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It's the same here. During the height of the OCC, Jesse James, Biker Build-off, and that whole "welding show" thing we had no less than 30 bikes at work. HUGE bike only parking lot right up front next to the building.
That parking lot is now about empty. Three bikes at a time maybe with parking spaces for say 20...
I park my bike all sideways taking up like three spaces. Drives the other OCD riders crazy.
Group riding is not for everyone. I've been riding for 45 years and prefer 5 or less in a group - 10 max, if I trust them and truly prefer to ride alone or with one other. I see many of the comments that seem valid. I could only wish the fad - fashion show riders would decline. As the members from Tx and Fl have stated #s here are up.
I think so too. I live by HW66 in Oklahoma City and we saw a dramatic drop of riders when the economy tanked about 7 years ago. The drop was extensive enough that Honda shut down their U.S. Gold Wing plant.
Beary
I believe I read that Honda ceased Goldwing production in Ohio because the plant was old and that they didn't want to invest in a new assembly line. Also that they wanted to have all their motorcycles built at one plant in Japan. But I'm sure the drop in Goldwing sales back then as is now was a major factor in their decision.
I live in southeastern WV and the riding has steadily fell off in the past 10 years. We used to have 10-20 guys (and some Lady riders) every Saturday in the summer. Now we're down to about 3 regulars.
I was wondering what the riding scene was like in other parts of the country. Anybody else noticed a drop in riders?
I'm the membership officer for the local HOG chapter and I can say in our area just the opposite is true. You've got some GREAT roads in WV, although, don't care for your helmet law. Is this a group riding out of your local dealership? Does the dealership help out? Sounds like something's gone flat + needs refreshed.
Plenty of riders in KC, We have 5 Harley Dealers within an hour or less from KC, a soon as it turns 50 degrees there will be at least 20 bikes riding by my place just off of 291 and I-70. When It hits 70 degrees I will hear bikes all day long everyday cause I am the Superintendent where I live. Plenty of rider groups to join too. One ride I do every year is after Sturgis we support the Special Olympics with a short 100 mile ride, that comes with a doughnut breakfast an a lunch and prize giveaways at every stop plus an auction and give away at the final destination which is a Hotel. It started out with 5 guys now it has exploded into about 300 I think and the furthest rider has been coming from Texas, It has been escorted by the Highway Patrol for the last several Years, its a lot of fun to ride down a Federal Highway and shut it down legally to auto traffic. It's called Jimmy's Miles For Medals, and for the record I am not pushing it trying to advertise it, its just a fun ride.
Sorry for the blurry picture that is the Highway Patrol Bikes lined up behind Wabash BBQ
I see and hear many bikes anytime it is warm out, they do not tend to be on the road as often nor as long nor as cool as I will ride. Been called crazy by quite a few as I ride down to the 40's temp wise, ride to and from work when warms above 50 dark or light out and although have a given respect for the four legged car killers of the forest have managed to NOT hit any while so many of my riding cohorts avoid dusk to dawn riding because of them.
Biggest issue I see facing ridership is daylight only, bar hopping, short distance from home 'Hobby' riders, while yes they are riding they tend not to ride when their rear ends hurt, stop riding before dark, do not go for distance cruise vacations without packing the car and trailering their ride for their vacationing comfort and just will not push the realm of riding as a singular sense action.
All too many I work with fit the last line of riders, trailer everywhere, if it looks like rain in 48 hours the bike stays parked and many times the batteries die while gas sours awaiting a 'perfect' time to go for a short ride and show their prowess/commitment as bikers.
I ride year round. 40*?? that's summer weather - the coldest I've ridden was 18*. Usually around here it's in the 20's and 30's during the winter. We ride every Sunday if the roads are dry. I'd rather ride in cold weather then 90*+ weather.
All my vacations are by bike - if I can't ride to it, I don't go. I do 2 to 3 long distance rides each year. 1 Rolling Thunder, 2 Ontario or other Canadian province HOG rally and this year my dealer has a Route 66 trip planned, I will be going on that and for the return, I'm planning on doing the Butt Burner 1000. Removing 2 items from my bucket list.
Another thing that gets me riding a lot is the Harley ABC's of Touring contest each year - not only does that produce a lot of miles, but it's a lot of fun locating and gathering points.
No way I'm paying $32K+ for a vehicle to sit in the garage for 6 months each year. Most riders I know are fair weather riders. That includes about 95% of our 400 member HOG chapter. They do a lot of local rides(which we have plenty of) but not many long distance rides or in temps below 50*.
Everybody has their limits and that's OK. I'd hate to see someone try a cold winter ride and then get frostbite or try a ride in 100* temps and get heat stroke.
As long as they're having fun, that's all that matters.
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Usually around here it's in the 20's and 30's during the winter. We ride every Sunday if the roads are dry. I'd rather ride in cold weather then 90*+ weather.