Babes Ride Out x Harley Davidson
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When I first met Malary Lee I was immediately impressed by the way she handled a bike cause … well, she is a bit smaller. It was clear that true skill conquers all and Malary Lee had it. With 5 bikes in her garage that focus on street, flat track, and dirt, she is not planning on slowing down, in fact she is dominating races like Flat Out Friday and Dirt Quake with her Harley-Davidson. Get to know the Austin Texas local Malary Lee, and make sure to cheer her on when you see her at a race near you. She will be the one with purple hair shredding shredding it.
Photo by Malary Lee
How long have you been riding motorcycles and how did you get started?
I've been riding motorcycles for 8 years. Riding was always something I knew I wanted to do. When I finally had enough money saved up I bought a little bike.
Why do you ride motorcycles / What do you get out of riding motorcycles?
I ride motorcycles to challenge myself outside of my comfort zone and to say yes to things that scare me. When I started riding, leaving the neighborhood scared me. Now I've ridden across the country. Then I got a dirt bike & leaving the ground was something that felt foreign. Now I push myself to see how far I can fly. I sign up for races that I know I'm not fast enough for, because in life you're never really ready for anything.. you just have to be willing to say yes. Motorcycles motivate me to push myself physically & mentally.
Run us through the list of bikes you have had in your past / currently own:
My first bike was a cm185 - then a kz400 that I ended up trading for a km100. My dream bike was a cb350 so I bought a red one, that I eventually sold to a dad to give to his daughter for her 16th birthday. I bought a green cb350 that I moved across the country from Iowa to Texas with. The roads in Texas were faster so I purchased an 883 sportster that I upgraded to a 1200. Then I got into dirt biking, starting with a xr100, then a crf150r and finally a Ktm 250 sx-f. I sold the sportster and bought a 2000 fxdx. I currently own 5 bikes: the dyna (fxdx), my KTM, klx110, the green cb350 & another sportster 1200 I've converted into a flat track bike.
Photo by Genevieve Davis
What first attracted you to Harley-Davidson?
When I moved to Texas I had a cb350, but I knew I needed something bigger and faster if I wanted to ride across the country. I chose the Harley Sportster, because as someone who is 5'0 it was easy to modify for me to touch the ground & maneuver. Now that I'm more comfortable on bikes, I don't mind not being able to touch the ground. The dyna is a perfect upgrade and handles so well. My current sportster was easy to customize into a race bike. I have loved every Harley I've ever owned for different reasons.
How did you know it was the bike for you?
I knew it was the bike for me the first time I rode it. I had the biggest smile on my face and nothing else mattered after that. I was set on leaving that day with my Harley.
Tell us what it is like to ride your particular bike:
I can't really explain it.. I've ridden a lot of bikes and have enjoyed them all for what they are. But riding my bike, that's set up for me - that I have made my own feels like it's apart of me. When I ride my bike you can't wipe the grin off my face.
What made you choose your model over the other H-D models?
I did some research on bike models and years - what would be easiest to find parts for and settled on something that in time would be easiest to fix if I needed, but would hold it's value.
Photo by Jenny Lindquist
Any modifications? Tell us about them if so:
oh man... so many. The 96 1200 sportster has been completely gone over to become a race bike. Husqvarna front end, chain conversion, new bars, seat, suspension, converted the back wheel to a 19" etc. The dyna is just normal stuff people do: custom paint, seat, bars... it's pretty :)
What has been you favorite adventure you have taken on your bike?
My favorite adventure was my first road trip from Austin, Texas to Moab, Utah. It was in May where it's summer in Texas already, but still winter in the rest of the country. I got caught in a snow storm in the Rocky Mountains after a gas station attendant gave some incorrect directions in an out of service area. I was rescued by a ranger and escorted to a ski resort in Taos where a Winter Movie Festival was happening. The whole trip was something that in the moment I was wondering what I'd gotten myself into, but afterwards could laugh because it's all part of the adventure & now I have a really funny story.
Photo by Katie O’Connel
Do you have any fun road trips planned?
Currently, I'm recovering from a dirt bike crash so nothing official until I'm healed. However, I've always got ideas for adventures brewing.
Tell us about your experience at Babes Ride Out?
I attended the second year of babes ride out and a couple events since. Every one is a completely different experience & it's exactly what you make it. For me, it's about friendship & adventure. I've met so many of my best friends from going to BRO events. I would highly recommend every lady to check out at least one event.
Any advice for ladies who want to get started on two wheels?
Stop thinking about it and do it. Sign up for a course. Ask a friend who rides for help. Make the steps. You won't regret it!
