I know and well aware that I've been blogging reviews after reviews.. So now, time for another personal update of my personal emotions, opinions and random rantings...
As the subject suggested, I am writing about something that is quite a common sight these days. It is something you probably hear a lot, or you are probably one yourself, or maybe you are the one who keep "advising" these group of female enthusiast.
If you had had read my old post, you'd know I am one myself. I had a dream when I signed up for that Class 2B license. If you haven't come to know, in Singapore, we need to undergo 3 difference licenses to be able to fully ride all the bikes you know. Here, a Class 2B license entitles you to ride all bikes 200cc or below.
And yes, the dream. I dreamt about being the first female rider to race in MotoGP. Apparently someone else had done that eons ago - according to my FIL, and I haven't had any push to google her yet. Still, back then it was that. I was driven to be one of the very few to hit the tracks and race like a pro. Pro my ass...
So I got my license after a long long time... And I felt like I've been through a whole lot through my many years of riding, and it may even sound absurdly crazy, but it is the truth - like all of my other posts. I am not exactly proud, but ya, here's my story as a Female Rider.
Enrolling for Class 2B
2005 - Almost ending school in poly. I decided to take on the Class 2B, I enrolled in with a good close course mate. We attended almost all our classes & practicals together, but not 100% dependent on each other to attend them.We had our ups and downs with our finances, and we got to the momento then run out of moolah to book the next one, then having found a job, and topping up a whole lot to the account only to find ourselves not having time to go for our practicals.
The final test
2008 - Crazy right? 3 long years! After many falls, torn jeans, tops and shoes... After many cussing and kicking the bike, after a whole load of disappointing myself. I finally made it! My friend got her victory quite close to me - I can't quite remember, but it was around the same time.Getting the bike
I waited for over a month, after deep researching, I went crazy and against my inital plans. I was suppose to go low profile with probably a Phantom, instead.. I went in for the Aprilia RS125. Yup, that race bike, baby!I joined the Aprilia Bike Forum groups, meet them up for a ride around... It was clearly fun, and I clearly fell in love with that machine.
So I got crazy and took a brand new RS125'05. Yes a 3 yr old brand new bike.
The crazy week
Shall I say, I began right from Day 1. I knocked a stationary lorry along PIE at the right most lane. and fell flat staring at the bright blue sky. Oh yes, I did. And I probably laid there for a good 3minutes before the guy in the car behind me came up and asked if I needed help.So I got home with brand new bike with broken signal lights, and badly scratched fairings. Oh Congratulations!
Then I have a series of fallen bike and falling with the bike for a week straight!
I fell while going down the slope after a slope turning left, I fell while putting the bike off the side stand, the bike fell after I pumped petrol, I fell while turning right, I practically fell a whole lot!
Right until I lowered the suspension and had a whole lot of replacements of all the signal lights, clutch lever, gear lever and everything else external except the fairing. I did nothing and had no mercy to its ugly scratches that constantly remind me of my crazy 1st week of owning that machine.
And soon after, another accident - i slide across three lanes. And my bike still run with just me down with some normal bruises. That was the final call before I finally submit to the shop to lower the suspension like FINALLY! It is really after that accident that I pretty much ride like how a rider should ride - that is without falling!
The crazy running in month
Plenty of night rides, plenty of trips to JB, plenty of trips to nowhere. And finally, the last running in was well spent as I rode up to Sepang along with 5 other brothers. And yes, on the way back, we had a little collision - me and another brother.The next day or a few days later, I did a crazy thing to go JB, and jammed my piston as I ran out of 2T. Awesome!
Spend a bomb on that as my block was also scratched! Damn....
Track Day
I had so much fun, and keep returning to more! Until the rules got more strict and it was mandatory for a full proper racing suits.
See the pics in this post here.
*And I found love at hopeless places - yes it was here that the husband found me*
One of the boys
Having been with a group of only boys and no girls (except for their gfs/fiances), I became one of the boys. The way I speak when I am with them, the way I behave when I am with them. Soon I shaved a mohawk and went beyond crazy. I was still straight though!I was approached and asked many times if I was diverting my sexual desires. So I started donning skirts with my mohawk on my non-riding days. Damn it was awkward for awhile, but I loved my mohawk to give it up so soon.
As a Female Rider
So enough of what and how long it took me, now, as a Female Rider, do note that we have our egos as female rider. You don't simply tell us to drive because we are ladies and that it is safer for us. We have some disgust over crazy female drivers* - nothing less than how much you men hate them!*Not all female drivers are crazy though - some are awesome and bring shame to the male drivers.*
You don't simply tell us to be your pillion because you think we don't ride as awesome - I'd dare you to track day if any guy do that to me!
And - you don't tell me I cannot pillion anyone because it is unsafe. It just needs education and a quick briefing! I have pillioned numerous people including my dad, my nieces, my sisters, and many friends - even brothers!
However, I would encourage all new riders to give yourself at least 6months before you pillion someone. Know your machine before you introduce it to your pillion!
Lastly, don't tell me I shouldnt be wearing skirts while riding.
I've worn heels, slippers, dresses, shorts and singlet riding. As much as it is safer with armoured jacket, jeans and boots... It is Singapore. It is hot, and I, like many others, succumb to heat on many days. Plus, you can't be real to tell me to bring my heels, skirt and office wear in another bag while I wear proper attire riding then get to work and change, and then change before going to work.. Too much work, don't you think?
There are of course days where I wear like how a rider should. And then bump into people who thinks we are overdressed like as if we are going for a track race. What do you want, really?
And oh the perks? There will always be someone who'd help you if you fall. Oh wells.
And a lot lot of the biker community would recognize you and know you. Well most people know me for 2 things - 1, I ride an Aprilia. 2, I had a mohawk. Too much to not notice. :p
The not so wonderful perks? People in the taxi go waving and screaming at you for having a "nice great bike there!" And you get a big shock, like it is a dream and you have got no idea what just happened.
Plus if you are just playing with your friends or partner, chasing a bike and he followed behind you in his Suzuki K5, and then a Hayabusa brother tried to save you and ask if you're okay and if the guy behind me is chasing me. LOL..
I had a good laugh when my then fiance said it madly that I was crazy and that Hayabusa guy was giving him a glare for picking up on a girl. Hahahahahaha.. Those good crazy times, indeed...
Naming the bike
Oh yes, I initially thought it is crazy, but I named my bike like 99% of all the bike owners, just that my bike don't hold any race to her name. She was named after my nickname in the bike forum. And yes, it is a myth that bike and bike owners need to be of opposite gender.Girls don't modify their bikes
Oh another myth! And please.. I DIYed what ever servicing that I learned and can do on my own. I get grease all over my hands, feet and face.I may not care very well about what my fairing says, but I've tried mine with a bigger carb. I have hit a good 180km/hr speed on NSH. I've rode with no hands, hit corners to a good lean, I ride that bike like any men would. Except I dont care too much about my fairing - I never got around doing a paint job, and whatever it actually needs.
Thing is..
I am no professional, but within this short period of time with just this Aprilia had taught me many things that some people who had rode bigger bikes don't get to learn first hand.If you never fell off your bike before, then you are not quite a rider yet. As much as I dread the truth, it is the just so true. It is when you learn how to break your fall and learn how to protect yourself (although the tendency as a rider would be to protect the bike more than anything else), that you're getting there.
It is this lesson of breaking the fall that I managed to escape with just a broken (or twisted) thumb/wrist when I fell off my scooter. And yes.. I never broke any bones riding the Italian beast, but I broke one riding a slow moving scooter. See, slow doesn't mean safe.
Here's some eerie photos that I can share of the accident:
And mind you, this accident took place just 6 months before my wedding! Also to note, I did not hit any other vehicle. I was just brushing against the wind and tar. No idea how the whole thing happen. On top of the broken/twisted thumb/wrist. I also had bruises of my face, and big deep abrassion on my legs. And guess what, the hospital don't wish to admit me in. I was made to go home with just one day hospitalization leave, and then I approached the counter and said it is crazy to just be given one day rest with all these injuries, then she gave me a 4 days medical leave, afterall my appointment with a specialist is 4 days from that fateful day.
As a female rider, people often assume we know nothing about the bike and is just riding to get from point A to point B. Well, people, we women, can know everything and anything about our bike just like how we can easily find out about some men who goes cheating behind our backs.
I have been to numerous shops who pretty much only have nasty negative comments about the Aprilia, well, yeah it is expensive, but you know how to take care of it, know how to DIY the basics, and know where to get products, then you won't be needing to push it to the shop and get billed $100+ for a simple thing every month.
Example, Shop A quoted me some $900 for a piston, addnt $5 for screws and a few more add ons to something I dunno. Ask around, and go to Shop B, the piston comes with everything it needs in a box for just $300. BOTH original, same brand, nothing less of each other. So, don't be an idiot, there are better alternatives elsewhere, you just gotta ask.. or bring an old bird along, and get him a good coffee after you are done, but lunch/dinner would definitely be better.
Back in my forum days, there is always enthusiast who are keen and willing to teach newbies how to DIY, but what did these newbies do? Come empty handed, and just want to watch.
What will you learn by just watching, really? Too much to bring own cloth, own tools? Hmm. I understand, you'd break a finger for every grease that got swiped, right? *rolls eyes*
Petrol consumption - My best was hitting over 300km before I hit the reserve. ;) The worst was probably in the beginning where I'd have to go reserve at 240~260km mileage. It was awesome. that is a good 23-25km/L
My scooter on the other hand squeeze me dry drinking 10-13km/L. I had to pump petrol every day or every other day at the very least. With the Aprilia I go for at least 2days without the need to pump, even when I go out every night.
And you know what? I am so glad COE was under $1K back then, it was probably $500ish. And petrol was $1.5-1.8/L.. If I were to have just gotten my license now, I'd cry because it is beyond crazy to get any brand new bike with a COE of just $200 short of $6k. $6 blardy thousand, for just a piece of paper, not even a bike yet. Not even insurance or road tax yet.
The only hope at this moment are second hand vehicles.. with hope that the previous owner had taken very good care of it to last another few years, with endless high hopes for COE to dip down so we can get a brand new one...
I haven't rode for a long time.. And I keep reminding my husband that I would continue with my dream when we have 5 kids.. And my brothers keep telling me it has been too long and that I should pursue before the kids come along.
And now, I dunno... I don't quite know if I should be taking my Class 3 (Car) along with my 2A (which will entitle me to ride motorcyles between 201-400cc)..
Still feeling a little much, since I am now a hijabi.. It does kindda feel awkward to ride all over again..
That is my story, what about yours? Are you a fellow lady rider? Or do you know any that is just as "outstanding" as the old me?
Till I blog again,
Wassalam,
Jun
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