Cycle riding going thru another down turn??

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Feb 13, 2013 | 10:03 AM

#11

Wide_Open

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Joined: Feb 2010

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From: FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by piasspj

The last couple of years I've noticed more scooters on the road. Haven't noticed much of a change in motorcycles other than attendance at charity events seems to have gone down.

Agree. Scooters are everywhere around here. Probably a good thing, maybe drivers will learn to look for those of us on two wheels a little closer.

Feb 13, 2013 | 10:13 AM

#12

IronAss

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Joined: Apr 2008

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From: Arkansas

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzarkHarleyguy

I hope you guys are right. I've heard several say that attendance at some of the rallys is way down last year.

I don't know if that's due to a lack of interest or the fact that the majority of "rally's" have become more about making money and less about a bunch of riders getting together for a good time. I know that's the reason I haven't attended any of the larger one's for a long time now. Even some of the smaller more established one's are getting that way.

Hell, look at Sturgis as just one example. There's a thread in this forum right now discussing the cost of motel rooms. From what I read there, some of them triple their rates once the rally starts. Give me a break.

Feb 13, 2013 | 01:59 PM

#13

skratch

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Joined: Jan 2007

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From: anacoco, la

Quote:

Originally Posted by IronAss

Hell, look at Sturgis as just one example. There's a thread in this forum right now discussing the cost of motel rooms. From what I read there, some of them triple their rates once the rally starts. Give me a break.

thats cause other than the rally, there really isn't really much of a draw to go there. so they've got to make the whole years book in 2 weeks to stay afloat.

Feb 13, 2013 | 02:50 PM

#14

XKnight

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Joined: Oct 2009

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From: 3rd Stone From The Sun

Less is sometimes better, but I think overall ridership will be up worldwide. Population growth, higher gas prices and cheaper bikes will all come into play.

Feb 13, 2013 | 03:36 PM

#15

jjames

Tourer

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 348

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From: ohio

IMO rally's are a gonna be a bad indicator for a decline in motorcycle riding. They're pricing themselves out of this world as IA said. There's no way I'll pay that much more to stay somewhere any other week to sit in traffic and deal with riders all around me I don't trust their ability's. I plan on making it out to sturgis to see it and ride the black hills but have no desire to go around the rally.

Feb 13, 2013 | 04:40 PM

#16

gerjets

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 1,090

Likes: 4

From: Mt Airy, MD

There seems to be tons of new bikes in our area after Christmas every year.

My opinion...from someone who lives in a predominantly white collar area...motorcycles seem to be trendy...they buy them along with all the Harley gear they can find, ride them fpr a few months, put them in the garage, pull them out a few times a year, and call themselves bikers...then you see those same bikes being sold a year later.

Reminds me of people who make a New Years resolution to get in shape. They buy a gym membership, go for the first couple of months, then you never see them again.

All that said, I think scooters (rather than motorcycles) are becoming more popular.

Feb 13, 2013 | 07:32 PM

#17

Geoff

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Joined: Oct 2007

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From: Nevada

I see less folks at dealers and rallies, and I noticed lower attendance at the Chicago IMS show. I believe this has more to do with the economy than folks' interest in bikes.