My Foray Into the World of Sportbiking on a K1300S

[FYRWRX]

Hi Everyone!

Back for an update on my K1300S development adventure. As an motorcycle instructor I have spent the better part of the last 3.5 years teaching people how to ride motorcycles in a basic and intermediate class format. Although I passionately love instructing and feel it is a very important job given that we teach skills that keep people from getting seriously injured or worse --- the downside is that I never have the time or opportunity to take the advanced classes to improve my own skill set. Although I consider myself to be a safe/good rider, I would never state that I am excellent because I never felt that I had the advanced skills mastered to make it true. I tell people I am a excellent teacher and a good rider.

In actuality, if I am brutally honest, I would say that I avoided taking some higher level courses out of fear of a) trying to perform some of the maneuvers and b) doing so in front of the other students (read: male) who were clearly better riders with high powered rides. In a word: INTIMIDATED. If you knew me - this would be puzzling because I am normally not likely to back down from a challenge or be intimidated in most cases.

I had an opportunity to take a Total Rider Tech course yesterday. I decided I was going to stop worrying about what the other students would think about me as a coach taking the class, and just BE in the moment and open to learning what I could. I told myself even if I dropped the BMW I would accept it as part of learning and move on because that's what insurance is for!

So I take the class. Sure enough, guys with Kawasaki ZX14Rs and the like (although they said my bike was sexy looking ). We start doing the exercises and I'm focused, determined to try accomplish the task cause I probably won't master it, and open to suggestions.

WELL -- next thing you know -- I am flying around the turns hanging off the side of the BMW like a spider monkey and still hanging off in straight lines as I'm cruising to the instructor points and THEN I'm doing figure 8's and transitioning side to side looking like I've been doing it for years!!! The coaches are totally wowed and tell me that a) I could not have picked a more challenging bike but b) I am actually riding it very well considering I've only been on it 8-9 times and it's my first sportbike ever and c) I am doing it better than the guys in class with more experience even tho I'm on a tall powerful sportbike with a sensitive throttle. On top of it, when I did make mistakes I was actually self-correcting an really making huge cognitive and riding development strides. At the end of the day, I was ecstatic. I literally couldn't stop smiling -- it was thrilling, empowering and FUN! I am already planning to practice a bunch, take some other Total Rider Tech classes and I'm going to try track days in September. (I'M BUYING KNEE PUCKS! Woohoo!). The coaches were amazing -- such a great experience and my confidence level is dramatically better. Letting go and trusting the bike, focusing and relaxing was huge. I know that many here are so far beyond what I'm describing but maybe my experience will strike a cord with some newer riders, and for the rest -- maybe it will take you back to your own epiphany moments in riding and the importance of keeping an open mind to learning!!!!! Thank you Shiva yet again!

[SHIVA]

Nice share...

[Special-K]

My friend, it was great to read your experience, you can only get better and more confident
(not overconfident) however you are riding the most excellent sports touring bike in the world.
I wish you all the best, and all the other passionate riders on this forum...

Ohh yes... riding my bike has been a most awesome experience...

[k13rseman]

Wow, that's inspiring, and good on you for going ahead and doing it! What a great confidence boost you just had, not too mention sticking it to those 'intimidators'
Here in Oz I'm really uneasy about going to the track as there are no insurance companies willing to cover your bike while on the track. So while they want you to better yourself as a rider, they make it bloody difficult to convince yourself to take that risk of not being insured, especially when you're on an expensive K bike!
Really, there are many more risks on our super busy roads. Go figure...

[Pedro Guimarães]

The K1300S do that to people . I love my bike. Thank´s for sharing.

[SHIVA]

by the way, FYRWRX, is one of very few female members on our forum.

[Major_Trouble]

by the way, FYRWRX, is one of very few female members on our forum.

You go girl showing up those boys with your biking skills. Riding a K1300S I very much doubt you suffer from intimidation.

[FYRWRX]

by the way, FYRWRX, is one of very few female members on our forum.

You go girl showing up those boys with your biking skills. Riding a K1300S I very much doubt you suffer from intimidation.

Many thanks to all of you for the kind words and support! You all provide me with so much insight, information, and commaraderie! I think of you all as mentors and friends! I am sure I mostly provide entertainment, but -- hey! Someone has to be the comic relief!

As to your post Major -- I have to laugh at my naïveté to a certain degree!!! I liked how the bike looked, fit me and it's features! I liked that it was a BMW! The responsibility for my PURCHASING a K13s can only be placed on Shiva; he is a VERY persuasive and compelling writer after all!!! After reading thru the many pages of the enthralling on-going review, I fell victim to the siren song of the bikes charms and became a very happy owner! I didn't realize HOW MUCH bike I REALLY had until afterwards when everyone started telling me! Then it became -- I better get a handle on this bad boy! Oh I love him already, and I haven't even scratched the surface of our relationship potential yet! My poor Harley sits silent and abandoned in the garage like a jilted lover! What can i say -- My heart has been stolen by another!!!

Tomorrow he is goes in for his first service and a few well-chosen enhancements, and then --- WE RIDE!

[Major_Trouble]

I don't find bikers in general to be people that get intimidated easily, especially those that ride larger bikes. I guess it's in our nature that goes to make for our choice of transport. You help to break down the stereotypes of biking being a male pursuit. Something you should be proud of particularly as you kicked some butts on your course and on a K13.

You can't call choosing a K13 with Shiva's help naive. Lets just call it enlightenment.....with a lack of intimidation.

[FYRWRX]

I meant that my initial decision to purchase that model was somewhat naive; Shiva's review helped me make an INFORMED decision. The Harley I own is a 2011 HD CVO Road Glide Ultra. It's almost a 1000 pounds and the largest production motorcycle HD has ever made. So as to my propensity for choosing large bikes, I think maybe it's my own version of compensation issues!!!!

As for stereotypes, my parents always told me I could do anything I wanted in life. So I grew up playing sports. I wanted to be in the action. I played on a women's football team for several years. I was the first woman on the sales force in my company. I always owned muscle cars and prefered to drive a stick shift. When I wanted to buy my first bike, a male friend of mine told me: "You can't get a motorcycle!" I said "Why not? You have one!" He said "But the hot chicks ride in the back!" So then I told him "Well, then someone has to break ground for the hot chicks!" I do get approached by women who are impressed with the size of the bike I ride, but that is often the case with men I meet too. In the case of the women, I try to encourage them through my example that motorcycling is something that is attainable if they want it enough. It's one of the reasons why I am an instructor. Men seem to fall into two categories; the ones that are threatened by me or my bike or who are insecure in general usually make snarky or rude comments. The others, such as yourself and the other members on the site, are obviously secure enough in their masculinity to be encouraging and complimentary. Some people understand the biker development path and it's challenges, and the really great riders reach out to those coming up to pass on wisdom, advice and encouragement. I would never be where I am today without the help of some really wonderful guys who saw me as a biker foremost, not just a female.

[SHIVA]

now you need to set up your avatar...

[FYRWRX]

Mission accomplished -- until I get the bike back from service and take some pics!

[FYRWRX]

Hello!

Could use some help from the track regulars! I am scheduled to do a couple of track days classes in a few months. I am looking at track suits and have honed in on a spidi model I like. I need some feedback on fit and sizing. I can get a deal on a women's 48 in a lizard model. I am 5'8" so the length should work; ditto for chest measurement. The suit may be slightly larger for the waist and hip measurements -- will this be an issue? I have no experience in this area at all so any and all feedback would be great!

[Bernardo]

Hi F

The suit may be slightly larger for the waist and hip measurements -- will this be an issue?

Just my humble opinion, if you ride at high speed (may be not now, but the KS has the throttle too sweet... ) you have to think tight clothes, because if it moves a lot because of the wind and it hurts, specially the jacket.

If you don't think to ride fast, just choose that you like and fit comfortable

[Major_Trouble]

We are all different shapes and sizes. Some more than others, especially women. My advice would be to try the suit on. DON'T order over the net unless you've tried a suit of the brand / model for fit / size first or you can return it easily. The last thing you want is to be distracted by the suit when you should be concentrating on your riding.

It must be comfortable enough that you forget about it. That may take some wearing in like shoes. When you do a test fit adopt your usual riding crouch and move about like you would trying to get your knee down. Suits are not made for walking around in but it's nice if you can. Check the stretch panels (if any) are in the right places and the armour is on the bits it's supposed to be : elbows, knees, shoulders, hips etc. If the suit does not have one and you plan to wear a back protector test fit the suit with it on.

[SHIVA]

I am looking at track suits and have honed in on a spidi model I like.

as mentioned above, it's all about the fit, but you can't go wrong with any of the top brands and Spidi is certainly one of them.

I think the Fieldsheer suit that Leslie Porterfield wears is very attractive and fits well on women. Although looking on their website, I don't see a one-piece for women. Keep in mind track days isn't racing, it's just riding in a much safer environment that on public roads. Although could be cool to get a one piece, but a nice two-piece that would zip together, will get much more mileage/usage.

[FYRWRX]

This is great!

All comments and suggestions very helpful! I will look into the Fieldsheer suit -- I actually met and chatted with Leslie at the last AMA womens conference (not sure if she will be there in July this year or not) but she is about the same height but a bit more slender in build. I was told Alpinestars and Spidi had the length for a tall person.

The feedback on one piece versus two was good; I was leaning towards a two piece for flexibility of use so you confirmed that aspect. Major T -- As for the track, I know it's not racing but on the outside chance I have a not so optimum moment, I want to be sure that I am fully protected plus I can always use it for highway riding for extra safety...

Some reports are that the suit will stretch out dramatically over a few weeks to fit so initial fit should be really tight??? (True/False?) Also -- one person wrote that they go out in a fully wet suit (from the shower) and ride until they dry off for a custom fit....(?). Have to laugh because I'm just never sure what is valid and what is pure nonsense at this point!

Bernardo - could you please expand on the not tight enough and wind making it painful comment? I want to make sure I am clear on your meaning... thx.

I will do more shopping/research while I await your comments! Thanks -- you guys rock!

[Bernardo]

Bernardo - could you please expand on the not tight enough and wind making it painful comment? I want to make sure I am clear on your meaning... thx.

I have two Jackets Revit, textile Strada H2O and textile/leather Ignition , both have inner cold protection. When I use the jacket with protection they fit me tight and both are excellent, when I take off the inner layer, is not tight enough. When I ride +100 Mi/h the jacket slaps on my shoulders. If the trip is long enough my shoulders skin becomes red and it hurts I have a friend that uses one piece leather Alpinestars and suffer the same issue behind the upper arms. Pants are not important, because are more wind protected. Hope you understand me.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/rev-it/ignition-jacket/

[FYRWRX]

Got it -- tighter fit on the top of a one piece or jacket is more important than on the lower body. Makes sense. Thank you.

[Major_Trouble]

Don't forget Bernardo rides a K13R beast and does not have much in the way of wind protection. That being said your suit should be snug when new and not tight when in your riding position. It will stretch over time to fit you better like shoes do. Not sure about the shower trick. Sounds like a great way to catch a cold. I just rely on my own 'ahem' sweat to do the soaking.

[FYRWRX]

Had a major purchase victory this week! After many review searches, research, and price checks -- I found a new Spidi track suit that someone purchased and never wore in my size for $675.00!!! Good to go now for the track days coming up in July and September! Waiting for it and my new boots -- pics to follow!

Tried tracking down the same suit that Leslie wears but could not find anything by Fieldsheer at all. Looked on their current site and nothing for women. Some of the sport bike shops in the area are telling me that many of the manufacturers have RIF'd their designers who handle the women's fashions. They said that the stuff that is available for women (other than a very few brands) is mostly pretty but not as protective/evolved as the gear for the men. If true, disappointing and sad.

Question tho: Why is it everyone says that you don't want to have any space or freedom of movement in the suit if you go down? Curious as to the reasoning for the statements...

[welshman]

Question tho: Why is it everyone says that you don't want to have any space or freedom of movement in the suit if you go down? Curious as to the reasoning for the statements...

Well if you have bits of the suit that are loose, they may ride up - for example an arm or a leg - and you might no longer have the suit protecting your skin? Also the aim is that if you suffer the misfortune of coming off your bike you want to slide, not tumble over and over, which is a risk if you have loose bits of the suit which could snag on something. So you want it snug but not tight.

[FYRWRX]

Thank you! All of that makes perfect sense. I did purchase a one piece suit so the potential for "riding up" will be lessened! Also should probably focus on not having an "off" moment while at the track! LOL Thanks Welshman!

[welshman]

Also should probably focus on not having an "off" moment while at the track! LOL Thanks Welshman!

I suggest that you focus on the positive - staying on - rather than the negative!

[squire_2145]

Might wanna also think about a back protector for the track... the foam they throw in those suits is a joke. just my .02


Oh... and what's wrong with being snarky