End of Stock Sale!

All remaining stock is listed on Ebay this month.  Don't Miss Out!

Maintenance @ OzBikerGirl

ozbikergirl.com is down today and possibly tomorrow for maintenance.  If you need to contact us feel free on admin@ozbikergirl.com

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Sian.

Planning a Roadtrip

Motorbike riding and road trips go together like meat and potato. Recently when relocating from Townsville to Newcastle, NSW I had another taste of what it's like to be on the open road.  

Road trips on bikes offer the unexpected.  Some things you just can't anticipate but when challenges arise it sure helps if you've thought ahead.  Here a couple of pointers to get your road trip on track:

PrePlanning

Plan your journey. Be aware of your limitations.  Long rides are physically and mentally taxing.  Get started enjoying all that road trips have to offer but if your not use to spending long days in the saddle work you way up
• Map out your journey.  Note in advance everywhere you are going to stop to fill up. Plan to fill up frequently.
• Depending on the bike you are on, your fitness level and how experienced you are on long rides, riding even for a 1 hour stretch can leave your hands, arms, legs and backside cramping and stiff.  Being uncomfortable effects not only how well you enjoy your ride but how well you ride. Map out places to stop for frequent breaks
• Book accommodation in advance. After a long days ride the last thing you'll want to do is ride from one motel to another looking for accommodation. Consider where you are going to park your bike and how secure it will be.  Is it an easy target for thieves.  Motels where you can park your bike in front of the door to your room are good.  If you can secure your bike to something fixed like a pillar all the better.
• Plan your riding hours to avoid driving at dawn and dusk. Aside from the obvious difficulties of driving in poor light, these times of day are the most likely time for kangaroos, an other animals to cross your path.

Preparation

• Prepare your motorbike.  Consider when your next service is due, check brakes and tyres, etc, the aim of the headlight if your luggage or your passenger adds significant wait to the back of the bike needs consideration - you may need to make a small adjustment.
• Make sure you have proper riding gear.  An approved helmet, kevlar or leather long pants, a suitable jacket, gloves,boots, etc.
• When it comes to packing.  Think light.  Heavy loads will be a burden.  And really, do you need all that stuff? Generally you'll be wearing the same clothes most days - your riding gear.  Pack underwear and some items to add warmth when necessary, like warmer gloves and lightweight thermals and long sleeve tops.  Pack an emergency kit for simple repairs, and a small overnight bag.  Also remember wet weather gear.
•  Nutrition/Hydration :- remember that you are more vulnerable to fatigue and dehydration and hunger play play a crucial role in how alert you are and your decision making abilities while riding.  Plan to eat and drink every time you stop or pack a refillable drink bottle and some energy foods that travel well, like energy bars, small packs of dried fruit and nuts, etc.

Road Tips

• There are various hazards on the road that you should expect.  Kangaroo and other animals such as possums and emus are common on many Australian roads.  Considering how many road kills you see on the side of the road shows what a hazard they are.  Avoid dawn and dusk when visibility is poor and animals are more likely to be on the roads.
• Road trains and Grey Nomads driving mobile homes or caravans are difficult to pass and may drive at a much slower speed than you would like.  The only thing for it is patience.  Allow yourself plenty of time to get to where your going.
• Fill up you tank at every opportunity.
• If possible find out about any long stretches of road works.  Possibly reschedule your trip or plan around the roadworks.  Road surfaces around these areas are often very poor and caution should be taken.
• Temperature would be the most common problem riders overlook on road trips.  My own drive from Townsville down to Newcastle in NSW saw us starting off in heat one would expected in the height of summer then driving through areas where the temperature dropped significantly.  It's easy to get seriously cold very quickly.  Always have warmer clothing and gloves on hand and be prepared to stop and add layers.  Dressing in layers makes packing easier than having bulky jackets and jumpers and it's easier to add or take off a layer while on the road.

Things are happening at OzBikerGirl!

Firstly, thank you for weathering the huge changes that have been happening at ozbikergirl.com, what with postal address changes, business premises changes and the website overhaul.

Yes OzBikerGirl has relocated to Newcastle, NSW.  This is great news for customers who live on the Central Coast of NSW and those in the Greater Newcastle area because it means that they now have the option of picking up their purchases and eliminating postage wait times.  I haven't forgotten my Townsville customers and am happy respond to any requests, just like usual.

I now have more of a custom space for stock, meaning that I can keep more stock and be even swifter at getting those jackets on their way.  The demand before Christmas all  but decimated my stock but the fantastic news is that on it's way are lots and lots of jackets in the styles I've been stocking in mens sizes Medium through to XL and XXL and in women's jackets sizes small to XL and XXL in some styles.  When choosing styles to stock I look for what is current and for those tried and true styles like the reflective skull jackets that look great and are packed with features to make riding even more enjoyable and keep wearers safe.

If for any reason you need to get in touch don't hesitate.  While there is still much to do with my online store it's business as usual in terms of special orders, customer service and sales.

And lastly, it's been fantastic to get such a positive response from my customers.  It's only been three months since OzBikerGirl launched and the feedback I've been getting is, to say the least, very appreciated and certainly encourages me to improve my product lines and offer even more to my customers.

How to Know What Size Motorbike Leather Jacket to Buy Online

OK.  So you find a great online Harley Davidson seller and the style of jacket that is perfect for you.  But what size to buy?  You usually wear a men's large so a large in a jacket is a safe bet - right?  Well not always.

Harley Davidson jackets come in a wide range of styles for both men and women.  It's a great range that offers something for every riders personal style, tastes, intended use, body shape and body size.

 Harley Davidison Men's Leather Jacket from their 2011 Range

It is precisely this abundance of styles within the Harley Davidson Leather Jacket range that presents the problem with sizing when buying online. A particular size in one style does not necessarily match in actual measurement with the same size in a different style.

When you go to buy a pair of Levi's you expect differences in fit between Levi's different styles that make up their range of denim jeans.  Harley Davidson jackets are the same.  The variations in style mean variations in size and fit.

Three Simple Steps to Make Sure You Are Buying the Right Size Jacket for You:

• Check the Harley Davidson Size Guide available on their online website. The Harley Davidson size guide should also be available on the sites of other online sellers of Harley Davidson clothing such as ozbikergirl.com.  This guide is just that, a guide, so you'd be wise to take another step to ensuring correct size before you buy.

• If possible visit your local Harley Davidson dealer and try on their jackets.  Remember there is variance between styles so while you may fit perfectly in a large in one style,  you may be a medium or a Xlarge in another.  Trying on the style you intend to purchase is the best way of determining what size you should purchase. This has got to be the most accurate way of determining the exact size you should buy.

• Contact the online seller and ask for the exact measurements in centimeters of the jacket style and the size you want to buy.  If you can't actually try on the jacket you want to buy this is the next best way of determining size.

Following a few simple steps to ensure you are ordering the right size will save you money and time exchanging you jacket for the correct size. http://www.ozbikergirl.com/index.php/shoptop/jacketstop/menstop/161-97085-12vm-available

Passionate Rider v's Image Rider

Generally riders can be divided into two categories; those who are passionate about their bikes and riding and those who ride to project an image.

Passionate Riders:

Passionate Riders are those people who really love motorbikes. They ride on every occasion they get. These are people who take a great deal of pride in keeping their bikes in excellent condition.

All groups of people from all walks of life, all professions, all age groups, male and female have passionate riders amoungst them.  What these passionate riders bring to the world of motorbike riding is a certain amount of respect. The biker image has at times and in certain contexts been negative. Bikers are sometimes seen as troubled; wild riding, violent, nonconformist and loud people. But when we see and know people who are passionate about motorbikes and riding, from a variety of perfectly respectable professions take to their bikes, it presents a counter impression. If they ride motorcycles and they are respected people in their community or profession, then maybe bikers are not that bad after all.

There is a legitimacy to being a passionate rider.  Passionate riders are less concerned with image,and more concerned with the experience of riding and their motorbike itself.  They generally enjoy the company of other like minded riders and enjoy being part of a world wide community of people who are passionate riders. They usually ride with proper protection and keep their riding skills current.

Examples of  famous passionate riders are Charley Boorman and Ewen McGreggor who rode extrodinarly distances in, at times very, challenging conditions for their shows "The Long Way Down", etc. 

Image Riders

Image riders are people who ride motorcycles because it’s good for their image, they want to create an image, they want their appearance to reflect who they want to be or admire. For these people motorbikes are not a passion, but a tool. It’s often seems it's these people who have accidents because they are someone disinterested in actually riding and have not taken adequate steps to build riding skills or wear effective safety clothing.

A famous example of an image rider is Arnold Schwartzenegger who made headlines when he was involved in an accident while riding his motorbike. He was struck by a car reversing out of a driveway while riding with his son in a sidecar.  As it turned out he didn’t even have a motorcycle license. He also had an accident several years previous when a car stop in front of him and he was unable to avoid running into it - Groan!  David Hasselhof is another glaring example.  David was blown off his motorcycle with his girlfriend after a wind gust hit him. Most bikers know how to control a motorcycle in heavy wind, but apparently Hasslehof had problems.

Image riders can be harmless and if they want to look a little silly while showing off their image then good for them however sometimes image riders can hinder the constantly improving reputations of passionate motorbike riders.  If an image rider is seen not wearing a helmet and other safety gear it creates an impression of recklessness and also sets a bad example for impressionable people (often youngsters) who may try to emulate the image presented.

Either way if there is anything motorbike riding should not be, it's elitist.  Whoever you are, whatever you do for living, however girly, sexy, concervative, butch, afluent or ordinarly you are you can be a motorbike rider and a skilled one.  You can experience all that motorbike riding has to offer.

Iconic Drives - Route 66

For those who dream of taking to the open road here are a view pictures from my recent trip along Route 66 to wet your appetite even more.

Driving out of California into Nevada and spotted a windmill farm

This is Madrid.  Famous as the little town featured in the Wild Hogs movie.  It's along a detour off Route 66 called the Turquoise Trail.

Cadillac Ranch, Texas.

   

There are a dozen or so Route 66 Museums along the drive.



A must visit.  They have a free limousine service that takes to to and from there restaurant.  The food is great.  They have an eating competition running constantly.
Big Texas Steak Ranch

 

MORE TO COME!