The jackets and boots matter

Riding jackets are the focal point. – Picture courtesy of Melissa Duis, May 9, 2014.Darling jacket: check. Almond toe boots: check. Matching gloves: check. Perfectly cut trousers: check. Chic helmet: check! Not forgetting, “I want that motorcycle because it’s a pretty bike.”

Who could take such a personality seriously for a rider? As in any sport, there are things you should say and shouldn’t in the motorcycle world.

For instance, as I enthused over this recently acquired activity of motorcycle riding, in a not-so-comely manner, I caused quite the motley crowd to converge.

It was a get together between myself, another woman who happened to just be sporting enough to lend her company – she was clueless about motorcycles, and a male friend who was a seasoned biker intending to buy a Harley Davidson in the not so distant future.

And so goes the conversation:

“I’m getting quite used to the gears but it’s the traffic I’m terrified of,” I say.

“That’s good. What about your balance on the bike?” asks the male friend.

“Oh, yeah! Tell me more about biking or bike riding,” quips female friend.

Apparently, my female friend had just said the worst thing in motorcycle lingo.

Amused and incredulous, my male friend says that the words that my female friend had just uttered would be the very thing to give away that one was “not” a biker.

Witnessing such happenings and experiencing them myself, I’ve realised that the path towards acclimatising to the world of motorcycles will only get more complicated.

I’ve also come to the conclusion that I can only do one thing as I meander through this new facet of my personality: be myself.

My shopping has only intensified since I picked up riding. Having purchased the basic safety gears, I now look forward to adding on to my collection of motorcycle gear.Boots maketh the rider. – Picture courtesy of Melissa Duis, May 9, 2014.

However, when I say basic, I didn’t quite go about my shopping by skimping on getting all the pretty things and neither do I intend to.

I am after all, being myself: a lady biker. Lest I overwhelm everyone with details leaning more towards the self-absorbed, I will spare everyone details of my “entire” get-up. Instead, my focal point will be my jacket and boots.

The first place I was directed to for reasonably priced and a copious amount of jackets and boots to choose from was Pertama Complex which was a huge mistake, in my opinion.

The prices were far from reasonable. Next, I was brought to a motorcycle store that can only be found in pocket areas.

I made two trips there that amounted to the last trip staring down some pretty interesting outfit choices. Notwithstanding, I thought my final purchase was a smart choice considering the price and jacket.

The last place that was referred to me is another pocket store called Lea Krafts Sdn Bhd.

It can be found off Jalan Pahang and owned by a couple who started the business 20 years ago. The long and short of it is, I bought a pair of boots for a very sweet deal – for boots that look decent and feel great, they ran me up a bill of only RM150.

I envisage myself returning for more of their stuff because of their reasonable prices and eye-catching stuff.

Additionally, the icing on the cake is that they’re wonderful at revamping outfits as well, producing affordable custom-made products and should you ever find yourself in need of some clothes or footwear altered, this is the place to go for top-grade results.

This store might be a tad bit difficult to find for its lack of a sign but the easiest way to spot it is the bus stop sitting right in front of it.

Again, it’s a tough balancing act to brave it up and still maintain one’s own identity. After all, it’s first more important to be comfortable in one’s own skin in order to be able to handle a relatively powerful machine. So, all I can do is persevere.  – May 9, 2014.

Lea Krafts Sdn Bhd can be found off Jalan Pahang and is owned by a couple who started the business 20 years ago. It offers reasonably priced stuff. – Picture courtesy of Melissa Duis, May 9, 2014.