There isn't anything so manly as big bike. Everything from the leathers and studs to the full-throated thrumming of the engine between one's legs—even the term crotch rocket—evokes sex and sexuality. And, yes, sometimes a bit of sexism.
When it comes to motorcycle culture, the stereotypical riding member of the community is still the (macho) white male. But times are changing, and as the community becomes more global and more diverse, women are finding their way from the back seat to the front.
Look, there's nothing wrong with riding pillion—I miss it sometimes. But, as more and more women are gaining both the skills and confidence to try life on the road on two wheels, we hope to see the last gender barriers eradicated completely. This is the work of individual female riders and global groups such as The Litas, who are actively breaking the last remaining stereotypes and encouraging more women to ride.
The brainchild of Washington-native Jessica Haggett, The Litas is an international collective (no, it is not a motorcycle club) that spans 24 countries all over the globe. The Philippine chapter launched last year in Manila by riding enthusiasts Gaki Azurin, Erika Fernandez, and Carol Karthe.
When I first met The Litas Manila (TLM) founders one late Friday night at a bar in Quezon City, we quickly and firmly shook hands, and I was handed a bottle of beer. Gaki was slated to play with her rock band Flying Ipis, and Carol and Erika were there to show support. I was immediately declared their first recruit after 15 minutes of talking about motorcycles and learning to ride. No fees, no probationary period, no induction of sorts—the only two requirements for being a member is that you’re female (transgendered women are also welcome) and that you’re passionate about motorcycles.
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The brainchild of Washington-native Jessica Haggett, The Litas is an international collective that spans 24 countries all over the globe.
(L to R): Carol Karthe, Gaki Azurin, Erika Fernandez, the founders of The Litas Manila
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The three had met at a motorcycle trail riding clinic, and Gaki—who, in addition to being the drummer for Flying Ipis, is also a moto vlogger—decided that she wanted to start a Manila chapter with Erika and Carol because she loved the idea of being able to connect with other female riders while travelling. “I thought it would be cool to have a branch here because I figured other women would be looking for the same thing,” she says.
Today, The Litas Manila counts 15 members; we are women who are as diverse as the motorcycles we ride—from light dirt bikes and sexy Ducatis to beautiful Triumphs and 500+-pound Harley Davidsons. (Recently, TLM member Riza Keating bought a beautiful 2018 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special to add to her stable: It’s a menacing, 855-pound beast that she plans to tour the Philippines with.)
Because we do a lot of different things on our own time and juggle the responsibilities of our day jobs with partner/wife/mother/daughter duties, it can be tricky to get everyone together for a long ride—something that’s been in the works for quite some time now. When we do get together though, it’s always a riot—the great kind—no pretenses, no awkwardness, no bull. You can expect crazy dance moves, conversations about a variety of topics—from makeup to motorcycles, some dirty jokes and a lot of laughter.
To date, TLM hasn’t ridden farther than Laguna as a group. Most of its members, though, have already gone as far as Baguio, Cebu, and even Ilocos, albeit with other motorcycle clubs or groups. Each of us have had or fair share of experience riding with both genders, and while most male and female riders do show the same amount of support and encouragement to fellow riders, women’s innate maternal instincts will kick in when riding with fellow women.
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Because we do a lot of different things on our own time and juggle the responsibilities of our day jobs with partner/wife/mother/daughter duties, it can be tricky to get everyone together for a long ride
“Riding with the ladies has always been this ‘You alright? I’m here; I got you’ feel. Not to say that riding with gentlemen will be the complete opposite… but I have heard that some men do ride with the ‘ride hard’ mentality,” says entrepreneur Cal Soesanto, who’s been my go-to girl for quick rides around the city.
“As much I don’t want to be vulgar, there is no sugarcoating it: I feel the difference is that us ladies are not here to measure dicks—we are here to help encourage other women to feel comfortable riding,” adds Erika. However, when I have ridden with men, I also noticed, they are very sensitive to the speed I feel comfortable going. It is nice to see them take care of you without making you feel like you have to go faster than you are comfortable.”
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Those who are up to the challenge of keeping up with faster riders sometimes ride with a predominantly male group. “(Men) just set a destination and then go,” says Erika Magpantay, who’s ridden to Baler, Dumaguete, Banaue and even Mindoro on her Yamaha MT-09. “One time, a bunch of us decided to ride to Daet on a Monday—on Saturday, we were at Daet. They don’t baby me, and I’m treated as an equal.”
Adds Nikki Orial, “(Males) tend to kick things up a notch or two in terms of speed, difficulty, technicality. Riding with them helps me upskill and push my limits. They’re always willing to share tips, cornering techniques, etc.”
Karen Kennedy is quick to point out, though, that some of TLM members can definitely push hard—and fast. “Erika M. and Riza definitely weren’t taking it easy when we rode together one time, which was really nice, too,” she counters.
The term “ride bitch” has been replaced, but it's a reminder of how women were viewed in riding communities as inferior to men or worse, mere accessories—like those bangin’ new pipes you just installed on your bike.
(L to R:) Cal Soesanto, Gaki Azurin, Erika Fernandez, Karen Kennedy PHOTO: Joseph Pascual
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Some say that the problem with having an all-female group goes against the very principles of equality—that it is more exclusionary, rather than inclusionary. But women are still the minority in what has been, for many decades, a predominantly male industry. Although the term “ride bitch” has been replaced with the more politically correct “ride pillion,” the former is a reminder of how, in the past, women were viewed in riding communities as inferior to men or worse, mere accessories—like those bangin’ new pipes you just installed on your bike. Until the recently, it was close to impossible to find female-specific riding gear (Bikerbox, Inc. in Sucat, Parañaque is one of the few moto shops that carry pants, jackets and helmets that actually fit us well.)
Groups such as The Litas can push the message in their respective cities or countries that there are more and more women riding their own bikes and/or riding in tandem with their partners/husbands (hopefully, stores, brands and moto companies take notice). But more than that, The Litas provides safe, empowering spaces where lady riders can be themselves comfortably, without being judged, and away from the male gaze.
"Riding with the ladies has always been this ‘You alright? I’m here; I got you’ feel."
“The Litas, as a brand, stand for women empowerment who share the love of motorcycles and adventure,” says Erika F. “Adventure riding isn’t about looking for risky traffic to ride in. In fact, the Manila franchise feels very strongly about promoting safe and responsible riding in a motorist landscape of chaos and minimal discipline. We exist to help encourage other women to feel comfortable riding TOGETHER.”
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(L to R:) Carol Karthe, Jenna Genio, Riza Keating, and the writer, Clarissa Tiglao PHOTO: Joseph Pascual
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“The Litas help level the playing field more,” adds Karen Kennedy. “There are guy groups (around the world) who don’t welcome ladies at all or who have ‘guy rides only’ or have no interest in bringing lady riders in because that might slow them down.”
It’s also refreshing to be part of a group chat where I don’t incessantly receive pictures of half-naked women or read a ton of messages with sexual innuendoes. Scroll through any of The Litas franchises’ Instagram posts and they’re mostly women riding, camping out, having a beer or coffee and generally having fun—no bikini-clad babes straddling huge motorbikes here.
Gaki, who runs her own video blog GakiMoto on YouTube, has had her share of trolls who comment that women are supposed to stay home to clean and cook for their husbands, or that we probably bought our bikes through sexual favors (because there was no way in the world a Filipina could afford the bikes we owned). She doesn’t block them because she says it’s entertaining to read such ass-backwards comments. She sometimes replies, out of sheer boredom.
“I’m able to laugh it off,” she says. “It’s funny that there are still people who think that way… At the end of the day, no one should let society (or anyone) dictate what you want to do,” she says. “The Litas Manila shows other women that if you want to ride, go step out there and do it.”
“The Litas Manila is much more than a female group,” Karen adds. “We are a diverse bunch of riders who happen to be girls, who have vastly different riding styles, bikes and personalities. Sometimes we bring our partners, friends, boyfriends and hubbies along, and we just have a proper good time when we’re together.”
"I feel the difference is that us ladies are not here to measure dicks—we are here to help encourage other women to feel comfortable riding."
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