Start Me Up

Over the last number of years I have had the good fortune to attend a number of woman's panels and discussions at various events.

These usually give a lot of lady riders an opportunity to discuss the various things, items and ideas that go into being a successful woman rider these days.

As I have said before there is a common thread that runs through many of these discussions which is that the OEMs don't do enough to make motorcycles more woman-friendly.

Although to a point I agree that it would be good to see some lower, luggage-equipped machines in the showrooms, I happened on a thought the other day, and the more I thought about it the more convinced I am about it.

It came about a few months back when an opportunity to pick up a Kawasaki KLR 250 for Shira came our way. Talking to the guys at Motorcycle Madness I was reminded that, since the bike was for Shira, that it did not have an electric start. It was a kick start only sort of ride.

I didn't think that would be too big of a deal, but still Shira and I rode over one afternoon to see if she could indeed start the tiny dual sport.

Getting on the bike it was apparent - for all her years riding and all the places on the planet she has ridden, my lovely redhead had never kick started a motorcycle in her life.

The KLR 250 is a small bike and with a few minutes of instruction she was starting the bike as easily as Steve McQueen did when he was running from the Germans.

That is when the thought hit me.

I have long shared my opinion that many women riders get in over their heads with some bikes. Not that they cannot ride, but so many gals would be better off with a smaller machine. A 750 or 800 rather than a 1200 or 1800 cc machine. But, still I see tiny ladies on behemoth bikes all the time.

Truth is the only reason any of these women could even consider buying and riding such machines is that back in the mid-'70s all newer bikes started coming with electric starts. This one innovation alone allowed thousands of women to get into the saddle and ride for themselves.

If you removed the electric starts and had just manual kick starting machines, the sport, with some exceptions, would be a mens-only deal once again. Thank God for the starter motor.

I really don't have a point here, only making a casual observation on today's motorcycles, and the thousands of new women riders entering the sport every year.

So ladies, next time you think that the industry does not care about women riders and that they need to do more - go out and try to kick over that old Harley Pan Head, Triumph or BSA. After you get off the crutches remember to be nice to your present day ride and celebrate that one innovation on your machine that we all take for granted - the humble electric start.