Female Roadracers vs. Umbrella Girls

We received this letter from a Motorcyclist reader regarding the 2007 Joe Rocket calendar that was included in the January issue and I have to agree with her. I would rather have a calendar of actual motorcycling than models posing on bikes.  But, that's only my opinion. I want to hear some other opinions because I'm set in my beliefs ... women who are involved in the sport should be riding .

She writes:

Greetings!

First off, I ride a Ninja 650 and I'm a woman.  I'm sure you know what's coming next.

Yesterday I bought the January 2007 issue of Motorcyclist.  Included with that issue was the Joe Rocket 2007 calendar.  I was disappointed with the calendar (the magazine was entertaining, as always).

As the calendar was included with a magazine about motorcycles, and was created by a company that caters to motorcycle riders, I had hoped that the calendar would actually include more than a passing glimpse of motorcycles.

Come on, guys.  I know our sport is dominated by men, but please, please, think of the lady riders sometimes.  If the women in the calendar would have been in proper riding gear and sitting on cool bikes (shots of entire bikes, not just bits) I wouldn't have had a problem.  As it is, the magazine went into my room and the calendar went into the trash.

Best regards,
Name withheld  

I agree with you.
I have in my kitchen walls many calendars from Fast Dates to Bridgestone, some of them from 1988 and I always desagree with mixing women and bikes in all of them.

If I should want a women calendar ( that I don´t at all) I will go for it , and if I buy a motorcycle mag and the gift is a calendar I would like the calendar be a motorcycles one.
At least, please, put the women just behind the bikes.
Alf.  

I couldn't agree more.  I post many calendars and posters in my garage, where I also host many scouting activities.  I don't feel these types of pictures present an appropriate image of women to the young men that I am charged with instilling character and morals in.

I routinely interact with men of a younger generation and am appalled at the disrespect with which they treat women.  Just one of the reasons for it is calendars like this.  The women are treated as lower ranking objects than the motorcycles that they are supposedly "enhancing".

Just one more reason I won't own any Joe Rocket gear.  I sure hope there are some companies out there who maintain their standards otherwise I'm gonna be riding in my birthday suit and taking back many years of lectures about riding in appropriate gear.  

I agree with you guys… but I think I wouldn’t mind if the Calendar were full with women on bikes (not models) wearing nice leather suits, cool helmets in real pics of the life in two wheels, in actually we would know they were girls just because there is always a loc of hair falling in their backs.  

Just don't blame the good folks at Motorcyclist--- ad revenue is too precious too pass up, and you can't editorialize the guy who's stroking the check.

Unfortunately, bikes are still considered a 'guy thing' by most, and they're missing the boat. Fortunately, more aftermarket companies/bike dealers/etc., have stopped treating women like second-class citizens, but there is still a long way to go. Alpinestars, for one, is designing some great women's gear and I've yet to see an ad where they show the models looking like anything BUT riders. Rocket, Icon,and the others seem to be hoping that a lot of hookers are in the market for riding gear .

So, here's the deal ---make 'em pay. Don't buy their stuff, don't recommend it, and let THEM, not us, know how you feel. The more these companies are advised of the error of their ways, the more likely they are to listen.  

Here's another option. I found this online while trying to find something for my lady. Check out womenmotorcyclistsmonthly.com  

Women in gear on their bikes? Isn't that even sexier than models? I've seen on other forums calenders that were stricly comprised of posters to the forum on their bikes either in gear and they seemed to be very popular. Try it you might like it!  
North of I-90

I'll proof read in the future, if I remember  
North of I-90

angie_loy:
We received this letter from a Motorcyclist reader regarding the 2007 Joe Rocket calendar that was included in the January issue and I have to agree with her. I would rather have a calendar of actual motorcycling than models posing on bikes.  But, that's only my opinion. I want to hear some other opinions because I'm set in my beliefs ... women who are involved in the sport should be riding .

She writes:

Greetings!

First off, I ride a Ninja 650 and I'm a woman.  I'm sure you know what's coming next.

Yesterday I bought the January 2007 issue of Motorcyclist.  Included with that issue was the Joe Rocket 2007 calendar.  I was disappointed with the calendar (the magazine was entertaining, as always).

As the calendar was included with a magazine about motorcycles, and was created by a company that caters to motorcycle riders, I had hoped that the calendar would actually include more than a passing glimpse of motorcycles.

Come on, guys.  I know our sport is dominated by men, but please, please, think of the lady riders sometimes.  If the women in the calendar would have been in proper riding gear and sitting on cool bikes (shots of entire bikes, not just bits) I wouldn't have had a problem.  As it is, the magazine went into my room and the calendar went into the trash.

Best regards,
Name withheld

Anyone who does NOT want their "girlie" calendars please send them to me. Seriously, there are much more worthwhile things to complain about. If you don't want the "free" calendar throw it away and press on.

Sheesh!  
_____________
Rudy Cardenas
Belleville IL
1980 Suzuki GS1000S

Some habits die hard. Using scantily clad women or women revealing flesh to sell merchandise is one thing that just won't die. However, for this consumer the two are mutually exclusive and having women "posing" in advertising shots does nothing to influence my purchasing decision.

I have to agree, I find that photos and videos of women properly using and participating the activities I enjoy much more attractive and informative than the "pin up" shots.

As a father and husband, I gain much more useful information that will impact my purchase decisions when I can see and read feedback from women that actually use the products in the manner that they were intended for use.