Photographers have always loved posing beautiful models with beautiful motorcycles. I once contributed photos to Easy Rider Magazine, and those types of images were their bread and butter.
Of course, the models you see in biker magazines are usually conventional bikini models, not gorgeous hard-body muscle contenders. But while many motorcyclists train and build muscle, they mostly don't favor that type of physique for women (although they do so more often now than in the past). On the other hand, many bodybuilders appreciate both powerful two-wheel machines and the kind of women you see on stage at IFBB and NPC events. Picture a gym like Gold's in Venice, California and you'll see a parade of different types of bikes, from Harleys to Triumphs to various models from Japan. I just saw a Hayabusa parked at the curb and it doesn't get much more powerful.
This is not a safe way for Ms. Olympia Fitness Oksana Grishina to ride a motorcycle. She should wear a helmet. Bill Dobbins
I've taken a lot of Babes and Bikes photos myself because, as a serious, long-time biker, I've always had a variety of bikes available for shoots. I've owned everything from Harley dressers to a BMW touring bike to race and sport bikes like a Ducati SPS. I've ridden extensively for decades, taking advantage of the amazing scenery and weather of Southern California. Sometimes I would start at 7am on a Sunday and cover hundreds of miles up the coast and through the mountains before returning home in the early afternoon.
Shelley Beattie postponed the adventure of riding a Harley during her competitive years as an American gladiator and IFBB pro. Bill Dobbins
But as much as I loved horseback riding, I don't necessarily recommend it to others - especially muscle athletes, whose careers can be jeopardized if they get injured. A risk-benefit ratio must be taken into account. Bicycles can be dangerous. I was driving all the time so I kept my skills up to date. My bikes were well maintained. I didn't drive very often at night, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. I tried to only drive when the weather was good. And not when I was very tired.
Sherry Goggin - a very Californian way to soak up the California sun Bill Dobbins
I've never been a heavy drinker, but I gave up altogether in the mid 80's, primarily to be able to ride at all times with all my sanity. I enjoyed motorcycling so much that I felt the benefit outweighed the risk and I did everything I could to reduce the risk.
The thing is, as a writer and photographer, I've never depended on my body for a living or a career. I once dropped a road bike at a track and because I was wearing full leather and a helmet I got away with it without serious injury. But if I had been an athlete and needed to keep training hard, this might have been a more serious incident.
Ms. Olympia Lenda Murray and a Harley Sportster. Arnold has always loved Harleys. "You're so American!" he says. Bill Dobbins
On my Sunday drives, I sometimes saw Arnold and Franco Columbu riding Harleys on the Coast Highway or the winding roads above Malibu. When I spoke to Arnold about motorcycles, he told me that he had always loved motorcycles, especially Harley's - "You're so American!" Arnold said - but he stopped riding in the 1970s when he was competing attended. He just couldn't risk injury.
Kris Murrell and Kristy Hawkins on my V-Twin Yamaha, a kind of Japanese Harley. Bill Dobbins
I always warn muscle competitors in bodybuilding, fitness, shape or any other category to think twice before riding a motorcycle. A sprain or abrasion that would matter little to a "civilian"—someone with no athletic aspirations—could mean you lose a competitive season. t to mention a more serious injury which is all too possible.
Never drive like Diana Britten. Always wear a helmet. Bill Dobbins
So bikes are exciting, they can be very beautiful, but before you decide to ride one, think about the potential downsides, the risk/reward tradeoff and, like Arnold, have the discipline, the gratification, for a more opportune time in to postpone your life and career.
Slim, powerful and sexy - and Timea Majorova is not bad either. Bill Dobbins
Part of Denise Masino's posing show at a Night of the Champions competition. Bill Dobbins
w that I'm older I've decided to retire undefeated and sold all my bikes. But I miss her all the time. Bill Dobbins
