OK Ladies, I need your help

[AD345]

The love of my life is, finally, interested in getting on the back of my bike.

Which is good

The only gear available at the moment that fits her is my dryrider jacket which is waaaaaaaay too hot (and too bulky)

Which is bad

I need help to find some summer weight gear (leather would be best) that will fit a, mmm, generously framed lady.

As you can probably imagine, even just starting the conversation is fraught with difficulty.

I guess I'm looking for somewhere that does plus size womens gear and/or can alter to suit without humiliating her

Ideas?

[Nasty]

Its actually really easy .... there isn't really a hell of a lot. Most larger framed and even medium framed woman go to the bike shop and buy "mens" gear. Once you see the womans gear you realise often that it won't fit over the pinkie let alone fit the length of the arm or even over a reasonable chest size. They are doing better nowadays than when i started riding - but anyone who wants to ride or pillion should be responsible enough to just bite the bullet when buying gear and find something that fits well.

[davebullet]

Have you asked her what she'd be interested in wearing? Agreed the pillion needs to be fully kitted out the same as the rider, but she may not want leather (yes, us men like it :drool:

Textiles always look bulky anyway.... Just tell her that it's all the warmth and protection she'll need to feel secure and comfortable on the bike. Plus... under that gear and a helmet - no one knows who you are anyway!

[BiK3RChiK]

Simple....

Women love shopping. Take her to your favourite bike shop that you know has sizes of bike gear similar to her size and leave her in the capable hands of the salesperson while you stay close enough to offer your opinion when asked :yes:

[DMNTD]

I have usually found that the Technic Sequoia jacket fits most ladies when I have been fitting them out.
Check out this link: HERE (http://www.teknicgear.com/ladies/) as the NZ importer brings all of these into NZ.

[hellokitty]

I understand your pain - it is humiliating going to the bike shops and all the clothes are size 8 or whatever - it really takes the pleasure out of the day when the gear looks like kids sizing, and there is nothing you can fit, and men's stuff just doesn't fit women.
Take her to cycletreads and get one of the girls to help her. A mate of mine Caren works there and she is cool - has way more idea on sizing than men would.

I found that textile does look bulky = leather looks much sleeker when you are looking at pants. What about draggin jeans? The camo cargo style pants are good as they have wide legs and a big ass - speaking from experience as I have leg and ass! The waist is big so may need a couple of darts at the back to bring it in which is no big deal.

There is a lady in the St Kevins arcade that makes custom leather gear. Can't remember her name but she makes pretty sexy womens jackets - highlight the boobs and no one looks at the ass. :yes: A technique that works for me.
There is also Quasievil on KB - he makes to order.

There is always Ebay - there is some lovely women's gear available from America - expensive but worth it when your woman feels pretty in her gear.
Good luck

[hellokitty]

http://www.msw.co.nz/index2.html
the St Kevins Arcade people - check out the yellow and black jacket!

[AD345]

Thanks for the replies thus far - especially kitty.

Custom made leathers are a possibility but I shudder to think what the price might be.

I will try Cycletreads and talk to MSW and see what happens

[hellokitty]

Look at this jacket! Does your lady like pink? I have no idea what size she is but in America you can get pretty much any size and shape as they have a wider market and higher population.


They are in America but ship to NZ

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CORTECH-LRX-AIR-WOMENS-JACKET-LADIES-WHITE-20-PLUS-/180577184411?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a0b3d2a9b

[bittertwistedcute]

It really is about trying things on, I have bought a few things that looked great but felt awkward on the bike (depends on riding position) second hand is great because things are already broken in, especially leather, or custom if her weight doesn't fluctuate (mine is directly impacted by the Cadbury sales ; )
The next step is getting on the FRONT!
I was always the fussiest pillion, safety safety safety - and those who weren't into showing off were always the best riders....
Good luck, get her comfortable both in her gear, and with your riding, it is a fantastic thing to do as a couple!

[hellokitty]

I was always the fussiest pillion, safety safety safety - and those who weren't into showing off were always the best riders

I guess depending on what bike you are a pillion on, would dictated how the gear would fit - I don't know, I have never been a pillion.
I don't quite understand what showing off has to do with anything?

Oh yeah at Motomail, they have a frame that you get on (pretend it is a bike) to mimic different riding positions, so you can see how the gear will fit. Gives you a good idea especially with pants!

[Thani-B]

I understand your pain - it is humiliating going to the bike shops and all the clothes are size 8 or whatever - it really takes the pleasure out of the day when the gear looks like kids sizing, and there is nothing you can fit, and men's stuff just doesn't fit women.

Not sure where you shop, I struggle to find gear that fits me and I am a size 8. Most jackets I come across are sized 10-14 >.<

[Ocean1]

Oh yeah at Motomail, they have a frame that you get on (pretend it is a bike) to mimic different riding positions, so you can see how the gear will fit. Gives you a good idea especially with pants!

Whats wrong with a bike?

A certain person of a female persuasion used to reckon my old riding kit looked like a sack of shit with a string tied round the middle. Just ignorant. If'n you assumed the position it fit perfect.

[hellokitty]

Not sure where you shop, I struggle to find gear that fits me and I am a size 8. Most jackets I come across are sized 10-14 >.<

Isn't that always the way! Maybe they hide it? lol!
Icon jackets go from XS to XL and XL is a 12/14 so surely an XS would fit?
They have some really cool black jackets (not all their stuff is pink)

[hellokitty]

Whats wrong with a bike?

Hard to run outside the shop wearing their pants to sit on a bike! Might make you look a bit dodgy!

[Thani-B]

Isn't that always the way! Maybe they hide it? lol!
Icon jackets go from XS to XL and XL is a 12/14 so surely an XS would fit?
They have some really cool black jackets (not all their stuff is pink)

Does seem to be the way :facepalm:. Lol, most shops don't stock XS though, and I'm so picky, I'd feel bad if they ordered it in for me to try and I didn't buy it.

[Little Miss Trouble]

Hard to run outside the shop wearing their pants to sit on a bike! Might make you look a bit dodgy!

If I'm spending that much of my hard earned money with a shop I expect to be able to try it on MY bike, after all, the ergonomics differ rather a lot from bike to bike

[Ocean1]

Hard to run outside the shop wearing their pants to sit on a bike! Might make you look a bit dodgy!

They're flogging motorbike gear and they don't have a bike or two?

Reminds me of surf shops. And Harley Davidson shops in the US. I don't buy stuff there either.

[hellokitty]

They're flogging motorbike gear and they don't have a bike or two?

Reminds me of surf shops. And Harley Davidson shops in the US. I don't buy stuff there either.

Motomail only has scooters (I think) which is the place I was talking about - obviously the bike shops have motorbikes.

[davebullet]

Reminds me of surf shops. And Harley Davidson shops in the US. I don't buy stuff there either.

Surf shops? Thanks. Might try them next time I'm after some gloves.

[orsem]

I'm no twiggy, but have found the neo mugello range great(I found at a suzuki MC shop, but no doubt others would stock that brand). I'm short and solid so found their comfort sizing brilliant. Their mens mugello range go up to 6xl. I was xl in the mens but the legs were too long and armour not in the right place, but the ladies comfort sizing fits perfectly, and I'm a 2xl in that. They are textile, but have zip out thermal lining, and are easy to wear, and move in. I seem to fit dri rider, nerve...etc... jackets, but currently wear a nerve jacket

[Gorgeousplak]

I got a big everythings and tend to go for mens sizes which I dont mind in mbike gear. I find lots of gear on Trademe of plus sizes for both genders in bike gear. I brought all my leather gear there but you need them tighter than usual not loose on mbike. Mind I paid top dollar for good gear.. as well

[Ratti]

techinc do up to a 20 in jackets and Mobig do a wonderful pair of trousers that will fit my considerable arse into them and still be a bit loose. Im fairly tall but its really easy to find good gear these days. i dont reccomend a mans jacket as it will be huge an uncomfortable across her shoulders

[allycatz]

Tripping round Welly bike shops las week, sizes were all teeny tiny. In Palmerston Nth however, totally different story, shops catered to the the larger fit lady sizes and stylish gear too.....one brand was Ixion but other escapes me at the moment