RIDER PROFILE: LA_TALIANA

For this week’s BGR LIVE, PT talked to La_Taliana, owner of Dirty Left Shoe Crew motorcycle apparel company over. Check out the replay here.

Please introduce yourself.
Hello! My name is La_taliana and I have been riding motorcycles since 2004. My very first bike was a Yamaha R-6 and I learned to ride it in a parking lot within that day! Before riding my own motorcycle, I had been a passenger or a “back-pack” as they say now lol. I am currently the owner of a Motorcycle Apparel line called Dirty Left Shoe Crew. This brand was created for everyone…no matter their race, gender, ethnicity, what they ride, etc.  

Describe your path to how you got to where you are with motorcycling today.
I have always been around people who ride motorcycles, whether they were solo riders or part of an MC, and always attended bike events, so my passion for bikes increased more and more, leading me to ride. Luckily I have never really faced any challenges as far as learning to ride, however, I have been lucky enough to experience a few different ones! Some of the different bikes I have either ridden or owned are Suzuki Hayabusa, GSXR 600 &  1000, Yamaha R6 & R1, Suzuki b-king, and Kawasaki Ninja zx10. I currently own a stretched  Zx-10 and love it!  

What has been your best experience while riding?
My best experience of riding is traveling and meeting fellow riders in different areas!  Everyone is unique in their own way, and seeing how and what they ride is awesome to me!  

And the worst? Or not so good?
My worst experience while riding was having my brakes go out on me while riding my GSXR 1000. Luckily, I did not panic and I was able to react quickly!  

Can you relate a good story from your motorcycling experiences?
Every time I hop on my bike it feels like an adventure, I wish I could pinpoint one particular thing! I take joy when kids come up to me or want to get on my bike! I just really enjoy meeting new people in different areas!  

If you could change anything about the world of motorcycling today, what would it be?
I can honestly say that even though there are a few things that get on my nerves within the motorcycle community lol…I wouldn’t change a thing. It makes us who we are today!  

Do you have any advice for people who want to get into motorcycling?
Take your time! Take a motorcycle course, and do your research. Never try to keep up with someone else, it is literally so important to ride your own ride. You can really get hurt if you decide to hop on a bike for the wrong reasons. Always go with your gut feeling. Somebody else’s advice might not be right for you so do what you feel.  

If you could go on a ride with any of your motorcycling heroes – living or dead – who would they be?
Keanu Reeves and of course Porsche Taylor!  

If you could teleport to any other place and time in history and ride your bike, where and when would that be?
I would definitely choose the future! It would be interesting to see how things would be 100  years from now! Flying motorcycles perhaps?  

What’s your dream bike? If you could design your dream motorcycle, what would it look,  sound, and feel like?
I honestly don’t have a dream bike! My taste changes a lot so it could literally be anything!  

What is your favorite Sunday ride to do when you’re back home? 

My favorite Sunday ride is on the beach!  

What was the last great book you read?
The last great book I read is called “Hello from Heaven” Which is a great book about spiritual encounters with loved ones!  

Any good music you have discovered of late?
Honestly, no good music speaks to me these days! My playlist consists of the good ole 90s  music lol.

The last great meal/food/cuisine you had?
The last great meal I had was cooked by my Italian grandfather who passed away last year.   He made everything from scratch and the last meal I had from him was homemade pasta.   The last meal he made me was pasta and bacon-wrapped chicken breasts!  

Wrapping up: What kind of legacy do you hope to leave?
Wow…such an overwhelming question. To be quite honest I’m not sure how to answer that!   I just want women and young girls to know we can do anything! Make a difference, smile   More, love more, love people, enjoy life, and most importantly, stand up for what’s right!  

Any thoughts about Black Girls Ride Magazine?
I’m honored and humbled that Black Girls Ride Magazine is featuring me!  I love what this magazine and movement stand for. Words can’t express the joy I felt when I saw BGR make that powerful ride to DC! I actually made it there but couldn’t meet up with you ladies because I got caught in torrential downpours! I stand with BGR and can’t wait to see what else you ladies have in store! Thank you again for featuring me!