Why We Ride... Inspirational stories about how and why we learned to ride motorcycles. This is Bailey's story.

Why We Ride…

If you’ve visited Triumph Brooklyn in the past month, chances are you've been greeted by this exuberant personality: introducing Bailey, our newest addition to the sales team. Spend 5 minutes with her and you can’t help but find yourself smiling as she shares her infectious excitement about life and motorcycles.

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Bailey and getting to know all about her journey into the two wheel life and now industry. I began by asking her what inspired her to get her license and learn to ride: 

“It took me a really long time to realise that there is nothing in life that is “off limits” to me. Getting a motorcycle was really one of the first things that made me think about what I really wanted to do in life.  I practiced on my husband’s bike in empty parking lots whenever I got the chance until I finally got my first bike, and enrolled in the MSS program. It’s been the best decision I’ve ever made!”

What is your first memory of riding or thinking you wanted to one day ride a motorcycle?

“My husband got his first motorcycle around 5 years ago and I remember being so jealous, but it never occurred to me that I could get my own as well. My Mom got her license about a year after that, and that’s when it finally hit me that riding wasn’t something that only men could do, and I didn’t need anyone’s permission to pursue this.”

When asked what her favorite Moto-related memory is she shares: “Probably renting motorcycles the last time I visited my family in Austin, TX and getting to ride with my parents out there. It was awesome getting to merge our hobbies and connect on a higher level than we had before. I look forward to getting to ride with them again soon!”

 Bailey initially learned to ride on a Triumph Street Twin and highly recommends it for anyone who is just starting out. In those early riding days, she rode mostly with her husband which provided a fun, new and challenging experience for the couple to learn and progress together. She rode her bike everywhere, even when it was terribly inconvenient, just so she could have an excuse to ride.  Very quickly she became obsessed, and once she started to feel more comfortable on her bike, she started going on longer, more technical rides. 

When asked what challenges she faced and what victories she had, she shares: “I honestly can’t think of any challenges I’ve faced. As far as victories go, I would say a huge one would be getting some of my female friends off the back of their boyfriends bikes, and onto their own!”  I love this comment, as a female rider it’s so important for us to lift fellow female riders up and help them find their two wheel independence.  

What was your first bike and what do you ride now?

“My first bike that was truly my own was a Harley Sportster 883 Iron. I still have my Harley, but I’m currently in the process of getting back on a Triumph. I’m pretty set on the T120 Black- it will be a good step up from my 883, but is much lighter and more nimble for city riding.”

Solo rider or group rider?

Bailey loved to ride with groups of friends or even strangers within the community, but commented that “solo riding will always hit different. That is my time to really get away and enjoy some time by myself with my bike and some beautiful scenery.” 

She has yet to venture off-road and would eventually like to, but for now she is quite content with getting lost on purpose on paved mountain roads.

What does riding do for you?  How does it add to and enhance your living experience?

“It has given me a sense of empowerment that nothing has before. It has shown me not to be scared to try new things that seem intimidating. It has shown me that I’m more of a badass than I let myself believe  :)

The motorcycle community has been one of the most welcoming and accepting of any group I’ve had the pleasure of joining. It has really become more like a family than anything else”