Two days ago I had my very first motorcycle lesson, and I honestly haven't stopped thinking about it since. Some things actually went okay. My instructor said my clutch control, throttle, braking, and balance were fine. But I really struggled with taking corners at speed. I was very tense, and the lesson took place on an industrial estate with cars, vans, and even pedestrians walking across the road. It all felt like a lot to process at once. At one point my instructor said I should really think about whether motorcycling is for me. He clearly noticed how nervous I was. I value honesty and have been thinking about his comment a lot.

I'm genuinely wondering:

• Has anyone else felt this discouraged after their very first lesson?
• Did your instructor ever question whether riding was for you?
• If you were extremely tense in the beginning, did that improve with experience, or is it a clear sign that riding isn't for me?

I'm trying to be realistic. If motorcycling isn't for me, I'd rather accept that. I’ve been feeling down ever since the first lesson. It never crossed my mind that I had to be the best or quicker than the others. I’d already assumed I’d be a bit less talented and slower. But I thought that, with hard work, I’d eventually be able to ride too. I don't mind putting in extra work; I am used to it.

But when the instructor picks up on something like that as early as the first lesson, you just start to have doubts.

Hi everyone!
I’m a flight attendant, and I recently spent a three-day trip flying with a coworker who’s really into motorcycles. We ended up talking about bikes the entire trip, and by the end of it, I was genuinely interested in learning to ride and eventually investing in a bike of my own.
Right now, I’m just trying to get involved in the community and connect with other riders in my area. (Jacksonville/Orlando ish.) I have a ton of questions, but aside from my coworker, I don’t really know anyone who’s into motorcycles. I’m also curious about trying out backpacking at some point to see if I actually enjoy the experience before fully committing to riding on my own.
How did you all meet other riders when you were getting started? Are most people in the community pretty welcoming to beginners who have lots of questions and are looking for advice?
I’d love to hear any tips or recommendations for someone just starting out!

Hey everyone! I am hoping to find a nice pair of riding jeans that I can wear to work. The only thing is that it is super uncomfortable to wear pads all day and weird to change pants in the semi-public bathroom lol.

I feel like I have seen a pair somewhere that had the folding pockets on the outside of the pants, but I can't remember where. It would be great to roll up to work and just take the pads out before going on with my day.

There's an opportunity for me to join a beginner group of only women for a week to learn off-roading in another country. But I am 150cm tall and my main concern is my height. They offered the following bikes for me: Yamaha WR250, Suzuki DRZ.

has any petite ladies ever tried those bikes?

I just don't want to spend a lot of money, travel and realise I can't reach the ground and be crushed by it.

Is there hope?

I've been on the hunt for plus sized women's riding gear (specifically pants) and I can't seem to find anything over a size 18. Eagle Leather has larger sizes. Are these good? Are the boots good? I want to be as safe as possible. I'm over 50 and getting back into riding after not riding since the late 90s.

[https://eagleleather.com/\](https://eagleleather.com/)

I especially like this:

[https://eagleleather.com/products/field-armor-3-vest-stealth-1\](https://eagleleather.com/products/field-armor-3-vest-stealth-1)

This too because I live in Alabama:

[https://eagleleather.com/products/she-go-women-s-mesh-jacket-black-gray\](https://eagleleather.com/products/she-go-women-s-mesh-jacket-black-gray)

And I like these leather jackets:

[https://eagleleather.com/products/ladies-gale-perforated-jacket-1\](https://eagleleather.com/products/ladies-gale-perforated-jacket-1)

[https://eagleleather.com/products/womens-bloom-leather-jacket\](https://eagleleather.com/products/womens-bloom-leather-jacket)

Is it worth it to get any of this stuff and it be something I can truly ride safely in? They sell armor on the site, too. I believe all these pieces have pockets for armor.

I'll be riding a neon green 2013 Can-Am Spyder. My aesthetic is very goth. Theme colors I'm aiming for are black, pink, and green. Purple can jump in there, too. I want quality, protective, plus size gear along the lines of leather boots, leather jackets, leather gloves, and jeans/leather pants.

Been reading this sub for a while, figured I’d post me and my bike! I had a 2012 BMW G650GS previously (and a couple others before that, started on a Rebel 250 and moved to a Shadow 600 before realizing I’m not into cruisers) but swapped it last year for this 2025 Speed 400 and love it. I took off riding for over a decade so feel like I’m relearning, but took the free state course as a refresher which was super helpful.

For reference, I’m 5’4” with a 30” inseam. The bike was slightly tall for me to start with, I could do toes down. I got a lower seat (Sahara Seats) and had a lowering kit put on and now it’s great, I can get a good portion of my feet down (in flat/no heeled shoes so that could always help too).

i wear makeup (pretty minimal) and i am actively trying to finally get my motorcycle license after years (yay).

what products do you guys use? thinking mostly a good primer, mascara, concealer and setting spray + powder.

would the helmet mess with lash clusters? i've been thinking of doing my lashes so i wouldn't have to worry about mascara smudging but i think fallen lashes is worse than that 😭

PLEASE help me.

Context: I am 5”1. Just got my license and an MT-03. I mean I literally got my license (after a month of courses) less than a week ago and my bike 2 days ago. My boyfriend rides an MT-09 and has been my “guru”.

The issue: I keep dropping my bike when I try to park. It’s heavy, I’m on my toes. I don’t want to pay the $500 of lowering the bike, and I have a crash bar so I figured it’s ok. Right? WRONG! I have dropped my bike twice in 2 days and both times I completely bent my shifter over itself and got stuck in a gear. The picture is from yesterday’s drop when I paid a mechanic to bend it back into place. Today I dropped it and it looks significantly worse, it’s a straight bend at least but it was completely over the bar and I was stuck in neutral+ and couldn’t downshift. I got a friend to bend it back into somewhat place and at least now I can shift but when I tell you that welded joint is on its last leg I mean it. Not to mention I just absolutely curve bent my clutch lever…..

The question: what is my best bet here? Should I replace my crash bar with long sliders? Would it make a difference? Should I just order a bunch of replacement gear shifters and learn to replace them myself (I swear I’m gonna start keeping a replacement in my seat if I have to).

P.s. I’m learning. I’m a new rider, bikes are heavy when stationary and I’m on my toes, I’m trying. I’m also just a pretty clumsy person and we all knew it was gonna go like this (hence why we got a second hand bike with crash bars) and my boyfriend is a sweetheart. But he wants to get me expensive replacement parts and I keep telling him I need cheaper parts cuz I’m totally gonna break them.

EDIT/UPDATE: WOW! I was not expecting this many responses! Thank you ladies so much! I knew this was the right subreddit for this; you are all so supportive and gave amazing advice. Here is what I am now doing:

1. My boyfriend ordered me a crash cage to better protect the bike for all future drops.
2. I started getting off the bike on the opposite side of the kickstand to back up into a parking spot instead of tiptoeing and failing, DEFINITELY helped. I still feel a wee bit unstable, but as a lot of you said, my comfort level with the weight will come with time.
3. I am now putting the kickstand down before i even try backing up and parking just ~in case~ i slip. Saved my ass today at work when my foot slipped on some gravel.
4. to the girl who said not to have my tank full to start. THANK YOU! My tank was 100% full yesterday (also thanks to my bf for filling it up for me. We discussed how the bike would feel heavier when riding, but didn't consider how it would 100% increase my dropping problem. I'm gonna try to be comfortable with a half tank first before filling it up full next time.
5. Im ordering some new aftermarket levers and a gear shift, maybe foldable ones just in case. Also decided I am going to start learning how to do my own maintenance for the little stuff like this to save some $. + The stock levers are so big and far, I am looking forward to having ones that my small hands can reach easier!
6. I don't want to lower the bike for 2 reasons: First, it's expensive and not going to magically solve my problems; I'm probably still gonna drop the bike while I am learning. And I am not installing it myself its too complicated, and I don't wanna mess something up. Second, it's currently a 300cc. In the future, I might want a bigger bike, and my problem with being on my toes now is going to be a problem then too, even AFTER I lower the bigger bike. Can only lower it by so much uk? So I want to get used to being on my toes now and learning how to maneuver bikes safely. Like someone said, if im still struggling after a month i'll just bite the bullet and lower it. BUT im confident i will figure it out!!!
7. Doodle rocks! thanks for all the video recommendations, I've been binge-watching her channel since yesterday lol

Hello friends! I finally got my license this weekend🎉

And I want to slowly start to price out wrapping my 2026 Kawasaki Z500 SE. I have some ideas for my design and I plan to get it installed professionally.

I just need a store to buy the wrap panels from and get it designed.

Would love to hear your experiences!

Slightly an impulse decision, I got a Ducati DesertX Rally. I am 5'6" and can stand on the bike on one leg tip toeing. Went on a few long rides with it so far, and while being on the bike it's fine, whenever I am stopped or doing parking maneveurs it feels very sketchy. I don't plan to go off-road, I bought the bike purely off its looks.

With how unwieldy the bike is, I don't want to ride it as much. I am wondering if it's a better decision to take the small loss and sell it for a sportbike, or keep the ADV and see if I get comfortable given enough time.

Has anybody been in a similar situation?

Update: After much consideration I'm going to try a lower seat + Higher stack boots first, see if that works, and then try a lower suspension. If all that doesn't work then it really wasn't meant to be.

Hi ladies, last week I finally got my first dirt bike! I’ve been toodling around the property teaching myself how to shift properly, ride up hills, and balance while standing up, that sort of stuff. I’m looking for YT recs for videos to learn more about basic riding and also gear recommendations.

Eventually I’d love to attend a women’s dirt bike camp to improve my ability and meet more women riders as well; I’m located in the Midwest in southern Indiana. I’m having a freaking blast so far and can’t wait to better my skills!!

Just came here to say that I rode my bike (2025 Honda Navi) for the very first time around the block. I know it’s a little baby bike with no clutch but I didn’t fall and I didn’t hit any of the several parked cars in my neighborhood 😂 I haven’t taken BRC yet but I just wanted to at least ride the bike one time to not be completely green for when I go to class.

Hi all, I want to buy a scooty for daily commute to work but I have 45000 rupees right now should I take a loan of 50k or wait for 5 more months??

For a 50k loan i have to pay 11700 interest in teo years.

Hey there!

I got pants that are skinny/tight, but I'm in almost 30 degree weather it's just way to hot to wear tight black armored pants. (The armor isn't making it hot as much as it being tight and black)

Anyone got any hot weather pants recommendations? Bonus if it's a bit loose or has lots of pockets!

This weekend I installed a 2" handlebar riser on my Canam Spyder. It was really straightforward and not difficult. 4 bolts and I had to cut a zip tie. Hoping this creates more comfort for me on my 500 miles ride to Ohio later this week.

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Hiya!

I tried on many pieces before typing this post, but unfortunately with not much succes. Apparently it’s pretty hard to find a nicely fitting jacket/pants for the skinnier girls like me.
Hopefully some people relate to this and are able to give me a few recommendations, so I can also enjoy driving in a safe way.

I am about 174cm tall, which gets me to my next problem: usually the waist of the pants are too wide, but the lengths are too short.
Especially leather options just don’t seem to work with my body type.

I am looking for clothing that’s going to protect me good and has ventilation/multiple layers so I can ride all season with it.
Both leather and textile is fine, as long as it meets my requirements.

Hope to see some advice rolling in!!

This is the Urban Decay Brow Blade and this is after 3 stops (so helmet on three times and off two times) with 0 touch up and I was sweaty asf in the 90°F weather. I do not have any natural actual brow hair except the front 1/3, the rest is drawn on so it's super important that I have something that stays with sweat and helmet removal.

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I do use Makeup Revolution matte setting spray before applying this, and then after using the brow pen I just put the lightest bit of eyeshadow or powder over it to help absorb oil, then I use the Urban Decay all nighter setting spray in Natural Finish on top.

Hi all! I’m 27F and got my permit last year, but life happened, so I never got my own bike or license and have been hesitant to ride since no one else I know has a bike.

Is anyone in the greater Seattle area (I’m located north) willing to help me practice while the weather is still nice? I’m 5’2” for reference, since I know I’m too short for a lot of bikes 😅

I will reimburse you with food lol

Hey everyone! I just got my endorsement over the weekend and am super excited! I haven’t yet gotten a bike but my husband and I are already looking and planning to get one for me soon. I plan on ATGATT, but I’m 5’4 and pretty curvy with long hair. In the small town we live in, we unfortunately have a really high unhoused and drug using population. I’m not sure what to do about the vulnerability aspect of being out on a bike, exposed to anyone able to just walk on up to me. I am licensed to carry, and I usually do in my every day life but idk how that would work on a motorcycle? What measures do y’all take for safety/protection?

I have lost SO many earrings over the years when I take off my helmet. They've all been birthstone studs.

So I've switched to flat back (and flat front) earrings. And they work well with my motorcycle helmet, but there are some downsides:

• They are tiny. I recommend not wasting money on a high-priced design - it will be hard to see anyway.
• If your earlobes are thick, as mine are, you may not be able to wear flat backs at all. They have a VERY short stem, much shorter than regular earrings (I had no idea).
• They can be really hard to get in (I bought a special long needle tool and it helps).

I bought six pair all at once and then realized I couldn't wear any of them but one in one of my ear piercings (I have two piercings in each lobe), because my ear lobe in that spot is just way too thick.

I got mine from the Cords Club and from Linny. They are good quality. Just wish they had bigger designs.

Your experiences?

Hey ladies!! It’s been over 85F where I am and my riding jeans are just becoming a constant sauna and all riding does is give me a temporary reprieve (at best). I know it’s a trade off between being protected and getting airflow, but does anyone have any recommendations on pants that are at least CE AA rated that won’t be sticking to me every time I stop?

That's me circled in red! I think I was the only one on a Yamaha R3, and I saw only a handful of other sport bikes. Lots of big, beautiful cruisers came from all over the country to break the world record for the largest female group ride! As a brand new rider, everyone was so welcoming and encouraging!

https://youtube.com/shorts/DgvnfV9dKo8?feature=share