THE DEHAVN
Natalie Kleiner
Photos by courtesy of Natalie Kleiner
It was the Spring of 2019 and the infamous El Diablo Run was just around the corner . Bikers from around the country were preparing for a wild trip down to the Sea of Cortez . But for Natalie Kleiner , a mysterious bout of mononucleosis had left her virtually bedridden for four weeks . Teased by friends that she had contracted the kissing disease , she was adamant that was not the case . “ I hadn ’ t touched anybody in two years !” she said .
Well , long story short , with the support of her friends and fellow riders , she fired up her bike and joined the fun with a spare gas tank in tow to complete the 238-mile journey .
“ That sense of security and caring is really awesome ,” she said . These types of experiences are lifechanging , especially within the motorcycle community where lasting friendships are forged .
Kleiner first learned to ride on the dirt roads of northern Minnesota , her home state , where the learning came quick . She was taught to ride by another women , who she describes as “ a hardworking badass .” Now , she rides a custom 1994 Harley-Davidson FXR and also owns a 2006 Dyna Street Bob — her turnkey bike for cross-country travel .
She has attended various rides and rallies across the country , came out to support the V-Twin Visionary Tour in the Smoky Mountains , and most recently was
Kleiner on her 1994 Harley-Davidson FXR someplace south of the border .
an invited builder to the 2020 Mama Tried Show in Milwaukee , which was unfortunately postponed due to social-distancing orders .
As we all know , once motorcycles graft themselves to our bones , it becomes a disease that can ’ t be cured , an itch that always flares up .
“ There is no better feeling in the world than when you ’ re blasting down the road with one of your best friends next to you ,” she said .
Kleiner is now in the early stages of producing a motorcycle apparel line for female riders , having spent the majority of her adult career in the fashion industry , including a sixyear stint in Italy . The company is called THE DEHAVN , and Thunder Press looks forward to watching it grow and succeed .
“ I want women to still look frickin ’ amazing after a ride and be able to go into the restaurant and still look well put-together . I think that is definitely needed in our world , cross-functional riding gear ,” she said .
Her advice to the motorcycle industry is that manufacturers need sell young people on the experience of riding . “ Millennials are not interested in investing large amounts in material things , but riding motorcycles fills that investment in experiences that we all crave . You can ride all over the country or meet another biker in a parking lot and talk for hours .”
Check out Kleiner on Instagram @ nataliekkleiner and follow @ thedehavn for product releases .
— KALI KOTOSKI
50 | MAY 2020 | THUNDERPRESS . NET