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Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 7:49 pm
by banditbarbi
I ride a sport tour bike. I have found that both drivers and Pillions can be "catty". I have gone to rallies and found women drivers on crusiers who refuse to talk to me because I don't drive a crusier as well as having "evil looks" from the pillions on the sport bikes too. Both at the same rally. I am not a biker Beauty, so its not jealously. I think it is more that people think we don't have anything in common. I am not a shy person, I am constantly told that I don't look like a person who would ride a bike... and yes I am still trying to figure that one out too... what does an person who rides a bike look like? ( glances at mirror while wearing bike gear... hmmm) I have noticed that men do treat you different. I'm short and even after lowering my bike I still barely touch the ground. Dropping my bike is quite common for me sadly.I keep trying to reach the ground but sometime those inclines where you have to stop are just a bit too far down for me. IF My husband drops his bike, everyone laughs, I drop my bike I have 10 people around me making sure I am okay. Some times it pays to be female!
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 2:07 am
by yellowrookie
One thing ladies riders should keep in mind while giving lady pillions dirty looks, is that some of those lady pillions ride their own also. (not that they should be giving dirty looks period. We really shouldn't be so judgemental should we.

) My sister for instance, when we took a cross country trip to Sturgis she rode pillion, one - her bike way too small for that kind of road trip, two - that is one hell of a trip that she wouldn't trust her skills, getting there one thing, manuvering in 100's of 1,000's of bike traffic once you are there yet another.
Anyways, I only fear that once I learn, I'll have the same sentiments that you ladies do, but when in a car I don't freak out if I am not driving so maybe I'll be alright.

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 2:07 am
by celt
Nalian wrote:
I am, who wants to take the bus?
Really though, was it necessary to roll your eyes at someone expressing a curiousity? Sheesh.
sorry, my rolling eyes were for the entire post.
she made it seem like a woman who rides pillion simply hasn't been 'enlightened' yet.
simply because YOU feel the need to be in control of the vehicle you're on/in doesn't mean other passengers feel the same need.
me, i too hate to be a passenger.
but don't look down on others because they are or automatically assume that they just haven't figured out that THEY could have control.
that attitude may be part of the condescending attitude that pillions feel and why riders get dirty looks...
"I really can't comprehend holding hands while walking with another person. If I look at a couple holding hands, I assume that they haven't thought to walk on their own yet and it will occur to them."

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 2:27 am
by yellowrookie
Aside from not being able to see ahead very well (always looking to the side or around a big-headed helmet),
Not an issue with our bike, I am higher than my Hubby.
Hence, the more bug eating and wind
And as far as being in control, at this point (obviously) I am in much better hands with my hubby at the controls and trust his ability 200%.
I guess we all just need to respect the other and just get along.

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:59 am
by Shorts
yellowrookie wrote:Aside from not being able to see ahead very well (always looking to the side or around a big-headed helmet),
Not an issue with our bike, I am higher than my Hubby.
Hence, the more bug eating and wind
And as far as being in control, at this point (obviously) I am in much better hands with my hubby at the controls and trust his ability 200%.
I guess we all just need to respect the other and just get along. 
Sure. But I'm not sure where exactly I didn't.
Yalls bike may seat yall fine and give you a good vantage point. Not all others do.
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:07 am
by yellowrookie
Sure. But I'm not sure where exactly I didn't.
No, I didn't mean anyone on this board, I mean BIKERS - particularly ladies

Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:35 am
by banditbarbi
If you really want go enjoy those evil looks and stares. Show up at a bike rally with a good looking man on the back of your bike. Wearing a tank top and shorts... TEE HEE!!!!!
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:47 am
by Loonette
Shorts wrote:I think everyone needs to just get over it all and enjoy where you're sitting.
Amen! I've come to learn that if I look for the negative in life, then that's exactly what I'll find. It goes the other way too... if I look for the positive, then that's what I'll find. Change your focus and try to ignore people who are mucking up your day - they aren't worth the time that you're investing in them.
Cheers,
Loonette
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 8:48 am
by Nalian
celt wrote:Nalian wrote:
I am, who wants to take the bus?
Really though, was it necessary to roll your eyes at someone expressing a curiousity? Sheesh.
sorry, my rolling eyes were for the entire post.
she made it seem like a woman who rides pillion simply hasn't been 'enlightened' yet.
simply because YOU feel the need to be in control of the vehicle you're on/in doesn't mean other passengers feel the same need.
me, i too hate to be a passenger.
but don't look down on others because they are or automatically assume that they just haven't figured out that THEY could have control.
that attitude may be part of the condescending attitude that pillions feel and why riders get dirty looks...
"I really can't comprehend holding hands while walking with another person. If I look at a couple holding hands, I assume that they haven't thought to walk on their own yet and it will occur to them."

If you want to read condescension into posts, by all means, do so. It's a free country. After re-reading her post and then yours, though, the place eye-rolling and attitude came in was yours. She stated she's puzzled because to her, why wouldn't you want to ride your own. That's it. You want to read more into it than that, that's all you. Perhaps you're defensive because you perceive people looking at your wife that way.
Me..I don't care what you do. You wanna ride, you wanna be a passenger, go ahead. Just have fun doing whichever it is. For me..I don't think I'd have fun, but if the opportunity crops up I might not say no. I probably would though.
Expressing confusion/a question is not the same thing as saying someone someone doing something different is not as good as the other person. If people would learn that others can have different opinions, maybe this crap would stop being an issue.
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:05 pm
by IcyHound
I'm confused, not looking down on someone. Because a thought doesn't occur to me does not mean I am looking down at someone.
To me my motorcycle is a singular experience. It is how I see riding. My other half has his own bike and we ride together, on our own bikes. I will not get on the back of his bike, nor would I wish for him to get onto the back of mine.