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Motorcycles have come a long way since 1885, when Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach built the first one in Germany. Called the reitwagen, or riding car, its engine had 0.5 horsepower and a top speed of 11 kilometers per hour. Fourteen years later, the first production bike was made by Hildebrand and Wolfmuller featuring a two-cylinder engine that produced 2.5 horsepower and topped out at 45 kph.
Yep, this is the one riders and the industry need to worry about. Golf, tennis, boating and other Boomer activities are slowly dying off - literally.
And it's a long way off, but wait until autonomous cars take over (30 years away?). Eventually manual cars, and motorcycles will be systematically outlawed on public roads, relegated to private roads - maybe like an amusement park. Again, probably at least 30 years away...
Enjoy your bike while it lasts.
Quote:
7. A graying market. The median age of the typical motorcycle owner is 47, up from 32 in 1990 and 40 in 2009. And although its sales are slipping, Harley maintains a 55.1% share of the 35 and older male rider demographic. However, more troubling for the industry is the decline in riders under 18, which has fallen from 8% in 1990 to 2%, and those between 18 and 24 from 16% of the total down to 6%. Where will the new bike buyers come from if the industry is not attracting these younger people?
The only place in the US that I would consider "motorcycle friendly" right now is California and if there is any kind of two wheel renaissance in this country I gotta think it would happen there. With year-round riding climate, beautiful coastal roads and mountain twisties, it really is a motorcyclist paradise. I really feel like car drivers are more cognizant and generally more accommodating there too (legal lane splitting being a huge part of that).
I'm a Gen Y-er and grew up in an extremely anti-motorcycle household. Most of my friends and family would say similarly. I feel it is a generational thing where people my age and younger have it hammered into our brain at an early age that motorcycles are unsafe. It's really unfortunate because I really believe its misleading. Yes, it can be dangerous but you can dramatically lower the odds of tragedy by taking a few precautions:
-wear a helmet
-don't ride drunk or high
-wear protective gear (and high vis where possible)
-ride safe and always be aware of your surroundings
-the bike I ride has ABS and other safety features like traction control, tire pressure monitor, etc. are helpful.
However, more troubling for the industry is the decline in riders under 18, which has fallen from 8% in 1990 to 2%, and those between 18 and 24 from 16% of the total down to 6%. Where will the new bike buyers come from if the industry is not attracting these younger people?
Seems as if today's young people would rather play with their phones and video games than get out and see the world. Of course, many can't afford to move out of their parent's basement, let alone buy a bike.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake
Seems as if today's young people would rather play with their phones and video games than get out and see the world. Of course, many can't afford to move out of their parent's basement, let alone buy a bike.
their phones are more expensive than a used bike. Certainly more expensive than most my bikes.
Besides.... you can take that phone EVERYWHERE, including into the toilet and classroom.
Low Ridership does not surprise me.
1) Less mechanical aptitude / desire to tinker
2) No need for transportation (people and kids spend much more time at home than 40+ yrs ago, when we could hardly wait to leave) Many kids today don't even WANT a drivers license. (That's different)
3) Dangers of biking are well documented (I hope my insurance company does not read this)
4) A lot more restrictions / fewer places to ride
5) Not as ez to ditch cops (GPS, drones, and helicopters)
6) Tweeker cars are in
7) probably a lot more reasons!
2.5 horsepower and topped out at 45 kph
Sounds like my diesel rabbit can't get out of it's own way... Keeps my expectations low.
With 9 bikes, I will help boost WY statistics when I move there to the "old-folks-home"!
(no 'traction control' / air bags... just my vintage racers. My thumper in TX started first kick last weekend! at least I can still kick it!
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(That's different
)
this)
can't get out of it's own way... Keeps my expectations low.
