By Elizabeth West

The motorcycle didn\’t spring full-blown into this world. Rather, it evolved from the earlier bicycle. Women loved bicycles for the mobility and freedom they allowed. In fact, Susan B. Anthony said, ‘The bicycle has done more for the emancipation of women than anything else in the world.’

In the 1880s, bicycles were a huge fad. Then, in 1885, Gottlieb Daimler made one that had an engine. Strictly speaking, it wasn\’t a bicycle, because it had four wheels instead of two. Two were safety wheels. This bike went a magnificent and stately 12 miles per hour.

An idea was born, and soon other motorized bicycles were invented. Perhaps the first true motorcycle was a charcoal fired two -wheeler made in 1869 by Sylvester Roper of Massachusetts.

Within two decades, motorcycles were being mass-produced. The first such bike was the Orient-Aster, which was made by the Metz Company of Waltham, Massachusetts. This state clearly loved its bikes. Another early cycle was the beloved Indian, made by the Hendee Manufacturing Company in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Later, the company changed its name to Indian Motorcycles.)

In 1902, Harley Davidson sold its first three motorcycles, and soon there were dozens of manufacturers. They had names like Marvel, Exelsior, and Henderson. The Depression killed off all but Indian and Harley, and soon only Harley remained.

Women enjoyed the motorcycles as much as they had enjoyed bikes. After all, they were economical and fun. They also didn\’t have the stigma that they acquired later. Early riders were seen as adventuresome, not as outlaws.

In 1915, Indian motorcycles offered front and rear shocks. Since these cushioned the ride, people began to consider long-distance travel as a real option. That year, a mother-daughter team, Avis and Effie Hotchkiss, rode from New York to San Franciso. They didn\’t take the direct route. Instead, they meandered about, covering 5,000 miles.

The next year, two society women in their 20s, sisters Adeline and Augusta Van Buren bought a pair of Indian Powerplus Bikes. They were the first people ever to climb up and down Pike\’s Peak. They, too, completed a transcontinental ride. Their 3,300-mile trip took almost two months, and they had to contend not only with many unpaved roads, but also with social mores. Once they were arrested for publicly wearing trousers.

In the 1920s, Harley published a magazine called The Enthusiast. It sponsored Vivian Wales on a 5000 mile trip to a Harley factory. Another early motorcycle heroine was Bessie Stringfield, a.k.a. the Motorcycle Queen of Miami . She made 8 solo-cross country trips and was a motorcycle dispatch rider.

Bessie had started out with two strikes against her: she was a woman and she was African-American. At first, she couldn\’t even get a motorcycle license in Miami, Florida. However, a police officer interceded in her behalf.

Motorcycles were also used in wartime, which gave them a lot of public exposure. About 20,000 Harleys were used during the WWI. They were ridden by couriers, soldiers, and others.

As motorcycle popularity grew, it was only natural that some people became highly skilled in its use. They showed off these skills in motordromes, which had been around since the turn of the century but grew in popularity during the 1930s. A motordrome often advertised itself as ‘A Wall of Death.’

Essentially, it was a giant barrel with a platform on top for viewers. They could look down on motorcyclists, who sped around the inside of the walls, held in place by centrifugal force. One of these early daredevils was Margaret Gast, who billed herself as ‘The Mile a Minute Gal.’ She was not the only woman daredevil. May Williams and Jean Perry also performed on the walls.

By 1940, the United States had its first women\’s motorcyle club, The Motormaids. Today, there are scores of such clubs. Anyone who wants more information about the history of women and motorcycles may want to check out the book Hear Me Roar: Women, Motorcycles, and the Rapture of the Road. I haven\’t read it, but I\’ve read several descriptions of it and seen the table of contents. It looks like fun.

For more Motorcycle news for please visit http://www.allaboutbikes.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/history-of-women-and-motorcycles-979294.html

About the Author

Most motorcycles are designed with men in mind, and it is true that they are the majority of the operators. However, there are many women who want to do more with a motorcycle than just ride on the back of it. Finding a motorcycle designed to fit a woman is more difficult and the choices are limited. However, it is very possible to find one if you know what to look for. More and more motorcycle manufacturers are becoming aware of this market.

For too long female motorcycle owners have been stereotyped as reckless women wearing all leather, smoking and drinking with a wild gang of bikers. Approximately 10of motorcycle owners are women, and many more are interested in purchasing one. These women come from all walks of life. Some of them enjoy the thrill of riding their own bike while others find it a very economical way of commuting each day. The majority of women who do own motorcycles are in their 30\’s, they have a family, and they are educated.

More than 80of the motorcycles women purchase are cruiser models. Sports motorcycles are also very popular. Women prefer a motorcycle that is lighter weight, but they still want the power males crave with many motorcycle models. Today, many of the major motorcycle manufacturers are providing women with options for motorcycles that are light weight yet fast. These manufacturers include Harley Davidson, Suzuki, Honda, Kawasaki, and Yamaha.

Harley-Davidson DynaGlide LowRider

Harley Davidson offers three models designed specifically for women – the Sportster, DynaGlider Low-Rider, and the XL 1200 Custom. Kawasaki offers women dirt bikes including the Ninja 500R and the ZZR600. Honda has followed suit with the Nighthawk 250CC and the Rebel 250CC. Suzuki offers the 650 Savage, Marauder 800CC, and the 800 Intruder.

If you are considering purchasing a motorcycle designed specifically for a woman, then these models give you plenty to choose from. Make sure you take your time and find the one that fits your body correctly. Sit on the motorcycle and make sure your feet are able to touch the ground on both sides. Make sure it is light enough that you can handle it. If you are struggling with it, then pass it over as you will have difficult controlling it on the road. Look for a motorcycle with a low, narrow seat. You also want long handle bars so that you can ride the motorcycle comfortably. If you plan to ride your motorcycle a great deal, you may consider having one custom built to fit your style and body.

Keep in mind that motorcycles for women are available in models that are recommended for a new rider and some that are for a more experienced operator. Make sure you take this into consideration while you are contemplating the motorcycle to purchase.

There are many online motorcycle clubs for women and magazines as well. Most of them are operated by other female motorcycle owners. This is a great place to ask questions and get valuable information as you look for one of your own. Online websites for female motorcycle owners are a great place to meet other women and to find out about various events and motorcycle rallies. You can even help set up a motorcycle event in your area. Fit out how other female motorcycle owners enjoy their bike. This is also a great place to find out reviews on various models and even to find used bikes for sale.

The stereotype of a ‘biker chick’ is still in the minds of many people, but you would be surprised how many women have passed you on their motorcycle. It is often hard to tell if they are wearing a helmet. As the number of female motorcycle owners continues to grow, you can be sure there will be more models to select from. Manufacturers aren\’t going to pass up this target population. The American Motorcyclist Association now has 265,000 registered female motorcycle owners, proving this to be more than a passing fad.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/technology-articles/a-womans-motorcycle-1412676.html

About the Author

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