Losing Riders
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 872
Likes: 237
From: Covington, Ga
I think a lot of people lose their taste for it after knowing/reading about so many riders being hit by texters or left turning drivers. They get scared and start thinking of the other things they have to live for, kids, grand kids and such.
I know a lot of people with bikes who never ride anymore because "they just don't have time". I never understand that answer. Maybe they just don't feel the same passion for it as I do.
I know a lot of people with bikes who never ride anymore because "they just don't have time". I never understand that answer. Maybe they just don't feel the same passion for it as I do.
Stage III
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Pa.
elephants on the wall
Its gotta be the long cold winters playing tricks on our senses. Six months of snow and cold here in the north and you began to see silhouettes of tree roots on the wall. 
Here in Pennsylvania seem to have more riders than cars, maybe...In the summertime hundreds of bikes pass my house with a deafening roar. The poor dogs bark none stop for days on end from all the ringing in their ears.
Spring is still months away, and I'll soon forget all about 7 feet of snow.
Here in Pennsylvania seem to have more riders than cars, maybe...In the summertime hundreds of bikes pass my house with a deafening roar. The poor dogs bark none stop for days on end from all the ringing in their ears.
Spring is still months away, and I'll soon forget all about 7 feet of snow.
Last edited by rustybit; Feb 18, 2015 at 12:38 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 95
From: lancaster, pa
I suppose video games,demographics and politics who knows? Economy can work both ways with bikes. Thanks to the economy or hostile work environment Im just going to ride down to Dayotana in two weeks,screw it
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,749
Likes: 16
From: sand mountain Alabama
It is a large difference in what folks have as a hobby. With the younger generation now you never know what direction they will go.
Just a couple of years ago my road was busy with bikes all summer long. Now it's just groups and some solo riders.
Most of the young folks that could ride wants it for nothing. Or don't care if the don't have a job.
Prices on bikes are high right now. And will be fear a spell. I use to trade every year, did it for a lot of years. In 2013 went to check on a Dyna for a serious engine build. They were crazy.
Sorry for the rant
Just a couple of years ago my road was busy with bikes all summer long. Now it's just groups and some solo riders.
Most of the young folks that could ride wants it for nothing. Or don't care if the don't have a job.
Prices on bikes are high right now. And will be fear a spell. I use to trade every year, did it for a lot of years. In 2013 went to check on a Dyna for a serious engine build. They were crazy.
Sorry for the rant
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
Serious bikers in Mid MO are also thinning. Seems the weekend warrior, garage queen fair weather types are filling the voids where a few guys I work with manage to pick up good used rides on the cheap with few to no miles on them as the fun or new wears away.
Wife and I ride as we can when we can even on those 40 degree days but sunny. We still do distance rides(250-2500 miles) where some of our compadres don't like to go but around the county or a few counties.
Wife and I ride as we can when we can even on those 40 degree days but sunny. We still do distance rides(250-2500 miles) where some of our compadres don't like to go but around the county or a few counties.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
Work and family get in the way of riding. But just as bad is lousy weather. Reached an age where I no longer will purposely ride in the rain, high winds, extreme cold and extremely hot days. Just not fun or relaxing.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 36
From: Lafayette La
Well you gained 2 last June when my wife and I bought a 14 limited. It's probably because that I'm more aware of bikes now, but seems there's a lot of bikes out riding in my area. I've got 11,000mile in the past 9 months and work out of country 1/2 that time, pretty much ride everyday I'm home at least an hour.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 7
Lets imagine its 2006-2007, the television is full of biker related shows. Sons, jesse james, biker buildoff, full throttle, OCC, etc. Any man that was in some way intrigued by instant respect and "Fitting in" to something saw all these guys riding credit glides and having a blast. After all, these guys on tv make it look easy. Its just like riding a bicycle right? I saw it myself. Many guys would buy a bike, tool around a little, get scared, and then the bike became a garage ornament. On the flip side, with escalating fuel prices, and a boon of disposable income, why shouldnt a man have a 25 thousand dollar bike next to his 50 thousand dollar truck, and a 40 thousand dollar bass boat? Well, when people lost their jobs, some lost as much as their homes. Others gave up the bass boat and the bike and the truck and filed bankruptcy. The last 8 or so years have sucked for many people, and its not over. Income is down, divorces are up, jobs are scarce, no "Biker heroes" on tv, and dumb *** drivers are more distracted than ever in their cages. Riding a motorcycle isnt a safe, money saving lifestyle. So thats my take on it, for what its worth....