Spotlight on Lady Riders:Go Gerl

Courtesy Harley Davidson

Back in the fall of 1981, I just finished my probation as a peace officer with the City of Los Angeles. I had worked Hollywood Division for the past year and just transferred to SouthEast Division, (Watts, CA)
I was living on my own and decided it was time to get a motorcycle. I had always envied motorcycle riders since I was a kid growing up in Los Angeles.

Where do I start? I didn’t know anybody that rode. There were no clubs or HOG Groups. I visited a few motorcycle shops and no one would help me?
I finally took a guy friend from work who befriended me. He rode a huge Harley.
We went to a few dealers who carried many brands back then.
(At that time you were not allowed to test ride any bikes. You bought what you thought you would like!)
None of the bikes felt right. I am tall and all the bikes were too low or top heavy.
Months later, a classmate from the police academy knew a female officer selling her bike. She had worked as a traffic officer and bought a larger bike to practice for motor school. I bought the nearly new Honda 500 with a full fairing and Samsonite luggage.

My classmates boyfriend taught me to ride by following him. I would watch and listen so I was able to figure it out, similar to watching sports!
Off we went for an hour. We rode back to his house and I rode home on the freeway, in the rain and wind over sixty miles away. From then on I always rode by myself.
No riding groups or other bikes on the road. I rode to work in Watts several times, over 65 miles one way. I tucked my hair under my full face helmet, wore a ski jacket, jeans and cowboy boots!
Since then I have had seven different motorcycles. My last three were Harley’s and my current is an 2012 Electric Glide/Police…..with many extras to travel, GPS & XM radio to
name a few!

Today I am floored to see sooooooo many riders out there! Especially woman.
What a wonderful time to be alive! Ride Safe…….