Fewer motorcycle riders
https://www.yahoo.com/news/photo-dispatch-death-american-motorcycle-110100312.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/photo-dispatch-death-american-motorcycle-110100312.html
swifty2014
Are we a dying breed?
Yes, we probably are.
Folks who live in freezing winter US states don't ride much when it's freezing, that's understandable.
But in California, some motorcyclist don't ride when temperatures are below 60 degrees F. And other don't when temps are above 80 degrees F !!!!
With Honda getting out of the Cruiser Market and Harley closing a plant and laying off, It would look that way. ..... And its kinda Sad that just 18 years ago when I bought my Spirit, new Cruisers were booming. .... 
Doesn’t seem like we are dying off here in northern Indiana. Riding is still a very popular past-time.
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:wink::wink:Well ,I feel with more cars and cellphones (ie stupid drivers ! )some of the relaxed fun is gone.'',But I still ride when its nice.Give me a long country road and I'm in heaven.
I'm curious to see what effect the emergence of electric motorcycles will have on the market. With fewer limitations on the bike's design and ergonomics, we might see more creativity thus more interest from younger riders.
I have a feeling we're in between generations of riders at the moment. No single demographic is dominant enough to drive production so it will be a few years before a new dominant demographic emerges.
I have a feeling we're in between generations of riders at the moment. No single demographic is dominant enough to drive production so it will be a few years before a new dominant demographic emerges.
I think the younger generation is more concerned about cars with all the electronic gadgets. The price of bikes have climbed a lot over the last couple years, my grandchildren make a lot of money at their jobs but they are at them all the time. Houses are very expensive and so is the general cost of living. I think the cost of a bike and the time available for younger people to ride them play a big factor in the reduction of riders. Most of the riders I see are older, retired, or professional people or tourist renting Harleys. I used to be in a Gold Wing club that had about 100 at our monthly meetings, now there are only a handful of us left and none of our wife's ride with us anymore.
The big Vtwin cruiser is dying out, no doubt there. Many younger riders are looking for a small metro skipper that costs little to own and operate but gets them where they need. The smaller 500 cc bikes are making their resurgence.
Give it about 15 years and we will see a bump for the bigger Vtwin again.
Give it about 15 years and we will see a bump for the bigger Vtwin again.
I think it's a combination of many things.
- The baby boom generation is passing on through.
- The rising generation has a higher percentage of people raised to believe that everything is too dangerous.
- Young people are coming out of college buried in debt.
- Bikes are mostly oriented towards the higher end buyers, not beginners. They cost too much.
- Fewer kids have access to places to ride 125 dirt bikes and have fun.
- Fewer kids are tearing apart 125 dirt bikes and learning to keep them running so the fun goes on.
Of course these are not absolutes, nor are they universal, but I believe they all play into the equation. Of my kids, only one, my daughter-in-law, has expressed any interest in riding. She wants a "big Harley" (she is tiny) and was inspired by learning that the IBA Saddle-Sore 1000 is a thing.
- The baby boom generation is passing on through.
- The rising generation has a higher percentage of people raised to believe that everything is too dangerous.
- Young people are coming out of college buried in debt.
- Bikes are mostly oriented towards the higher end buyers, not beginners. They cost too much.
- Fewer kids have access to places to ride 125 dirt bikes and have fun.
- Fewer kids are tearing apart 125 dirt bikes and learning to keep them running so the fun goes on.
Of course these are not absolutes, nor are they universal, but I believe they all play into the equation. Of my kids, only one, my daughter-in-law, has expressed any interest in riding. She wants a "big Harley" (she is tiny) and was inspired by learning that the IBA Saddle-Sore 1000 is a thing.
Unless discretionary income makes a comeback in a big way in the US there will declining sales of all recreational vehicles.
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I know that "ONE" isn't statistically significant, but I'll add this to this thread anyway.
My soon to be 17 yr old stepson just moved back in with us after 5 years with his biological father.
Just completed a MSF approved beginners course at the local community college. Mom was very worried that he'd want a crotch rocket but he told her absolutely not. He wanted one like mine, I've had my 2004 VT600 for 12 years. When my wife said, "It's a good time to give yours to Andrew and move up." I told her I was perfectly happy with my 600, have a little knowledge about how to work on it so I'll just find another one for him.
2003 Deluxe, 9800 miles $1300. Needs tires, front brake pads and "maybe" fork seals. ALL things that we can do. While waiting for parts we're doing the TJ Brutal velocity stack mod on mine. Working and learning side by side.
There ARE still a few level headed, sensible, money smart kids out there. Not many, but I thank God every day that I've got one of them in my house.
Just a suggestion, - - - if you don't have one in your house, go find one. This is the most fun I've had since I started riding in 1965. And we haven't' even gotten on the road yet.
Just sayin'. Bless all your little hearts.
My soon to be 17 yr old stepson just moved back in with us after 5 years with his biological father.
Just completed a MSF approved beginners course at the local community college. Mom was very worried that he'd want a crotch rocket but he told her absolutely not. He wanted one like mine, I've had my 2004 VT600 for 12 years. When my wife said, "It's a good time to give yours to Andrew and move up." I told her I was perfectly happy with my 600, have a little knowledge about how to work on it so I'll just find another one for him.
2003 Deluxe, 9800 miles $1300. Needs tires, front brake pads and "maybe" fork seals. ALL things that we can do. While waiting for parts we're doing the TJ Brutal velocity stack mod on mine. Working and learning side by side.
There ARE still a few level headed, sensible, money smart kids out there. Not many, but I thank God every day that I've got one of them in my house.
Just a suggestion, - - - if you don't have one in your house, go find one. This is the most fun I've had since I started riding in 1965. And we haven't' even gotten on the road yet.
Just sayin'. Bless all your little hearts.
My son is 7, and i'm looking forward to when we do this.
I make good money, but spending it on new and mechanics is a waste to me. So far i've saved 1/2 of what I need to put both kids through university, they are 7 and 4. I drive a 2007 Ford f150 and my 03 Ace. Being money smart is incredibly important today. The money I have left I use to buy properties to use as equity. It's just stupid to buy new when almost new is often 1/2 the price. I made one exception, I bought the ACE new when I was in 3rd year university, but that was overflow after paying my tuition.
I make good money, but spending it on new and mechanics is a waste to me. So far i've saved 1/2 of what I need to put both kids through university, they are 7 and 4. I drive a 2007 Ford f150 and my 03 Ace. Being money smart is incredibly important today. The money I have left I use to buy properties to use as equity. It's just stupid to buy new when almost new is often 1/2 the price. I made one exception, I bought the ACE new when I was in 3rd year university, but that was overflow after paying my tuition.
I would like to own a Harley and sorry they are struggling, but I feel a certain Deja Vu here.
I have a 1983 VT750 the first year Honda had a V twin Shadow. In that year Harley was struggling and asked the gov't for help. So a tariff was imposed on 750 plus sized Japanese bikes and so for the next few years the Shadow was reduced to 700 to avoid that tariff. Could it happen again?
https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/02/business/us-raises-tariff-for-motorcycles.html
I have a 1983 VT750 the first year Honda had a V twin Shadow. In that year Harley was struggling and asked the gov't for help. So a tariff was imposed on 750 plus sized Japanese bikes and so for the next few years the Shadow was reduced to 700 to avoid that tariff. Could it happen again?
https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/02/business/us-raises-tariff-for-motorcycles.html
My 2 cents, I'd say yes were a dying breed. Were living longer, but not riding as much, or not at all. Friends who use to ride don't because of injuries from work, worse their wives won't let them. I see the FB posts from a local HD dealer when they sell a bike. Mostly older men, buying there last ride. I don't think I've ever seen a 20 something shown with a new HD. I myself am struggling with keep the Shadow, or get another used bike. It will be 25 next year, though it runs great, doesn't look that great anymore. If I restore it, I'll never be able to get my money out of it, and it will be my last bike.
We are a dying breed, because there is nobody to replace us.
I blame the lack of motorcycle movies or tv shows to positively influence younger generations.
BTW what is a Metro skipper? Is that like Metro Barbie's younger sister?
I think the Yamaha Nokan is setting the stage for autonomous motorcycles.
No riding skills necessary just hop on and try to look cool.
I blame the lack of motorcycle movies or tv shows to positively influence younger generations.
BTW what is a Metro skipper? Is that like Metro Barbie's younger sister?
I think the Yamaha Nokan is setting the stage for autonomous motorcycles.
No riding skills necessary just hop on and try to look cool.
Harley did this to themselves and I don't feel bad. Mid to high $20s for a new Street glide? I'll get a used Challenger or a Camaro SS with money left over to buy a used bike.
The next generation or two coming of age may just be smarter than us old guys. Instead of riding a bike and wondering if someone is gonna run them over they just stick to the 4 wheelers, cause they know folks ain't gonna put down their phones or pay attention!
Hate to see it go this way,,,but as long as there is a triked Wing around I should be good till I get run over,,,
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Hate to see it go this way,,,but as long as there is a triked Wing around I should be good till I get run over,,,
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if we are, you wouldn't know it from where I sit. I live on a main highway between Chicago and points west and every day I hear many bikes rumbling by. On weekends the count is probably in the hundreds.
trying to sell my 750 shadow in the DC area was nearly impossible.....low $$$ and everyone kept saying.."wished it was a 1100" in my opinion the 750 are a great size for commuting in the big cities.
My honest opinion, and also agreeing with others on this thread about the Cruiser lineup slowly fading away...
Read my post from a few pages back, when I stopped at the local Honda dealer here in town:
http://www.hondashadow.net/forum/53...m/53-general-bike-discussion/559561-latest-dealer-showroom-floor-sightings.html
It's still the same thing right now. I was at the Honda shop early this morning and my wife and I dropped off my '07 Shadow Aero 750 to get the new Shinko Tour Master 230 rear tire mounted, and a state inspection done. Man, there were still crotch rockets all over the showroom floor...
Honda is shooting themselves in the foot, if you ask me.
Read my post from a few pages back, when I stopped at the local Honda dealer here in town:
http://www.hondashadow.net/forum/53...m/53-general-bike-discussion/559561-latest-dealer-showroom-floor-sightings.html
It's still the same thing right now. I was at the Honda shop early this morning and my wife and I dropped off my '07 Shadow Aero 750 to get the new Shinko Tour Master 230 rear tire mounted, and a state inspection done. Man, there were still crotch rockets all over the showroom floor...
Honda is shooting themselves in the foot, if you ask me.
The reason there are less big bikes being marketed is because the millennials prefer little sissy mopeds, electric bikes, and organic, this and that. The REAL motorcycle market is pointed to them.
And face it, the cruiser market has faded a lot now that all the mid-lifers are spending all their money supporting their little sissy millennial kids instead of kicking their vegan, tofu-eating, skinny jean-wearing asses out of the house.
Oh, and crotch rocket riders who have a ride-til-I-die attitude because otherwise they have to face real life and the fact that they should have gone to college and freeloaded off their parents for a while instead of partying with their high school grad class from 10 years ago.
And face it, the cruiser market has faded a lot now that all the mid-lifers are spending all their money supporting their little sissy millennial kids instead of kicking their vegan, tofu-eating, skinny jean-wearing asses out of the house.
Oh, and crotch rocket riders who have a ride-til-I-die attitude because otherwise they have to face real life and the fact that they should have gone to college and freeloaded off their parents for a while instead of partying with their high school grad class from 10 years ago.
Somebody's bitter. It all comes down to money or the lack thereof. The middle aged middle class doesn't have as much expendable income anymore and they were the ones driving the economy. People are living longer at great expense and also working longer due to losing their retirement in the stock market. You can get a decent sport bike less than the cheapest Harley. Also, it's hard to enjoy scenery when every plot near a town of any size is being subdivided. "This generation is going to the dogs" is as old as the hills. I'm surprised they aren't more bitter considering their economic prosperity was mortgaged by previous generations.
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