New helmet - Shoei RF1200 Duchess

Sometimes when you see something you really do need to splurge.  I was probably going to replace my helmet in the next 10-12 months, next June it will have been 5 years since my RF1100 was purchased.  I wear my helmet a lot, probably more than the average seasonal rider.  Teaching takes it toll with lots of wear, sweating, etc.  Even with washing the headliner it still degrades the foam core. So the research process began, fullface versus modular.  I am still concerned about modular helmets in a crash and worry about chinbar failure, I prefer a homogenous piece around my chin. 

My RF1100 Helmet - Sylvain design 

My RF1100 was an amazing fit for me and it turned me into a Shoei helmet lover. Its quieter than my first helmet, which was an HJC.  I've been poking around since the motorcycle show in January, which was the perfect opportunity to try multiple brands and styles, fullface and modular.  I tried some of the other big guns of the helmet world and went back to Shoei, it fits me great, its quiet and well ventilated. Now it was just a question of style and colour. I was actually going to go with a plain white or silver, but of course the inner bling crow comes out.

A few months back I did see this helmet in white, but was indecisive and waited too long - Boo! Some other lucky rider snatched it up. 

This has a beautiful paisley inspired desigh with silver and purple and a touch of blue. Its not very reflective, going to remedy that with a bit of thin pin striping reflective tape around the base I think.  I fell in love with it and it ticked all the boxes for safety and features, light weight, great shield, perfect venting, quiet, and comfortable. 

This is an upgrade over my RF1100, they've changed the design, made it a bit sleeker, lighter, and changed the venting a bit.  They have also added quick release emergency pull tabs for the cheek pads.Shoei has also included a pinlock visor, which was an added bonus.

Love this helmet! 

 

 

Forget the glass slipper Princess - These boots are made for RIDING!

Most motorcyclists seem to be on the never ending quest for 'perfect' gear. Usually we all start out with basic entry level gear and progress to higher quality gear as our appreciation of our needs deepens with more riding. After a few seasons I decided being wet, cold, or too hot, just wasn't acceptable and in reality was taking away from my enjoyment and quality of riding.

My gear has come full circle and I have summer gear & cold weather gear. My needs have definitely changed since I've added teaching into the mix and also a new bike which is taller.  This is why I have a new pair of boots! 

My TCX T-Lily Goretex boots rocked my world for about 3 years, they were comfortable, waterproof and were breathable.  I do a lot of riding and they have been through a lot of Pacific Northwest rain, they have more than done the job and I was actually going to buy another pair as a replacement. The only reason I held back was I needed to figure out what to do about me being vertically challenged and needing to find a few inches from somewhere to get more foot on the ground when stopping and also getting off/on the bike.

I had two options 1) get the bike lowered, which involves buying lowering links, and cutting down the kickstand. 2) Finding boots with more sole and heel height. 

I was a little loathe to mess with the suspension on the bike because it does change the handling, and it was going to be a hassle and the cost was a little crazy.  

Enter option 2 - boots. One of my students purchased a pair of Daytonas and let me try them, it was amazing the difference they made, more foot on the ground! Now I just had to find a Canadian source to purchase them from. I checked with several local shops and no one carried them, the reason gave, "They are too high end and I have to purchase a lot just to order" blah, blah, blah. I've heard this so many times when buying gear, in fact every time and it's pretty frustrating.  I finally found two dealers in Canada, one in Alberta at Blackfoot Motosports in Calgary and the other in Ontario. After more research to figure out sizing  (thank you Gear Chic) and few phone calls and emails to Andy at Blackfoot all was set and I ordered a size 37. I placed the order on Tuesday and they arrived Thursday. 

I did a little dance around my office on Thursday and was squeeing with delight, it was all I could do not to tear down to the garage and test them out on 'The Duchess'.  I was training a new staff member for holiday relief and she thought it was pretty funny watching a grown woman go dotty over motorcycle boots.  I explained these just aren't any old boot, the are Daytonas, which are handmade in Germany and are Goretex. They are the proverbial glass slipper of motorcycle boots that every motorcycle diva riding princess would love to wear. Oh yeah baby I am that much in love with these boots!!

Some of you may be wondering what makes them so special, well they are handmade to start. There has been a lot of engineering and thought gone into the design of these boots. They have a very generous rubber sole which gives you height. There is adjustability in the calves to ensure a good fit. Very sturdy zippers with a good strong rubber pull tab. One of the biggest features for me is that they are Goretex, which when living in a rainy climate is a must. They are leather which works well with the inner Goretex boot liner. They are armored and have malleolus protection plates, shin protection and a steel shank in the sole for increased durability and protection. You are not sacrificing any safety here and it is a top of the line premium touring boot.

Calf adjustment to ensure the perfect fit.

The deciding factor for this purchase was that I gained 2" in leg length. For all you who are tall or have a long inseam this may seem like nothing, but when you are 5'3" of compactness you really get what a few inches can do for you when riding a bike with a high seat height. It makes a  difference when stopping and having more foot on the ground and it is definitely easier getting off a bike with a 31.9 seat height and not having to be an acrobatic contortionist struggling to get off the bike without tipping it over or killing yourself. It's actually pretty funny watching me get off the bike.

Comparison of the Daytona (left) to my well worn TCX T-Lily (right). You can see the difference in heel height. I was initially concerned about it and how it might possibly effect my shifting, it didn't and I didn't have to adjust the shift lever. I was a little concerned that they may not be flexible enough, but after sitting on the bike and squiggling around I found them comfortable foot position wise.

The Daytonas are cleverly designed, to give you a little more added height they have a cork insole which raises the heel counter and it adds to the height. The cork insole is pretty comfortable and has some cushion and give. They are removable so you can put a regular insole in there for all you tall people.  Daytona has also put a thin insole in to help with vibration from the bike which adds to the comfort. The toe box is roomy and not tight. They are a bit stiff, but will break in with wear, so I've been told by many lady Daytona wearers (gotta love blog land!) 

I love the generous reflective patch on the heel.  The Daytona Lady Pilot fit and finish is excellent, it's a premium product. I purchased them for $415 CDN.  All in all I am happy with my decision, now I just need to find some twisties to ride and put them through some riding. 

comparison of Daytona (left) and TCX T-Lily on right. On the balance I will say that had I not needed the extra height I would have bought another pair of T-Lily's they served me very well and stood up to the beating I put them through. They are Goretex and have been an excellent boot, they also run about $80 less, so if you are looking for a good Goretex boot without a heel, check the TCX boots out.  

So where did I leave that glass slipper????

Pearls & motorcycle gear?! Fashion statement or faux pas

Most of my riding revolves around commuting to and from work.  I wear my gear all the time and don't feel very girly at all, but yesterday Granny's pearls changed that for me.  I think they may just be my signature piece from here on out, I kind of like the mix of 'industrial rough & tough' with girly oldfashioned.  I wonder what June Cleaver would think?.......

Gearing up for a new rider

For most new riders their first thought is getting a bike and their second thought is getting through their riding course when they start their two wheeled journey.  But there is more to riding a bike than going out and buying your beloved two wheeled chariot or making it through your motorcycle safety course and getting your hard earned motorcycle license. You seriously need to give thought to what you are going to wear while you are riding your beautiful new machine and giving the biker wave to those who pass you.  Wear your gear all the time, even if you are just taking a short jaunt to the store, most accidents happen within 5 minutes of home according to some stats that have been published over the years.

I come at this from the perspective of one who has had a close up intimate encounter of the pavement kind, and I am here to tell you it is not a pleasant experience rolling and sliding across the pavement.  In fact it down right hurts and the results of a crash even a minor one can be life altering.  You do not have to be going fast to do major damage to your skin, bones, and joints.  That being said you can give yourself an edge for the better by buying and wearing protective gear and making the choice each and everytime you go out on your two wheeled love.

Everytime I see a motorcyclist or a scooterist wearing jeans, t-shirts, shorts and flipflops or street clothes my heart honestly skips a beat, because I see potentially devastating injuries coming their way if they crash.  I have to wonder if it is just because no one has told them how bad a slide across the pavement is, or even told them about gear at all or if it just amounts to it being a choice.  Personally I think it is a bad choice and I wonder why they don't value their bodies more?  Here is some sobering food for thought when you venture out on your bike, you are not alone, you are figuratively taking your family members with you and they are the ones who will look after you if you have compromised yourself in an accident.  I have seen the after effects of devastating crashes and the impact on families.  I work in a neurology office and I can tell you it is very sad seeing someone in a wheelchair who is intellectually functioning at the level of a toddler, this is quite a burden to place on your family members. 

A word about road rash.  It is not exactly a rash, but a burn that you get from sliding across the pavement.  These burns can be minor  1st degree right up to full thickness 3rd degree burns, and at this point the supporting structures of the skin i.e. muscles, bones, joints, ligaments can be severely damaged to the point that your skin is like hamburger.  This all takes place within a very short amount of time i.e. seconds.  The problem with road rash is that because you are sliding across the  dirty pavement your open skin wound is picking up all the road grime, oil, dirt, rocks, and anything else that happens to be on the roadway.  The only way to clean this type of wound is to debride it and that usually entails scrubbing the wound clean with a brush.  Did you just shiver? These wounds are very hard to heal and sometimes require multiple skin grafts and there are complications with infection and scarring and you will never be the same.  

Everyone's idea of gear or practicing ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) is different and it is personal choice and preference.  For some gearing up means a leather jacket, sturdy shoes, gloves and jeans and chaps, half face helmet or full face helmet. For others it is full leathers or textile ballistic grade jackets and pants, motorcycle boots, gloves and fullface helmets.

The only problem with wearing non-motorcycle gear like jeans and chaps is that when you are sliding across the pavement the friction that is created from the slide is going to abrade through your jeans in seconds (unfortunately this is usually in the buttock area).  Jeans are not durable enough to keep your bones or skin in tact.  The anatomy of a fall is such that when you strike pavement it is usually  the bony areas i.e. knees, elbows, and hips hit first. These points of contact are usually where the skin is the thinnest and maximum damage is done to those joint areas. Factor in the the vulnerability of the jeans to friction and this affects  your skin which is the biggest organ in your body it is now vulnerable to infection. If you aren't wearing gloves you are in danger of losing all the skin on the palm of your hand, your natural reflex when you are falling is to stick your hand out to brace your fall.  Street shoes i.e. sneakers or hiking boots are going to do nothing to protect the fragile bone structure in feet and again friction will melt them away like butter in a hot frying pan.  Work boots are not a good idea either because they have steel toeboxes and you can amputate a toe(s) if the toebox is compressed.  Motorcycle boots are made to protect your feet with thick leather and padding in the shins and ankle bone protectors.  Riding half boots are available, but you are compromising shin protection. Have you ever wondered where the lone shoe in the road comes from? I can personally tell you that during a crash your shoes get knocked off leaving your feet vulnerable to the road surface. 

Buy a good lid and wearing it is the single best thing you can do.  Think long and hard about what type of helmet you are going to buy, full face or half.  Some will say they should have the freedom to not wear a lid and to this I say I would rather have the lid and the freedom to ride again another day.  Personally I recommend full face because when you come off the bike you may land on your face and a half face helmet is not going to save your face as it is dragging across the pavement.  The damage that can be done to your jaw and face and skin can be devastating.  Brain injuries are one of the biggest factors of loss of cognitive function in a motorcyclist and some never come back to their pre-accident health status.  Most brain injuries can be prevented with proper helmet use. 

When you are looking for your lid go to the store try on multiple types of them and walk around the store for a good 10 minutes in each, there should be no pressure points and the helmet should not wiggle.  If your cheeks feel 'squished' that is okay because the padding is going to compress with wear making it more comfortable over time.  The maximum life span of a helmet is approximately 5 years due to UV exposure and exposure to the elements. Look for DOT, Snell, & ECE ratings on a sticker usually on the back as these helmets have been rigorously tested to meet high safety standards.   Never ever hang your helmet from the handle bar or balanced on the seat or mirrors because if it falls you might as well throw it away because it is now damaged and the shock absorption layer is now compromised. Even a little fall can compress this layer in a helmet.  NEVER ever buy a used helmet, you have no idea if the helmet has ever been dropped, even if it seems like a good deal it isn't, you are trusting your brain health to strangers.

What type of gear to buy?  That will depend upon the type of riding you do, there are manufacturers who offer gear that is meant for different types of riding i.e. adventure riding, motoX, or street.  Leather or Textile - that is personal preference, both are good when it comes to protection from pavement and elements.  If you do a lot of warm weather riding consider ballistic mesh jackets and pants, these give you the added bonus of protection from the sun and keep you cool.  You also want to look at jackets and pants that have zip-in thermal layers, this gives you the added bonus of $$ value and flexibility of your gear.  Make sure the gear you select has armour in the shoulders, elbows, and back in your jacket, in your pants you want to make sure you have knee armour and hip padding. 

Reflectivity is important as well, you want to be as conspicuous as possible when you are out on the road, particularly if you are night riding.  All black gear without reflective piping makes you seem to disappear and if you are riding behind a car you blend into the car in front of you and are invisible to a driver behind you. Consider lighter colour gear like hi viz yellow, green, or lighter coloured gear like silver.  If you are doing wet weather riding make sure your gear is waterproof and not water resistant. (I always put my cellphone & camera in a ziplock bag) Goretex boots are awesome because they keep your feet warm and dry particularly if you live in a rainy climate and they are breathable in the heat.  As your riding progresses you may consider adding to your gear line-up through purchasing season specific gear like mesh for summer. 

For a new rider this seems like a daunting process, it isn't, just make sure that the choices you make are good ones.  Do not compromise on your helmet, buy a new one, NEVER USED. You should build into your  bike purchasing budget money to buy gear.  Mid-range priced gear from head to toe is going to roughly cost you around $800 and this by no means the fancy stuff either.   The only thing not to skimp on is your helmet the average good helmet will start around $275-$300, so that is a big chunk of your gear budget. Average mid-range coat is about $200-$250, riding pants $200, boots $200-$300 and gloves can be anywhere from $100+ depending on what you are comfortable in.   You can save money on textile and leather jackets and pants if it is used, so it does pay to look around at used gear.  Check the closeout sections on motorcycle gear websites, there are often good deals to be found.

You are probably thinking WOW that is a lot of money, but honestly if you wipe out, what you spent on gear is PRICELESS.  Some insurance companies will give you a 'rider' on your policy for gear replacement.  Check with your insurance company about that.  

I have probably scared the heck out of some of you and hopefully have made others reconsider their gear choices.   I just want you to be absolutely clear on what is at stake when you make choices about to wear gear or not to wear gear or what type of gear you wear.  By mitigating risks motorcycling is FUN it gives you blissful moments when you are riding.  Ride Safe. 

Too Pink or not Too Pink - women's motorcycle gear

The colour PINK  in the world of female motorcyclists can be a very loaded topic of discussion and can evoke quite visceral reactions of loathing and downright disgust when it is used in women's motorcycle gear.  I have had this discussion with other female motorcyclists and they either love it or hate it.
If I am wearing pink I prefer it to be a dark vibrant or hot pink, not the bubble gum baby pink that seems to make its way into women's motorcycle gear. Early on I did have a pale pink jacket at one point and liked it at that time, until I had a mishap with someone targeting me because of the pink coat, it clearly showed that I was a woman riding alone.   I chose that coat primarily because there wasn't a lot of choices available to me in style and colour at the time I was purchasing my gear.  It is very disappointing to go into a motorcycle shop that carries gear and see a huge men's selection of jackets, pants, gloves, helmets and boots and only 2 or 3 offerings of all that gear for women.  It's  not their fault either, it's the limited choices they are presented with right from the get go.  

I have heard an opinion expressed "Serious riders don't wear pink."  I don't happen to agree with that blanket statement and think that the colour of your gear or type of motorcycle you ride or style of riding you do does not take away from the seriousness of one's riding capabilities.  We aren't all cross country riders or adventure riders, dirt or supermoto, but that doesn't diminish our skills or the road craft a motorcyclist practices.  I know some very accomplished female  motorcyclists and pink is their trade mark colour and quite honestly they could ride the pants off of anyone and these women are very involved in motorcycling as a career path, lifestyle and hobby.  If you suggested that they weren't a serious motorcyclists you better have your key in hand & get moving on your bike or pray that you could run fast!

The problem of PINK is with the motorcycle industry, specifically gear manufacturers and their myopic view of what a female motorcyclist wants.

 *KNOCK - KNOCK* pay attention gear manufacturers.  Anytime a female motorcyclist is shopping for gear she finds  the colour and style choices to be marginal at best. The industry seems to have standard colours in which they feel comfortable working with; black, white, hi viz, silver, blue, sometimes red, pink or purple.  Pull out the colour wheel and be a little more dynamic, I get tired of the same old stuff. Fit and finish aren't always there either, because it is a cut down version of male gear or they aren't taking into account the shape of a woman's body and we do not all fit into one neat little package, some are more curvaceous and others petite and others tall. I particularly have a difficult time finding pants because I am vertically challenged and even with adjustable knee armor the kneepads are still too low and pants too long, very frustrating and discouraging.  This also applies to motorcycle accessories SERIOUSLY ENOUGH WITH THE SKULLS already,  it's overdone.

Personally in my everyday clothes, I wear various shades of pink and enjoy the colour, but my wardrobe has equally as many other colours of the rainbow. (For what is worth I feel a visceral revulsion to baby blue)


Too PINK or not too PINK? That is the question, so ladies how do you all feel about PINK?

Question for the gents do you have issues with gear?

Gearing up for winter riding - I'm a year 'rounder'

I hang my gear on the scale in my office (perfect drying rack)

Winter riding has season has started and I am still commuting by bike.  I have yet to purchase my bus pass for those incredibly icky hellish days that usually include the "S" word.  Last year I was only off road for about two weeks during the entire winter - here is hoping this one is the same.  I don't mind commuting in the rain & cold, if you dress appropriately and have the right combination of base layers, I find that I am actually warmer on my bike than in my VW van. 

I have worn my TourMaster Transition 2 jacket and TM Flex pants for an entire season and they have worked well for me.  They are starting to show some wear and tear, particularly the pants, because honestly I do wear them every time I am on the bike, even in the dead of summer.  The pants are definitely 4 season and I have gotten my monies worth of riding out of them. 

My winter gear consists of: 

1) TourMaster Transition 2 jacket which has the waterproofing built into the jacket, it comes with a quilted liner and it works well keeping me dry and warm.

2) Merino wool base layers - I have found this is the best for wicking away moisture and keeping me warm, Costco had a screaming deal on the shirt and leggings.  They probably aren't as upscale as what you would find at a sporting goods store but heck, they work well for me.

3) Ski socks - I have had a pair of Hot Chilly ski socks for several years and I pull those out and wear them in my boots.

5) Valhala Pure fleece vest with a high collar

6)  Neck tube.  This is invaluable and way easier than wrapping a cumbersome scarf around my neck, I actually tuck it up over my pony tail and up onto my face and slide my helmet on so it keeps my hair dry and chin warm.  I am asking Santa for a Merino wool version for really cold weather.  If you haven't gotten one of these you need to go find one!

7) TourMaster Flex pants.  These pants are amazing!  They are four season pants and work well all year.  You can zip off the outer nylon layer in warm weather and they convert to mesh which allows you to still ride safely in the heat.  They come with a warm quilted liner and rain liner.  These pants have been the best investment and I will definitely buy them again.   These pants have been through hell and back and have served me well. 

9)  GoreTex Boots. My TCX T-Lily boots are a relatively new addition to my riding wardrobe.  I am extremely happy with them, they fit well, comfortable and best of all keep my feet dry and relatively warm. 

10) Waterproof gloves.  This part of my ensemble is currently a work in progress because I have some gloves, but I am NOT happy with them and they are NOT waterproof at all and I have had to add thermal liners in them.  I have been searching for the perfect pair and am leaning towards something with GoreTex and a thermal liner in them. 

11)  Hi Viz yellow traffic vest.  This is a winter riding staple for me, with riding in the rain and usually its dark when I leave I prefer to have my vest on to increase my conspicuity. 

Some things I have learned commuting year round.  You get what you pay for, if you buy inexpensive gear, expect that you will need to replace it sooner rather than later.  It probably won't be waterproof (eventhough the manufacturer rates it as waterproof) and you are going to be soggy.  Layering is a motorcyclists best friend, invest in some good base layers you won't regret it.  GoreTex gear is definitely something to think about if you live in a wet and rainy climate and it's breathable and windproof.  I prefer gear that is waterproof because dragging around separate rain gear for me is a pain in the tookus.  Always make sure you are conspicious particularly in winter months when it is darker early.  Do your homework and get opinions from other riders. 

PS - The other day I weighed my entire gear ensemble and it came in at 19.84 pounds - WOW!

Review TCX GoreTex T-Lily ladies riding boots

I recently purchased a pair of  women's TCX T-Lily GoreTex riding boots.  Retail $299 to $339 CDN.
Pro's
*Good price for a leather Goretex riding boot approx $299 to $339 *Canadian funds
*Solidly built leather boot with a Goretex membrane for waterproof and breathability. 
*Good ankle protection with the armour.
*Good shin protection.
*Waterproof - I have ridden through a few torrential downpours with pooling water on the road and my feet were dry!!!! No more prune toes!
*Good zipper closure with a velcro tab on the zipper pull to secure the zipper pull to the velcro on the boot. Easy to zip up.
*Flexible around the calf area so they are not tight and you can easily zip up and put your pant leg inside the boot.
*Shifter pads on toes.
*Narrow in the heel cup and moderate width through the foot bed, so it isn't too tight.  I have found in past ladies boots have been difficult to fit due to them being super narrow.
*Comfortable foot position in the boot and fairly comfortable to wear when off the bike.  They don't look chunky either and go nicely with jeans.

Con's
*The insole of the boot is not very comfortable and could use a little extra padding and I found the foot bed a little hard.  I have remedied that by adding an insole.
*The boot feels a little cool in the wind because of the breathability of the GoreTex and I have found this in past with other GoreTex products I have.
*The boot sole could be a little heftier and have a bit more tread or deeper at least.

Summary:  Overall I am fairly impressed with these boots. My  feet stayed absolutely dry in the torrential downpours I have used them in so far.  I think they will be a little warm in the summer. Time will tell after several miles of riding to see how they  perform long term. My previous boots only survived 8 months of daily commuting and weekend moto diva riding.  Nice boot, good quality, worth the money spent.

The T-Lily's get The Princess Scooterpie/Moto_Diva 5 Star approval recommendation.

Goretex Boots

Last Christmas Motorcycle Man & Scooterpie Jr bought me ladies Triumph Tritex waterproof boots. They worked like a charm for 8 months and were very comfortable. The boots also came with a great 1 year warranty & assurance from the local dealer that they stand behind their product. Late August I noticed that they where coming apart on the instep. Off I went to the dealer and he was awesome. He didn't have my boot size in stock unfortunately and had to order them. I was able to keep the original boots until they came in so I wasn't sacrificing foot safety.

There was a little wrinkle in the warranty process, Triumph stopped making my boots. So now a conundrum what's next? The dealer went above and beyond to make me happy and I actually ended up with a better quality GoreTex boot at no extra charge other than the difference in the tax.

The boot is a GoreTex TCX Lily. They fit like a glove and are extremely comfortable. The reviews I have read have all been very positive. They are rated as waterproof, so here's hoping!

A lid fit for a Princess - Princess Scooterpie that is...

Shoei RF1100 Sylvan helmet

When I started scootering I fell in love with gear that was pink, most of it was because I thought it looked feminine and I didn't have any desire to have a helmet with skulls all over it.  Don't get me wrong I think a good skull and crossbones has its place, just not on my helmet.  The luster of pink quickly wore off and decided that I wanted an upgrade.  When I purchased my current HJC helmet I was having a hard time finding one that fit and ended up with a youth extra large - it fit well & was comfortable. In the beginning I was spending lots of money trying to get outfitted for riding and a Shoei was on my dream list, but was out of my budget.  I bought entry level gear and was disappointed with the results; jackets, pants, boots leaking and the helmet noise beyond acceptable. I have learned a valuable lesson when purchasing gear, spend a little more and get what you want because the next level up of gear will more than pay for itself.

I have had my eyes on a Shoei Goddess Quest in white.  I have oogled and ogled, drooled and wished for this helmet, tried it on several times and it was PERFECT!  I decided a few months back to start saving for it, because my old HJC was getting pretty beat up, the chin strap was starting to fray, the liner was grimy because I happened to be a girly girl and wear make-up. 

I was just getting ready to go plunk down my hard earned dollars and buy the coveted helmet of my dreams, when a friend told me about a helmet he had bought for his kid, but made the huge mistake of not taking said child to try it on before purchasing. With most motorcycle dealers helmets are non-refundable and he was stuck with a $500+ helmet. It still had the transparent protective vinyl on the visor - never been worn.

It was like a case of Cinderella and the ugly step sisters trying to cram their feet into the glass slipper.  I tried it on and IT FIT!!!  It isn't the Goddess Qwest, but an RF1100 Sylvan.  I love the graphics and the helmet is full of sparkles which sings to the inner diva in me and the pattern reminds me of gossamer dragon fly wings and there is a diamond jewel pattern on the top. It kind of reminds me of an elaborate Mardi Gras mask. Oh my!  Here is the best part, when I asked him how much he wanted he said $100. I said "REALLY?!"  He said "Yup"  I handed him the money, squealed with delight and off I went.  I could not believe it!!!!  I have checked the helmet out on-line and a few local retailers, it is going from about $500 to $680.  Ka-ching! WOW!!!  I love it when the Moto Fairy Godmother sprinkles pixie dust. The best part is the money I would have spent on the Goddess I used to buy Motorcycle Man a present, I bought him an Olympia MOAB jacket and he was thrilled.  

Now for my technical part of the discussion.  The helmet came with a chin curtain, removable washable liners, has plenty of venting and a fabulous anti-scratch coat on the visor.  The best part is it is extremely quiet when you are doing 90 clicks down the highway.  My old helmet was very noisy and starting to affect my hearing, it was almost as if you were in a hurricane that is how loud it was.  I am still breaking in the cheek pads, from what I have read they will compress after a week or so of wear.  I went for a long afternoon ride after I got it and there were no tender spots on my forehead or head anywhere.  I am one very happy Princess Scooterpie - my new lid makes me feel more like a Queen. 

 Oh! Look at the sparklies!!!! A helmet fit for a Moto Diva!

I PASSED MY NOVICE CLASS!!!

This is my awesome motorcycle class partners and one of our instructors 

I PASSED MY NOVICE COURSE!!I Today I am one step closer to getting to getting my full class 6 motorcycle!! In fact my 9 other classmates are as well! We all passed!! Our instructors Gordon and Andrew were excellent teachers! What is so amazing to me is that they take people who have never sat on a bike before and teach them the right way to safely ride a motorcycle. They encouraged us and explained what we did wrong, but more importantly what we did right. It is always safety first.

This is the SINGLE BEST THING I have done since starting my moto journey. This has done more for my motorcycle skills and has given me confidence that I can be out on the road and know what I am doing. I would strongly suggest taking a motorcycle training course whether you want to ride one or a scooter.

I took my course through the Vancouver Island Safety Council.  I will always be a life long motorcycle learner and think you can always learn more and hone your skills. Read, study and take more training and practice ATGATT!

This is what the morning looked like at 7:20 am, it was foggy in places and chilly.

Our Awesome instructors Gordon (left) and Andrew (right)



One of my classmates getting ready to take her MSA.  There were 6 women in the class of ten.








We are receiving our graduation cards.









Jubilant class mates!  Ladies you rocked the class!


If you want more information on the Vancouver Island Safety Council Motorcycle
courses check out their web site for class information and availability. 
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Gear advice please!

I have a textile jacket & pants with rain liners. It is supposed to rain all weekend and I have to ride 5 hours on Saturday and Sunday. I need to stay warm and dry. I need some advice here from all you seasoned riders. *Sunday I do the skills test. Your comments and suggestions are welcome.

These boots aren't made for walking - thats not what they do

New motorcycle boots on the left - old leathers on the right.

These boots aren't made for walking..... thats not what they do..... one of these days the boots are gonna scoot right over you.....Get ready boots.....Get Scootin'

Shoes Glorious Shoes!  All of my girlfriends know of my fondness for shoes.  I love them high & spikey, strappy, pumps or wedges, it doesn't matter I love them all!  My new favorite shoes are my new Teknik motorcycle boots.  Since getting my scooter I have been schlepping around in a pair of thick soled, hot leather zip up boots because they offered me a little more protection than my sneakers. When I wiped out one of my shoes popped off in the crash and this made me realize how vulnerable my feet were in a crash situation when wearing non-motorcycle footwear. Have you ever wondered where the lone shoe in the road comes from? Now you know.

Yesterday I was out on some errands and I popped into my fave motorcycle store to look for some mesh gloves. Unfortunately I didn't find any gloves, but I did happen to stumble across a pair of ladies Teknik PowerSkin boots in the clearance section and they were my size.  It seems that it was destiny. I bought these for $99 - I thought it was pretty a good deal. They are waterproof and have a breathable sock liner inside.  They offer full ankle support/protection and have good safety construction through the heel and are reinforced in the toe for my eventual need for shifting a motorcycle.  They are mid-calf, which is what I was looking for.  The new boots offer me the protection I was missing in my previous non-motorcycle leather boots.  Surprisingly the new boots are pretty comfortable for walking in and when we went riding yesterday in the heat, my feet weren't hot at all.  In fact I was pretty comfy with my jacket zipped down to mesh and light socks in the boots.  

Anyone who has bought a scooter or a motorcycle for the first time knows how expensive it is to outfit yourself with gear.  I decided right off the top that it was going to be all about wearing gear, due to the fall I took on my first run.  (It was a newb mistake and I learned real quick what not to do.)  To this point my gear consists of my HJC full face helmet, Joe Rocket 10.0 textile ballistic nylon armored jacket, Joe Rocket ballistic nylon waterproof/windproof gloves and Teknik PowerSkin riding boots.  I am going to be purchasing some textile riding pants in the very near future, I just haven't decided on which ones yet.  

As I stated in a previous post regarding ATGATT and shoes, I want all of my little piggies to come home and don't want a paramedic hunting in the middle of the street for my lost little piggy.  One of the gals who was new to ScooterDiva.com had just purchased a scooter and only a mere few weeks later she had a wipe-out that involved her skidding across the pavement.  She had some protective gear on, but not boots or riding pants.  Unfortunately the friction chewed through the top of her sneaker and she lost the flesh at the end of her big toe and portions of the bone as well.  She did a pretty good job at mangling her foot and hurt her knee.  This is just one example of why gear even when scootering is important. Pavement is indiscriminate, it doesn't care whether you are on a scooter, motorcycle or bicycle when you wipe out.  

Some may think this is overkill for a scooter, but I commute on my scooter to and from work every day, hot, cold, rain or shine.  I need to be comfortable, dry and warm when we start our rainy season which is all winter. Gear also gives me an edge in protecting myself when dealing with traffic - I will take any advantage I can in this regard. I have also learned from the fall that your legs take a beating when they hit the pavement.   I would rather look dorky on my scooter in full gear, and be intact after coming into contact with the pavement.  It doesn't matter what speed you are going, slow or fast, the pavement hurts when you hit.