Motorcycle Mamas Take To The Highways

Motorcycles aren't just for men anymore. And women -- decked out in leather -- are proving it.

The open road is opening a little wider to accommodate this growing group of riders who find riding hogs mean freedom and individuality -- for both sexes.

The number of women who have purchased new Harley-Davidson motorcycles has steadily grown over the past 20 years, from four percent in 1990 to 12 percent today, Leslie Prevish, women's outreach manager of Harley-Davidson Motor Company said on The Early Show Tuesday.

"It's grown tremendously because women have more freedom of expression, you know, they can say, 'If I want to ride a bike, I'm gonna ride a bike,'" she said.

One rider told Early Show co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez, "I get tremendous pleasure out of riding and it gives me a sense of freedom. I really enjoy it. It's a great passion."

Rodriguez said the reasons women get into riding like a sense of freedom, independence and adventure are the same for women as men.

"There is one little difference," Prevish said. "Whenever you're a woman and you're riding, it's this strength and empowerment that you feel like you can just do anything -- like you're on top of the world."

Female riders in their late 40s, Prevish said, who may want more freedom or have more disposable income, are average buyers. However, she added young riders are becoming bikers too with their "go-for-it" attitude.

And just like reasons for riding may be a little different for women than men, the cycles are, too.

"Women can ride any bike that a man can, the differences are the ergonomics," Prevish said.

Prevish told Rodriguez women can customize their bikes with lowered or lighter frames, a different seat or altered handlebars.

But before taking the open road, Prevish reminded riders to get their motorcycle endorsement and take a safety course.

Motorcycle licensing standards differ by state, Prevish said. While some states require only a safety course, she said, others require a driving test, a written exam or both.

More than 60,000 women have taken the Harley-Davidson Rider's Edge New Rider Course at dealerships across the country since the program's inception in 2000. Since 1974, more than one million women have learned to ride through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic RiderCourse.

For stories from women motorcycle riders, click here.