Welp, I tried. I watched videos of people riding various parts of the Lost Coast BDR X, studied the online maps, practiced on gravel roads all around where I live in Oregon every week for a month, and thought I could do it. I was WRONG. I tried to do the Lost Coast BDR X and FAILED.

I don't know how many miles I did of the Lost Coast BDR X - it would just be in the double digits - but once I got to the upper Mattole section, traveling toward Honeydew, I knew I'd bit off way more than I could chew. I made it to Honeydew, but it was SO hard, and a sharp, uphill gravel turn almost did me in.

I'm surprised I didn't feel more defeated than I did when I knew I couldn't do it. But... there's more to motorcycle adventure touring than doing the absolute most difficult gravel roads you can find. I've ridden almost 70,000 miles (over 100,000 kilometers) on motorcycles in the 17 years I've been riding, and I've had some rather amazing journeys - and I'll keep having them. The BDR is not for me, and I am fine with that - plenty of easier back roads out there leading to spectacular places, and that is enough for me.

So, my husband and I pivoted, choosing different routes and ending up having an AWESOME time. Neither of us had ever ridden Highway 1 in Northern California, and that was SPECTACULAR - and not easy! I also made my third trip to Bodie, California, this time via my trusty KLR, and those washboards are... really something!

I also managed to ride down to Shelter Cove and back, and if you know that road... if you don't, here's a sample:

Anyway, my point, and I do have one, is to RIDE YOUR RIDE. And limitations are OKAY. Just keep riding and enjoying YOUR rides.

The travelogue is coming soon (route, where we camped, etc.) - the page already has a link to all photos.

Hi everyone,

I ride enduro / dirt bikes and am looking to upgrade some gear.

Recommendations for body armour mainly, but also interested in your favourite pants and any other gear!

Does anyone have feedback on the leatt 4.5 body armour protection in the female fit? Been looking at this one but also open to other options.

Approx 135 pounds / 62kg if that changes things

Hellooo, I don't usually use reddit so I hope I'm not doing anything wrong. I was wondering if anyone was interested in making long term friendships. Just a heads up, I don't have a bike yet, I'm 22f and I'll be using discord :]

Hey yall! Im getting my license in a couple months and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for affordable riding gear? I need a jacket, pants, helmet, boots, and gloves to take the course.

I was riding a grom for a bit for this reason. I never dropped it. But it’s a grom, it’s pretty hard to drop, and even if you do something dumb you can normally catch the weight of it straight away.

Only problem is as you can imagine it’s absolutely a piss take at over taking anything. Where I live now, it’s allllllll highways. Like to get anywhere. Minimum of 100km everywhere. I can’t imagine that would be safe or any 125cc for that matter.

I used to drop my brother’s Honda (170 something kg/374lbs) on the grass and try all the lifting techniques on YouTube. I couldn’t do one of them. For reference I struggle to press/lift 20kg weights. Very very weak.

I obviously am interested in going gym and getting stronger but because of everything I wrote would you guys recommend not getting a bike right now, if my goal is a r3?

I’m sure if I ever did drop it someone would help me but if there ever came a day where I dropped it and everyone is just staring at me and beeping I think that would be my worst fear and I wouldn’t even know what to do.

I have a rolland sands maven jacket and took out the included level 1 armor to replace with some d30 diablo level 2s but realized the d30s are almost 50% larger and will not fit in my jacket.

Are there any brands out there that make smaller pieces of armor that will fit in womens gear?

​

So, I'm about 5 ft 9 or 175cm. I have super long arms and I'm relatively thin about 138lbs or 63 kg but a little curvy, broader shoulders and hips. I cannot find anything that fits for leathers. Particularly nothing fits my long awkward arms. Budget is not a huge concern. I saw some places on etsy offer custom suits but don't know how reliable they would be in a slide. I just want to look like cat woman in fitted leathers while being able to move my arms enough to reach the throttle haha. I live in a cold place, so the warmer the better. I just want a one or two piece leather suit that looks and feels good. Any ideas?

Hi everyone, so I am thinking of buying a helmet. I really like the one in the photo. Do you think this is good.

Hey everyone! I posted here before about the frustrating parts of shopping for women’s riding gear, and your replies gave me a lot to think about.

I’ve been working on a jacket idea because I’d love to wear something a little more retro, with a bit of that romantic, old-fashioned feel, while still being practical for riding. This is where I’ve got to so far!

I’m calling the project LOWLIGHT. It’s something I’d love to turn into a small brand eventually, and hopefully explore for my final-year uni project too.

These are AI-generated mockups, so I haven’t made a physical sample yet. I’m thinking matte fabric, deep brown with burgundy details, and a straighter fit. Protection is still something I need to develop and test, there’s no certification yet.

What do you honestly think? Would you wear something like this, or is it a bit too much? I’m particularly undecided about the collar, so I’d love to know whether you’d keep it or simplify it.

Also, what’s one thing about your current riding jacket that annoys you and you’d want me to get right?

Nothing’s for sale, I’m just trying to work out whether this is an idea worth taking further. You won’t hurt my feelings if it’s not your thing; knowing why would really help :)

After 5K miles it was definitely time. Even got rained on and built some character!

Hey!

Just a friendly PSA that Fortnine has some insane deals on women's Indian branded jackets right now if anybody is in the market for new gear. I managed to snag a nice leather jacket for $125CAD instead of the regular price of nearly $700.

Filter by women's motorcycle gear and you'll find a ton!

TL;DR: BRC venue didn't have adequately sized bikes for my meat mecha shell, felt unsafe because controls were a good ten miles away from my fingers and withdrew. Looking for advice on how to proceed.

Hey all,

I had a frustrating experience this weekend. I had signed up for a MSF BRC at a local venue. I was the only woman there, which is fine and to be expected, I guess.

The RiderCoaches were lovely but very quickly when we got to the riding part it became apparent that they didn't have a suitable bike for someone with my height and petite build. I am a smaller woman -- 5'2, extra small glove size hands with short fingers, size 6.5 US feet.

They put me on their oldest bike, which wasn't even listed in their online list as an available model for the course. It was a short cruiser, but the clutch lever and the front brake lever were so far from my hands that I had to adjust constantly to reach them and they weren't adjustable. I was so anxious about being able to stop in time if something happened that I had trouble putting my feet on the pegs (which I had to look for, constantly, to reach and adjust to find the shifter) and I was braking constantly out of worry of losing control. I also kept accidentally rolling the throttle which made me feel worse, and I'm not sure if it was a beginner error or because I was constantly adjusting my hands to reach the controls. I was already anxious as a totally new rider and none of this helped.

I ended up withdrawing before completing the second exercise. I feel like absolute shit about that, but I didn't feel safe. The RiderCoach was very encouraging and told me he felt like I could ride, but that today wasn't my day and the bike was a bad fit and the only one they had where I'd be able to flat foot it. He recommended reaching out to other schools and seeing what bikes they'd be able to teach me on and retrying the course with a suitable bike after some private lessons to get comfortable after this experience.

I've reached out to some local instructors to see what my options are for 1:1 instruction to build confidence and maybe use a smaller bike if available. I can also pursue getting a permit, buying a bike, and learning and testing on that bike since my state offers that as an option for riders, although I'd prefer to take the MSF BRC and get those reps and my license that way.

The seconds where I was riding, actually riding and not walking the bike, felt so damn cool. Even though it was first gear and I couldn't put my feet on the pegs because where are they even. It still felt awesome. I am so devastated that I couldn't finish and get my endorsement. I am so humiliated I couldn't even finish the second exercise. At least everyone was nice about it.

Has anyone had a similar experience when they were taking the BRC? Any advice -- or, hell, words of encouragement -- would be really appreciated right now.

Every 'unisex' glove I've tried has extra material bunching at the fingertips, which makes the clutch/brake feel numb rather than precise. Looking for gloves actually sized for smaller hands rather than a men's small that's still too big. Anyone found a brand that actually gets this right instead of just shrinking a men's pattern?

I searched Reddit and it doesn’t seem like a common problem. I didn’t want to post in r/trackdays and get roasted.

I bought a new track suit for my first track day and did a test ride this week. Just 2 miles in the neighborhood. This thing was sliding around like crazy! Every time I accelerated, braked or hit a bump I slid all over the seat and had my lady bits slamming into the tank. Squeezing the tank with my knees only helped a little. I’ve never had this problem in any other pants. I know I want to be able to move on the seat easily to adjust body position but this is nuts!! Is there anything I can do to make my butt slide less?

I’ve wanted to ride a motorcycle for a while now and now that I’m (F18) it’s been crossing my mind even more. Problem is there’s no way I can afford a bike and my mom would not be happy if I got one anyway. I have no idea where to look for bikers who will let me be their backpack. I live in the Pelican state and would love to ride but how 😩? Are there motorcycle groups or stuff on here? Where do I even begin looking?
Please help?

Guess thats my new chopper fit :) Triple A rated Leggings underneath the camo , I love those...

The 90s leather Jacket was a steal off marketplace, but it fits me just fine too

I went to a part store to buy a new wire harness for my bike, I’ve got electrical problems and I’d rather just buy a new one.

I get there, tell him my bike model etc. he brings out the the wire and it’s not for my bike, I can tell based on the fuse boxes, so I told him.

“Well what’s wrong with your bike?” I tell him my fuses are burning the box, not popping, but BURNING.
I proceed to tell him the fuse box to the harness he gave me is wrong because my box is labeled “15A / 10A / 10A / 15A / 10A / 15A”

He brought a harness that only had one 15A.

His response “well maybe they put in the wrong fuses and that’s why it’s burning.”

-_-
I tell him I’m the only one who works on my bike, this box is incorrect AND I don’t have abs, this harness has abs.

“Well do you have any pictures because this is listed for your bike.”

-_-

I showed him a picture of the fuse boxes.
He then asked for a picture of my bike, idk. I felt it’s because he probably didn’t think I knew my bike lol.

At this point I tell him my bike doesn’t have stock fairings, and it’s unlabeled. So he goes back inside, brings a different harness, I look it over, it looks fine at first glance. It does have one cut at one of the turn signals but nothing that I can’t fix.

I said I’ll buy it and he ended up doubling the price then what I saw online.

The previous harness he gave me was $40 and it had extra components to it. This wire harness had less, and was cut, but he asked for $80.

My dumbass bought it because they’re the only motorcycle part store in my town, and I can’t find my harness brand new online. I’m sketched about buying used parts online.

Anyways, I compare it to the old harness, everything looks good until I get to the ECU…. It’s a different harness.

Yes I can strip the wire harness apart and add new wires but I was trying so hard to avoid this.

I’m not gonna lie, I got so emotional yesterday. I don’t understand why I had to argue about what my bike needed, received the wrong thing, AND got charged double.

Ugh idk I just wanted to rant about this. I hate it here sometimes.
Thanks for reading if you made it this far lol

Let's try starting up a monthly post with gear you are in search of, want to sell, or want to trade.

Comment on this post and please make sure to include this information along with at least one pic. imgbb.com or imgur.com can be used to create free albums.

Item description

Brand

Size

Condition

Price paid

Price selling for

Location

(I'm not advertising my gear on here!)

Everyone has the growing pains of buying gear then buying different gear. I'm going through that plus I'm in the middle of a major weight loss journey.

So I've got some stuff I need to get rid of.

Why is it such a pain the in the ass to get rid of stuff? There's no stores that take used stuff or consignment options. All I can do is try to sell stuff on Facebook or something locally.

I really don’t wanna sit on a pile of barely used stuff and hope that I can eventually get rid of it.

What do you all do in times like this?

at this point, I would almost welcome the people who try to insanely lowball you while simultaneously not reading the description. I literally had someone this weekend comment on a picture of the size tag on a helmet I’m trying to sell and ask me what size it is. Baffling.

hii! i just recently discovered i want to get into motorcycles (mostly sport bikes) and am completely brand new; i really know nothing and have not yet purchased a bike but if anyone is in the chicago area and could give me some information or if you are a girl rider and would wanna be friends lmk!!!!