Since 1947, Wilkins Harley-Davidson has been supporting women riders. Barbara Wilkins, co-owner of Wilkins Harley-Davidson, now almost 80, learned to ride motorcycles back in 1947. Barbara’s daughter, Ann Lyon, also co-owner of Wilkins Harley-Davidson, learned to ride motorcycles as a young woman as well. Having been in the business for over 60 years, Wilkins Harley-Davidson has always endorsed and assisted women riders in anyway it can. Currently, national statistics show women make up roughly 12% of its customer base, however, Wilkins HD is extremely proud that women make up approximately 20% of its customer base. With events like Women’s Only Garage Parties, coupled with the leadership of Barbara and Ann, we feel we are especially good at listening to women’s wants and needs in getting involved with the sport of motorcycling.

Wilkins Harley-Davidson sponsors two different women’s groups: Ladies of Harley (LOH) and the local Chapter of Women in the Wind. Both are very different groups and we invite you to participate in both groups to learn more about riding. Information for Ladies of Harley can be found by going on www.centralvermontHOG.com and Women in the Wind information at www.greenmountainspirit.org.

Many women come in and ask us what is the perfect motorcycle for a women rider. Our answer is the same for everyone. Sit on all the motorcycles, take your time, and see first what appeals to you. We don’t advocate one motorcycle over the other for first time riders or for women. We would suggest that you take an hour or two and come in to visit to discuss all your options.

As you may or may not be aware, Harley-Davidson spends millions on developing new products for its customers. Less than a decade ago, its apparel line was only really unisex. Now, Harley-Davidson releases new products and apparel twice a year. Its product lines are almost split fifty-fifty between men and women. Additionally, a great deal of money is spent marketing to women. For instance, Harley-Davidson released a patented new helmet in January 2008 called the Skyline Series. Women riders no longer have to wear helmets designed for a man's head. The new Harley-Davidson MotorClothes Skyline Helmet Series is specially designed for a woman's head contours and hair styles for better comfort, fit and safety. Unlike women's specific jackets, gloves and boots, the helmet was long assumed to be a unisex item until research revealed that women have other ergonomic needs. In an industry first, Harley-Davidson Skyline helmet series offers a customized fit that a woman can control.It features: - a shell and liner that is 10 mm deeper than the standard helmet dimensions, allowing it to fit more comfortably on a woman's forehead and the back of her head - an interchangeable inner liner side panel keeps the helmet from being too loose on the sides. The panels, sold separately, simply slide and snap into the helmet liner in place of the side panels that come with the helmet - it's available in seven different thickness sizes which can be fitted with thin pieces of foam for a customized fit, and - an anti-static comfort liner to reduce "helmet hair" that often results after removing a helmet, and a "pony tail notch" to provide extra room through a special cut-out section in the back