Whether you’re new to riding or a seasoned veteran, chances are you’ve heard of The Litas. This motorcycle group has become a global movement empowering women motorcycle riders around the world. Jessica Wise is the leading woman behind the riding collective and the founder of the motorcycle apparel brand Hell Babes. Her unwavering determination and passion for motorcycles have not only shattered stereotypes but paved the way for a new generation of female riders to feel confident on the road and look stylish doing it. In this article, we dive into the inspiring story of Jessica Wise and how she’s revolutionizing the motorcycle industry one ride at a time.
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Jessica Wise: I’m living in Salt Lake City right now. I’m from Washington State. I’ve been here for about 13 years, so quite a while. I started The Litas. I really wanted to find my own community of women riders. I love motorcycles. I’ve been in this [motorcycle] world for a while, but I’m especially passionate about getting more women into riding.
Caption: Introducing Jessica Wise, founder of The Litas (Photo: Owned by Jessica Wise)
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: Tell us how you got started in motorcycles?
Jessica Wise: I was going to the University of Utah and I was sitting there waiting for the dorm bus to come pick me up and take me back up to the dorms. I saw a girl ride by on a motorcycle and I think that was the first time I’d ever seen a woman riding a motorcycle. She was younger like me. She had this really cute leather backpack on and I think it just made an impression.
Six months prior, I was in Montana driving with my family. We have a cabin there and I saw a bunch of motorcycles ride by and I was like, “I think I want to get a motorcycle.” My family was like, “oh yeah, you want to get a hog? That’s really crazy.” And I was like, “yeah, I think I want to do it.” There’s nothing that motivates me more than people thinking I can’t do something. I think that fueled my fire a little bit.
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: Talk to me a little bit more about the genesis of The Litas.
Jessica Wise: Where it started was, I was dating a guy that I was totally head over heels in love with and he broke up with me and I was super brokenhearted. It was Thanksgiving break. I was hanging out at my parent’s house for a couple of weeks and I saw a post on Instagram of a bunch of women riding together. It was probably 15 women, some downtown area. I can’t remember what women’s group it was. I was like, “that looks really cool. I think I need that in my life.” I think I also just needed something to throw myself into.
College can be kind of lonely. I didn’t have a ton of friends at college. I guess I was wanting more connection. And so I think that just sparked the idea — I want to start a women’s riding group. And I think because of the place I was at in my life with the heartbreak and things were kind of hard, I especially needed it.
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: I love that. The Phoenix rises from the ashes. And honestly, that’s one of the best ways to go about heartbreaks — doing something you love and then looking where it’s turned. Thank you, guy, for breaking up with me because look where I am now.
Jessica Wise: Also the funny thing is, he is now my husband!
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: Why do you think this has been such a global success in such a short time? And how has it exploded? Talk to me about how and why you think that happened.
Jessica Wise:I think there are a lot of factors. Honestly, I feel like the success of anything is really a combination of the right timing opportunity and the ambition to figure it out and get it done. And then at the same time, I think there were a lot of women who were in the exact same place that I was — looking for connection and community and a place to belong.
Caption: The Litas members joining together for a ride (Photo: Owned by Jessica Wise)
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: If someone wants to start a chapter, what’s the process on how they can do that?
Jessica Wise: Usually three riders come together and they submit through The Litas website to start a branch. Then we get to know them a little bit and onboard them. Once we get them up on the website, they can start accepting members. I say that loosely because we are an open-riding group. But then riders can go in and submit their info, so now they’ll get the branch communication about rides and events.
Caption: Jessica with her Harley-Davidson Street Glide (Photo: Owned by Jessica Wise)
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: So what’s something about the motorcycle community that you really love and that you really don’t like?
Jessica Wise: One thing that I love is that I feel like because of The Litas, there’s so much inclusivity.
Something I don’t like — that might be a hard one. Honestly, I feel like I can’t think of anything. To get where I am now, I really had to keep a very positive optimistic mindset because there are so many roadblocks.
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: What was the best advice you ever got when you became a rider?
Jessica Wise: Some of the best advice I ever got would be if you ever hop on a motorcycle that’s not yours, don’t think that you can just ride it. Approach it slowly and feel it out and get a feel for it. I think that’s really important in order to stay safe. And then another one is always riding within your comfort level.
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: Let’s talk about Hell Babes. Was this something that ricocheted from the development of The Litas or was this always in the works?
Jessica Wise: So I had actually started this little vintage resale clothing shop before I started The Litas. It was called Gold Dust Clothing. And I was getting vintage Harley tees and reselling them. I always had an interest in that area, but it really stemmed after I started The Litas.
Caption: Jessica repping a Hell Babes leather riding jacket (Photo: Photo owned by Jessica Wise)
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys: Have you ever gotten into a motorcycle accident?
Jessica Wise: I’ve dropped my bike a few times. One time stopping in gravel and then many times when I was already stopped in gravel.
Caption: Jessica posing on her chopper (Photo: Photo owned by Jessica Wise)
(Logo: Owned by Jessica Wise)
If you are interested in learning more about The Litas or starting your own branch, check out the group’s website and Instagram. Looking for new gear that’s stylish and functional? Explore Hell Babe’s online selection. Ride safe, and thanks for reading!
