Is the Era of the Motorcycle Over?

[jstark47]

I love to ride my bike, and I get a kick out of the newest electronic gizmos but one has nothing to do with the other.

But that's because you're probably around my age (born 1956) and from the generation that actually did things, not just looked at pictures on the 'net. You and I look at these gizmos as cool toys and useful tools, but nothing more. Some of the teens and 20-somethings let their digital devices define life for them - anything that they can't see on a digital display isn't "real". I swear some of them would shrivel up and die if you confiscated their smart phones - they wouldn't know how to act!

[vito]

You may be right about younger folks. This past summer, as I have done for the last 12 years, I rented a large house on a large lake in South Central US for a week, and invited my 5 grown children, their spouses and their children to come. These family vacations are great, especially by giving my grandchildren a chance to be with their cousins from all across the USA. One afternoon, with perfect weather, I entered the "family room" to ask which grandkids wanted to join me for fun in the lake right outside the house. Eight of my nine grandkids were in the room. Seven out of eight were fully engaged in their electronic devices, whether smart phones, Ipods, Nintendo DX, or whatever and were not interested in the lake (which is why we picked this location!). Only one was without an electronic device, and that's because he is only 2 and playing with Matchbox cars on the floor! Sitting lakeside with a good book is not a bad way to spend vacation time, but sitting in the house with gadgets in the middle of a summer day is crazy. The only saving grace was when I offered to rent a couple of watercraft for the grandkids (and kids) to ride, they put down their electronics and got excited. Some of my kids and grandkids love to play electronic racing games, with cars or motorcycles, but I can't imagine why someone would prefer that to doing the real thing themselves.

[Grey Thumper]

I agree with many of the previous posters who think that there's no connection between gadgets as objects of desire and the decline of motorcycles. I think they're just two social trends that are evolving somewhat simultaneously. In fact, it can be argued that the decline of bikes as "cool objects" among a mainstream audience has been going on since the 70's (with occasional rises in popularity since then in either the 80s, 90s, or 00s, depending on what country you're from).

In many ways, it's a lot more intimidating to get into bikes now. We're living in an age of more traffic, less competent drivers, and more in-car distractions (and those electronic gadgets are mainly to blame). It's a sweeping generalization, but we also tend to be more risk-averse these days, and also have a less developed sense of personal responsibility.

On the brighter side, we've got more access to professional instruction, a lot more reliable information (lots more books about riding out there, not to mention advice from more experienced riders through sites like this one), much more effective protective gear, and better, more reliable bikes. For those who do decide to start riding, it's a veritable golden age.

[pchast]

+1

[madjak30]

I think the original story is wrong...their not more desireable, they're just more accessible. If you went up to a group of 20 something males with the latest iGadget and a bike and asked which one is cooler...I don't think many would choose the iGadget...

Women tend to notice a guy getting off a bike and in a good way...do you think a woman thinks the same way about a guy in a coffee shop with his iThingy??

It's just that a few hundred gets you the iGadget, but you need to have a few thousand or a bank that likes you to get a bike...

Later.

[TechTMW]

The era of the motorcycle will be over when the last motorcyclist is run down by some teenaged twit sexting while driving.

[dablade]

The thing I await with the most desire on my days off is to ride. The available technology has only improved my riding experiences.
Posted from my iPad.........

[T-Bird]

Great comments from everyone and good thoughts to ponder on. For my two cents, if you are buying a motorcycle based on the bling factor, you are missing the whole point of riding. There are not many places you are going to get to go 200 mph on your bike but I know thousands of enjoyable miles you can travel at 60 - 70 mph (or a little more). I don't need computers, spent many years working with them. My cell phone only makes and receives phone calls, that's all I need it to do. My bike provides enjoyment, thrills, and much needed therapy. Haven't found an electronic device that can do all that.

[madjak30]

I make use of all of it...winter is cold and crappy...electronics help get through to the next riding season...during riding season the electronics are used to share the pictures and videos that I have taken during the rides, and to connect with friends that I don't even really know...

The era of the motorcycle isn't over, it has just changed with the times...digital cameras, motorcycle forums, YouTube, Facebook, blogging...it's all part of it for me...

Later.

[Marvin]

The problem with most motorcycle owners-riders is they own and ride one for the wrong reasons, you ride it to impress other people! Yea,, you do! In the past I admit I was guily of that too. Now I ride one for the sheer passion and the love to ride, I love the control, the wind in my face, the peace, when i get pissed off I go for a ride to calm me down, it keeps me sane! You guys are wasting your time impressing other people just because you can ride and handle a big bike and know how to clutch, I can take any bike you ride and make you look bad by riding it better than you. I have been riding for a long time and I have owned every type of motorcycle out there! Now i ride a scooter cause I love riding it, not because I can't handle a big powerfull heavy cruiser, but that big powerfull cruiser doesn't thrill me anymore, my scooter can go just as fast and can take the tight curves better,, I don't care what you think of me and my scooter, I ride that scooter to impress ME! Not You! So go ahead and act like a tough guy cause you are the man cause you ride a heavy cruiser, to me you are the loser cause the only way you can impress other people is by owning the big popular big bike, so if you feel you're a nobody without one then thats your problem.