Femmoto: Female Track Demo Day Adventure

[demenshea]

I almost didn’t go, figuring I would be odd woman out in an event that highlighted track riding. After all, I had never been on a track. My husband, who believes I am able to do most anything, suggested I give it a shot. My head filled with a list of beneficial reasons while I filled out the online disclaimer form signing up for Femmoto, an all-woman Track Demo Day and motorcycle event.

My quick review list, cited no-brainer reasons for attending:
no police
perfect pavement
controlled environment
mentors
brand spanking new 08 machines to ride

Suddenly, I no longer needed a reason why I should go and instead packed some clothing, loaded up my Bandit, for I was heading out to Las Vegas, NV.

While anticipating the route south, I was joined by two new friends I had met online on the ADVrider forum. They were riding south from Alberta, Canada to Terra del Fuego and decided after my invite to make a quick rest stop in Reno. We ate a marvelous meal and bantered ride tales in one long run-on sentence, as we all had so much to say and so little time to say it, since our blast-off countdown began at 6 am the following morning.





6 AM was indeed early. With bikes already loaded, we shot some pictures admiring one another’s marvelous machines, and departed southeast into the azure blinding rays of the morning sun. Routing the path of least resistance, we were quickly bored with the highway, once through Virginia City, and the only twisty section of our journey. We encountered gale force winds south of Tonopah, NV skittering along the roadway like flightless birds in hopes of landing effortlessly in the Las Vegas sun. Fate allowed us safe passage, and after nearly a nine hour ride we cruised into Vegas sharing thoughts of martini time.

Parting ways, Brian and Conchita headed to the strip and I to old downtown. Once checked in and showered I quickly secured a bar stool, a glass of Italian red and a very questionable meal. I revisited a friend’s advice as I consumed my vino, “why ruin an expensive high with a cheap meal?” Pondering, I pushed away my plate and finished my wine and retired chuckling.

A fitful night of sleep left me half-lidded and wishing I had a strong espresso in hand but instead my senses were greeted by a pungent smelling curry drifting from beneath the door of my adjoining neighbors. Now I love a good curry but not at 5:30 AM and not before coffee! I quickly escaped the aroma and headed to the coffee shop for a mainline fix of my favorite drug. There I awaited my friend Tyler and her daughter ready to head to the Femmoto event being held at the Las Vegas Raceway.

Our first day was one of meeting other female riders and checking out the bike and gear vendors. For me it served as a prerequisite to my track demo riding day. I got to see what i wanted to ride, what i could ride and what wasn’t offered for track rides. There was also a street riding demo where for a small fee you could go and ride a bunch of street bikes, around LV, but where exactly was the fun in that compared to track riding!

The Pink Ninja!


The Speed Angel's bikes who rode all the way from Laredo, TX


The new Victory








Ok, I have seen many a speed bump...but this is definitely my first encounter with a speed hump...i must be a lucky lady....

[demenshea]

After our networking session, we headed to the Strip for a night of people watching. What a crazy ass place. I can’t tell you how many brides we spotted and wondered why they wanted to get married in Vegas in he middle of tourist chaos. I think you need to be a bit of an exhibitionist to marry in Vegas. But hey, variety makes life interesting and we had a great time watching the human zoo.

Lovely mother and daughter shot...Tyler and Shannon


Tyler and Shannon dancing with the stars




The Venetian Hotel interior....ya.....i did say interior


Venetian ceiling


With all the crazy art around the city, I found myself mesmerized with one old painting. My favorite artwork is life drawing and painting especially that of the Pre-Raphaelites. This is a perfect example of post Pre-Raphaelite surrealism...if there is such a genre. This is definitely a truly crazy painting.



The following day was leisurely as we headed back to Femmoto and once again browsed all the beautiful machines and observed many women riding the track. There were some amazing riders doing test demo rides. Many of these women had some serious experience on the track and as the loudspeaker kept reminding them, “you are not on your own bikes and these vendors were kind enough to bring all these diverse machines for you to try, so use your best judgement when riding these machines!” (good advice along with a good insurance policy) I knew they would have no worries on my ride day, being the track noob. There were however, a couple of minor incidents one involving a ducati and kawasaki crack up, but only the bikes and rider's pride incurred injury.

The Harley Girls doing a “how to pick up your big heavy motorcycle” demo and how easy they made it look!




Some of the vendor’s bikes for track riding. The Sport Classic in front then the multistrada and finally the hypermotard




I love the vintage lines of this Sport Classic!




The new Honda CBR 125 What a cute little starter sport bike but currently available only in Canada and Europe.


Tyler and Shannon


I simply had to get a taste of the scooter fever on this Burgman 400. I seem to be missing some essentials...

[demenshea]

If I was indeed interested in a scooter for running around, i would get this little gem


We had our own umbrella guys...although he could have had a shorter skirt...


I couldn’t help but post this shot by Andrea Wilson the Femmoto photographer



G-Line has some killer sales going on....a great time to buy women’s ride gear


Everyone’s favorite Monster


I didn’t get to ride this little demon, but instead rode the Ducati liter monster. It didn’t lack in the “fun” department either.

Bonnie Strawser’s (organizer of Femmoto) Daytona...now this is a SWEET motorbike! Love those pink walls!


Day fades to night and we have an evening of food and fashion and many give-away products thanks to the generous vendors. There was also an auction of a helmet made for Valentino Rossi and autographed by him with all the proceeds being donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as well as a percentage of all the fees for the track and street rides and Femmoto memberships. A great event for a great cause.

The Rossi helmet fetched a fair amount of cash once some vendors pitched some other items in the pot: 2 pilot road tires, 10 face shields, and a Scorpion helmet. The final bid of $1600 took all, and it went to the Speed Angels from Texas.

Organizer Bonnie Strawser and her husband Monte Lutz and the G-line rep whose name escapes me.


The banquet and fashion show


G-Line designed specific leathers for anyone interested in the Femmoto line of clothing


Sunday morning track demo had a 7 AM check-in and I was right on time, excited to experience the track and some new motorbikes. Upon arrival, we signed in, provided our M-class license and insurance and then chose the machines we wanted to test ride after a short ride seminar with the Streetmasters. I had a difficult time choosing even though i had spent the previous days looking at all the bikes. I wanted to ride everything and I mean everything, only I wouldn’t be given enough time for such a fantasy so I had to choose.

Here are my choices in the order i rode them


And the track I rode on...


And my reaction to the motorbikes...
The Ducati Multistrada was hands down my favorite motorbike!! Multistrada
I freaking loved it!! It was smooth and dipped into the curves with ease. The track I ran was ALL curves....it was crazy only moderate straights, but enough to pass if only you were allowed!!! I was in the track novice group, because that is exactly what i was and passing in the novice group was only allowed if a mentor pulled someone over to let others pass. My ducati instructor, told me after my multistrada run that I could have been running in the intermediate group, which i considered with the highest honors. We were to run no more than 2 seconds behind our mentor and i was on his tail every lap, although I am sure he was simply "warming up" his ride!

Now for your viewing pleasure a little Ducati plug.

Ducati

Ducati

Now the polar opposite was my Multistrada ride on the Ducati Hypermotard.
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Articl...ID=5321&Page=1
I hung up my cycle keys with this machine. It was way more that i was!!! It was 390 lbs of brute strength... tall and sleek and FAST. Sadly they didn't tell me until after my run that it needed to be kept at 8K RPM....yes 8k to smooth out the vibration. So my hands kept going to sleep!! hahaha.....sleeping hands and a track full of women who were on their last run of the day and seriously desiring RUNNING full boar....this group was fast. I think some ended up lapping me on my sleeping motard!!! Yep, I was a novice.

In between the two i rode a liter Ducati Monster, a Ninja 650R and a Kawasaki Versys,
http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Articl...ID=4858&Page=1which ended up being my second favorite bike or tied with the monster. The Ninja sadly didn't get a decent test as i entered the track behind a serious tortoise, a woman who probably shouldn't have been in any group. She rode a 500 ninja and wobbled in every turn and crawled along the straights and didn't look through the turns and I kept thinking she was going to take fall right in front of me. As a result, I never got the ninja above 35 on this gorgeous track with amazing pavement, no sand, no gravel, no errant animals only one slow ninja.

What an amazing day of riding heaven. As the day drew to and end, I mounted my trusty Bandit and returned to the hotel for a bath and clothing change while I anticipated joining some new friends for dinner. Tyler and Shannon had returned home to San Jose earlier in the day and their company would be missed as this fun event came to a close.

[demenshea]

The last evening was filled with old Vegas neon and street art, a decent meal provided by the Golden Nugget plus a viewing of the Golden Nugget’s fish tank. I was escorted by new friends Kris and Julie and we had a splendid time viewing the Vegas Neon Museum walking off our fine dinner, after which they saw me home to my less than stylish motel.















With Monday morning’s first light I arose, loaded up the Bandit and mapped a route north. Destination: Reno. After much deliberation, I decided I needed to find a more stimulating route than my previous pathway south. This time I followed Hwy 95 until I reached Beatty, NV and after meeting a local rider from Beatty, I was convinced to ride through Death Valley through Lone Pine then north on Hwy 395, all the way to Reno.

I anticipated the weather being fairly warm through DV, but it really never got much above the mid 70’s. When I rode north above Lone Pine, it became downright COLD. I was glad to have my gerbing and donned my revered liner. I got gas in Lone Pine and chatted with a couple of Harley riders going to visit family and friend in Reno. They were both chilled and though they looked good, I knew the truth! They teased me about my gear but secretly wished they too had something to warm them when even a warm pillion was not to be found!

Entereing Death Valley from Beatty, NV


Death Valley




Devil’s Haystacks


Long seemingly endless road to the west


Hwy 395 N was cold most of the way. I had only stop for more gas once in Bridgeport and downed a coffee drink for some added body mileage. I was beginning to get fatigued and though I know this section of road nearly by heart, found each mile endless. As I entered Carson City, darkness abounded and I was anxious to get home. I gave my husband a quick call and let him know I was nearly home and as I pulled into the drive the garage door was open and inviting!

I was home and got off my Bandit Femmoto style, a better and more confident rider.

[FishWitch]

What can I say Donna? Absolutlley

FANTASTIC!!!

I guess all the fun and exhilaraton of getting on the track made you forget the horrors of the Worst Western accomodations.

[Sbyllek]

Awesome report Donna.

Looks like a great time.

Sorry I missed it!!!

Your word pictures were incredible and enhanced your fantastic photography.


btw, how tall are you? I'm wondering if I would have even been tall enough to try out many of those bikes?

Anyway,

Thanx for sharing.

[Aiki boy]

DISGUSTING!! A pink ninja???? that is just wrong on so many levels. On a more positive note, I'm glad you ladies had a wonderful time and as usual an excellent write-up.

[OldPete]

Fine read and pics. The yellow Ducati Sport Classic sure looks the part. I LIKE it!

You might consider more track days.

Andra Wilson scares me.

[matthewp]

OMG!!!! I hope my Fiancee doesn't find out about Femmoto! She will drag me there against my will.... and I will NOT hold a da*n umbrella!

Seriously, it sounds like a lot of fun. I'm glad you all enjoyed it.

[Nirvana]

Nice report, Donna. You sure had a great time !

This gave me a chuckle.

Originally Posted by demenshea

My quick review list, cited no-brainer reasons for attending:
no police

It figures.