Why Motorcycling is Dying???

Sadlsor said:
I seriously doubt any of my friends will live forever. (Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, if you hadn't realized this before now.)
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awww crap ........ and I just bought another new to me low miles used bike
 
Sadlsor said:
For "some" years to come, certainly, but not forever. And to my point above... many riders I know are looking at smaller and lighter-weight bikes than they currently own, in order to continue riding. And then what?
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That's what led me away from Honda at the time. I had the NT700V and liked it a lot. For grins, I tried a 2014 BMW F800GT...and found to my surprise that it seemed better in many way. One was that it was a hundred pounds lighter. And yet, I gave up nothing in touring capability with the lighter bike. And...I realized that while it wasn't a big deal in my 60's, that hundred pounds would make a big difference as the years went by.

Sadlsor said:
So I'm not sure the industry's selection of youthful models in their advertising is truly a significant factor. The fact is, more and younger people have to be persuaded to buy motorbikes, no matter what pitch or ad strategy is employed.
I don't envy the powersports industry today, certainly not in the USA.
But thankfully, as I have fewer years left in me, the industry will be around long enough for my needs.
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I'm not sure the industry is dead. I see gangs (for lack of a better term) of teenage kids riding around here on some small bikes. Popping wheelies, just having the time of their lives on two-wheeled motorized bikes. They're getting hooked on the joys of riding and will probably start looking for something bigger and faster when they get a bit older.

I'd be more worried about the gov'ts legislating the fun out of two-wheeled riding.

Chris
 
the Ferret said:
awww crap ........ and I just bought another new to me low miles used bike
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Excellent! What did you get? I may have said it earlier in the thread (old age makes for lack of memory) but all the young people are getting around on the electric scooters (the type you stand on) and electric bicycles- they really have no interest in getting a driver’s license and very likely not a motorcycle endorsement. I see some young people on sport bikes, but in general, they don’t keep them very long. I also see yutes on the non electric small bikes (I assume 50 cc) but none of the bikes have tags on them so not registered.

Interesting footnote- last Saturday, the wife and I attended my friend’s 60th birthday party and attending were some of the guys I had ridden with in the past to Tail of the Dragon and the Smoky Mountains…they’re all north of 60, and everyone has sold their bikes, except for the birthday boy (he still had his K1600 and a 2008 GW that has low miles when he bought it)- I asked when he last had them out and he told me likely a year ago. That’s sad (to me)- I just went out yesterday and try to ride 2-3x weekly if the weather permits.
 
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Erdoc48 said:
Excellent! What did you get?
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Another NC 750X DCT. This one is loaded with upgrades...MRA windshield with spoiler, Honda light bar with Denali lights, Honda centerstand, Honda heated grips, Honda USB port, Veridian cruise control, Garmin GPS with TPMS , R &G frame sliders, Pyramid rear hugger, sidestand pad, Wilbers suspension front & rear, Thunder box, lithium battery, Denali brake lights and it came with a factory shop manual and an extended warranty until Jan 27 with only 1,290 miles.

Blue Bird and Angry Bird (my NC 750's)

QVU6mAL.jpg
 
the Ferret said:
Another NC 750X DCT. This one is loaded with upgrades...MRA windshield with spoiler, Honda light bar with Denali lights, Honda centerstand, Honda heated grips, Honda USB port, Veridian cruise control, Garmin GPS with TPMS , R &G frame sliders, Pyramid rear hugger, sidestand pad, Wilbers suspension front & rear, Thunder box, lithium battery, Denali brake lights and it came with a factory shop manual and an extended warranty until Jan 27 with only 1,290 miles.

Blue Bird and Angry Bird (my NC 750's)

QVU6mAL.jpg
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Well, I just don't understand why a feller would want more than one of the same motorcycle .... ;)
 
I can't say it was absoluetly necessary for me to downsize with age, but I must say it has been a blessing. I started street riding in 1965 when I was 15, the love of riding passed onto me by my father who rode into his mid-70s. Over the years I have owned a lot of motorcycles (35 I think). I was 58 when I bought my ST 1300. Rode it for 10 years and 110,000 miles before at 68 years old buying an FJR which was 115 pounds (noticably) lighter than the ST. Rode the FJR for 3 years and 40,000 miles before at age 71 trading it for the 21 NC 750 which was another very noticable 115 pounds lighter than the FJR. I've put 69,000 miles on it in 4 years and feel comfortable enough with the weight/riding it, that at age 75, I've bought what I figure will take me to the end of my riding days, another very low mileage used NC 750. If the weight of it becomes uncomfortable and I still want to ride, I'll look into a 500 cc bike. Whatever it takes. My dad finished out his riding career on a Honda 350/4. A long way from the full dressed Indians and Harleys he used to ride.

Luckily for the motorcycle industry, I passed on my love of motorcycles to my son who at 47 rides a Yamaha MT 10, and a Ducati Monster. He has passed his love of motorcycling on to his 2 boys, now 13 and 11, who have been riding Honda and Yamaha minis since they were 4 or 5. My son will probably buy another bike or two, but his sons have the potential to buy many.
 
Uncle Phil said:
Well, I just don't understand why a feller would want more than one of the same motorcycle .... ;)
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I thought people would think me crazy back when I sold my 2007 Burgman 400. The standard answer for selling a bike is I bought something new that I like better.

Well, in my case, I bought a 2008 Burgman 400. Same bike, one model year newer.

The older 2007 had 48K on it by then and was still running like a Swiss watch. I loved it. But the 2007 model only had one low beam and one high beam. I ride a lot at night, especially back then. In the winter months, my commute started in darkness and ended in darkness. In 2008, Suzuki changed the lighting to two low beams and two high beams. Plus, the 2008 was a leftover in 2011 and I got it for only a couple hundred more than I sold the 2007 for. To me, it was a no-brainer to get a newer and slightly more desirable model.

@the Ferret - Looks like you got a good deal on the new bike. The 750 is a good model to buy.

Chris
 
Daboo said:
I thought people would think me crazy back when I sold my 2007 Burgman 400. The standard answer for selling a bike is I bought something new that I like better.

Well, in my case, I bought a 2008 Burgman 400. Same bike, one model year newer.

The older 2007 had 48K on it by then and was still running like a Swiss watch. I loved it. But the 2007 model only had one low beam and one high beam. I ride a lot at night, especially back then. In the winter months, my commute started in darkness and ended in darkness. In 2008, Suzuki changed the lighting to two low beams and two high beams. Plus, the 2008 was a leftover in 2011 and I got it for only a couple hundred more than I sold the 2007 for. To me, it was a no-brainer to get a newer and slightly more desirable model.

@the Ferret - Looks like you got a good deal on the new bike. The 750 is a good model to buy.

Chris
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BTW, I own EIGHT ST1100s ... :biggrin:
 
the Ferret said:
Another NC 750X DCT. This one is loaded with upgrades...MRA windshield with spoiler, Honda light bar with Denali lights, Honda centerstand, Honda heated grips, Honda USB port, Veridian cruise control, Garmin GPS with TPMS , R &G frame sliders, Pyramid rear hugger, sidestand pad, Wilbers suspension front & rear, Thunder box, lithium battery, Denali brake lights and it came with a factory shop manual and an extended warranty until Jan 27 with only 1,290 miles.

Blue Bird and Angry Bird (my NC 750's)

QVU6mAL.jpg
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And I’ll bet the Mrs is wondering why you had to get another one :cool:. I get the multiple bike craze and if one is mechanically down for whatever reason, you have backups. Redundancy can be a very good thing. Or in my case, when my brother visits here in SC or I go to Colorado, the bike is waiting for him (and for me out there). No more rentals.
 
Erdoc48 said:
And I’ll bet the Mrs is wondering why you had to get another one :cool:.
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Actually, when a buddy of mine told me about it I was on speaker phone (I hear better that way lol) and I was waffling and my wife was sitting there saying "you should get it"! lol. She has been a very understanding wife (she rides too btw) for going on 52 years.

I also have a CB 1100 in the garage I bought new in 2014 and have put 79,000 miles on it, but I'm starting to feel the weight when pushing it out of the garage and hefting it off the sidestand.
 
Daboo said:
Sooo...hmmm...does that mean you're still searching for the perfect motorcycle???

Or that you found it and can't get enough of them. :D

Chris
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The latter not the former ... ;)
 
Daboo said:
I just want to see a pic of UP's garage someday. :D

I can see it now when he decides to sell the house. The listing will say something like, "Enormous garage and workshop. House also has a kitchen and bedrooms, but who cares."

Chris
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Aerial view -
Holler Aerial View.jpg
That long thing perpendicular out of the back of the house is my modest garage ... ;)
 
:D We're in the process of moving to a new home. Developers bought the old one. I tell people that it has a 3 car garage with room for work benches and all my tools. And it has two storage sheds, plus a covered patio to grill on in the winter. And oh yes, and it has a kitchen and some bedrooms. Gotta have our priorities right on what's necessary on a home.

Chris
 
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