FAST FASTER FASTEST // Interview with Liz Sands
MEET LIZ SANDS
She LIKES TO GO FAST.
Liz Sands is an emerging force in motorcycle racing whose story is just getting started. Beginning later than most, she has defied expectations to turn a teenage curiosity into a serious career, setting records in Baja and mastering multiple motorcycles along the way.
Fresh off starring in the short film Newcombers, which debuted at Bike Shed LA in January, Liz continues to build momentum on every front, and we can’t wait to see the film reach a wider audience. [WATCH THE TRAILER HERE] Her presence on the track commands attention, and she continues to carve her own path while inspiring others to follow their passion, no matter the obstacles. We’ll be watching closely as she accelerates through the high-octane world of motorcycle racing. Keep reading to learn more about Liz Sands’ journey to the starting line.
INTRO
My name is Lisa (I also go by Liz)... I am 24 years old and I live in the sunny world of Los Angeles, California. Growing up was always a challenge as I faced social norms that I never understood. My family has deep roots in traditional hispanic values that I had to deal with that prevented me from being myself. Regardless, I always knew there was something lined up for me that was going to change my life.
I currently have 4 bikes under my name; my main ride currently is my Harley Davidson XR1200. I own another Harley, an Iron 883, and I have a DR650 dual sport…and a secret race project which is my Ducati Streetfighter. You heard the news here first!
HOW IT STARTED
Right around my senior year of High School in 2019, one of my guy friends bought a motorcycle and I was like “HOW”. At that moment, everything just clicked and my mind was set on getting a motorcycle. Haha- that’s the story! No one in my family rode, and I’m not a kid who started at 5yrs old to become a MotoGP prodigy; it just happened randomly and I was determined. My parents obviously hated the idea of their 17yr old daughter getting on a motorcycle, and my family members all had opinions on their own. But I’m stubborn and hate being told what I can do, so I saved up money and took a MSF course… and the rest is history.
I cherish (my first) bike dearly, it was my everything and selling it tore me apart! I was shopping for “beginner bikes” and wound up with a Honda Rebel 300. I always tell people I never regret a 300, because I admit that I was terrified of riding. The 300 was a safety blanket for me and helped build that initial foundation of confidence; I tell that to new riders all the time. I remember trying to get the friction zone down, then learning tight maneuvers, then learning how to take corners. Once I got going, it was a feeling I can’t even describe myself. As cheesy as it sounds, it felt freeing and I felt like I could be myself.
I set the fastest woman record of all the 3 Baja races in Mexico.
Being able to come out there and represent women and people of color is a big accomplishment to me.
When I first started riding, I had no motorcycle friends and I knew nothing about the motorcycle world. Thankfully, the internet is my friend and I somehow stumbled onto The Litas Los Angeles. Every single person I met there were my inspirations. They showed me that there is a space for women to ride motorcycles, and they were strong badass women, too. They welcomed me with open arms and during my time there, I learned a lot about my motorcycle, because we did motorcycle trips as a group rather than me being alone. I’ll forever be grateful to have had a community to help navigate my beginning journey into motorcycles.
I quit my gym job to work at a Harley Dealership, because I wanted to involve myself into the moto world more. I knew I wanted to keep heading in this direction. Knowing more now, my biggest role models are Ainjuli (Kiki), Mary McGee and Jessi Combs. Kiki is the ball of light in this world and she inspired me to keep going. Fun fact: she connected me to the Bike Shed where I work today, and I’m forever grateful for that. Mary and Jessi are the pioneers of Baja racing; they walked that world so I could run. If they did it, so can I, and I want to do it being as badass as they were. Racing in a world that’s primarily dominated by men, I can only ever imagine how they felt navigating that.
HOW IT’S GOING
I had a mock race at Willow Springs in 2024; it felt more like a test to get my race license, and I wasn’t as nervous. BUT My first ever real race… was probably the craziest feeling I’ve ever felt. I was excited, nervous, scared, and happy all at the same time. I will never forget lining up in front of that green flag and hearing the countdown. I felt my life on the line and everything focused into that single moment. I forgot who I was, where I was, and the only thing that mattered was getting to the top with my machine. I study very hard for these races; countless hours are spent studying the course for my safety– and to win. At the end of the race, it is an adrenaline dump for me, but that feeling of winning is the best feeling in the world. I’m addicted to the craft, and I want to keep going. The craft being the preparation of bikes, studying the course, naming every single corner, watching reruns over and over, the race meetings, the other competitors, setting up pits, getting race focused, etc. Everything about it calls to me.
“That feeling of winning is the best feeling in the world. I’m addicted to the craft, and I want to keep going.”
My biggest challenge as a woman racing is people doubting me or seeing me as less. Thankfully, the women’s racing world has grown a lot more, and I feel much safer in different environments. Still doesn’t mean there aren’t people who scoff at the idea. I also tend to run into people who don’t believe in my vision or don’t believe in me. I lived my whole life that way, so I really don’t let that stop me. Another personal challenge is a woman's, or specifically my hormonal cycle. I fear it’s not talked about much, but when it comes to playing a sport or being an athlete, sometimes you're not at your best week– but you need to just keep it pushing. Definitely had times where I was feeling very low and not my strongest, but determination gets me past that hurdle.
My greatest success was setting the fastest woman record of all the 3 Baja races in Mexico. I’m definitely proud of that, because real road racing is such a niche sport and it's not everyone’s cup of tea, and being able to come out there and represent women and people of color is a big accomplishment to me. My goal is to create that space and to inspire more women to ride and do whatever the hell you want. I think it’s also very important to me to represent people of color, because it’s still an issue today. The representation is lacking and the gap is there.
MY TWO CENTS
Find the community and believe in yourself. It’s intimidating at first, but just like everything else in life, it’s always scary the first time. It truly helps when you lean into the community, reach out to someone, tell them you’re new and you’re really interested. Racing is a growing sport, and 99.9% of the time people want to encourage more folks to try it. Then it’s a matter of believing in yourself and the process. The progression can take a while, but patience is key.
Keep riding and having fun. I’m only a small fragment in this motorcycle world and I hope with the things I’m doing, it’s making an impact for future generations. And don’t let people discourage you, f*ck em.
You have one life to live, live it to your fullest potential.
Watch the trailer to her upcoming short film, Newcombers, HERE.
