lowered and have a more comfortable seat put on). In the year that I have ridden it, I have put on a light bar, engine guards, engine guard chaps, two services and gas - I'm pretty darn sure I haven't yet hit the amount that I would have had to pay for a Sportster modified to my needs alone (not including service and gas).
Hmm, nope, don’t understand why HD is not in the forefront for women that buy bikes.
Well, to be fair, the metric folks just sort of "fell into it" with women and machines. When I bought the 626 (car) in 1982, it was perfectly sized for me--because it was designed for men who were my size. When that company started designing/building for the USA market, the cars grew. (Although, continuing to be fair, their cars are still are toward the smaller end of the spectrum.)
You really go about shopping the right way--by setting your criteria of success, first. Congratulations!
(BTW: You've used the term before, but what are "sissy bars"? Easy to see what a Biker Mama I am!)
Posted by: Cop Car | May 09, 2009 at 07:31 AM
Actually, I don't think "falling into it" is the way the metric bikes are made - after all, they also make some of the largest bikes (1800's at about 1000 pounds - larger than HD's). Metrics run the gamut from very small to very large. Regardless of whether they fell into it or not, they obviously have found a winning combo for attracting women.
HD is still trying to figure out how to attract more women - as drivers, not as passengers. Until very recently, their only concern for women was how they looked on the back of the bike (and that is still the way their clothing is designed - not for staying warm, dry and comfortable).
And to answer your question, sissy bars are passanger seat backrests.
Posted by: bogie | May 10, 2009 at 06:46 AM
Okay, I wasn't very fair to HD - they do make some pretty good gloves for women. Other than that, If I go with the HD brand, I usually get men's stuff size small (like my rain gear) because they do make their riding gear very well.
When that doesn't work for me, I go with other brands (my jacket, chaps, heavy riding pants etc).
Posted by: bogie | May 10, 2009 at 06:51 AM
One also has to remember that the "metric" cycles were made for places that even a "standard" cruiser class won't fit through: tight, winding, crowded, congested streets. They were also built for a smaller-sized overall population. And given the income brackets in play, they had to be affordable, dependable, and inexpensive to maintain.
Now that you have what the "buying" population wants and needs, you better be set to accessorize it pretty fast.
If you look at it closely, the bigger "metric" cycles didn't happen until they started becoming popular over here. When I started riding, 1000cc's were top sized, and few and far between. In short order, 1200's came about.
And for good gear and accessories for women (and men), stick with the "metric" makers lines, or specialty makers; better quality, better choice, better fit, and better price.
Posted by: Wichi Dude | May 10, 2009 at 04:30 PM
Prices - sometimes, sometimes not (just like accessories - one would think that metric stuff is cheaper, but that is not neccessarily true).
Posted by: bogie | May 15, 2009 at 07:22 AM