I know this is a very old post, and it is possible that my response has been said - although I read the first 3 or so pages and didn't see it, but anyways, the reason I feel compelled to reply is because this issue has bothered me.
I think Honestly, one of the reasons I want to learn (besides the fact I grow up with bikes, have A LOT of tomboy in me, and always have the need to know 'for myself) is because ok, are you ready, this MIGHT tick some off, but here it goes.....I am sick of the looks from women "drivers"
THE EVIL LOOKS come from the WOMEN WHO "drive" (we are all riding IMO). I cannot tell you how many women have this serious "attitude", none of them are friendly and socialize like the guys do, they all have a freakin chip on their shoulder. I GET the dirty looks from them, like I am some kind of frilly girl who is afraid to get my finger nails dirty. For the record "OUR" bike was picked out BY ME and the loan finalized BEFORE THE OLD MAN EVEN SEEN THE BIKE.
Our harley is OUR harley- we both work on it, we both share the expense and we both spend the same amount of time on it, and we both LOVE it, and we BOTH ride.
But now I wonder - when I do start driving regularly - but choose to 'ride' behind my husband at times (because we have a lot of fun together - talking, touching, enjoying each other) the evil looks I get - should I wear a patch that says "I RIDE MY OWN".
ok, I vented now hope I didn't over step my rookie bounds
ETA: Ladies, after reading through some more, I think I am right, I think the ladies who "drive" do kind of have an attitude, a I am better than you type attitude. There are a lot of nasty, nasty things said by the ladies here about pillion riders. I wonder why everyone seems sooo threatened by the others. Where I grew up, bikers are bikers, front and back seat.