Daily Slideshow: Transforming The Motorcycle Business; More Women Riders In 2017
In the last year, more women have come to the world of motorcycling and in greater numbers learning the freedom that comes with riding.
Changing Culture
The motorcycle image is changing, and it has for some time. More women have taken to motorcycling as a sport and refuse to be back-seat-queens any more. While the male-dominated scene originally relegated "small" bikes for women, the new generation of ladies taking to the road demands the biggest that the industry has to offer.
Never Forgotten
Since motorcycles took to the streets in 1903, women have always been an important part of the industry. Although men dominated the scene, women have always been a part of the motorcycle culture since the beginning. Slowly and through the years, women have emerged as a growing segment that some say has saved the industry.
Acceptance
With a changing culture comes acceptance. Women, in general, are now "regulars" at biker events as riders themselves and they have created their own riding circles and culture which has had a positive impact on the "biker image".
Transforming The Business
For years the motorcycle community demanded power, chrome, and size. Bigger engines, bigger tires, bigger....everything. As more and more women became riders, the demand for lowered bikes and more agile motorcycles began to take hold. Now, a more "agile" motorcycle does not mean "smaller" as the days where the Sportster was the only "girl" choice are all but gone. The industry recognized this and manufacturers began paying attention to performance in a different way. Lowered frames, well-thought-out tire combinations, and improved ergonomics not only appealed to women but many men who were sized-out of many models. This opened the door for an entirely new market full of people that previously were not able to ride what they wanted. In a time where all motorcycle manufacturers felt the pain of a bad economy, this was a saving grace and the beginning of a shift in how motorcycles are engineered.
Gear Business Is Good
New riders, new gear. Manufacturers know this and one thing women need is specialized gear. In general, women demand comfort and function while men tend to gravitate to gear based on visual appeal and tradition. New gear for women is also influencing men's gear as it becomes more functional and more and more women designers are attracted to the industry in order to provide for new demand.
More Options
The continued influx of women into the biker community means that we will all enjoy more options in everything from motorcycles to accessories to gear. This is a simple business process and one that we hope will translate into more value for our dollar at the end of the day.
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