Big Bike Future

[sandy]

Interesting read about the future of large motorcycles.

http://www.bikebandit.com/blog/post/large-motorcycles-are-dying-in-the-us-and-harley-davidson-is-dying-fastest?roi=echo3-45817697550-43609071-29bb09b414c2f67380ee6db0d7b3d605&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=promo_products&utm_source=Thu_08617_BBNews&utm_content=large_motorcycles_dying_us

[rocketray]

all that is true but in Dallas the roads/streets are just un-rideable anymore..it is just too dangerous due to huge population growth leading to congestion and resulting roadrage..the distracted driving is commonplace w/some 70% of people on their phones while driving--we used to have more rural area's where kids would start on dirt bikes and progress to street bikes---my son--who recently joined the Army- declined to take a motorcycle to college at Texas A&M or upon graduating ride one here in Dallas...

[old2soon]

Lot of the replies to that article touched on cost and reliability as negatives concerning the H/D brand. The kool aide drinkin die hards were Very EASY to spot just from their answers. Even IF I had the money h/d would NOT be due any consideration from me as a two or three wheel conveyance. You pay THAT Much upfront you best be gittin sumpin on the back side. Unless they Only built 2 or 3 When Zackly did a M/C become an investment?  I have noticed when I go into the various m/c showrooms there is NOT very many folks in their 20s and 30s to be seen in there. Now the other day I saw the Grand Kid with Gramps BUT Gramps wuz buyin the kid a small moto cross bike. RIDE SAFE.

[Savago]

Pretty good article, thanks for sharing it.

I think the 2 key points in the article are:
"In the face of a shrinking market, several other manufacturers have done a good job creating less expensive, easier-to-own motorcycles that the young people who do ride seem to love – such Ducati with it’s Scrambler line, and Yamaha with its wildly successful FZs."

and

"It’s not only something inherent to motorcycles that millenials are shying away from – young people these days don’t like to drive in general. The very possession of a driver license has fallen double-digit percentages among teens and adults in just the last few decades, a finding released in a 2014 University of Michigan study on the phenomenon."

[Robert]

Good article but its not been all roses for Harley either. Does anyone else remember that they sold the company, when things were bad.

Personally I think we saw the same thing in the auto industry for American cars. Foreign cars had all the changes and improvements and American cars just stayed the same. Harley has not come out with a successful wild model that would attract the younger crowd in a long time. So between the older people dying off, no model to appeal the younger crowd and really staying the same all are contributing factors. Along with the recent rise in sales by riding the wave of recent popularity, but how does that translate into life long sales? I call that a fad, pure and simple.

[Rams]

HD has a tough road to hoe.   They put themselves into this mess.   They built a culture and that culture is dying off.   HD is now reaping the crop they have sown with a lack of vision.    Honda and the other two wheeled producers are in a much better position but, I'd agree that cruisers like our Valkyries are going to see limited sales due to a changing climate and culture.   There are already dealers who don't sell large cruisers, some don't even sell two wheelers and stick to the four wheeled side by side type of recreational stuff.   

I (we) love what we've got, most of us have no desire or intent to downgrade what we ride.   Those younger generations are not as into riding, have other fun activities and have even more limited finances to have that fun with.   I don't see the cruiser market growing, I believe it will be declining and our bikes will be seen in museums in the not to distant future.   

Personally, I'll ride my Valkyrie as long as I'm able and she can carry me.

[Firefighter]

I have noticed over the years that younger generations are not interested in the same things as I grew up with. I go fishing and don't see too many younger boaters, kids skying, or even riding wave runners. Young people don't seem interested in cars or learning how they work. See a insurance commercial every night where the two teenagers can't change a tire, don't know what a lug wrench is! Don't see kids outside anymore, stay indoors I guess, can't learn life's physics without outside activities.
Shocking to me that the young don't want to drive, always been one of life's most rewarding pastimes.

I don't think lack of funds has that much to do with this change in interest, I never had any money to speak of but never stopped pursuing my dreams and found ways to obtain cars, boats, horses, what ever, even learned to fly.

My opinion, one over bearing factor is the social network that younger people are hooked on, I had an adult cousin who came to visit and had to find a computer so she could feed her barn animals (online). People are worried and occupied with what someone else thinks about them, using their phones to stay connected, so there buddies know what type of bowel movement they had! People all around me are looking down at their phones and missing the bigger picture. Makes me wonder what this is leading us to?

[Hooter]

We always seem to compare everything to Harley while there are other brands equal to if not more expensive than Harley.  Indian being one of them . How much is a new Wing? I have no idea. If this wonderful bike we ride were to be purchased today, what kind of price tag would it have?

Harley is and has been stagnant for years.  They create nothing new except motor size. Like Rams said, they have created their own problems.  Only thing that keeps them alive is dedication, and it's not from the young adults. They ,Harley, not only count on repeat purchase but that you buy into everything the Moco has to offer, and a bunch do. That along with parts / accessory sales keeps them moving. People are dedicated to Harley and it's nastalga. (Sp) Harley will not go away.

[Alpha Dog]

I have noticed over the years that younger generations are not interested in the same things as I grew up with. I go fishing and don't see too many younger boaters, kids skying, or even riding wave runners. Young people don't seem interested in cars or learning how they work. See a insurance commercial every night where the two teenagers can't change a tire, don't know what a lug wrench is! Don't see kids outside anymore, stay indoors I guess, can't learn life's physics without outside activities.
Shocking to me that the young don't want to drive, always been one of life's most rewarding pastimes.

I don't think lack of funds has that much to do with this change in interest, I never had any money to speak of but never stopped pursuing my dreams and found ways to obtain cars, boats, horses, what ever, even learned to fly.

My opinion, one over bearing factor is the social network that younger people are hooked on, I had an adult cousin who came to visit and had to find a computer so she could feed her barn animals (online). People are worried and occupied with what someone else thinks about them, using their phones to stay connected, so there buddies know what type of bowel movement they had! People all around me are looking down at their phones and missing the bigger picture. Makes me wonder what this is leading us to?

You just penned what the article really did not discuss, and  this is true.  Also there has been a declining standard of living for the middle class since the new millennium, which I attribute to the ridiculous trade deals we entered into in the 90's and shipping millions of jobs of shore.  For those that do not go to college the factories do not pay close to same wage rates as we enjoyed back in the 50s - 80s.  Those that do go to college and get liberal art degrees in gender study type courses are unemployable or underemployable.  I went to an upscale bar a couple years back in Centerville, OH ( upscale Dayton suburb ).  It was staffed by a bunch of young folks just  graduated from Ohio State.  Those that do get good degrees and make good money are saddled with 50 to 200k in college debt that will take many years to dig out of before they can think of much disposable income.   Then of course you have the safe spacers that are afraid of the wrong pronoun. They despise motorcycles and take uber to get around.

The Times they are a changin. 

[cookiedough]

I have noticed over the years that younger generations are not interested in the same things as I grew up with. I go fishing and don't see too many younger boaters, kids skying, or even riding wave runners. Young people don't seem interested in cars or learning how they work. See a insurance commercial every night where the two teenagers can't change a tire, don't know what a lug wrench is! Don't see kids outside anymore, stay indoors I guess, can't learn life's physics without outside activities.
Shocking to me that the young don't want to drive, always been one of life's most rewarding pastimes.

I don't think lack of funds has that much to do with this change in interest, I never had any money to speak of but never stopped pursuing my dreams and found ways to obtain cars, boats, horses, what ever, even learned to fly.

My opinion, one over bearing factor is the social network that younger people are hooked on, I had an adult cousin who came to visit and had to find a computer so she could feed her barn animals (online). People are worried and occupied with what someone else thinks about them, using their phones to stay connected, so there buddies know what type of bowel movement they had! People all around me are looking down at their phones and missing the bigger picture. Makes me wonder what this is leading us to?

good way to put it and I agree as well.

So sad to see most of our younger generation ( my kids age) not get into cycling.  My 16 year old boy though likes and have him hooked on cycling this year bought him a 1997 magna he cannot get off the thing rides it all the time now.  Since he has a job now (although only 8 bucks per hour) this summer, he wants to spend 1/2 of what he has earned (about 1 grand) on an older 1980's v65 magna, but so far no luck finding one worth buying not needing a fixer up load full.  He says in 10 years those fast v65 1980's cycles/magnas will not be around much anymore and he wants to get one while they are still around to enjoy, much like our Valkyrie will be in 10 more years or more. 

He does not want a Valkyrie saying too big and cumbersome (plus too costly) but also does not want a crotch rocket, so the v65 magna fits the bill super fast and yet somewhat lightweight at 550lbs. or so.

[art]

I think it's because they are too dumb to learn how to ride or drive a manual shift vehicle. Some of the dumber ones are the thugs that can't steal a car because it's a stick shift.

[cookiedough]

I think it's because they are too dumb to learn how to ride or drive a manual shift vehicle. Some of the dumber ones are the thugs that can't steal a car because it's a stick shift.

My 16 year old had a heck of a time the first 4-5 times out this April/May getting the clutch right to not kill the engine starting off.  WE kept the learning sessions short to not get him too worked up over killing the engine about 5-6 times in a row.  Now, he thinks he is a pro and keeps right up with me, the old man.... and thinks he needs even a faster cycle than our VAlks/his 97 magna.

But yah,  big bikes are on the way out for the younger generation.  I know when I was 18 I did not want a huge bike over say 800cc either.

[f6john]

A little off topic but this came to my mind about driving a manual. When my son was ready to buy his first car after having driven my vehicles for a year or two, we found a used 90 model Toyota MR2. It was a 5 speed and my son had no experience with a manual since everything I owned was an automatic. My wife and I took my son to the owners home to see the car and I was surprised to learn that the car was the same car that I drove as a demonstrator when I worked for the Toyota dealer years earlier! After the test drive, we were sold on the car and wrote the check (son got financing and paid for the car). Not having driven a manual and not wanting to damage the car on the first outing, his mother had to drive the car home. He was a little embarrassed and of course we kidded him about it constantly which was all the encouragement he needed to learn and he took to it like a duck to water.

[czuch]

I think it's because they are too dumb to learn how to ride or drive a manual shift vehicle. Some of the dumber ones are the thugs that can't steal a car because it's a stick shift.

I have a 1964 Plymouth Belvedere. Its a 318 with three on the tree.
I took a couple friends of a youte I know who are into old cars for a ride.
They thought I was a magician.
Funnest part, was teaching them how it works.
One of em even learned how to shift like a big truck.

[Hooter]

We drove both sticks and automatics in drivers training. Growing up, no one wanted an automatic most all the guys drove sticks in muscle cars or the farm kids drove pickups. They had been since they were 3 yrs old anyway.

[old2soon]

Both my Girls from 2nd marriage born in the 90s. Stick shift-W T F is THAT? When I first learned how to drive Mom's car was a 55 Mercury station wagon with an automatic. Dads was a 54 Ford 2 door 6 cylinder with a 3 speed overdrive. I learned on Dads Ford cuz as he told me-ANYONE can drive an automatic.  Got my license with the stick shift and drove big truck for a lot of years. Only drove one big truck with an automatic. Even todays econo boxes have automatics. Course my Oldsmobile old mans car-Youngest Daughters description-has an automatic. MAYBE some of the younglings are lacking coordination skills?  OR they would rather be texting stead of tasting bugs?  Course most of us are aware that Riding is an acquired taste. RIDE SAFE.

[scooperhsd]

GIVE ME MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS OR GIVE ME DEATH (or at least I'll probably stop driving not too far after that) ! 

The first car I bought (at 16 - in 1976) was a '64 full size Chevy sedan - 250 straight 6 and 3 on the tree.

Next three cars (also used) had automatics . 67 Chevy (283 with 2 speed Powerglide), Ford LTD (390 V8 + 3 speed Auto), 72 AMC Gremlin (232 straight 6 + 3 speed Auto - shared with brother at college).

My college graduation vehicle - 1983 Ford Ranger Pickup - with 5 speed manual.

1988 Acura Integra (5 speed manual) (still own  279,000 miles)
1990 Honda Civic station Wagon (5 speed manual)

2000 VW New Beetle (bought in 2003) - came with a 4 speed automatic (I called it the auto tragic) - the auto gave out at 252,000 miles and we swapped in a 5 speed manual (now at 360,000 miles - going for 500,000 miles)

Latest car 2015 Golf, with a DSG (automatic shifting). Wife's choice. She CAN handle a stick.

If we would have had kids - they would get their driver's licenses with a stick - or not at all. As said earlier - anyone can "drive" an automatic - it takes a "DRIVER" to handle a manual.

[Rams]

I have two (now adult) children.   Both learned to drive out in my pasture using my (manual) six speed truck.   With both of them, before I would let them take their driving tests, they had to be able to back my truck into a parallel parking spot I made, back up and hook up to my goose neck and then place it precisely in the middle of a parking spot at our small airport.   

Yeah, I was a demanding a$$ jerk but, both my kids can drive and put a vehicle where ever they want it.   

[cookiedough]

 manuals are a pain in the butt though in heavy stop/go traffic, cars that is.  cycles no problems are easier to drive than a car manual. 

todays automatics get just as good if not better mpg than most manuals so why bother getting a manual plus the cost savings is not as great as it once was way back in the day. 

On topic, will be interesting to see in about 10 more years how much more cycle sales drop since I am 99% positive they will be down overall more so than they are now.  Like said, the milleniums do not drive cycles nor have any interest in buying them.  You see maybe 1-2 tops now driving cycles to high school vs. back in my day 5-10 had cycles in high school with a class size of only 30-40 kids per class.  As of now my kid age 16 is the only one in our entire high school that has a cycle license and actually drives the tires off his 97 magna putting on more miles than I have so far this riding season.  He enjoys the wind and speed and actually wants to get another even faster cycle before they become extent, a faster 1980s V65 magna.  We have test drove 3 so far and boy, they are FASTER than the 750cc magna or my 1520cc Valkryie (both similar in speed), what a RUSH!!

[PhoenixRizing]

I agree with the remark about the younger generation not wanting to drive at all. My oldest son who just got back from deployment recently still doesn't have his license and he's 20. Although he inherited my 79 trans am which is being restored he still doesn't want a license. I told him before he drives it he will have one and he agreed. He came back with "well I got bout another year then". I couldn't wait to have my license. These days it just doesn't have the same appeal I guess.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I agree with the remark about the younger generation not wanting to drive at all. My oldest son who just got back from deployment recently still doesn't have his license and he's 20. Although he inherited my 79 trans am which is being restored he still doesn't want a license. I told him before he drives it he will have one and he agreed. He came back with "well I got bout another year then". I couldn't wait to have my license. These days it just doesn't have the same appeal I guess.

I couldn't wait either. I got my motorcycle license and learners permit the same day when I turned 14. I got my drivers license 2 years later when I turned 16. Taking my drivers test in February on icy roads in downtown Anchorage was challenging. But I wasn't going to wait 1 day past my birthday.  Having a MC at 14 was freedom. Being able to go wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted was liberating.

[old2soon]

I agree with the remark about the younger generation not wanting to drive at all. My oldest son who just got back from deployment recently still doesn't have his license and he's 20. Although he inherited my 79 trans am which is being restored he still doesn't want a license. I told him before he drives it he will have one and he agreed. He came back with "well I got bout another year then". I couldn't wait to have my license. These days it just doesn't have the same appeal I guess.

              I reached 72 years this past-2017-feb. Could NOT wait to turn 16-1961-so as to get my First drivers license-NIRVANA. I have NEVER Once regretted getting my drivers-later chauffer-license. Friends 63 327 Impala-burned rubber in the first three and patched fourth!   Even WITH that crappy azzed soft suspension.   RIDE SAFE.

[hubcapsc]

I never got a car until college.

My mother "fixed" the motorcycle problem when I was 12: you
can get one if you can buy it.

I got a paper route and had a Yamaha 100 by the time I was 14.

She tried to fix the motorcycle problem again when I was in
11th or 12th grade: I'll get you a car if you get rid of that
motorcycle...

I guess I didn't even have a license until I got the car...

-Mike

[solo1]

Shifting for me is the way to go.

My first car had three on the floor, no synchromesh tranny, a 1929 Chevy.

My last manual shift is the six speed on the floor Miata. What a difference!

In between, were many straight shift cars , three on the floor, three on the column, and an Army Deuce and a half, 5 speed non synchromesh with two speed transfer case and 10 wheel drive.

One of my jobs in the Army was to teach recruits how to drive trucks. 

Oh yeah, my first mc was a 1935 HD three on the tank, foot clutch.

Even though Harley went to foot shift and hand clutch, the remaining 'nostalgia" associated with Harley, is going to be a tough sell to millennials.

[Jess from VA]

I couldn't wait to get my license (and a car) either.  

Completed HS driver's ed with the school's most abusive teacher.  He liked to punch you in the arm when you couldn't parallel park to his satisfaction (hard).  After he punched me a few times, I slammed it into park at 5mph to bounce his head off the windshield (he was 6'5").

It was pretty cool, the HS driver's ed cars were all (automatic) '67 Impalas, and my dad had just bought a brand new 67' Impala.  Not that it was made available to me, except for special occasions like a prom.  This was preceded by a careful inspection of the car by dad and me.... it better come back the same way, or else.  And there were curfews, and the talk with dad where I was informed NO MEANS NO!!!

With dad's help, I had a loan and a VW purchased, and picked up the day I hit 16 and got my license.  It was a std shift which I had never driven, so mom took me to a local park where I jammed gears, stalled and learned (sort of) in a one day crash course. I used it to get to my job at a Mobil station, and the game began... how many times do I stall getting to and from work?

It was the old paradox many of us faced.  We needed a job to afford a car, and we needed a car to get to the job.

I couldn't afford a bike until I was 17.  There was no MC endorsement in those days; a license was a license for everything.  I taught myself to ride on a 650 BSA Lightening, there were no courses.    

Of course the next most important thing related to your own car besides a job and freedom, was girls.  How were you ever going to get past first base without a car?  It sure wasn't happening on dates to the bowling alley with your mom driving you to and from.  

I guess if you plan to live with your parents for the rest of your life, you don't need a car or a license (or a job, or any motivation).  Developing an entitlement mentality from an early age.

  

[Chrisj CMA]

Funny, after 15 years on my Valkyrie I don't even think of it as a big motorcycle.  However, I still remember after committing to purchase it and before it was delivered I wondered if I was crazy buying such a monster of a bike.  

I guess it's shrunk some from riding in the rain a few times.  Lol

That was a good read and I believe to be true, this new generation needs everything simple, instant, and temporary.  So sad

[The emperor has no clothes]

I couldn't wait to get my license (and a car) either.  

Completed HS driver's ed with the school's most abusive teacher.  He liked to punch you in the arm when you couldn't parallel park to his satisfaction (hard).  After he punched me a few times, I slammed it into park at 5mph to bounce his head off the windshield (he was 6'5").

It was pretty cool, the HS driver's ed cars were all (automatic) '67 Impalas, and my dad had just bought a brand new 67' Impala.  Not that it was made available to me, except for special occasions like a prom.  This was preceded by a careful inspection of the car by dad and me.... it better come back the same way, or else.  And there were curfews, and the talk with dad where I was informed NO MEANS NO!!!

With dad's help, I had a loan and a VW purchased, and picked up the day I hit 16 and got my license.  It was a std shift which I had never driven, so mom took me to a local park where I jammed gears, stalled and learned (sort of) in a one day crash course. I used it to get to my job at a Mobil station, and the game began... how many times do I stall getting to and from work?

It was the old paradox many of us faced.  We needed a job to afford a car, and we needed a car to get to the job.

I couldn't afford a bike until I was 17.  There was no MC endorsement in those days; a license was a license for everything.  I taught myself to ride on a 650 BSA Lightening, there were no courses.    

Of course the next most important thing related to your own car besides a job and freedom, was girls.  How were you ever going to get past first base without a car?  It sure wasn't happening on dates to the bowling alley with your mom driving you to and from.  

I guess if you plan to live with your parents for the rest of your life, you don't need a car or a license (or a job, or any motivation).

  

My first "car" was a '59 Chevy Apache for $400. Bought it 3 months before I turned 16. I could only drive it if I could talk my Dad into being a passenger. Luckily, he was pretty willing. In our state you could get a MC license at 14. But it could only be up to 11 hp. So, I had to take my Suzuki 90 to the dealer and have a governor put on. After I figured out what they did, I removed it. They just put a little sleeve over the throttle cable to restrict wide open. (I got to 1st base a few times on that bike)  

[Jess from VA]

Well, it wasn't like getting into the backseat of a VW (Carmen Ghia) at the drive in (or anywhere) was even a possibility (unless you were midgets).  And the stick and emergency brake in the front seat were just like a fun governor.

I do recall one of those 440 volt electric heaters exploding into flames inside the car at the drive in, just at an exciting, passionate moment.  At the time, I seriously thought maybe this had been some divine intervention into my sinful ways. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well, it wasn't like getting into the backseat of a VW (Carmen Ghia) at the drive in (or anywhere) was even a possibility (unless you were midgets).  And the stick and emergency brake in the front seat were just like a fun governor.

I do recall one of those 440 volt electric heaters exploding into flames inside the car at the drive in, just at an exciting, passionate moment.  At the time, I seriously thought maybe this had been some divine intervention into my sinful ways. 

I later had a '62 Bug. There was no action going on in there. I don't remember those electric heaters. I think propane was what we had.

[Willow]

The direction of the article and moreso of this thread seems to be incorrect to me.  We seem to be focused on figuring out why the younger generation is not interested in buying big bikes (or manual transmission vehicles).  That's not the way business works, at least not in a capitalist culture.  The manufacturers and retailers of big bikes are businesses.  It is the job of business to discern what the buying public wants and then to produce a product that will sell to that public.  It is not the public's responsibility to buy whatever the business decides it wants to produce.

I have come to like big bikes.  Well, specifically, I like the Valkyrie.  I prefer, greatly, a manual transmission in my vehicles.  I consider automatic transmissions great for girls and sissies.  I do have more money to spend than the average twenty or thirty something in this country.  There just may not be a number of me significant enough to carry the market.

 

(My first car was a $19 1953 Ford station wagon with an automatic transmission.  The $19 was because my father told me I could have it if I could buy the tags.  It was probably valued at $75 to $100.) 

[..]

I have noticed over the years that younger generations are not interested in the same things as I grew up with. I go fishing and don't see too many younger boaters, kids skying, or even riding wave runners. Young people don't seem interested in cars or learning how they work. See a insurance commercial every night where the two teenagers can't change a tire, don't know what a lug wrench is! Don't see kids outside anymore, stay indoors I guess, can't learn life's physics without outside activities.
Shocking to me that the young don't want to drive, always been one of life's most rewarding pastimes.

I don't think lack of funds has that much to do with this change in interest, I never had any money to speak of but never stopped pursuing my dreams and found ways to obtain cars, boats, horses, what ever, even learned to fly.

My opinion, one over bearing factor is the social network that younger people are hooked on, I had an adult cousin who came to visit and had to find a computer so she could feed her barn animals (online). People are worried and occupied with what someone else thinks about them, using their phones to stay connected, so there buddies know what type of bowel movement they had! People all around me are looking down at their phones and missing the bigger picture. Makes me wonder what this is leading us to?

Not just younger people. I have some friends over 60 who are addicted to their "smart" phones. Facebook being the drug of choice.

[The emperor has no clothes]

The direction of the article and moreso of this thread seems to be incorrect to me.  We seem to be focused on figuring out why the younger generation is not interested in buying big bikes (or manual transmission vehicles).  That's not the way business works, at least not in a capitalist culture.  The manufacturers and retailers of big bikes are businesses.  It is the job of business to discern what the buying public wants and then to produce a product that will sell to that public.  It is not the public's responsibility to buy whatever the business decides it wants to produce.

I have come to like big bikes.  Well, specifically, I like the Valkyrie.  I prefer, greatly, a manual transmission in my vehicles.  I consider automatic transmissions great for girls and sissies.  I do have more money to spend than the average twenty or thirty something in this country.  There just may not be a number of me significant enough to carry the market.

 

(My first car was a $19 1953 Ford station wagon with an automatic transmission.  The $19 was because my father told me I could have it if I could buy the tags.  It was probably valued at $75 to $100.) 

To be honest, I really don't have many feelings about whether MC's are on the decline or not. Times change, what was fun for us probably wasn't for our elders. And it probably won't be for our next generation. I look forward to some of the science fiction stuff like hover boards, jet packs, etc. come around. "Girls and sissies"  (I like it)
 I may be in the minority, but I'm thankful there is not a China size market of Willows. $19 for tags ? Highway robbery ! I think mine couldn't have much over $10. 

[hubcapsc]

what was fun for us probably wasn't for our elders



-Mike 

[desertrefugee]

To be honest, I really don't have many feelings about whether MC's are on the decline or not. Times change, what was fun for us probably wasn't for our elders. And it probably won't be for our next generation. I look forward to some of the science fiction stuff like hover boards, jet packs, etc. come around. "Girls and sissies"   (I like it)
 I may be in the minority, but I'm thankful there is not a China size market of Willows. $19 for tags ? Highway robbery ! I think mine couldn't have much over $10.  

The motorcycle has been "fun" for a lot of people for over a hundred years. That won't change. It isn't going away.  Let's just stop being so hung up about how many are being sold by the manufacturers (I could give a rat's behind) and enjoy them.    

Just like the last 4 generations has done.

<<EDIT:  Looks like hubcapsc is on the same frequency as I am. >>

[baldo]

what was fun for us probably wasn't for our elders



-Mike 

cool....

I've got a picture of my Grandmother on an old Harley....I'll try to post it...

[The emperor has no clothes]

To be honest, I really don't have many feelings about whether MC's are on the decline or not. Times change, what was fun for us probably wasn't for our elders. And it probably won't be for our next generation. I look forward to some of the science fiction stuff like hover boards, jet packs, etc. come around. "Girls and sissies"   (I like it)
 I may be in the minority, but I'm thankful there is not a China size market of Willows. $19 for tags ? Highway robbery ! I think mine couldn't have much over $10.  

The motorcycle has been "fun" for a lot of people for over a hundred years. That won't change. It isn't going away.  Let's just stop being so hung up about how many are being sold by the manufacturers (I could give a rat's behind) and enjoy them.    

Just like the last 4 generations has done.

<<EDIT:  Looks like hubcapsc is on the same frequency as I am. >>

I should have qualified "fun" in a general sense, not necessarily as to just motorcycles.

[The emperor has no clothes]

what was fun for us probably wasn't for our elders



-Mike 

Mike, it is a cool juxtaposition. You should have someone get a pic of you on "chewie". But with the positioning of your Dad and such. 

[Chrisj CMA]

The direction of the article and moreso of this thread seems to be incorrect to me.  We seem to be focused on figuring out why the younger generation is not interested in buying big bikes (or manual transmission vehicles).  That's not the way business works, at least not in a capitalist culture.  The manufacturers and retailers of big bikes are businesses.  It is the job of business to discern what the buying public wants and then to produce a product that will sell to that public.  It is not the public's responsibility to buy whatever the business decides it wants to produce.

I have come to like big bikes.  Well, specifically, I like the Valkyrie.  I prefer, greatly, a manual transmission in my vehicles.  I consider automatic transmissions great for girls and sissies.  I do have more money to spend than the average twenty or thirty something in this country.  There just may not be a number of me significant enough to carry the market.

 

(My first car was a $19 1953 Ford station wagon with an automatic transmission.  The $19 was because my father told me I could have it if I could buy the tags.  It was probably valued at $75 to $100.) 

I agree with you Carl. It is the producer of the product that bears the burden of offering something that the current market will embrace. All I am saying is the state of the current market and prospects for the future is sad and I blame parents spoiling children and enabling a "ME" culture like we have never seen before.

[Willow]

Some of us may be painting with too broad a brush.  I rode to the car wash at lunch to get my dollar coins and then to Taco Via.  Crossing a large parking lot I stopped to allow a girl (I'm 66.  They're all girls even into their mid thirties.) to cross on foot.

She acknowledged me with, "Thank you."

"You're very welcome."

She turned her head to take a second look.  "Nice bike."

"Thank you."

It caused me to reflect on how many times I have gotten that response or more from people much younger than I.  I know there is a large gap between, "Nice bike," and, "I want to buy one of those."  I'm just not sure I, or we, have correctly assessed or understand why the younger folks aren't buying big, beautiful motorcycles.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Some of us may be painting with too broad a brush.  I rode to the car wash at lunch to get my dollar coins and then to Taco Via.  Crossing a large parking lot I stopped to allow a girl (I'm 66.  They're all girls even into their mid thirties.) to cross on foot.

She acknowledged me with, "Thank you."

"You're very welcome."

She turned her head to take a second look.  "Nice bike."

"Thank you."

It caused me to reflect on how many times I have gotten that response or more from people much younger than I.  I know there is a large gap between, "Nice bike," and, "I want to buy one of those."  I'm just not sure I, or we, have correctly assessed or understand why the younger folks aren't buying big, beautiful motorcycles.

Point well taken  (Taco Bell, Taco Via), is that all you eat for lunch ?