HFG I got a brilliant Yamaha SR 125 of ebay and even managed to sell it on for a profit when I was ready to move up to a bigger bike. I only bought this bike to take take my test on as I was finding doing the U turn on my Virago was a bit hit and miss and on the SR I could do it everytime.    One dealer  I went into said to me is the bike for your son or daughter? I said it's for me and senior lady having a girlie moment and walked out.   I must say that Bishops of Bath couldn't have been more helpful when I bought my Virago125 even delivered it to my aunts for me free of charge.                                                                                                                                                                              

"aww bless the 'ickle woman for wanting to try a 'Mans' sport"

Never let that sort of thing get to you HFG... that's their issue, not yours. You don't need to spend any energy on that.

I used to turn up to rescue venues that were desperate for doormen, maybe another firm had let them down or something & we'd get a phone call at 8pm on a Saturday night... Being "only" a 5'2" female, I used to get a lot of attitude from the managers, but I would calmly explain that, as the Ops Manager, I was all they'd be getting for that night as all our staff were already posted to other venues, and just to allow me to get on with my work and we'd talk afterwards and address any issues they might have then.

On every occasion they asked if I could be sent there permanently, because they were so pleased with how I ran their doors. It is possible to change people's attitudes if they perceive you to be the "wrong" sex for pretty much anything... You just have to calmly and efficiently get on with the task in hand and demonstrate that you're equally as capable and not rise to any baitings ;o)

NAME SHAMENAMESHAMENAME....   You get the point.  Post it here and on BikeChat.net (our sister site as you know).  Between the 2 sites you've got around a 25,000 UK Biker audience!!!!   Let these businesses suffer, and let the good ones shine through.  This is something we certainly want here in the forums, good and bad advice for bikers.  Like your boots? Tell us what they are!  Problems with your insurance company? Tell us about it!                                                                                                                                                                             

suppose its a bit of a trek for you but Johnsons in harrogate have got 3 very nice honda 125s in at the mo, the shop is run buy a woman and i have always had superb service, didnt even buy my bike from them but they have been fantastic!                                                                                                                                                                             

Matt, can you compile a list of recommended suppliers etc?                                                                                                                                                                             

hit list and shit list?  Hmmm good idea.  Right now we have the products/services forum, start a topic with the name of the product or company and open a discussion (Some may disagree with your opinions).   Will think about the lists, would be hard to maintain though                                                                                                                                                                             

make sure you don,t get poked in the eye with slander/libel suits Matt!!!                                                                                                                                                                             

aye good point, in the open forum it's just opinions