Trio of dogs hit the open road in a sidecar attached to owner’s motorcycle in Australia

• Alsatians Mari, Kiri and Hine have their own ‘doggles’ for trips in the sidecar
• The trio of dogs love to feel the wind in their faces, their owner says

By KERRY MCDERMOTT

PUBLISHED: 11:28 EST, 16 April 2013 | UPDATED: 01:45 EST, 17 April 2013

This trio of furry bikers likes nothing more than to feel the wind in their ears.

So whenever Mary Mayhead hits the open road in her Moto Guzzi motorcycle, she brings her three pet dogs along for the ride.

Alsatians Mari, Kiri and Hine have even been kitted out with their own goggles – or ‘doggles’ -
for their trips along Australia’s Sunshine Coast in their owner’s sidecar.

Faithful companions: Mary Mayhead treats her dogs Hine, Mari and Kiri to a spin in the sidecar of her motorcycle

‘When I bring out the bike, they run into it,’ said Ms Mayhead, a dog trainer.

‘Kiri usually claims the best spot at the front so she can get the wind in her face without the other two blocking it.

‘They go everywhere with us.

‘The rule is when they have their doggles on they have to sit quietly but when they come off they can get out and have a run,’ she said.

Ruff ride: The three dogs sported goggles for their trip in the sidecar no Australia’s Sunshine Coast

Open road: The biker says her three pet pooches love to feel the wind in their faces

I call shotgun: Kiri usually claims the best spot at the front of the sidecar, leaving Mari and Hine to perch behind, Ms Mayhead said

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2309967/In-ruff-ride-Trio-dogs-hit-open-road-sidecar-attached-owners-motorcycle-Australia.html#ixzz2SNg1omDk
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Is my mascara running?

Female Motorcycle Ownership Growing

It’s promising to learn that since our (Helmet Hairs) first reader survey back in 2005, a 1/3 of you today make up newer riders on the road (29% have less than five years experience), which helps to illustrate a continued trend towards women’s fascination with motorcycles and the need (and investment) to ride them. And the odds are that it’s these newer riders that may just have been inspired to ride by seeing the other 70% of HH readers surveyed, who have been riding between 5-20+ years now. And while 64% surveyed have their own motorcycle, a healthy 22% even have a second motorcycle in the stable. And 13% can actually boast of owning three or more.

Those numbers are bound to go up, too, because according to the results, 45% of those motorcycle owners surveyed are thinking about getting another bike. Not surprising that price is the most important factor (25%) in that group, when asked about choosing their next motorcycle. The eye-opener is that weight, seat height and displacements were a distance second. See percentages below:

Another interesting survey finding, which may also support why price is key consideration, is that almost just as many women made modifications to their existing bike so it would fit them better (46%), as those who did not make any changes (49%). Because it’s becoming easier to modify a wider array of bikes, females may not be as concerned, today, if a bike does not fit them perfectly (ergonomically-speaking). It’s the extra cost associated with having to make those modifications, which may presents the real hurdle.*

Acquiring Safety Skills and Purchasing Riding Gear

Safety Skills

While 85% of HH readers surveyed have taken a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Course, reinforcing that 68% of readers trek along the roads safely as they have never experienced a crash (dropping your bike did not count – I can hear some of you laugh now.) But a much smaller number, only 28% have actually taken the Advanced MSF Course, designed to help newer riders (with at least 5,000 miles under their belt) and seasoned riders alike, break bad riding habits formed on the road——26% of those surveyed know this and ‘plan to take the course.’

In addition to the majority of readers who have taken the MSF, 46% of those surveyed brush up on their riding skills annually through other means: 25% of HH readers have gained extra knowledge through participation in track days and dirt bike schools; and 5% have taken the impressive leap to actually become an MSF Instructor.

Riding Gear

We could devote an entire issue about women’s riding gear, but will spare you the lengthy input and stick to more tangible findings as: Do our purchasing habits, today, merit expansion of apparel directly targeted to female riders? So we looked specifically at how often we ‘go shopping,’ by gauging online purchasing habits; for two reasons: 1) it’s easiest to track and 2) according to trends, online purchases continue to rise.

In support of finding an answer to this question, we confirmed that 78% of readers surveyed report they wear protective gear all the time, and as a whole, 85% wear a helmet—validating that the majority of women riders surveyed are in need of safety apparel and gear.

If you relate those numbers to the next response, which reports that 70% of those who took the HH survey purchase motorcycle apparel online, and 40% of those make purchases ‘at least two-to-five times annually,’ it makes the case that the majority of our readers are seeking online stores for regular purchases. So what are they buying?

According to the responses, jackets (57%) are the most popular purchases followed by t-shirts (52%), which is good news for the independent, female-owned businesses whom specialize in motorcycle/scooter-themed tees. Pants/chaps, helmets, boots and gloves are the next frequently purchased items. See above.

The results offer an important glimpse to support that women do shop frequently (online) for motorcycle apparel and they do shop often. And that finding, we believe, makes a compelling case why companies should invest in female riders to offer and expand the gear it markets to us. Progress is also being made in respect to matching our fashion taste with functionality, even if that progress is slow, you’ll find a number of major motorcycle manufacturers and apparel companies doing just that.

Female Riders are Active Mentors

It’s no revelation that women riders seek community with others: 64% of readers who took the survey belong to a riding group, and 66% participate in charity-related rides and events. It’s that need to help and nurture others that make us ideal mentors, which is the real key to getting more women learning how to ride, and ultimately in becoming ‘motorcyclists.’

Almost 70% of HH Readers who took the survey have already mentored (or inspired) another female to ride her own bike, an encouraging statistic that ensures readers are doing their part to multiply our numbers. You might even call these women “pioneers.” That’s because a whopping 68% of them are the ‘only female in their family tree that has ever piloted a motorcycle.’ It’s these pioneers who will branch out to reach and to teach the next generation of female riders. Now that’s progress!

*Price is also a concern for those 49% who do not make modifications to their bike; a finding which may be reflective of the down economy.