Good morning everyone and Happy Easter.
I am a new rider (I take the safety course next weekend). I have been a passenger before, and I have some questions about gear and such.
But first let me introduce myself. I'm 36. I live in Alberta, Canada (yeah we still have snow). I have always wanted to learn how to ride, but due to circumstances, I've never done it. Well this year, I decided to make that leap. This is my birthday present to myself. I figure what better present than a new skill.
I hope my questions don't seem too silly, but I've been trying to figure them out for a while and have come up with nothing.
1. What do you do with your hair?
I have long hair, and it seems that no matter what I try, I end up with a rat's nest back there. Ok so the first time as a passenger with my hair down under the helmet wasn't such a great idea. I accept that. But if I put it in a pony tail, braid or braids, they always fall out or don't keep it anywhere close to manageable. There is way too much hair to put it under my helmet (I'd have to go from a S to an XL). What, if anything, can you recommend. I don't want my hair blowing in my face, I don't want it to be a rat's nest, but I do want it to stay put. Any suggestions?
2. How do you fit a leather jacket?
This is another 'she should probably know this one', but I'm at a loss. I went to various stores (ie dealerships and leather stores) and tried a bunch (well pretty much everything) on. I've come to the following conclusions: if it fits my torso, I can't zipper it past my chest. If it fits my chest, I look like I'm wearing a leather skirt that starts at my boobs and hangs straight down to my waist (well you can't actually see my waist at that point). I tried ones that are adjustable on the sides, but there is too much leather and they can't adjust enough. If I remove the liner, it is better, but as I stated, I live in Canada (we're not known for super warm temps).
So the deal is, I have big boobs and have no idea how the coats should fit. Should I buy one that fits the girls but not the torso or should I buy one that fits the torso and as the leather gets broken in it will adjust to fit the girls. Any ideas on the best fit? I asked the salesmen, but they just gave me a stock answer on fitting it across the shoulders. Well I understand that part, but I have to make room for the other stuff too. I have bought a textile jacket for the course. That one was easier because the adjustments on the sides can deal with the fabric easier than the leather can, and I knew that I would at least be wearing several layers under it (spring, Alberta, not very warm yet).
3. Boots are troublesome at the best of times...
I went out yesterday looking for boots. I never thought that it would be easy because I have trouble finding shoes that fit properly at the best of times. We don't have the biggest selection here. I would try the internet, but I really need to try them on. The only boots that the dealerships carry are ones made by sport companies and that is not my deal. I'm looking for a black leather boot. I don't prefer lace ups, but I guess if that is my only option, I'll deal until I vacay somewhere that has a decent selection.
Basically the only options that I found locally are Harley Davidson boots. I'm not a brand freak, so what I really care about are fit, comfort and safety. My issues with the boots that I found are that they are a little snug around the toes but fit everywhere else or they fit fine around the toes but are fairly loose around the ankle. The leather around the toes seems stiff and thick. If I buy these boots, will the leather stretch and fit my toes better or are they made so that they retain their stiffness? Are there any bad things that could happen if I'm wearing boots that are too loose around the ankles (ie is this something that I should be really concerned about). BTW I wear size 10 shoes, so going to a men's boot is a possibility, but they are generally wider than ladies and feel sloppy on my foot. Plus a lot of the boots are listed as 'after riding' boots. Should I stick to ones that are listed for riding? The girl at the Harley dealership said they were all for riding, but why would they have two different categories.
I do have boots for the course. They are sturdy hiking boots that lace up past my ankles with really good soles (I spoke to the instructor, and he assured me that they will be practical and safe for the course).
I'm sorry about the long post (I just wanted to throw out as much info as I could), and thanks for any help you can provide.
Natasha
I am a new rider (I take the safety course next weekend). I have been a passenger before, and I have some questions about gear and such.
But first let me introduce myself. I'm 36. I live in Alberta, Canada (yeah we still have snow). I have always wanted to learn how to ride, but due to circumstances, I've never done it. Well this year, I decided to make that leap. This is my birthday present to myself. I figure what better present than a new skill.
I hope my questions don't seem too silly, but I've been trying to figure them out for a while and have come up with nothing.
1. What do you do with your hair?
I have long hair, and it seems that no matter what I try, I end up with a rat's nest back there. Ok so the first time as a passenger with my hair down under the helmet wasn't such a great idea. I accept that. But if I put it in a pony tail, braid or braids, they always fall out or don't keep it anywhere close to manageable. There is way too much hair to put it under my helmet (I'd have to go from a S to an XL). What, if anything, can you recommend. I don't want my hair blowing in my face, I don't want it to be a rat's nest, but I do want it to stay put. Any suggestions?
2. How do you fit a leather jacket?
This is another 'she should probably know this one', but I'm at a loss. I went to various stores (ie dealerships and leather stores) and tried a bunch (well pretty much everything) on. I've come to the following conclusions: if it fits my torso, I can't zipper it past my chest. If it fits my chest, I look like I'm wearing a leather skirt that starts at my boobs and hangs straight down to my waist (well you can't actually see my waist at that point). I tried ones that are adjustable on the sides, but there is too much leather and they can't adjust enough. If I remove the liner, it is better, but as I stated, I live in Canada (we're not known for super warm temps).
So the deal is, I have big boobs and have no idea how the coats should fit. Should I buy one that fits the girls but not the torso or should I buy one that fits the torso and as the leather gets broken in it will adjust to fit the girls. Any ideas on the best fit? I asked the salesmen, but they just gave me a stock answer on fitting it across the shoulders. Well I understand that part, but I have to make room for the other stuff too. I have bought a textile jacket for the course. That one was easier because the adjustments on the sides can deal with the fabric easier than the leather can, and I knew that I would at least be wearing several layers under it (spring, Alberta, not very warm yet).
3. Boots are troublesome at the best of times...
I went out yesterday looking for boots. I never thought that it would be easy because I have trouble finding shoes that fit properly at the best of times. We don't have the biggest selection here. I would try the internet, but I really need to try them on. The only boots that the dealerships carry are ones made by sport companies and that is not my deal. I'm looking for a black leather boot. I don't prefer lace ups, but I guess if that is my only option, I'll deal until I vacay somewhere that has a decent selection.
Basically the only options that I found locally are Harley Davidson boots. I'm not a brand freak, so what I really care about are fit, comfort and safety. My issues with the boots that I found are that they are a little snug around the toes but fit everywhere else or they fit fine around the toes but are fairly loose around the ankle. The leather around the toes seems stiff and thick. If I buy these boots, will the leather stretch and fit my toes better or are they made so that they retain their stiffness? Are there any bad things that could happen if I'm wearing boots that are too loose around the ankles (ie is this something that I should be really concerned about). BTW I wear size 10 shoes, so going to a men's boot is a possibility, but they are generally wider than ladies and feel sloppy on my foot. Plus a lot of the boots are listed as 'after riding' boots. Should I stick to ones that are listed for riding? The girl at the Harley dealership said they were all for riding, but why would they have two different categories.
I do have boots for the course. They are sturdy hiking boots that lace up past my ankles with really good soles (I spoke to the instructor, and he assured me that they will be practical and safe for the course).
I'm sorry about the long post (I just wanted to throw out as much info as I could), and thanks for any help you can provide.
Natasha