I think we are ignoring all the kids on e-bikes (as I said above). Many of these can be hacked easily and will go much faster than the 28 mph max (or 22, depends on type). These things are MOTORCYCLES. The big question is will they go for ICE bikes as they grow older or something like the Zero? EV's prices will come down eventually and that will include EVs on 2 wheels.
Why Motorcycling is Dying???
- Thread starter RaYzerman
- Start date
the Ferret
Daily rider since May 1965
I first test rode a Zero S nearly a decade ago. They were expensive then (compared to similar mid-sized ice bikes like say an SV 650) and was I was told then that prices would eventually come down. Now, in 2025, the base price of a Zero S is 60% HIGHER than it was then.
ChucksKLRST
Team Colorado
As a Beginner one should shop the used market first for their first bike. But then again the used bike market is also getting expensive. I think the lack of new young riders is more to do with insurance cost and the fact these kids have never explored out past how far they can throw their smart phones. Most high school kids do not have a part time job for extra cash and young adults are too engrossed with trying to pay off a collage debt for a degree that they cannot find a job with. But they might be able to afford a electric stand up scooter to ride around the city.
Attachments
I remember wanting a bicycle when I was in junior high. My parents told me to earn the money...so I got a paper route. I delivered papers by walking and still remember some of those houses. I walked, put the papers where the people wanted them (usually on the porch) and thought a 10¢ tip when I collected at the end of the week was a lot. Things have changed a bit....
I have heard rumor of certain provinces being punitive toward bikes. C90 Adventures had a few coarse encounter in Quebec I believe
No insurance reqs in Florida and if you do its very reasonable. Not sure why insurance companies charge so much in places when the chances of a motorcyclist injuring another driver (i.e. liability) are slim. Comprehensive sure, very high risk but liability is where real cost are. Where's the math?
OhioDeere
Been There, Done That, Got the Shirt.
Everything is expensive these days.. the cost for fun is very high in percentage of your income as compared to 30 yrs ago.
The cost of used bikes, insurance, accesories and maintenance is high.
where does it end?? when do we run out of money and the economy goes into limbo??
The cost of used bikes, insurance, accesories and maintenance is high.
where does it end?? when do we run out of money and the economy goes into limbo??
Wait, maybe it's "don't let the young guy out"
They are in a dammed if you dammed if you don't situation.
Here's an example from a different market. Anyone remember WordPerfect? Back in the good ol' days, there were three big office suites. One from Lotus, one from WordPerfect and one from Microsoft. The magazine reviewers gave you the pros and cons of each, but it boiled down to one thing in the end. Which office suite had the most features. It didn't matter how useable those features were. It didn't matter how difficult it made using the product because of all the clutter from the unused menu items getting in the way. It only mattered who had the most. I would've been happy if they'd stopped at Word7. And now, there's only one commercial product on the market...Microsoft's. We the consumer are just as much at fault as the manufacturers are.
Chris
ST Gui
240Robert
Ain't that the truth. People like to badmouth men in their 50s and 60s when they go out and get a new Corvette or some other performance vehicle as having a mid-life (no offense Mid-Life) crisis. A big part of that is not a lot of people (well me) could afford a slick ride in our ute because they're always too pricey. Me I love various (but not all) generations of 'Vettes. But I could never afford a current copy back then. Now that I can afford one without living on ramen for a couple of months it's not that practical. and I need some practicality. Life is about to get very expensive. So as much as I like a flash ride there's none in my future.
I'll probably stick with my 2005 Subaru Outback XT. It looks like an old station wagon, albeit in good shape. Under the hood though, it has a turbocharged 4 cyl engine...the same as the WRX with a bit less boost. When I want to get on it, it goes better than any car I've owned, and when I see the LEO ahead, I just assume the station wagon behaviour and all is well.
I'd like to get a Miata, but I think this'll do it for me. Plus, when I quit riding, I'm going back to fly-fishing and camping. The Outback is a whole lot better...practical...to use your word.
Chris
diferg
Dan & Ingrid
I'm gonna wake you up early cause I'm gonna take a ride with you.
we're going down to the Honda shop; I'll tell you what we're goanna do.
put on a ragged sweatshirt, I'll take you any place you want me to.
Beach Boys
this is the theme to the addiction
we're going down to the Honda shop; I'll tell you what we're goanna do.
put on a ragged sweatshirt, I'll take you any place you want me to.
Beach Boys
this is the theme to the addiction
Sadlsor
Site Supporter
You could well be right, I've just about quit trying to figure this all out.
You and I are just different from most men, even most men "our age." As a rider, I was different from the get-go, back in high school, choosing a motor with only two wheels instead of four.
Maybe I'm a "rebel without a clue", but no matter -- I've long ago run out of damns to give, over what most people think of me.
What i do know is, if I were 30 or younger, I would not have been able to afford the price of a new ST1300 back in the day. That's why I didn't ever get one at the time. I certainly wouldn't have had the cash to buy a nearly- new BMW adventure bike.
I can't even imagine paying for decent insurance at a younger age today, so the many birthdays in my past does have at least that one advantage.
And what i do see also, as noted above, is fewer younger folk riding around on pedal bikes, much less being excited about driving. While it's true I can't completely relate to staying indoors most of the time looking at phones, computers or tv's, I try not to judge.
In the End, there has nearly always been some degree of conflict between one generation to the next.
In my case, it was music. I think my parents had that issue with my grandparents, too.
And these days, the tech seems to exacerbate the distance between the age groups.
But again, I ride for me and what it does for me, more than whatever statement that may or may not make about me.
I also agree that, for the most part, manufacturers are not working overly hard to entice young Americans to ride their products, and it's kind of a shame.
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
Last man out turn the lights off, will you? 
Funny story that I think you'll get a laugh from...
I was stationed at Griffiss AFB in Rome, NY for four years. A friend of ours was one of the doctors at the base hospital. He wanted to buy a Lincoln Continental. So he and his wife went to the local Ford, Mercury and Lincoln Continental dealership. The salesman looked him in his California surfer outfit (surf bum) and decided he couldn't afford a Lincoln and talked him into a less expensive Mercury. As they were signing the papers, another salesman walked in who knew my friend and said, "Hi Doctor John. How are you doing today?" The first salesman's face just dropped because he let my friend's clothing determine what he sold my friend...and lost a larger commission that day.
Chris
mello dude
Half genius, half dumazz whackjob foole
^^^^^Classic dont judge a book by its cover...
I can see the user case for an electric motorcycle for commuting. Heck I am the user case; about 25 km each way. If I put in a charger at home I'd be set. The problem is the ST is too much fun and it's paid for.
Kids these days seem less inclined to get their driver's license or cars. My son just got both and he's 20. I was kicking down the door of the MOT office for my learners as soon as I could at 15. Got my license at 16 and motorcycle license at 17. First vehicle I owned was a 1976 Yamaha RD400. It was a pretty basic bike by today's standards but I sure wish I had it back. It was freedom and independence for $5 a tank.
I see my son starting to have that sense of freedom with his car. I was gently discouraging it at first; he's a student, take the bus/train to school, save your money for school etc. I was wrong, I think it was one of the best things for him. And if he decides to get two wheels, I'll try to guide him as best I can. It's an imperfect analogy but we need to sell the sizzle (freedom, independence, the visceral joy of being exposed to the elements and leaning over into a curve at speed etc.) with the steak (gas mileage, better for the environment than ICE cars, cheaper to run....well.....).
I think we have also engineered into our kids a fair chunk of risk aversion. In some ways it's really good - they won't drink and drive as much as we did back in the day...we were idiots - and some not so good - stranger danger everywhere, my ex wouldn't let our daughter walk home 4 blocks alone after school, she had to go to after school care. A little less helicoptering and a little more judicious risk exposure might have been the better way. Plus, them durn lawyers and their personal injury lawsuits driving up the cost of insurance and making everyone scared of vehicular bogey men.
But yeah, if manufacturers could start making some decent jackknife bikes again that don't look like alien bugs come to invade, that'd be good.
Kids these days seem less inclined to get their driver's license or cars. My son just got both and he's 20. I was kicking down the door of the MOT office for my learners as soon as I could at 15. Got my license at 16 and motorcycle license at 17. First vehicle I owned was a 1976 Yamaha RD400. It was a pretty basic bike by today's standards but I sure wish I had it back. It was freedom and independence for $5 a tank.
I see my son starting to have that sense of freedom with his car. I was gently discouraging it at first; he's a student, take the bus/train to school, save your money for school etc. I was wrong, I think it was one of the best things for him. And if he decides to get two wheels, I'll try to guide him as best I can. It's an imperfect analogy but we need to sell the sizzle (freedom, independence, the visceral joy of being exposed to the elements and leaning over into a curve at speed etc.) with the steak (gas mileage, better for the environment than ICE cars, cheaper to run....well.....).
I think we have also engineered into our kids a fair chunk of risk aversion. In some ways it's really good - they won't drink and drive as much as we did back in the day...we were idiots - and some not so good - stranger danger everywhere, my ex wouldn't let our daughter walk home 4 blocks alone after school, she had to go to after school care. A little less helicoptering and a little more judicious risk exposure might have been the better way. Plus, them durn lawyers and their personal injury lawsuits driving up the cost of insurance and making everyone scared of vehicular bogey men.
But yeah, if manufacturers could start making some decent jackknife bikes again that don't look like alien bugs come to invade, that'd be good.
What's a book....
Don't let Samuel T. Cogley hear you say that.....What's a book....