My New Bike

by Jenny
(Boca Raton, Florida)

In June of 2008 I bought my 50th birthday present for myself. And it was the best present I have ever given myself, it was a 2008 Honda Shadow Aero 750. Billie was her name, we were Daughters of Bilitis. I brought her home the day that the women who founded Daughter's of Bilitis were married for the second time in San Francisco.

I rode Billie for two years and 16,433 miles. I had outgrown her a long time ago. I am 6' tall and the Shadow is a low slung bike. I had been resisting the urge and call of a new bigger bike, but then I started planning a ride to NH for my Women's M/C club gathering and started thinking about riding the bike there, from Boca Raton, Florida.

Last Saturday, the 19th of June, 2010 two years after Billie came home, I traded her in on a new 2008 Yamaha Roadstar Silverado S. 1700 cc's. That night as I was riding her home from a friends house, I realized that I was dancing on the wind, and Wind Dancer was named. I could not believe the difference in handling. For a bike that weighs 200 lb more than the other one, this one floats and moves so lightly. I can handle it so easily, and once again I am excited and look forward to climbing on Wind Dancer and going for a ride.

I went for a 400 mile ride today, and I am not exhausted and worn out from fighting with the wind and semi's on the road. I wouldn't say that I waited too long, but I am glad I made the move. But I do miss Billie. She did however go into the hands of another woman, so I know she will be well loved.