Raven’s Rides
Raven's Rides Motorcycle Blog

V-Twin Mama, aka Petra Lattmann, is a veteran rider who runs a popular “motorcycle advice column” and community site for women–V-Twin Mama. The site started on January 29th, 2001 and now has between 65,000 and 90,000 visitors per month!

RR: What inspired you to start V-Twin Mama?

VTM: As a freelance writer I scan for new opportunities on a regular basis. In mid-2000 I came across a new motorcycle website calling for writers with a motorcycle background. Not wanting to pitch them an idea that was routine, it occurred to me that a column from a female motorcyclist would be different, as most Internet activity was/is male-oriented. They liked the idea, paid for one column, and then closed their company a few months after (although I’m not exactly sure, I think they found out how much it can really cost to get things going).

A few months after the closure it came to me that my idea was a solid one…that no one else was providing advice for women, by women, in an advice format/forum.

RR: Please could you explain the philosophy behind the site? Who’s it for? What do you want it to achieve?

VTM: There are so many people out there who take a motorcycle course, buy a bike, and then are left floundering if they don’t have a good source of assistance thereafter. The VTwin Mama site stands ready to field all questions, no matter how big or small, and treat that person with empathy and respect. While mainly targeting women riders, I don’t exclude men.

Everyone is looking for a safe haven to noodle out the challenges, whether it’s a new rider or an experienced rider who has just come up against something they hadn’t anticipated. In all of this, I consider that the mission of VTwin Mama is to help each individual rider continue on their adventure…any time I hear that someone has given up, I wish they had found my site…myself and the readers who contribute have been there and done that and can make a difference. The main message: You are not alone!

I do it because of the never-ending gratitude from so many people who clearly state that if it hadn’t been for my site, they would have given up. That’s worth more than anything in the world to me.

RR: Other than the site, how do you connect with your readers? (Any stories to share?)

VTM: While the main site is an Ann Landers style advice column, in October of 2006 I started the VTwin Mama Message Board. Here we can post topics and messages together, a phenomenal way to connect on a more personal level as it allows for one-on-one connections…funny stories, first-hand accounts of a ride, sharing a sorrow, or just saying hi.

I also try to attend some shows and rallies each year so that people can meet me. Hopefully in a year or so I’ll be on the road in an RV with bike in tow, exploring North America and announcing my travel route, so that area women can gather together and we can say hi and ride!

RR: Where are you from?

VTM: I was born in Junction City, Kansas to German immigrant parents, who came to the U.S. in 1953 to start a new life. They were just 21 and my Papa went into the Army near Junction City. At one-year-old we moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the population was very German.

I headed to Madison, WI for college, entered the Navy and traveled the U.S., spent time again in Wisconsin before heading to Chicago for 12 years to continue building my career path. Then it was on to Carson City, Nevada (where I started freelance writing) and then Calabash, North Carolina where I currently have a house and my parents are settled nearby.

In November of 2007 I met the love of my life, Marty, and in March 2008 moved to Mobile, Alabama to be with him. It’s been a whirlwind time for us, but Marty is retiring at the end of this year at age 54, and we’ll probably head back to North Carolina where my parents are and we have a whole social network of mutual friends. The RV idea is a dream of both of ours and he’s a huge supporter of my VTwin Mama mission.

RR: How long have you been a rider? How did you get your start?

VTM: I rode on the back of a motorcycle for the first time in my senior year of high school (1975) and thought it was fun. In college I had the same opportunity, but really never gave it any individual thought. In 1979 I saw a woman rider for the first time and was in awe. Instantly I knew I wanted to do that for myself.

Later that year, at my newest duty station in the Navy (Norfolk, VA), I happened upon a bike sitting on someone’s lawn that was for sale. So I bought it with no real idea of what I was doing! I’ve been riding for 28 years now … some years more mileage than others depending on what else was going on in my life.

RR: Tell us about your bikes–past, present and maybe even future. Do you have a favorite bike, or a favorite type (brand, style, etc?)

VTM: My first bike was a Kawasaki 750. In fits and bits I learned to ride it on my own and do basic maintenance out of sheer necessity. I got my second bike, a Honda Shadow 750, in 1990. Yummy…shaft drive and so reliable!

In 1994 I finally had the money to buy a used Harley-Davidson, as I wanted to go to Sturgis, South Dakota on a Harley. It was a 1976 Superglide and very customized. In 2005 I bought a 2001 BMW R1200C, a model I had only seen on a giant wall painting/poster, and by chance, found it in a classified ad in South Carolina. The minute I test rode it I knew I had to have it!

Each bike has had its pluses and minuses, but all have been a joy. Every time I go to a bike show, where one can see all makes/models under one roof, I drool. There are so many bikes I’d like to own and ride, but my commitment to the BMW stands firm for now. Its handling is so superior to anything I’ve had.

I’ve never purchased a new bike and some day I think I’ll make that happen…there’s nothing like a lot of road miles to show you what the perfect set-up/size is for a rider! Which bike? Who knows at this point!

RR: For you, what’s the best thing about riding?

VTM: I think the greatest thing about riding is the absolute ability to make the adventure yours in every way possible. You choose what type of riding, what type of bike, what interaction you want with other riders, etc. For myself, every time I fire up a bike and head out, I am one with me, the greatest gift I could give myself!

It’s about the feeling of freedom, the unobstructed view of my world around me, and the joy in being one with the bike in terms of handling characteristics. If I’m feeling un-centered within myself, a ride will give me back my clarity of what’s important in my life.

RR: What kind of riding do you like best?

VTM: I am a huge fan of solo riding, and the better part of my 28 years has been exactly that. Now, for the first time in my life, I am blessed to be with a man who recently got back into riding, and it’s fun to say, “Hey, let’s go for a ride.” My group riding is most joyous when it’s connected to a charitable event, although I have to say that there is nothing like riding with a pack of all women…it’s like a big hug all over you!

RR: What’s the best motorcycling trip you ever took? Why?

VTM: The trip to Sturgis from Chicago in 1994 stands out in my mind, despite the fact that I did two other major cross-country trips. It was a solo 3,300 mile journey and the reason it was so awesome is that so many told me that I was foolish to do it because of the possible dangers. Ha!

There’s nothing like a credit card with a good high limit to minimize any problematic thoughts of handling breakdowns, etc. and it gave me the chance to meet awide variety of people who took me in as “one of their own” over the course of twelve days. What a validation of who I was at the core essential level!

RR: If you have one, please share a funny riding incident you were involved in.

VTM: Ah, to pick only one! But I will tell you about Fish, a grizzled rider from PA, whom I met on the way back from the Sturgis rally. Now, on the way to Sturgis, I had thousands of riders heading in the same direction, but on the way back, I waited to the last possible moment to leave, only to find myself truly on the 1,000 mile journey alone. Yikes!

On the last night at a hotel, a rider pulled in very late and I thought, I’ll introduce myself in the morning, see if they are going the same way, and see if we can ride together.

Well, that a.m., looking out the window, I realized it was an older male rider who looked very “old-school.” My doubts started gnawing at me. Well, I in fact gathered my courage, introduced myself, and then steeled myself to ask the question. It turns out that Fish was late from leaving Sturgis because his new Bagger had a tranny problem, and he would love to ride with me into Chicago in case something else cropped up.

We spent the day getting to know each other at gas/rest breaks, and upon our arrival I invited him to stay at my house, giving him a chance to relax, get his laundry done, and such. We yakked that night like we were the best of friends and I’ll never forget him. He told me personal stories that I would never have been privy to otherwise. It’s funny because I was so ready to pre-judge him, but it turns out he was so open minded in all ways…so a great lesson was learned.

RR: Can you share a tip or two that might help other riders?

VTM: Don’t let any one tell you how to ride your ride…it is uniquely yours and while listening to tips and advice is good, you’ve got to master the skill set on your own, in your own way, in your own time. Second, if you have a question, find a person or place to ask it…it’s smarter than learning the lesson the hard way (although some have to be learned that way) and it strengthens the concept that you are not alone.

Understanding that others have gone before you and will struggle with something after you makes you a valued member of the riding community!

RR: Are you a member of any clubs or organizations? What do you get out of them?

VTM: In all my years I never joined anything as I felt I didn’t have the time to really give anything back. Last year, in moving to Mobile, where I didn’t know anyone (other than my boyfriend Marty of course!), I immediately looked for the nearest chapter of a woman’s riding organization. That turned out to be the Dixie Angels chapter of Women In The Wind over in Mississippi.

Right away I had people to ride with (as many belong to other organizations, so those rides can be joined) and it’s a great thing! Because of Marty’s work schedule, it’s almost impossible to hook up with other couples, but we’ll be exploring the Southern Cruisers chapter out of Mobile this year…a chance to meet others as a couple, which will be great.

The lesson I learned is that even if you can’t participate other than the rides, by joining you have riding friends at the ready. You would be surprised at the little things you bring as an individual to the group just by formally hooking up with them.

RR: Is there anything else you’d like to share?

VTM: I will never have to sit in a rocking chair in my later years wondering “what if.” For that I am very glad, as well as ridiculously proud of what I’ve achieved in all facets of my riding life. I saw something that interested me and I gave it a shot. If you feel the same way, but haven’t taken that first step, do something about it now.

I have had women from 16 to 85 come to the VTwin Mama site and declare their intentions, seek advice, and move forward towards their dream. So many are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s…when money may be less of an issue, children are out of the house, or they’ve retired, and the road is calling. They’ve done it, one step at a
time, and so can you!

You can visit the VTwin Mama site here and the forum right here.

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