Saturday May 23, 2009
Superbike sirens who don't ride pillion
By ROSE YASMIN KARIM
You’ve seen them in music videos perched behind P. Diddy and Jay-Z. But there’s another category of biker chicks you probably aren’t aware of: those who don’t ride pillion.
The workday is over and the metamorphosis begins. Nurul Asyiken Abdullah, 43, changes out of her blazer into her leather and swings her leg over Duc — her Ducati Monster S2R1000, a 1000cc street bike.
“My late grandma bought me my first bike on my birthday in 1982, some 26 years ago with a bunch of coins she had been saving in a coin box,” recalls Nurul.
Nurul Asyiken Abdullah with her Ducati Monster S2R1000. “It was a second hand Honda C70 which cost her RM1,780. I’ve been riding bikes since.”
Nurul is now toying with the idea of getting a Harley Davidson Dyna Street Bob and a Ducati 1098 to complete her trio of a street bike, sports bike and cruiser.
“I have always loved the freedom of a motorcycle. I don’t fancy being sandwiched in-between traffic. Riding the wind, even on days the trees aren’t swaying, is amazing,” says the procurement manager.
Nurul isn’t the only woman to love the freedom and thrill of biking. Count Linda Abas in as well. An entrepreneur in her 30s, Linda says the day she laid her eyes on a Sporster XL 880 at a Harley Davidson dealership was when the sky cleared and birds sang.
“It spoke the loudest to me in the showroom, fading out all other sounds and sights. As I straddled the seat and stroked the tank, I realised I wanted to take her home!”
Linda Abas beaming over her old Sporster 880cc — now she owns a 1200cc bike (below). Part of the reason Linda chose the bike was because she didn’t want to be overwhelmed by a bike that was too big, too heavy or too fast. But after a couple of months of riding her chrome horse, she noticed that speeding down the highway began to feel like hard work on the 880cc engine.
“I quickly outgrew it, and within a couple of months was ready to move up to something bigger. So I sold the starter bike and traded up to a very good looking, very loud, Sporster XL 1200 Low,” she grins.
Sairung Schack, 32, a.k.a. Sandra, a Thai artist, says she loves motorbikes because she likes to feel the rush of wind.
“On a motorcycle, I am in the thick of it, feeling everything going on around me. When I look down at the road and watch the centre dividing lines fly by, it’s a rush. Smelling every scent, seeing all the sights and hearing every noise out there — it’s a spiritual experience,” she explains.
Sandra also drives a 4WD but says there’s nothing quite like getting intimate with the elements and collecting bug splatters on her visor.
“I am sheltered in my 4WD, even when I roll the windows down. I will never experience what is going on outside in the same way as I do on my bike.”
Sandra used to ride pillion on her husband, Gary Schack’s, bike. Then one day, she decided it would be more fun to take charge of a bike herself.
“I nagged Gary to get me my own bike, and he eventually caved in,” laughs the mother of two.
Calling Sandra’s 650cc Kawasaki ER6N just a “motorcycle” seems a bit of an understatement. It’s really big, very black, incredibly shiny and menacing-looking.
Sandra Schack on her 650cc Kawasaki ER6N “My bike is my baby. After trying out many bikes, this was the most suitable for me in terms of height and weight. It works really well for commuting in Kuala Lumpur and can also get me to speeds in excess of 200kph on the open road,” says Sandra.
Before she hit the road, Sandra clocked time at the parking lot of her condominium block, learning to make U-turns and shift gears.
“I’m embarrassed to say the toughest part was simultaneously releasing the clutch and engaging the throttle. I practised the coordination and listened carefully for the change in rhythm in the engine to time my movements for a gear change.”
When she felt she was ready, she hit the streets.
“I said to Gary: ‘Darling, I’m heading to 7-Eleven.’ I don’t think he thought I was ready to be on the road yet, but I was,” she recalls.
Big bikes are the perfect hobby for big spenders. There’s always some chrome you can add for extra shine, accessories to inject some fun and convenience, and, of course, biker babe garb that tells the world: “No, I don’t ride in the backseat.”
“I have the T-shirt, jacket, jeans, cap, gloves, sling bag, sunglasses, the works! On my engine guard, there’s a skull print which makes the bike look fierce,” says Linda.
To personalise her ride, Nurul has added accessories.
“I’ve added clutch cover, Corbin seat, Rizoma rearset, control kit and footpeg and billet (bits of metal for customising motorcycles). But, I tend to stick very close to the bike’s original form. I just add colour, comfort, safety and design to the stock parts. I would usually play around first with photoshop software, and if I am convinced by the look, I’d give it a change.”
Loud exhaust pipes might be frowned upon by some but they are a good argument for “necessary” noise that can prevent bikers from ending up as roadkill.
“Well, the main reason I upgraded my standard exhaust to a noisier one is purely because I love the rumble. It’s loud enough to wake the dead!” exclaims Sandra.
“I would love to get a Kawasaki Z1000, one of the most stunning bikes ever made. Every time I see one, it gets my heart pumping. If money was no object, it would be great to have a different bike for each day of the week!”
Nurul believes men and women indulge in the sport for very different reasons.
“Men get really obsessed with hitting the red line on their speedometer, with their knee-scraping abilities and the technicalities. Women are more interested in going out for a joyride and returning unscratched. You meet male bikers with boiling testosterone, muscles, expensive bikes but you also come across some who are very down to earth and simply enjoy riding.
“Recently I met a British gentleman called Dave Read, a former F1 software developer. He rode from country to country on his red Honda VFR, and is definitely an inspiration. He told me to ride the road and leave work to the next life. Then there’s my mentor, Ahmad Rusly Yaacop, general manager of Naza Bikers Dreams, who taught me the technical part of riding.”
“Everybody thinks it’s great for a woman to ride a big bike and that it’s really sexy to see a woman in control of a powerful machine. Having said that, in most instances, while men may approve of other women riding, they won’t allow their wives to ride,” chips in Gary a.k.a. Shackster among fellow bikers.
“Gary and I rode through rural Laos, coming around corners and being stopped by either a herd of cows, pigs or chickens blocking the entire road. On a few occasions, we were totally surrounded. We couldn’t inch forward or backwards. It was like being in the middle of a stampede!” recalls Sandra.
On a motorcycle, everything’s potentially dangerous — cab doors, the P- (learner) driver who rolls back going uphill, the really huge trucks that tailgate so close you can see their headlight in your rear-view mirror, silly pedestrians standing in the middle of the road, oil spills and potholes. But most bikers will tell you the biggest threat they face is a motorist who thinks he is king of the road.
“I silently pray for a safe ride every time I get in the saddle. Strap on as much basic protective gear as possible and never push beyond your comfort zone while riding, despite the pressure and temptation,” Nurul remarks.
“My bike stalled once when I was going over a bump and I toppled over. The thought that flashed through my mind was: ‘This is going to hurt’. It’s what I call a ‘dumb drop’ but fortunately no injuries were sustained, thanks to the gloves, armoured elbow protector and a snug helmet,” she recollects.
When you’re emotionally and financially attached to the bike, it feels horrible when the machine hits the pavement.
“It was heartbreaking the first time I dropped the bike, which is quite likely to happen to a new rider. Wasn’t exactly my finest moment,” sighs Linda.
And contrary to what people may think, riding — especially over long distances — requires endurance and not just looking smart.
“Fitness is the key to long hauls,” says Nurul. “If I do decide to go for longer and overnight trips, I’d hit the gym to get the stamina and strength required to ease the ride, probably two months in advance. You can still do it without peak fitness but I personally think you will enjoy the ride more being fit.”
When her knees are not in the breeze, Nurul either chills at home, travels or indulges in her latest craze — scuba diving,
“It’s necessary to do something that we are passionate about as a way to de-stress from our hectic daily routine. I guess health and the endless opportunities to ride the road will keep me in the saddle for as long as possible,” smiles Nurul.
Most women want to look great after the bike has been parked and the helmet comes off, and Sandra is no exception.
“I wear a full-face helmet which covers the entire head, so wearing full make-up is a nuisance, because helmets are supposed to fit snugly against your face, so any lipstick, powder or foundation applied will smear. I prefer to go natural with my complexion,” she says.
Wind can totally murder the hair, so Sandra ties hers into a ponytail, braid or wears a bandana. Otherwise, be prepared for major kinks and tangles, she warns.
Women riders are always being sized up, so Sandra thinks it’s important to master one’s ride. To lessen the stereotype against women, Sandra gives a few pointers:
“Learn more about how the motorcycle operates and continually work on improving your riding skills. This will increase your credibility with acquaintances and other motorcyclists.
“Also, stereotypes against bikers will always exist. As long as there are people who need motorcycles to make themselves feel cool in the eyes of others, we will be battling on,” she sighs.
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