A heavy-metal accessory

It’s louder than a pair of red Jimmy Choos and more expensive than a Balenciaga bag, but it might be the ultimate accessory: a motorcycle.

More women are riding than ever, thanks to an explosion in motorcycle sales during the last few years. And the fashion world is taking notice: Check out Moschino’s new helmet and the stylish road-ready gear at the Super G store on Melrose Avenue.

Now, there will also be a place to try a motorcycle on for size. Next weekend at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show, the largest traveling bike show in the U.S., the Women’s Studio makes its debut: a curtained, no-men-allowed area where women can “try on” four bikes in front of full-length mirrors like trying on clothes in a boutique.

There will be a makeup artist on hand to show how to play up eyes under a motorcycle helmet, and racks of gear to slip into, each coordinated to one of the bikes -- scooter, cruiser, sport bike or dual sport. And, naturally, a photographer to shoot free “Moto-Makeover” pictures.

No solutions are offered for helmet hair, but now that the helmet is going high fashion, you might not even want to take it off.

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The Women’s Studio at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show, Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Friday, 4 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. $13 for adults; $6 children 6 to 11, free for 5 and younger. For more information, www.motorcycleshows.com or (800) 331-5706.