So I never really considered riding two up...at least not seriously with my Monster however, I have recently purchased a 1977 BMW R100S (with a cool little cafe faring, all original except for a a solid red re-spray). I am thinking this will be a pretty good "two up" bike and my wife has shown some interest.
Question is I am not sure how comfortable she will be and how often she will want to ride and therefore don't want to spend a ton of money out of the gate on "gearing her up". Any thoughts on quality but affordable womens gear? I am already searching used on Ebay, which begs a second question...any reviews of the Astars Dyno jacket for girls?
Thanks.
No specific suggestions, but you might also post on the women's board- check under local clubs.
Before I got my girl a jacket I had her wear my other jacket. I've had a cold and a warm weather jacket for nearly as long as I can remember now so I just had her wear the one I wasn't wearing. It's not the best protection since it doesn't fit properly but it's something as long as it's not incredibly large on her (I'm a small in men's sizes and my girl was a small in women's). It's more piece of mind. Gloves, she wore an old pair of mine that had a hole in the finger. :P Shoes and pants, I had her wear jeans and dug through her shoes to find the best protecting pair of boots/ high tops she had. I felt this gear was adequate enough for some short jaunts around town for her to get a feel as to whether or not she liked riding enough to spend the coin on gear.
I got a cheap ($75) Snell/Dot HJC helmet for my girl. I was still in college at the time and wasn't sure she was the one so I got a medium and figured it would fit most any girl I get together with in the future and it has so far. After I had been with her for a year (and riding with her for about half a year) I got her a small women's Tour Master jacket. I can't remember the exact model but it was average price for textiles ($150). I've yet to get a pair of gloves for the passenger or pants or shoes.
Also, if you're not married, don't expect her to put out any cost for the gear because then there is a debate over ownership and whatnot if you split. I paid for all the girl's gear I got and kept it to use with my next girlfriend. I know that's not the best way to approach a relationship because it's already accepting that it won't work and yadda yadda yadda but bleh. That's what I did.
Obviously, take it easy and don't push it too hard if she's not wearing proper gear. I didn't take a passenger on any twisties until I had a proper fitting jacket for her as well as helmet.
If you're not in a super rush, sign up for NewEnoughs email list. They regularly move items to their closeout/bargain basement section - including a supply of womens gear. For example my friend got this jacket
http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/PowerTrip_Vintage_Ladies_Leather_Jacket--610421.html (http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/PowerTrip_Vintage_Ladies_Leather_Jacket--610421.html)
From the close outs of NE for $75. Unfortunately, NE doesn't have anymore.. but there will always be other stuff.
+1 on New Enough. They have had some cheap women's gear lately. Good company to deal with - I've bought gloves, pants and boots from them.
www.leatherup.com (http://www.leatherup.com)
we've outfitted a few friends from ironpony clearance sales. You have to watch for quality stuff and know your size as their clearances are not returnable, but we did fully armored perforated leather jacket and pants for under $150. Guessed a little wrong on one size pants but it was cheap enough to just pass along to someone else on the forum who needed them.
Here's G on her 620 at VIR in her Teknic stuff.
(http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd110/grumpylawyer/VIR063.jpg)
See if any locals are willing to lend her some temporarily to see how she likes riding 2-up?
Thanks for the ironpony rec. Super cheap.
I got her a leather jacket (Technic with Knox armor and spine pad included), gloves and a Sparx helmet..........for under $200 (free shipping)
I can't believe I didn't know about that ironpony before...that is some seriously cheap stuff (maybe not the quality I would use but great for the occational 2up).
Thanks again.