Fast Babes Featured Rider: @SUNKER79
Name: Stephanie Sunker
Instagram: @sunker79
Stephanie is lucky enough to live in the land of long horns and Shiner beers. She was a major player in helping set up our first annual Dallas Meet-up and we cant wait to go back and visit!
Where did you grow up and where do you currently reside? Born in Dallas TX. But from 4-10 years old I was a military brat while my Dad was in the Navy. Lived in Wisconsin, Illinois, Mississippi and back to Texas basically. Now I live in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
How did you initially get involved with motorcycles? My boyfriend (now husband) and I were all about trying something new together. He bought a Honda Shadow 750 (he wanted a Harley but couldn’t find the right one for the right price at the time). I loved riding on the back with him, but was sorta growing tired of looking at the back of his helmet. So I took the motorcycle training course to see if I would enjoy riding my own, with his encouragement, and I LOVED it. I wanted my own bike immediately!
When did you get your first bike and what was it? I took the Honda Shadow 750 away from him within weeks of graduating in the Spring of 2005. But the first bike I purchased was a 2004 883r 6 months after getting my license.
What do you currently ride and why? I have a 2007 Nightster and 2018 Street Bob. I ride the Street Bob because the Nightster has become a project bike for me. I rode to Joshua Tree from TX with my friend Kristen and husband on the Nightster to Babes Ride Out 5. It was a rough ride but I didn’t truly know it at the time. I just felt exhausted. Once I rode my 2018 Street Bob I knew the difference lol.
What is your happiest memory that involves motorcycles? I have so many happy memories!! Riding back from Cali to Texas on 40 in a October and not having enough riding gear so we were freezing. But we stopped a ton and all we could do is laugh about it while trying to dance in place to warm up. Or Blacktop Ramble- riding along some back highway with 7 other babes to Utah surrounded with red dirt and canyons then stopping at some tiny two pump gas station in the middle of it all. It was beautiful and unforgettable. And while in Utah with the best group of babes ever, we wanted to leave the camp ground area so we hitched a ride in the back of a small pickup to a restaurant way out of town - I was convinced we were being taken somewhere left to never be found if you know what I mean..... but instead it was the best customer service served with an ice cold beer and good meal surrounded with red rock. There is a pic of me with Krysta in the back of the truck - she had to lay in my lap so we could all fit lol. There was 8 of us.
Outside of motorcycles, tell us a little about yourself? I am a mom of 2 since 2013. Married to a truly amazing, supportive man since 2004. I love to paint, dance, read, write.... I was one of the first 8 women to race Flat Out Friday Women’s Hooligan at Harley’s 115th Anniversary in 2018 (I sucked lol). And I’d never practiced or raced a motorcycle in my life. Just got of an airplane and showed up and did it. I’ve raced twice now and improved the second time. Now my husband and I built a flat track bike to take the next race this December. First timer I’ll race my own! I’m not great at everything, but I love to try anything! I’ve learned guitar, ukulele.... snowboarding.... but don’t ask me to sing ;). I love cycling too. I’ve ridden in Bike Around the Bay twice which is over 150 miles in two days. My last time was 180 miles while I was 2 months pregnant. Oh and my job is marketing director of Maverick Harley-Davidson and Longhorn Harley-Davidson.
How have you become a more confident rider? Things you’ve done to help you gain confidence? I lost my father in 2015 months after learning he was diagnosed with lung cancer (no he didn’t smoke). He lived every day like it was his last before then. Sky diving, pilot license, served in Military, rode a motorcycle, marathon running, cycled with me 180 miles .... he was full of life. After losing him, I looked at life different. Then I had a motorcycle accident in January 2018. I was riding to a staff meeting then to go ride in a funeral for a local hero named Jackel. He was a fun loving guy that touched many lives and I was not mentally “right” to be riding. I was wearing all my riding gear but the roads were wet from misting rain and it was cold. Right after making a right turn my back tire caught on a crack in the road and flipped me left while it went right. My face hit the pavement. I lost a tooth and that’s it. This did not scare me. It sucked. It pissed me off. It made me hungrier. I didn’t even look at my face until almost 2 hours later. That same year is when I raced in Flat out Friday borrowing a two super nice fellas bikes and jumping in head first. I felt truly free. And confident. But super Anxious too! It helps to have a supportive group of friends and amazing husband backing you along the way. Also- meeting rad women helps with confidence I connected with the Litas Dallas through my friend Kristen and met Ace. To have someone that loves leading and planning rides to follow makes a huge difference. All levels of experience in riding can gain confidence riding with a local ladies group. Babes support babes!
What is your dream trip/bucket list ride(s)? I live for today. So each year I try to plan a “dream” trip for the year. I have to coordinate with my kids’ schedules and husband’s photography business and my job of course. It’s not every year, but the plan is to try each year. This year is Myrtle Beach! But another year could be a simple weekend getaway.
How do you think motorcycles have changed your life? I like to say Freedom is a twist away. And I mean that. I am analytical by nature and it’s hard to turn off my mind. But when I ride, that is all I am focused on. The ride. And sometimes, I need to let my hair down with my girlfriends. Just be carefree and live a little. Just ride. Live in the moment.
Do you have any upcoming motorcycle trips/rides planned? Fast Life Campout in April and Myrtle Beach (4 days riding, 6 days at the rally) for 2021
