Girl Gear

[janiceclanfield]

This is the place for trading those shopping spots that rock. God knows there's enough leather out there for the guys to cover Wisconsin.

Where do you get yours?

[4245Jack]

Iron Pony in Columbus Ohio is the best I have found.

[SVDon]

My wife has a bit of a tough fitting situation (very tall).

She got her riding pants from newenough.com. Call their 800 number and ask for Sandra, she's very good at helping ladies with fitting advice.

[Xenomorph]

For female riders in Australia "Bikers Gear" both stock and custom make boots, leathers and 'dririder' style clothing for women. They started off in Phillip Island and are expanding around the country (with a view to going international)

I don't work for them but I've been a customer since they started and they've always been the best price I can find.

Here's a link: http://scooptraveller.com.au/index.cfm/fuseaction/listing.detail/pkListing/25473/

[oldstrom]

My wife is 4'10" and 100 lbs and we found Spidi has a line of cycle clothing just for women that isn't available in the U.S. We bought her jacket from http://www.wheelup.it

Ladies XS fits her perfectly. Since the dollar is in the sewer vs the euro, the prices are no bargain but the jackets are superb. Ordered a jacket for me a few years back when the dollar was strong and it arrived from Milan three days later via fedex.

The web site has an english version and the folks there are helpful.

A picture of her Spidi is in thread ; adventure bikes for shorter.." Back, elbow and shoulder armor, waterproof and a zip in liner. She had a high speed off with her first Spidi and consumed the jacket, but was unharmed.

[Imagine]

Keep an eye on www.newenough.com in the closeout area. They are a great company for buying gear and always have great deals on both mens and womens gear. Their customer service is top notch as well.

[Nobiman]

Motorcyclecloseouts.com is a good place for womens stuff if ya find it first. Ive got 2 Joe Rocket jackets for my sweetie, both for under $80 each. Ya gotta check pretty often though 'cause they go fast.

Randy.

[sum1sdrmgrl]

Any one know where to find gear for a 5"11 woman? The way I see it I am the average size man, but nothing fits. Too tight on the chest, too short in the waist and arms.
Would love something cute like "hello kitty" but I am not setting my sights that high :)....I drive a yellow 08 Wee but not looking to match my bike. Just want to be protected and comfortable.
I live in Southern California (So Cal sounds so...well So Cal) I dont' mind driving. I just want something that will protect me that fits.
Thanks....

[Ted Bell]

My wife just picked up a Scorpion jacket. She is very pleased with it.

http://tinyurl.com/5re4s6

[janiceclanfield]

Any one know where to find gear for a 5"11 woman? The way I see it I am the average size man, but nothing fits. Too tight on the chest, too short in the waist and arms.
Would love something cute like "hello kitty" but I am not setting my sights that high :)....I drive a yellow 08 Wee but not looking to match my bike. Just want to be protected and comfortable.
I live in Southern California (So Cal sounds so...well So Cal) I dont' mind driving. I just want something that will protect me that fits.
Thanks....

Trust me, I feel your pain. I'm 6'4" with a 34E chest. Guy stuff won't zip up, girl stuff, well just no way. I end up wearing guy stuff that's way too big everywhere I don't want it to be, just so part of it fits.
When I get rich, I'm going to find a really good leather worker and have some custom work done. Way expensive, but I can wait...

[garandman]

Trust me, I feel your pain. I'm 6'4" with a 34E chest. Guy stuff won't zip up, girl stuff, well just no way. I end up wearing guy stuff that's way too big everywhere I don't want it to be, just so part of it fits.
When I get rich, I'm going to find a really good leather worker and have some custom work done. Way expensive, but I can wait...Janice, have you ever spoken to the folks at aerostitch or motoport?

Alos, take your jacket to a local tailor. Ours was able to modify my wife's jacket for similar fit problems, and it was less than $50.

[TheTwins]

Trust me, I feel your pain. I'm 6'4" with a 34E chest. Guy stuff won't zip up, girl stuff, well just no way. I end up wearing guy stuff that's way too big everywhere I don't want it to be, just so part of it fits.
When I get rich, I'm going to find a really good leather worker and have some custom work done. Way expensive, but I can wait...

6'4" ?!

34E ?!?!

Good GOD !!!!!

[footloose]

I am a 5'5", 120 lb woman and am on the small boned, petite size. It's just as tough to find good technical gear if you are small as if you are large!:)

I own and can recommend the following brands and gear.

Joe Rocket Ballistic Overpants and Coat-great warm weather riding gear with armor at elbows, back, knees , coat has panels that zip off to expose mesh and has a waterproof zip out liner.


Olympia Womens AST Coat and ProMax Overpants-fantastic set...very warm for colder riding, has removable liner for both coat and pants that are good looking on their own, waterproof (never have to stop and put on raingear ever again:)), armor in knees, elbows, hips, back.

Warm and Safe Heated Coat Liner and Gloves- just received these for my birthday and haven't really had a chance to test them in cold weather yet. But they are warm even without the heat turned on (so warm with the heat turned on slightly on a 60* ride home one night, I had to turn them off) and the folks at warmandsafe.com went the extra mile to help me get gloves that fit correctly. When the 1st pair didn't fit right (too long fingers), they quickly mailed 2 additional pair for me to try and just told me to mail back the ones I didn't want.

I'd love to find some good womens riding boots that are waterproof...I have Sidi boots that claim to be water resistant but they quickly become drenched in any kind of a good rain.

[Strompette]

I'd love to find some good womens riding boots that are waterproof...I have Sidi boots that claim to be water resistant but they quickly become drenched in any kind of a good rain.

Hi Footloose:

I have some BMW boots that have gone through some wicked rainstorms and not one drop of water inside!! I hate paying the beemer prices but have got to admit that they have some pretty good stuff.

I also have the BMW overpants - They don't look pretty as they are made for men, but again, very waterproof.

Sharon

[sitting_pretty]

I'm a new rider- so far just ride on the back of my husband's dl1000. I've recently upgraded to a full-face helmet, but the one i found that fit best and could afford is plain silver, scorpion exo 400. I'm a graphic designer by trade, and feel the need for a little flair on my helmet. I've found a few lame sticker kits but they are either so masculine or so simple that they bore me... anyone know of a helmet sticker kit that might be suitable to a design savvy girl or a hot-wrap specialist that does helmets for a reasonable price? Also willing to submit my own design if someone could create the kit for me. Thanks in advance.

[janiceclanfield]

I'm a new rider- so far just ride on the back of my husband's dl1000. I've recently upgraded to a full-face helmet, but the one i found that fit best and could afford is plain silver, scorpion exo 400. I'm a graphic designer by trade, and feel the need for a little flair on my helmet. I've found a few lame sticker kits but they are either so masculine or so simple that they bore me... anyone know of a helmet sticker kit that might be suitable to a design savvy girl or a hot-wrap specialist that does helmets for a reasonable price? Also willing to submit my own design if someone could create the kit for me. Thanks in advance.

Hmmm. I know there -are- places out there on the internet who provide shrink-wrap coverings for helmets. I try to find them again...

Welcome to the nut house!

[Jstrom]

Trust me, I feel your pain. I'm 6'4" with a 34E chest. Guy stuff won't zip up, girl stuff, well just no way. I end up wearing guy stuff that's way too big everywhere I don't want it to be, just so part of it fits.
When I get rich, I'm going to find a really good leather worker and have some custom work done. Way expensive, but I can wait...
Hey Janice,
When I moved back to Ontario from BC in the late 70's I found a leather craftsman by the name of Lloyd Salmon working out of his basement in Toronto. He rebuilt my old G1 aviator's jacket and did an amazing job. Later he opened a store and I had him make me a custom fitted jacket. I beleive he passed the business on to his son and I used to see his ads in Cycle Canada. I think the store was in Scarborough but am not 100% sure on that. Might be worth a little detective work to see if the business is still alive. That custom fitted jacket cost $500 in 1986 and has been handed down in the family and has been outgrown by yet another rider.

[me_n_my_wee]

I'm a new rider- so far just ride on the back of my husband's dl1000. I've recently upgraded to a full-face helmet, but the one i found that fit best and could afford is plain silver, scorpion exo 400. I'm a graphic designer by trade, and feel the need for a little flair on my helmet. I've found a few lame sticker kits but they are either so masculine or so simple that they bore me... anyone know of a helmet sticker kit that might be suitable to a design savvy girl or a hot-wrap specialist that does helmets for a reasonable price? Also willing to submit my own design if someone could create the kit for me. Thanks in advance.
I too am a graphic designer. Check with your local sign or t shirt shops. There is one here in our town that is famous for spry painting designs on kids batting helmets. I am sure they could also do motorcycle helmets.

[Genocache]

Trust me, I feel your pain. I'm 6'4" with a 34E chest. Guy stuff won't zip up, girl stuff, well just no way. I end up wearing guy stuff that's way too big everywhere I don't want it to be, just so part of it fits.
When I get rich, I'm going to find a really good leather worker and have some custom work done. Way expensive, but I can wait...

I have an Aerostich Roadcrafter (1 piece) suit I bought in '92. I have 72,000 miles in it. Goretex lining, no leaks, I just had all the zippers and velcro refurbished. I would suggest one for the ladies but I just checked the '08 catalogue and the website, could find nothing mentioned about ladies fitment. For a 6'4" suit they size 190-245 lbs with 48" chest and a 40" waist, three inseam sizes 33.5-35-36". Humourous catalogue too! www.aerostich.com
Happy hunting!

[sitting_pretty]

I found an airbrush artist who needs a website, so we traded services. I bought a scorpion 700 helmet and found some great ideas, sent them to him and this is what he did... http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30112851&id=1324448855

[sitting_pretty]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30112851&id=1324448855

[footloose]

I have an Aerostich Roadcrafter (1 piece) suit I bought in '92. I have 72,000 miles in it. Goretex lining, no leaks, I just had all the zippers and velcro refurbished. I would suggest one for the ladies but I just checked the '08 catalogue and the website, could find nothing mentioned about ladies fitment. For a 6'4" suit they size 190-245 lbs with 48" chest and a 40" waist, three inseam sizes 33.5-35-36". Humourous catalogue too! www.aerostich.com
Happy hunting!

I love that catalogue...I practically wear out the pages looking at it...but it just makes me mad because there are so few choices in it for women. Even the tshirts they offer only start in Mens size Medium.
When are the manufacturers going to realize what a huge part of the market they are missing? Women riders are increasing all the time and there have always been female passengers.

[ann_tn]

Found some great doc moto boots at vavavroomonline that ride great and I can walk around in them as well. Been wearing mine for about 2 months now and love them. I have a LARGE stack of boots in my closet that either didnt fit right or didnt feel comfortable shifting with. Havent tested them to see if they are waterproof yet. Will keep you posted on that.

Also got a pair of the riding socks. At $20 pair I was a little skeptical but they are awesome. Though it is a little funny to have your socks say LEFT or RIGHT on them to let you know what feet they go on lol.

Looking for some good riding pants now. Any suggestions?

[janiceclanfield]

When are the manufacturers going to realize what a huge part of the market they are missing? Women riders are increasing all the time and there have always been female passengers.

The manufacturers are idiots, and they're men. What a surprise that they don't take women into account.

That being said, there -are- some who cater to women. Check out Aerostitch, at least they try.

What women really need is an upright touring bike that fits. Right now, there's -nothing- that will fit a normal sized woman.

So there...

[Jstrom]

So, quit bitchin' and do something about it. You gals need to organize and let the manufactures know what you want. This male rider thinks more women in the sport is a good thing and you have my support. You still need to grab the industry goons by the nads and get their attention though. More women at the top and middle of the indusrty would surely help the situation along. So, get to it. Strp up and give 'em hell.

[footloose]

So, quit bitchin' and do something about it. You gals need to organize and let the manufactures know what you want. This male rider thinks more women in the sport is a good thing and you have my support. You still need to grab the industry goons by the nads and get their attention though. More women at the top and middle of the indusrty would surely help the situation along. So, get to it. Strp up and give 'em hell.

Can you really imagine for a minute that the women that frequent this board haven't been communicating to the motorcycling industry their displeasure at the lack of gear for the woman rider? :confused:

I've been complaining to manufacturers and dealerships for over 22 years.

The response I've got has been silence. It has gotten marginally better in the last 5 years...I now have technical, textile gear that is actually designed and made for women (Olympia and Joe Rocket) but finding it in stock anywhere is now the problem. Because I travel so much I've been able to try on gear all over N. America when I find it, if only to find out what doesn't fit me and then order the correct size online. I have the added advantage of living close to the US border and having an American address to have things shipped to. I can only imagine what Canadian women go thru that have to deal with ordering from the States, dealing with customs, shipping and brokerage fees and waiting inordinately long times for things to arrive.

Women on the extreme ends of the size spectrum (short or tall, small or large) have even more problems.

And don't get me started on the manufacturers that make asinine gear such as high heeled riding boots, scimpy, little pink coats with roses on them and chaps with little six guns embossed on them.:weapons_90:

[Strompette]

And don't get me started on the manufacturers that make asinine gear such as high heeled riding boots, scimpy, little pink coats with roses on them and chaps with little six guns embossed on them.:weapons_90:

Oh God - I've seen those "cute" little coats. Don't forget the powder pink helmet with flowers to match ugh! :bom_furious: At the bike show last year, my friend and I were shopping for helmets. Most salesmen steered us towards the pink ones or the powder blue equivalent.

Guess what - not every woman wants pink gear.

We didn't go to the bike show this year.

[Jstrom]

Less talk, more action. Start your own company. Want something done, do it yourself or enable someone else. Bitchin'won't do it, action will. Done talkin', your on your own.

[janiceclanfield]

Less talk, more action. Start your own company. Want something done, do it yourself or enable someone else. Bitchin'won't do it, action will. Done talkin', your on your own.

Read the post again. We talk and talk and talk, and the manufacturers -usually- have no interest in making womens gear. Sad but true. I usually end up with guy clothes because it's the only stuff made in my size.

And it doesn't even fit well... Think very lumpy chest. I'm afraid we can talk 'til we're blue in the face, but unless the manufacturers see major dollar signs, nothing will happen.

And I don't appreciate your attitude here. We're talking about a real problem women have and we are -not- just "bitching" about it, we're simply frustrated at not being listened to.

Ya' wanna bash us, go to spank. That's what it's there for.

If you have constructive, non-judgemental comments, let's hear 'em.

[Jstrom]

My comments are constructive and nonjudgemental. If you see a problem with a lack of woman specific gear or machinery issues address them. Organize yourselves and demand satisfaction or just learn to deal with your collective dis-satisfaction. I've said my piece and offered my advice so stop whinning. What part of do it yourself or do without aren't you getting? No free ride, no free lunch. You want something? Go get it.

[Mags]

Just wondering if anyone has a women's Olympia Airglide Jacket. I ordered the pants because I was able to try them on. They didn't have any women's jackets in the store. My concern is the length in the arms and back. I'm 5'11" and have the wing span to match :). The size chart doesn't give arm length.
I've tried the men's Air Transition and the large fit ok and unless they will order one in for me to try I will probably go for the men's jacket but thought I'd see if anyone had an opinion.
Thanks

[footloose]

I got your PM Mags and will measure the arms on my size Small coat later this evening when I get home.

[footloose]

My Olympia AST jacket, size womens small, has a sleeve length of 33 1/2 inches. That measurement is from the centre of the back of the neck to the wrist.
The back is 18" from shoulder seam to shoulder seam.

Mags...try dropping an email to Audry at the BMW dealer in Canton Michigan. She is the Apparel Manager there. That's where I have bought all my Olympia gear and they probably have the size of Airglide jacket you would like to inquire about in stock. awicke@bmwmcsem.com

Hope this helps.

[lectric]

Hope I am not imposing on this Forum. I am posting this for my wife. She is soooooo hard to find things for. Her stats- 4'9", 120lbs, 33"waist, 39" accross hips and butt, inseam 24". She has an athletic build. She has a womens Flex jacket size sm(8-10) that fits her fine. She wants something like the flex pants for longer trips. It's a given that custom hemming on the pants is a must. I am asking if anyone has used or tried the Flex pants and if so any suggestions on a sizing would be appreciated. Or alternatives with similar features. She will wear them as overpants mainly. We live in a mild climate (Central Coast of Calif), and she loves the versatility of the flex. Planning trips to Vegas and other hot regions as well as to Reno where even in summer the temps can dip drastically at night. Her birthday is coming and I would like to add this to the list for her. She does not ride her own bike yet. But that will be coming in due time. Many thanks for any help you can give.

[v wolf 1000]

Trust me, I feel your pain. I'm 6'4" with a 34E chest. Guy stuff won't zip up, girl stuff, well just no way. I end up wearing guy stuff that's way too big everywhere I don't want it to be, just so part of it fits.
When I get rich, I'm going to find a really good leather worker and have some custom work done. Way expensive, but I can wait...
barneys leather .com im a male 6ft4 leather an buffalo . makes for a stonger tougher fit. $160 us. my v wolf 1000:) i think they will customize.

[elizilla]

...try dropping an email to Audry at the BMW dealer in Canton Michigan. She is the Apparel Manager there. That's where I have bought all my Olympia gear and they probably have the size of Airglide jacket you would like to inquire about in stock. awicke@bmwmcsem.com


Audry is about 5'10" so she understands the troubles involved in finding tall women's gear. I've been in their store many times, and tried on a lot of stuff. My inseam is 35"+ and I can flatfoot my DL1000 with my knees bent. None of the Olympia pants fit, in either men's or women's sizes. The women's pants are way too short, the men's pants are slightly too short and also have the usual hip/waist issues. The knee armor can't be adjusted to the correct height on me, in either men's or women's pants. I found the best fit was with a men's one-piece Olympia Phantom suit - the waist doesn't matter in a one piece suit. So I bought it. The legs are good, the hips acceptable, the shoulders are wide. It's fine on the Strom, but on my other bikes that have less fairing, the buffeting of all that extra shoulder fabric flapping in the wind is enough to drive me mad.

There are a few BMW branded items that come in women's tall sizes, but they are VERY spendy. The folks at the BMW shop offered to order it for me but I passed.

These days I mostly wear custom leathers that I ordered from Z Leathers in California. They fit great because they were made to my measure, and the cost was about the same as you'd pay for a rack size for that BMW brand textile gear.

Before custom leathers I wore an Aerostich Roadcrafter for about 100,000 miles. It worked OK, I mean, I wore it for a long time. But it had even worse shoulder flapping problems than my Olympia suit does. It's just the hazard of men's size stuff. I hadn't had the custom leathers yet, when I got the 'stich, so I didn't know how nice and quiet and comfortable it is, to not have the shoulders of your suit pitching you every which way.

I have been spoiled by the custom leathers. People complain about buffeting from the Strom's windshield. But the buffeting from textile gear with overly huge shoulders bothers me a whole lot more than any windshield I ever tried on the Strom. I wonder if some of the windshield complaints are really just due to poorly-fitting gear?

[greywolf]

Check out http://www.motoport.com/ as it looks like they do custom work with Kevlar fabric suits. It's not cheap but great quality gear especially for warm weather where leather doesn't work well.

[twowheels]

Any one know where to find gear for a 5"11 woman? The way I see it I am the average size man, but nothing fits. Too tight on the chest, too short in the waist and arms.
Would love something cute like "hello kitty" but I am not setting my sights that high :)....I drive a yellow 08 Wee but not looking to match my bike. Just want to be protected and comfortable.
I live in Southern California (So Cal sounds so...well So Cal) I dont' mind driving. I just want something that will protect me that fits.
Thanks....

Olympia and Scorpion both have a line of womens gear. Olympia make good quality stuff and scorpion womens gear got good reviews on http://www.webbikeworld.com/women-motorcycle-clothing/

http://www.revzilla.com/search?query=olympia+scorpion+women&x=0&y=0

[kevinrf]

Let me add something FWIW. My wife is a petite, so that means short waisted. She is 5'2" and around 145. She has bought Joe Rocket, and First Gear stuff that she says doesn't fit quite right. While at Cycle Gear, we saw the Frank Thomas Lady Rider gear. The company is British and apparently a large following over on that side of the pond. My wife said the gear fit the curves correctly and did not leave the pant and arm legs hanging below the hands and feet.

I know some may sniff at Frank Thomas gear (Cycle Gear, the only US distributor). I did too, but if the gear won't fit, the temptation is not to wear it or wear it incorrectly. I submit a piece of B level gear that fits and gets worn is better than ill fitting A level gear that gets left home. Just a thought.